Railways Approves ₹405 Crore For Signalling Upgrade To Boost Safety On Eastern Routes

In a major push to modernise railway infrastructure, Indian Railways has approved a ₹405 crore signalling upgradation project on the network of Eastern Railway aimed at improving safety, reliability, and operational efficiency across some of its busiest corridors.

The project will cover 32 stations and involve the replacement of old relay-based interlocking systems with advanced Electronic Interlocking (EI) technology. This includes 25 Panel Interlocking (PI)/Route Relay Interlocking (RRI) stations and 7 Intermediate Block Signalling (IBS) locations, all situated on High Density Network (HDN) and Highly Utilised Network (HUN) routes.

Officials said the existing signalling systems on these routes are largely ageing and technology-heavy relay-based installations , which face challenges such as outdated wiring arrangements, inadequate earthing systems, and higher maintenance risks. These issues often increase the chances of signal failures and operational delays, affecting both passenger and freight movement.

The introduction of Electronic Interlocking systems is expected to significantly enhance train movement precision and system reliability . Compared to conventional systems, EI technology offers faster fault detection, improved safety margins, and quicker restoration of services during disruptions . This will help ensure smoother operations on high-traffic corridors.

The modernisation is also aligned with Indian Railways’ broader strategy to develop a future-ready signalling ecosystem capable of supporting advanced technologies such as Kavach , Automatic Block Signalling , and Centralised Traffic Control systems .

Importantly, the upgrade is focused entirely on the Eastern Railway zone , which primarily serves parts of West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Bihar , including major operational corridors around Howrah, Sealdah, Asansol, and Malda regions . There is no direct inclusion of routes in Telangana or Andhra Pradesh , which fall under South Central Railway and South Coast Railway zones.

The project is expected to strengthen capacity, punctuality, and safety standards , particularly on densely operated routes handling heavy passenger and freight traffic. It reflects Indian Railways’ continued commitment to infrastructure modernisation and technology-driven railway operations across critical networks.

Officials added that the initiative will play a key role in building a more reliable and resilient signalling system , reducing failures and supporting future expansion of high-speed and automated train control technologies across the national network.