Modernisation of signalling systems of Indian Railways is a continuous process and is undertaken in order to improve the safety in train operation. Some of the steps taken by Indian Railways for modernisation of the Signalling system are mentioned below.
More Details:
- An in-principle decision taken to provide Electronic Interlocking (EI) in future at all installations. EI are being adopted on a large scale to derive benefits of digital technologies in train operation and to enhance safety. So far, 3108 stations have been provided with El up to 31.05.2023.
- Further, On Indian Railway 6427 (98.8% of total stations) Stations have been equipped with Electrical/Electronic Signalling Interlocking System up to 31.05.2023 replacing old mechanical signalling.
- Axle Counters for Automatic clearance of Block Section (BPAC – Block Proving by Axle Counter) are provided to ensure complete arrival of trains without manual intervention before granting line clearance to receive next train. These systems have been provided on 6397 block sections up to 31.05.2023.
- In order to enhance safety at Level Crossing (LC) gates, interlocking of Level Crossing gates with Signal have been provided at 11093 Level Crossing as on 31.05.2023.
- Kavach is an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system adopted by Indian Railway. Kavach aids the loco pilot in trains running within specified speed limits by automatic application of brakes in case Loco Pilot fails to do so and also helps the train safely run during inclement weather. Kavach has so far been deployed on 1465 Route km and 121 locomotives (including Electric Multiple Unit rakes) on South Central Railway.
- Issue of standard typical circuits for EI system (Version-1 in 2019 and Version-2 in 2022): Adoption of standard typical circuits helps in standardisation of application logic circuits of EI over Indian Railways.
- Use of Automation tools in Signal design.
- Development of direct driving features in Electronic Interlocking.
- Funds amounting to ₹ 4198 Crores have been allocated for Signalling works in FY 2023-24.
Year-wise and Zone-wise Details of Funds Allocation & Utilisation:
(₹ in Crore):
Zonal Railways | Funds for 2018-19 | Funds for 2019-20 | Funds for 2020-21 | Funds for 2021-22 | Funds for 2022-23 | Funds for 2023 24 | |||||
Alloca-tion | Utiliz ation | Alloca-tion | Utiliz-ation | Alloca-tion | Utiliz-ation | Alloca-tion | Utiliz-ation | Alloca-tion | Utiliz-ation | Alloc-ation | |
Central | 104 | 113 | 116 | 153 | 115 | 127 | 130 | 131 | 168 | 171 | 238 |
Eastern | 80 | 97 | 62 | 80 | 66 | 64 | 101 | 73 | 78 | 117 | 141 |
Northern | 146 | 130 | 128 | 133 | 271 | 267 | 303 | 282 | 258 | 308 | 401 |
North Eastern | 49 | 50 | 45 | 43 | 53 | 54 | 46 | 51 | 99 | 76 | 131 |
North East Frontier | 48 | 50 | 36 | 44 | 52 | 37 | 52 | 54 | 56 | 55 | 176 |
Southern | 111 | 96 | 82 | 105 | 156 | 219 | 266 | 279 | 307 | 368 | 382 |
South Central | 120 | 116 | 80 | 85 | 187 | 138 | 174 | 161 | 134 | 130 | 174 |
South Eastern | 135 | 144 | 118 | 131 | 125 | 117 | 131 | 133 | 101 | 105 | 335 |
Western | 121 | 122 | 144 | 169 | 146 | 150 | 236 | 179 | 159 | 177 | 235 |
East Central | 152 | 198 | 152 | 168 | 125 | 136 | 161 | 140 | 174 | 174 | 207 |
East Coast | 31 | 35 | 48 | 48 | 63 | 44 | 101 | 78 | 164 | 56 | 358 |
North Central | 171 | 162 | 187 | 227 | 266 | 321 | 319 | 318 | 268 | 284 | 500 |
North Western | 56 | 53 | 51 | 63 | 62 | 70 | 87 | 87 | 163 | 155 | 464 |
South East Central | 64 | 58 | 61 | 66 | 60 | 56 | 53 | 45 | 110 | 97 | 158 |
South Western | 40 | 42 | 30 | 39 | 28 | 28 | 58 | 45 | 40 | 48 | 83 |
West Central | 76 | 70 | 58 | 68 | 72 | 79 | 107 | 82 | 145 | 129 | 207 |
Metro | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 11 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 9 |
Total | 1505 | 1538 | 1401 | 1623 | 1858 | 1909 | 2332 | 2145 | 2428 | 2456 | 4198 |
- As per Indian Railways E- Procurement System (IREPS), 339 tenders for Signalling works have been invited during 2023-24 on the Indian Railway network.
- This information was given by the Minister of Railways, Communications and Electronic & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha.
Source: PIB- Press Release | Image Credit (representational): South Western Railway
