Eastern Railway (ER) General Manager Milind Deouskar on Monday, 20 July inaugurated the revamped Multi-Disciplinary Divisional Training Institute (MDDTI) cum Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centre at Beliaghata, Sealdah in Kolkata — marking the first such institute within Eastern Railway and only the seventh MDDTI across the entire Indian Railways network. The upgrade is aimed at strengthening train safety protocols, operational efficiency, and workforce readiness.

What the Upgraded Facility Offers

The revamped institute transitions from a legacy training structure into a multi-departmental, technology-driven ecosystem designed to build a future-ready railway workforce aligned with the vision of a 'Viksit Railway-Viksit Bharat'. The institute will be headed by a principal of gazetted rank, supported by domain experts as instructors.

Frontline staff from core technical branches — Operating, Engineering, Signal & Telecommunication (S&T), Electrical, and Stores — will receive advanced integrated training here. A newly operational Train Information Display Board (TIB) Lab Room will train personnel in Real-Time Train Information, Centralised Management, Audio-Visual Announcements, and High-Brightness LED Display systems.

Infrastructure and Digital Investments

Deouskar unveiled a fully renovated main complex alongside a state-of-the-art interactive digital smart classroom. A ₹4.92 crore outlay has been announced to develop a 120-terminal computer-based digital testing room, to be completed by December 2026.

The campus now features an 80-bedded hostel block, a dedicated cafeteria, a visiting faculty room, a library, and high-speed Wi-Fi. Practical training facilities include operation of the Electric Lifting Barrier (ELB) and Sliding Barrier at Level Crossing gates, as well as Permanent Way and Signalling Model rooms.

Upcoming Projects and Simulator Plans

Plans are underway for a ₹12.84 crore project to construct a 450 sq metre simulator building and commission a 3-Phase motion simulator to train locomotive drivers. Additionally, a ₹4.99 crore project will convert an older building into a sophisticated S&T Model Room, equipped with Kavach anti-collision systems (Wayside/RIU) and advanced signalling equipment.

Examination Record and Digital Learning

The MDDTI at Beliaghata has already conducted over 15 departmental promotional examinations, assessing more than 1,300 candidates for safety-critical and administrative posts including Junior Engineer (JE), CLI, Shunting Master, and Clerks, in a secure and transparent environment. Staff across the Sealdah Division are actively using the institute's iGOT platform for online learning.

Safety Benchmarks at the Centre

ER Chief Public Relations Officer Shibram Majhi said the revamped institute will be instrumental in helping the railways institutionalise zero-tolerance safety protocols and achieve higher security benchmarks in everyday train operations. This comes amid Indian Railways' broader national push to reduce accidents and modernise workforce training infrastructure across all zones.