Indian Railways clears Rs 226 cr upgrade to electronic interlocking at 13 stations in SECR's Raipur Division
New Delhi, July 1
In a major step towards modernising signalling infrastructure and enhancing operational safety, Indian Railways has approved the provision of Electronic Interlocking at 13 stations on the Durg-Taroki section of Raipur Division in South East Central Railway at a cost of ₹226 crore.
The project involves replacing the existing Panel Interlocking (PI) system with Electronic Interlocking (EI) at 13 stations, enabling safer, more reliable and technology-driven train operations, the Ministry of Railways said in a release on Wednesday.
The sanctioned project covers the installation of Electronic Interlocking at the following stations of the Durg-Taroki section of Raipur Division: Marauda (MXA), Risama (RSA), Gundardehi (GDZ), Latabor (LBO), Balod (BXA), Kusumkasa (KYS), Dalli Rajhara (DRZ), Gudum (GUDM), Bhanupratappur (BPTP), Keoti (KETI), Antagarh (AAGH), Taroki (TDOK) and Raipur Store Depot (RSD).
The transition from Panel Interlocking to Electronic Interlocking will significantly modernise signalling infrastructure on this important section, improving operational flexibility and system reliability.
According to the Ministry of Railways, Electronic Interlocking is a state-of-the-art signalling technology that automates route setting and signalling functions while incorporating advanced safety features. The upgraded system will improve operational efficiency, reduce the possibility of signalling failures and enable faster restoration during disruptions.
The project will enhance the safety and reliability of train operations, improve punctuality and provide a stronger technological foundation for handling growing passenger and freight traffic on the South East Central Railway network.
The approval is part of Indian Railways' ongoing programme to modernise signalling systems across the national network through advanced technologies, ensuring safer, smarter and more efficient railway operations.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Finally some modernisation for smaller stations like Antagarh and Taroki! But I hope the Railways also focuses on the basic amenities at these stations—clean washrooms, drinking water, and proper waiting areas. Electronic interlocking is good, but passengers also need comfort while waiting for trains. A balanced approach please! 😊
As an engineer who worked on railway signalling projects in the UK, I can appreciate the significance of this upgrade. Panel interlocking is like using a flip phone in a smartphone world. Electronic interlocking with its fail-safe logic and remote diagnostics will be a game-changer. Hope they also invest in training the local staff properly—technology is only as good as the people operating it.
This is good but we need to see similar upgrades across the entire SECR network, not just Raipur Division. The Durg-Taroki section serves mainly freight traffic to steel plants in Dalli Rajhara. What about passenger-centric routes? Also, let's hope the installation doesn't cause major disruptions—we've all seen those 'work in progress' signs that last for years.
Safety first! 🙏 Living in Chhattisgarh, I've heard about tragic railway accidents in the past due to manual signaling errors in rural areas. This electronic system should prevent human mistakes. But I wonder—will the Railways also install automatic collision warning systems? That would be even better for passenger safety on single-line sections.
₹226 crores seems reasonable for upgrading 13 stations. For comparison, a single mile of high-speed rail in
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