Bhopal: West Central Railway’s Bhopal Division has commissioned a modern automatic block signalling system on the Kalhar–Bareth–Ganj Basoda rail section, marking a significant step towards improving rail safety and operational efficiency.
The new system was inaugurated on June 9 under the guidance of Divisional Railway Manager Pankaj Tyagi. Railway officials said the upgrade will help improve train movement, increase line capacity and strengthen safety standards on the route.
The automatic block signalling system has been installed on a 19.57-km section between Kalhar, Bareth and Ganj Basoda. It enables safer and more efficient train operations by maintaining better control over train movement within block sections.
The entire signalling network is controlled through a Siemens electronic interlocking system, while operations are monitored through video display units installed in station master’s offices.
As part of the project, modern relay huts have been constructed on the Kalhar–Bareth and Bareth–Ganj Basoda sections. To improve communication reliability, railway authorities have established a 24-fibre optic ring network along with a 48-core optical fibre backbone.
The upgraded section has been equipped with 45 automatic signals and 196 data points. Relay huts also include data loggers, uninterrupted power supply systems, automatic fire detection and alarm systems, and 25 KVA automatic transformers. Railway officials said all installations comply with standards prescribed by the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO).
According to the railway administration, the new technology will help maintain safe distances between trains, improve punctuality and increase the overall capacity of the route.
Officials added that the optical fibre network will support future technologies such as Kavach and advanced passenger information systems by enabling high-speed data communication. The upgrade is also expected to reduce dependence on traditional copper cables and relay-based systems, lowering maintenance requirements and operating costs.
The project was completed through the joint efforts of the Signal and Telecommunications Department of Bhopal Division and the Param–Siemens consortium.
Senior railway officials, including Chief Signal and Telecommunication Engineer Mahipal Singh, Deputy Chief Signal and Telecommunication Engineer Vivek Agrawal, Divisional Signal and Telecommunication Engineer Utkarsh Agrawal and representatives of the executing agency, were present during the commissioning.
Railway authorities said the project will provide a stronger foundation for handling future traffic growth while enhancing the safety, reliability and efficiency of train operations across the Bhopal Division.
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