Railways clear Rs 405 crore signalling upgradation project on Eastern Railway
Kolkata, June 17
Railway travel will get safer with the Eastern Railway getting the clearance to install Electronic Interlocking at 32 stations on High Density Network and Highly Utilised Network routes, officials said on Wednesday.
These will include 25 railway stations that now have Panel Interlocking (PI) or Route Relay Interlocking (RRI).
The remaining seven have Intermediate Block Signalling (IBS).
"The Indian Railways has approved Rs 405 crore for this signal upgradation project. This is part of Indian Railways' broader strategy to modernise signalling systems on critical routes and improve reliability, safety and operational performance across the network," officials said.
The older relay-based technology have operational limitations due to ageing infrastructure.
Issues such as non-segregation of clean and dirty wiring, outdated power supply arrangements, improper earthing systems and ageing signalling equipment have led to higher maintenance requirements and increased failure risks, officials said in a statement.
These legacy systems with state-of-the-art EI technology, which offers significantly higher reliability, enhanced safety and faster fault detection capabilities.
EI systems use advanced digital technology to control train movements and signalling operations with greater precision and reliability.
Compared to conventional RRI systems, EI reduces the probability of signalling failures, improves system availability and facilitates quicker restoration in case of faults. This will support smoother train operations on some of the busiest railway corridors in the country while enhancing safety standards for both passenger and freight services, it added.
The Indian Railways is making an all-out effort to create a modern signalling ecosystem, capable of supporting advanced technologies such as Kavach, Automatic Block Signalling and Centralised Traffic Control on high-density routes.
Some of ER's routes operate at more than 100 per cent capacity, including stretches of the Howrah-New Delhi corridor.
"Upgradation of signals is of utmost importance, with the introduction of modern trains like the Vande Bharat Express. There are plans to run a Vande Bharat sleeper train between Howrah and New Delhi. Upgraded signals would aid in safer, smoother and faster travel for passengers," officials noted.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Finally some proper investment in safety! I've seen too many signal failures cause delays and near-misses. Electronic interlocking should reduce human error. Hope it's implemented quickly and doesn't get stuck in red tape.
Good news but 405 crore for 32 stations seems steep. Hope there's transparency in contracts and no cost overruns. Modernisation is essential but we must ensure value for taxpayer money. Also need to train staff properly—new tech is useless without skilled operators.
This is important for Vande Bharat sleeping trains! Running high-speed overnight services needs modern signalling. But I hope they also upgrade tracks and platforms. Safety isn't just about signals—proper maintenance across the board is key.
Great initiative but I hope they also fix other issues like overcrowding and cleanliness. Safety upgrades are crucial but passengers also deserve comfortable journeys. Still, kudos to railways for moving towards modern tech like Kavach and electronic interlocking. Better late than never!
Electronic interlocking is a game changer! I travel weekly between Howrah and Delhi and signal failures cause massive delays. Reducing failures will also help freight trains which are crucial for economy. Good to see railways prioritising modernisation.
Impressive move! As someone who studies railway infrastructure, transitioning from
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