New Delhi: Indian Railways on Monday cleared a set of infrastructure projects worth Rs 1,364.45 crore aimed at improving safety systems, signalling mechanisms, and communication networks across its operations.
The approved works cover the installation of Kavach train protection systems, the expansion of optical fibre communication infrastructure, and the transition from panel interlocking to electronic interlocking at multiple locations.
As part of the plan, the national transporter has sanctioned the installation of on-board Kavach systems on 232 locomotives under Southern Railway. The project carries an estimated cost of Rs 208.81 crore. It falls under the 2024-25 umbrella programme for Kavach deployment supported by an LTE-based communication backbone.
The broader programme has an outlay of Rs 27,693 crore, with Rs 2,950 crore earmarked for Southern Railway, according to an official statement.
The proposed installation will use Kavach Version 4.0 technology to strengthen automatic train protection and reduce the risk of collisions.
In Northern Railway, three separate works have received approval at a combined cost of Rs 400.86 crore to reinforce communication backbone systems. These projects come under the umbrella scheme for strengthening and replacement of communication infrastructure, which has an approved cost of Rs 4,871 crore. The zone has been allocated Rs 871 crore under this scheme.
The works include laying of 2×48 fibre cables over 926.05 route kilometres in Ambala Division, 1,204 route kilometres in Delhi Division, along with dedicated OFC facilities at stations, and 1,074 route kilometres in Lucknow Division. The upgrades aim to improve network capacity and ensure the reliable data flow required for modern signalling systems and Kavach operations.
In North Central Railway, approval has been granted for laying 2×48 fibre OFC cables across 2,196 route kilometres for Rs 176.77 crore. The coverage includes 1,016 kilometres in Prayagraj Division, 709 kilometres in Jhansi Division, and 471 kilometres in Agra Division. The zone has received a sub-allocation of Rs 200 crore under the same umbrella programme.
The project will support the Kavach rollout across high-density routes and enhance communication reliability.
Meanwhile, South Central Railway will see the replacement of panel interlocking with electronic interlocking systems at multiple stations. Two projects worth Rs 578.02 crore have been sanctioned under the umbrella programme for signalling upgrades on high-density and highly utilised routes, which have an overall outlay of Rs 15,164 crore. The zone has been allotted Rs 1,857 crore.
