Indian Government Greenlights Rs 398 Crore Optical Fibre Project in Gujarat and MP
Synopsis
The Indian government has initiated a significant Rs 398 crore project to lay 1,929 km of optical fibre cable in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, enhancing railway communication for the Kavach system. This move comes as part of a broader strategy to modernize railway infrastructure across the nation.
Key Takeaways
The Indian government has sanctioned a Rs 398 crore project for optical fibre installation.
A total of 1,929 km of optical fibre cable will be laid in Gujarat and MP.
This initiative supports the automatic train protection system, Kavach.
Over Rs 34,000 crore allocated for passenger amenities in the last three years.
Enhanced communication infrastructure will improve railway efficiency and safety.
New Delhi, April 4 (NationPress) The Indian government has approved a substantial project worth Rs 398.36 crore to install optical fibre cables over a distance of 1,929 route kilometres in the Ahmedabad and Ratlam divisions of the Western Railway. This initiative aims to enhance the communication framework essential for the implementation of the automatic train protection system known as Kavach, as announced by the Ministry of Railways.
The project entails deploying 2x48 optical fibre cables across 1,456 route kilometres in the Ahmedabad division, alongside 473 route kilometres in the Ratlam division.
This undertaking is part of a larger initiative valued at Rs 27,693 crore aimed at establishing a Long Term Evolution-based communication backbone throughout Indian Railways under the Works Programme 2024-25.
Additionally, a specific allocation of Rs 2,800 crore has been dedicated to Western Railway, under which this project is being executed.
The enhancement of communication infrastructure is set to bolster modern signalling systems, facilitate smooth data transmission, and improve the overall capacity and reliability of railway operations in both divisions.
Kavach is an indigenous automatic train protection system developed by Indian Railways, designed to avert collisions by automatically activating brakes when a signal is overlooked or when two trains are on a collision trajectory.
In light of several train accidents in recent years, the government is expediting the deployment of this system across the network.
Furthermore, over Rs 34,000 crore has been allocated in the past three years for enhancing passenger facilities, including investments in crowd management at stations to ensure a smoother travel experience.
For the fiscal year 2023-24, Rs 9,392 crore has been earmarked for improving passenger amenities, with an additional Rs 12,884 crore allocated for 2024-25 and Rs 12,018 crore for 2025-26, as stated by Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
During a recent Parliament session, the minister reported that development is underway at 23 permanent holding areas across Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh among the total of 76 congested stations nationwide.
Point of View
The recent approval of a Rs 398 crore project by the Indian government to lay optical fibre cable over 1,929 km is a major advancement for railway safety and communication. By strengthening the technological infrastructure, the initiative promises to enhance the reliability and efficiency of train operations, which is critical for passenger safety.
NationPress
9 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the Kavach system?
The Kavach system is designed to enhance railway safety by automatically applying brakes to prevent collisions when a signal is missed or when two trains are on a collision course.
How much has been allocated for passenger amenities in recent years?
Over Rs 34,000 crore has been allocated in the last three years for enhancing passenger amenities, including crowd management at stations.
Which divisions will benefit from the optical fibre project?
The optical fibre project will benefit the Ahmedabad and Ratlam divisions of Western Railway.
What is the total distance of the optical fibre cable being laid?
A total of 1,929 route kilometres of optical fibre cable will be laid under this project.
When will the works programme take place?
The works programme is scheduled for completion by the fiscal year 2024-25.
