Indian Railways has sanctioned projects totalling Rs 7,653.4 million (mn) to strengthen traction, expand line capacity and modernise communication systems across several key corridors. The approvals form part of the 2024–25 Railway Budget programme for modernising electric traction and digital infrastructure. The works are intended to support higher freight loading and improved passenger services across busy freight and passenger routes.

Rs 3,180.7 mn has been allocated for the traction upgradation on the 106-km Duvvada–Visakhapatnam–Vizianagaram section of East Coast Railway. The section will be converted from the existing one-by-25 kV system to a two-by-25 kV system to enable increased freight loading, higher speed potential and enhanced reliability on this dense corridor. The route serves mineral and industrial traffic towards Visakhapatnam Port and the upgrade is expected to smooth freight movement.

Rs 2,593.9 mn has been approved for the 126-km Raichur–Guntakal section under Guntakal Division of South Central Railway. The works will convert the existing one-by-25 kV arrangement to a two-by-25 kV arrangement to improve power supply capacity, allow heavier train loads and increase operational reliability on the Mumbai–Chennai corridor. The upgrade is aligned with the aim to achieve 3,000 MT freight loading and to support faster passenger services including high speed trainsets.

Rs 1,878.8 mn has been sanctioned for strengthening the optical fibre communication backbone in Vadodara and Mumbai Central Divisions of Western Railway. The project provides for installation of a four-by-48 core optical fibre backbone and will see cables laid over 1,000 route kilometres, with 692 km in Vadodara Division and 308 km in Mumbai Division. The enhanced bandwidth and redundancy will provide reliable support for LTE-based Kavach and other critical railway communication systems.

The measures are expected to improve line capacity, operational reliability and the performance of freight and passenger services while supporting the rollout of modern train operations and digital signalling. The projects have been prioritised under the national modernisation programme and will be implemented by the respective zonal divisions. Implementation timelines and detailed project plans will be managed by Indian Railways to ensure integration with existing network operations.