Indian Railways has approved four projects with a combined value of Rs. 7.36 bn across Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat. The programme covers train protection, signalling, electric traction supply and a road overbridge, with each project assigned to a different railway zone.

In Uttar Pradesh, Rs. 2.52 bn has been approved to extend the Kavach 4.0 automatic train protection system across 607.7 km in the Lucknow Division of North Eastern Railway. The system monitors train movements and can apply the brakes if a driver fails to observe a signal or exceeds a safe speed. The work will cover the remaining sections of the division without Kavach.

Maharashtra has received approval for a Rs. 2.09 bn electronic interlocking project at seven stations in the Solapur Division of Central Railway. The stations are Mohol, Mundhewadi, Bale, Solapur, Hotgi Junction-Hotgi A Cabin, Shahbad and Wadi Junction. The computer-based system will control signals and track points, supporting safer and more reliable train movements than older relay-based arrangements.

A Rs. 1.42 bn project will strengthen electric power supply on the 73-km Savalyapuram-Guntur section of South Coast Railway. The route has 146 track km, and the upgrade will improve power distribution for electric trains, supporting the operation of heavier and faster services and providing additional capacity as traffic increases.

In Gujarat, Rs. 1.33 bn has been approved for a four-lane road overbridge at a level crossing on Western Railway’s Udhna-Ukai Songadh section. The bridge will separate road and rail traffic, with costs shared equally by Indian Railways and the state government. It will include a main railway bridge, a 311.58-metre viaduct and a 524.32-metre approach road, improving operational reliability and road safety for users of the section.