Railways approves major fibre network, Kavach expansion projects worth ₹1,236 crore
Indian Railways has approved a series of infrastructure projects worth ₹1,236 crore aimed at strengthening its communication systems and expanding the indigenous Kavach train protection system across key routes.
The approvals cover three proposals focusing on optical fibre network expansion and deployment of the Kavach automatic train protection system across Central, Western, and Southern Railway zones.
In Central Railway, projects worth ₹623.63 crore have been cleared to establish a dual-path communication network across all five divisions — Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Bhusawal, and Solapur. The plan includes installation of Optical Ground Wire (OPGW) along existing electric traction lines and laying of underground optical fibre cables.
The OPGW system, to be deployed over 2,250 route kilometres, will serve both as an earth wire for traction and a medium for data transmission. In parallel, underground optical fibre cables will be laid over 2,673 route kilometres. Together, these will create a redundant communication system, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity even if one network path fails.
Railways said the enhanced fibre capacity will also be monetised through leasing of dark fibre, providing an additional revenue stream.
In a parallel move to enhance operational safety, Kavach version 4.0 will be deployed over 548 kilometres of high-density routes in Southern Railway at a cost of ₹310.18 crore. The sections include Jolarpettai–Erode and Chennai Beach–Chengalpattu in Tamil Nadu, as well as Shoranur–Mangalore spanning Kerala and Karnataka.
Kavach is an indigenously developed automatic train protection system that helps prevent collisions by automatically applying brakes in case of signal violations or potential conflicts on the tracks.
Meanwhile, Western Railway has received approval for projects worth ₹302.26 crore to complete optical fibre connectivity in Gujarat’s Rajkot and Bhavnagar divisions. The works will cover a total of 1,653 kilometres, filling the remaining gaps in the communication backbone.
