Indian Railways Allocates Over Rs 765 Crore for Infrastructure and Technology Upgrades to Enhance Operations and Communication Systems
Indian Railways Invests Over Rs 765 Crore in Infrastructure and Technology Upgrades
New Delhi, March 10 — In a significant move to bolster its operations and modernize its infrastructure, Indian Railways has sanctioned a series of key projects totaling over Rs 765 crore. This ambitious initiative aims to enhance line capacity and upgrade communication systems across critical sections of the railway network.
Among the major projects approved is the upgrade of electric traction systems on two high-density freight and passenger corridors. Notably, Rs 318.07 crore has been allocated for the enhancement of the electric traction system on the 106-km Duvvada-Visakhapatnam-Vizianagaram section of the East Coast Railway. This upgrade will transition the existing 1×25 kV system to a more advanced 2×25 kV system, facilitating higher freight loads, improved speed, and increased reliability on this vital corridor.
Strategically located on the bustling Howrah-Chennai route, this section is crucial for transporting minerals and industrial goods from Odisha and Chhattisgarh to Visakhapatnam Port. The enhancements are expected to significantly improve power supply capacity, ensuring smoother freight movement and more efficient passenger train operations.
Additionally, Rs 259.39 crore has been earmarked for upgrading the electric traction system on the 126-km Raichur-Guntakal section, which spans Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. This upgrade will similarly transition to a 2×25 kV system, enhancing operational reliability and supporting the ambitious goal of achieving 3,000 MT in freight loading.
The project is particularly important for the Mumbai-Chennai route, as it will facilitate faster passenger services, including the modern Vande Bharat trains, thereby enhancing overall network efficiency.
Furthermore, Indian Railways has allocated Rs 187.88 crore to strengthen the communication backbone in the Vadodara and Mumbai Central Divisions of Western Railway. This project will involve the installation of a 4×48 core Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) backbone, which promises enhanced bandwidth and network redundancy. This upgrade is crucial for supporting LTE-based Kavach, an indigenous train collision avoidance system, thereby improving safety and operational efficiency.
The optical fibre cables will be laid over 1,000 route kilometres, with 692 km in Vadodara Division and 308 km in Mumbai Division, marking a significant step towards modernizing railway communication systems across the network.
These initiatives are part of a nationwide program outlined in the 2024-25 Railway Budget, aimed at modernizing electric traction systems and enhancing digital communication networks throughout Indian Railways. The sanctioned works are expected to significantly improve the efficiency and reliability of railway operations, supporting the operation of modern trains and enhancing the overall performance of Indian Railways across key freight and passenger routes.
As Indian Railways continues to invest in its infrastructure, the future looks promising for both freight and passenger services, paving the way for a more efficient and modern railway network in India.