**Executive Summary**
Indian Railways has approved over ₹765 crore for infrastructure and technology upgrades across key network sections, focusing on traction system modernization and digital communication enhancement. These projects aim to strengthen operations, expand line capacity, and improve reliability. Key deadlines or specific action items for stakeholders are not explicitly detailed in the document beyond the project implementation timeline.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Traction System Upgrades**
* **Duvvada–Visakhapatnam–Vizianagaram Section:** ₹318.07 crore allocated for upgrading the 106-km electric traction system from 1×25 kV to 2×25 kV. This aims to enable higher freight loading, improved speeds, and enhanced reliability on this high-density corridor on the Howrah-Chennai route.
* **Raichur–Guntakal Section:** ₹259.39 crore allocated for upgrading the 126-km electric traction system from 1×25 kV to 2×25 kV. This aims to enable higher train loads, improved speed potential, and greater operational reliability on this high-density corridor on the Mumbai–Chennai route.
**Digital Communication Backbone Expansion**
* **Vadodara and Mumbai Divisions (Western Railway):** ₹187.88 crore sanctioned for strengthening the communication backbone by installing a 4×48 core Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) network over 1,000 route kilometres (692 km in Vadodara, 308 km in Mumbai).
* This OFC installation will enhance bandwidth, network redundancy, and provide reliable support for LTE-based Kavach and other critical railway communication systems, strengthening digital infrastructure for Kavach implementation.
**Overall Objectives**
* Strengthen operations, expand line capacity, and modernise communication systems across critical network sections.
* Enhance efficiency and reliability of railway operations.
* Enable higher freight loading capacity.
* Support the operation of modern trains and improve overall performance.
* All projects are part of the 2024–25 Railway Budget's nationwide programme for modernising electric traction and communication systems.
**Impact Analysis**
**Indian Railways Operations**
* **Impact:** Enhanced efficiency, improved reliability, increased freight loading capacity, and support for modern train operations.
* **Action Required:** Implement the sanctioned upgrade projects as per the allocated funds and timelines.
**Freight and Passenger Services**
* **Impact:** Smoother freight movement, faster passenger services (including Vande Bharat trains), and improved reliability on key corridors.
* **Action Required:** Facilitate and adapt to the enhanced operational capabilities resulting from the upgrades.
**Indigenous Train Collision Avoidance System (Kavach)**
* **Impact:** Strengthened digital infrastructure crucial for the implementation and operation of Kavach.
* **Action Required:** Ensure the OFC network provides the necessary support for Kavach deployment and functionality.
Key Entities Referenced
Indian Railways: The primary entity undertaking the infrastructure and technology upgradation projects.
2024-25 Railway Budget: The overarching budget under which these modernization projects are included.
Kavach: An indigenous train collision avoidance system for which digital infrastructure is being strengthened.
Duvvada–Visakhapatnam–Vizianagaram Section: A strategic freight corridor undergoing electric traction system upgrades.
Raichur–Guntakal Section: A section of railway line undergoing electric traction system upgrades.
Ministry of Railways
Indian Railways Approves Over ₹765 Crore for
Traction Upgrades and Digital Communication
Overhaul Across Key Corridors
₹318.07 Cr Cleared to Modernise Traction System on
Strategic Duvvada–Visakhapatnam–Vizianagaram Freight
Corridor
Raichur–Guntakal Section Gets ₹259.39 Cr Boost for
Advanced 2×25 kV Electric Traction Upgrade Over 126 km
Western Railway to Lay 1,000 km of Optical Fibre Cable in
Vadodara and Mumbai Divisions with Sanctioning of ₹187.88
Cr
Posted On: 10 MAR 2026 2:22PM by PIB Delhi
Indian Railways has sanctioned a series of key infrastructure and technology upgradation works totalling
over ₹765 crore to strengthen operations, expand line capacity, and modernise communication systems
across critical sections of the network.
The sanctioned projects cover upgradation of electric traction systems on two high-density freight and
passenger corridors, and a major expansion of the optical fibre communication backbone across Vadodara
and Mumbai Central Divisions of Western Railway.
Upgradation of Electric Traction System in Duvvada–Visakhapatnam–Vizianagaram Section
Indian Railways has also sanctioned ₹318.07 crore for upgrading the electric traction system on the 106-
km Duvvada–Visakhapatnam–Vizianagaram section of East Coast Railway.
The section will be upgraded from the existing 1×25 kV system to a more advanced 2×25 kV system,
enabling higher freight loading, improved speed potential, and enhanced reliability on this high-density
corridor.
Located on the busy Howrah–Chennai route, this section plays a crucial role in transporting minerals and
industrial goods from Odisha and Chhattisgarh to Visakhapatnam Port. The upgrade will strengthen power
supply capacity, ensuring smoother freight movement and more efficient passenger train operations.
The project is part of a nationwide programme included in the 2024–25 Railway Budget aimed at
modernising electric traction systems across Indian Railways.
Upgradation of Electric Traction System in Raichur–Guntakal SectionIndian Railways has sanctioned ₹259.39 crore for upgrading the electric traction system on the 126-km
Raichur–Guntakal section spanning Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh under Guntakal Division of South
Central Railway.
The section will be upgraded from the existing 1×25 kV system to a more advanced 2×25 kV system,
enabling higher train loads, improved speed potential, and greater operational reliability on this high-
density corridor.
Located on the busy Mumbai–Chennai route, the upgrade will strengthen power supply capacity,
facilitating smoother freight movement and faster passenger services, including Vande Bharat trains. The
project will contribute to Indian Railways’ mission of achieving 3,000 MT freight loading while
enhancing overall network efficiency.
The work forms part of a nationwide programme included in the 2024–25 Railway Budget aimed at
modernising electric traction systems across Indian Railways.
Provision of OFC Communication Backbone in Vadodara and Mumbai Divisions
Indian Railways has sanctioned ₹187.88 crore for strengthening the communication backbone in Vadodara
and Mumbai Central Divisions of Western Railway.
The project provides for installation of a 4×48 core Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) backbone architecture,
ensuring enhanced bandwidth, network redundancy, and reliable support for LTE-based Kavach and other
critical railway communication systems. This upgrade will strengthen the digital infrastructure required
for the implementation of Kavach, the indigenous train collision avoidance system.
Under this work, 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 is part of a larger nationwide programme included in the 2024–25 Railway Budget aimed at
expanding Kavach and modernising railway communication systems across the network.
Strengthening Rail Infrastructure and Capacity
These sanctioned works will enhance the efficiency and reliability of railway operations by improving
traction power systems, strengthening communication backbone infrastructure, and enabling higher freight
loading capacity along major railway corridors.
The initiatives will also support the operation of modern trains, strengthen digital communication
networks, and improve the overall performance of Indian Railways across key freight and passenger
routes.
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Dharmendra Tewari/ Ritu Raj/ Manik Sharma
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