**Summary of Optical Fibre Cable Backbone Project for Ahmedabad and Ratlam Divisions**
**Overview**
The Ministry of Railways has sanctioned a ₹398.36 crore project to strengthen the communication infrastructure of the Western Railway. The initiative involves the establishment of a 4×48 Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) backbone specifically within the Ahmedabad and Ratlam Divisions to enhance digital connectivity and support the implementation of the "Kavach" safety system.
**Project Scope and Metrics**
The project entails the provision of 2×48 fibre OFC cables across a total of 1,929 Route Kilometres (RKm). The distribution of the network is as follows:
* **Ahmedabad Division:** 1,456 RKm
* **Ratlam Division:** 473 RKm
**Financial Framework**
The project is executed under the umbrella work titled “Provision of Kavach with communication backbone of Long Term Evolution (LTE) on balance routes of Indian Railways (Umbrella Work 2024–25).” Key financial figures include:
* **Total Umbrella Work Sanctioned Cost:** ₹27,693 crore (Works Programme 2024–25).
* **Western Railway Sub-Umbrella Allocation:** ₹2,800 crore.
* **Specific Project Cost:** ₹398.36 crore.
**Objectives and Benefits**
The primary goal of this augmentation is to modernize the communication backbone to improve the capacity, reliability, and efficiency of railway operations. Significant benefits include:
* **Signaling Support:** Facilitating modern signaling systems and the seamless data transmission required for Kavach implementation.
* **Operational Efficiency:** Enhancing digital transformation and safety protocols for both passenger and freight services.
* **Modernization:** Strengthening the overall infrastructure to ensure better service delivery across the network.
**Administrative Details**
* **Date of Announcement:** April 4, 2026
* **Release ID:** 2248938
* **Contact/Attribution:** Dharmendra Tewari, Dr. Nayan Solanki, and Ritu Raj (PIB Delhi)
Key Entities Referenced
Kavach: An indigenous automatic train protection and modern signaling system for which the communication backbone is being strengthened to enhance safety and data transmission.
Provision of Kavach with communication backbone of Long Term Evolution (LTE) on balance routes of Indian Railways (Umbrella Work 2024–25): The overarching policy and sanctioned work program under which the ₹27,693 crore railway modernization initiative is executed.
Western Railway: The specific railway zone where the ₹398.36 crore Optical Fibre Cable project and related safety upgrades have been sanctioned.
Ahmedabad and Ratlam Divisions: The specific geographical divisions of Indian Railways where the 1929 RKm Optical Fibre network is being implemented.
Ministry of Railways
Indian Railways Approves ₹398.36 Crore Optical
Fibre Cable Backbone Project for Ahmedabad
and Ratlam Divisions
Project to Enhance Digital Connectivity and Support Kavach
Implementation
1929 RKm Optical Fibre Network to Strengthen
Communication Infrastructure in Western Railway Including
1456 RKm in Ahmedabad Division and 473 RKm in Ratlam
Division
Posted On: 04 APR 2026 3:19PM by PIB Delhi
Indian Railways has sanctioned an important project for strengthening its communication infrastructure in
Western Railway with the approval of Provision of 4×48 Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) Backbone in
Ahmedabad and Ratlam Divisions at a total cost of ₹398.36 crore.
The project has been approved under the umbrella work titled “Provision of Kavach with communication
backbone of Long Term Evolution (LTE) on balance routes of Indian Railways (Umbrella Work 2024–
25)”, which has an overall sanctioned cost of ₹27,693 crore under Works Programme 2024–25 (PH-33). A
sub-umbrella work for Western Railway has also been approved at a cost of ₹2,800 crore, under which
this project has been taken up.
As part of the approved work, 2×48 fibre OFC cables will be provided over 1929 Route Kilometres
(RKm) across Western Railway. This includes:
1456 RKm in Ahmedabad Division
473 RKm in Ratlam Division
This significant augmentation of the communication backbone will enhance capacity, reliability, and
efficiency of railway communication systems. It will also support modern signalling systems, including
the implementation of Kavach, enabling seamless data transmission across the network.
This initiative marks another step towards modernisation, safety enhancement and digital transformation
of Indian Railways, ensuring improved operational efficiency and better service delivery for passengers
and freight operations.
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Dharmendra Tewari/ Dr. Nayan Solanki/ Ritu Raj(Release ID: 2248938) Visitor Counter : 399
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