Indian Railways has approved projects worth Rs 8000 mn to enhance safety and freight capacity, including deployment of Kavach 4.0 across 712 route km, modernisation of signalling at 21 stations, construction of a freight bypass in South Eastern Railway and remodelling of a yard in Gujarat.

The measures aim to reduce bottlenecks on a network operating at 71 per cent utilisation and to improve freight efficiency.

The largest allocation of Rs 2720 mn is for an 11 km bypass between Adra end and Joychandipahar that will provide a separate route and a two way connection to a forthcoming third line and facilitate movement of over six freight rakes a day.

The bypass is expected to support additional goods traffic of 8.88 mn t per annum and to serve SAIL’s 23.40 mn t per annum iron ore demand and Bharat Coking Coal Limited’s projection of 45 rakes a day.

Approvals also include Rs 2330 mn for electronic interlocking at 21 stations in the Samastipur Division to replace ageing panel systems with computer based interlocking, improving reliability and supporting Kavach rollout.

The government sanctioned Rs 1700 mn for Kavach 4.0 on the remaining 712 route km of the Moradabad Division to extend automatic train protection that applies brakes if a train passes a red signal or exceeds permissible speed limits. RDSO approved the system in July 2024 and it was first commissioned on 738 route km in December 2025.

An allocation of Rs 1250 mn has been approved for remodelling Bhavnagar Para yard to shift stabling and other operations from Bhavnagar Terminus, a step intended to reduce delays and improve punctuality. Authorities said the combined projects will create additional capacity, reduce surface crossing conflicts and enhance efficiency of freight operations across affected corridors. The statement did not specify implementation timelines.