Indian Railways (IR) will invest over ₹765 crore for upgrading the traction distribution (TRD) network along two sections- Duvvada–Visakhapatnam–Vizianagaram and Raichur -Guntakal . Besides, IR will lay over 1000 km of optic fibre cable network in Vadodara and Mumbai divisions of Western Railway (WR).
Part of a programme included in the 2024–25 Railway Budget, the project aims to modernising electric traction systems besides expanding Kavach and modernising railway communication systems across IR.
The details are as follows:-
1. Duvvada–Visakhapatnam–Vizianagaram section
IR has sanctioned ₹318.07 crore for upgrading the electric traction system on the 106-km Duvvada–Visakhapatnam–Vizianagaram section of East Coast Railway (ECoR). The section will be upgraded from the existing 1×25 kV system to an advanced 2×25 kV system. This route transports minerals and industrial goods from Odisha and Chhattisgarh to Visakhapatnam Port.
2. Upgradation of electric traction system in Raichur–Guntakal section
Indian Railways has sanctioned ₹259.39 crore for upgrading the electric traction system rom the existing 1×25 kV system to 2×25 kV system on the 126-km Raichur–Guntakal section spanning Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh under Guntakal division of South Central Railway (SCR). It serves the busy Mumbai-Chennai route.
Benefits
With this, IR will be able to convey higher freight loading at better speed and improved reliability in a high density rail network. The upgrade will strengthen power supply capacity and improve efficiency in train operations.
3. Provision of OFC backbone in Vadodara and Mumbai divisions of Western Railway (WR)
IR has sanctioned ₹187.88 crore for strengthening the communication backbone in Vadodara and Mumbai Central divisions of Western Railway.
Under this, optical fibre cables will be laid over 1,000 route kilometres, including 692 km in Vadodara Division and 308 km in Mumbai division.
The project provides for installation of a 4×48 core Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) backbone architecture, ensuring higher bandwidth, network redundancy, and reliable support for LTE-based Kavach and other critical railway communication systems.
Benefits
This upgrade will strengthen the digital infrastructure required for the implementation of Kavach, the indigenous train collision avoidance system.
