Continuing its efforts to modernise core railway infrastructure and enhance operational efficiency, Indian Railways has sanctioned a series of key projects worth over ₹765 crore aimed at upgrading electric traction systems and strengthening digital communication networks across major railway corridors.
The approved initiatives include traction system upgrades on two high-density freight and passenger routes, along with a large-scale expansion of the optical fibre communication backbone in the Vadodara and Mumbai Central Divisions of Western Railway.
₹318.07 Crore Traction Upgrade on Duvvada–Visakhapatnam–Vizianagaram Section
Indian Railways has approved ₹318.07 crore for upgrading the electric traction system on the 106-km Duvvada–Visakhapatnam–Vizianagaram section under East Coast Railway.
The section will be upgraded from the existing 1×25 kV system to the advanced 2×25 kV traction system, enabling higher freight loading capacity, improved operational speeds, and greater reliability on this high-density corridor.
Situated on the crucial Howrah–Chennai trunk route, the section plays a vital role in transporting minerals and industrial cargo from Odisha and Chhattisgarh to Visakhapatnam Port. The upgrade will enhance power supply capacity, facilitating smoother freight operations while also supporting more efficient passenger train services.
The project forms part of a nationwide traction modernisation programme included in the Railway Budget 2024–25.
₹259.39 Crore Traction Modernisation on Raichur–Guntakal Section
Indian Railways has also sanctioned ₹259.39 crore for upgrading the electric traction system on the 126-km Raichur–Guntakal section under the Guntakal Division of South Central Railway.
Like the East Coast Railway project, the section will be upgraded from 1×25 kV to the 2×25 kV electric traction system, enabling higher train loads, improved speed potential, and enhanced reliability.
Located along the busy Mumbai–Chennai corridor, this section handles substantial passenger and freight traffic. The traction upgrade will strengthen power supply capacity, facilitating smoother freight movement and enabling faster passenger services, including operations of modern trainsets such as Vande Bharat.
The project also aligns with Indian Railways’ broader objective of achieving 3,000 million tonnes (MT) of freight loading annually.
₹187.88 Crore OFC Backbone Project in Western Railway
To strengthen railway digital infrastructure, Indian Railways has sanctioned ₹187.88 crore for expanding the Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) communication backbone across the Vadodara and Mumbai Central Divisions of Western Railway.
The project involves installation of a 4×48 core OFC backbone architecture, designed to provide enhanced bandwidth, improved network redundancy, and reliable support for next-generation railway communication systems.
The upgraded network will play a critical role in supporting LTE-based Kavach, the indigenous train collision avoidance system, along with other operational and signalling communication requirements.
Project Scope
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Total OFC deployment: 1,000 route km
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Vadodara Division: 692 km
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Mumbai Central Division: 308 km
The initiative forms part of a nationwide programme outlined in the Railway Budget 2024–25 to expand Kavach deployment and modernise railway communication networks.
Strengthening Capacity, Technology and Reliability
These sanctioned projects represent a significant step in strengthening the technological backbone of Indian Railways. By upgrading traction power systems and expanding high-capacity communication infrastructure, the initiatives will:
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Enable higher freight loading capacity
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Improve train speed and reliability
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Support operation of modern rolling stock
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Strengthen digital safety systems such as Kavach
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Enhance overall network efficiency across major corridors
Through sustained investments in traction modernisation and digital infrastructure, Indian Railways continues to move toward a more resilient, technology-driven and high-capacity national rail network.
