South Coast Railway (SCoR) has commissioned automatic block signalling on the 28.112-km Adoni-Kosgi double-line section, completing the signalling upgrade across the Guntakal-Raichur corridor. The Rs. 5 bn project is expected to reduce train waiting times and create scope for additional passenger and freight services on the interstate route.

Commissioned on 17 October 2026, the latest section is in Guntakal Division and covers Adoni-Isivi, Isivi-Kuppagal and Kuppagal-Kosgi. The work adds 56.224 track km of automated signalling infrastructure and takes SCoR’s cumulative automatic block signalling (ABS) coverage to 105 route km. The entire corridor now operates under ABS, replacing conventional signalling across the route.

Under conventional absolute block signalling, a train generally requires confirmation that the section ahead is clear before proceeding. ABS divides the line into shorter sections monitored by trackside equipment, allowing successive trains to run at controlled intervals when the relevant sections are clear. This reduces the minimum gap between trains, improves use of existing tracks and continuously monitors train movements through fail-safe equipment.

The commissioned section includes 38 new mainline signals, 24 station semi-automatic signals and five automatic block signalling huts. It also has 178 train-detection points using Frauscher Dual Multi-Section Digital Axle Counters, 16 Universal Fail-Safe Block Interface sets with non-vital multiplexers, five Integrated Power Supply units and five data loggers. These systems provide train detection, backup power, equipment monitoring and fault-diagnosis support.

The corridor carries passenger and freight traffic between Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, and the upgrade is intended to ease operational constraints while making better use of the existing double-line infrastructure. SCoR General Manager Sandeep Mathur said the corridor-wide commissioning would support capacity expansion and operational safety, and credited the Signal and Telecommunication and Projects teams with completing the work without disrupting scheduled train movements.

The railway has not specified how many additional trains could be operated after the upgrade. Capacity gains will depend on traffic patterns, operating schedules and other constraints across the corridor.