Electronic Interlocking technology to be installed at 20 locations in Malda Division
In a major step towards strengthening railway safety and modernising signalling infrastructure, Indian Railways has approved the replacement of relay-based interlocking with advanced Electronic Interlocking (EI) at 20 locations in Malda Division of Eastern Railway at a cost of Rs.274 crore.
The project will replace the existing Relay Room/Panel Interlocking (PI/RRI) system with Electronic Interlocking (EI) at 18 railway stations and 2 Intermediate Block Signalling (IBS) locations situated on High Utilisation Network (HUN) routes of Eastern Railway, the Ministry of Railways said on 2 July.
Modernising Signalling Infrastructure on High-Density Routes
The sanctioned project covers the replacement of conventional relay-based signalling systems with state-of-the-art Electronic Interlocking technology across 20 operational locations, comprising 18 stations and 2 IBS locations in Malda Division.
The modernisation will significantly improve the reliability, efficiency and maintainability of signalling systems while creating a robust technological foundation for handling increasing passenger and freight traffic on one of Eastern Railway’s busiest corridors.
Safer, Smarter and More Reliable Train Operations
Electronic Interlocking is an advanced fail-safe signalling technology that automates route setting and signalling functions while substantially reducing the possibility of equipment failures and human error. The upgraded system will improve operational flexibility, minimise service disruptions, enable quicker restoration during faults and enhance punctuality.
The project will strengthen train safety, improve operational efficiency and support faster and more reliable train movement on High Utilisation Network routes, while also providing better readiness for future technologies such as Kavach and other modern signalling systems.
The approval is part of Indian Railways’ ongoing mission to modernise signalling infrastructure across the national network through advanced technologies, ensuring safer, smarter and more efficient railway operations.
The Railways has also approved the construction of a 4.59 km rail flyover from Bondamunda ‘A’ Cabin to Bondamunda Link ‘B’ Cabin in South Eastern Railway at a cost of Rs.135 crore.
The project is aimed at decongesting the important Rourkela-Bondamunda section, an industrial corridor witnessing rapidly increasing freight traffic due to expanding mining and steel production activities.
Capacity Augmentation on a Critical Industrial Corridor
The Rourkela-Bondamunda section is expected to experience substantial growth in freight movement owing to the expansion of SAIL’s Barsua-Taldih-Kalta mining complex, enhanced production at Rourkela Steel Plant, and the planned doubling of this High-Density Network (HDN) route.
To accommodate the anticipated increase in rail traffic, Indian Railways has sanctioned construction of the new rail flyover, which will facilitate seamless train movement while minimising crossing conflicts between passenger and freight services.
Decongesting Bondamunda Yard and Improving Freight Efficiency
The proposed flyover will segregate heavy freight traffic from passenger train operations, significantly reducing congestion at Bondamunda Yard. This segregation will improve line capacity, operational efficiency, train reliability and overall network performance on one of the country’s important industrial freight corridors.
Upon commissioning, the project is expected to facilitate handling of an additional 8 Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA) of freight traffic, strengthening evacuation of minerals and industrial products while supporting future growth in freight transportation.
The project has been identified under Indian Railways’ Energy, Mineral and Cement Corridor, reinforcing the national objective of strengthening rail infrastructure to support industrial development, faster freight movement and enhanced logistics efficiency across the country. Fiinews.com
