Hyderabad: Indian Railways approved a Railway OFC project worth ₹398.36 crore to strengthen communication infrastructure in the Ahmedabad and Ratlam divisions of Western Railway.
The plan includes the provision of a 4×48 Optical Fibre Cable backbone. It forms part of a wider effort to modernise railway communication systems. Moreover, authorities cleared it under the Kavach-related umbrella work for 2024–25.
Officials said the project falls within a broader programme valued at ₹27,693 crore. In addition, Western Railway received a dedicated allocation of ₹2,800 crore under this plan. This Railway OFC project will use that allocation to expand fibre connectivity.
As part of the rollout, Indian Railways will lay 2×48 fibre OFC cables across 1929 route kilometres. Of this, 1456 RKm will cover the Ahmedabad Division. Meanwhile, 473 RKm will extend across the Ratlam Division.
Railway OFC project to support Kavach rollout
The initiative will improve communication capacity and reliability across the network. It will also enhance efficiency in railway operations. Furthermore, the upgraded backbone will support modern signalling systems.
Importantly, the system will aid the implementation of Kavach, an advanced safety technology. It will enable seamless data transmission across railway routes. As a result, train operations will become safer and more efficient.
Officials said the move marks a key step in digital transformation. It also aligns with ongoing efforts to modernise infrastructure across Indian Railways. In addition, the upgrade aims to improve service delivery for both passengers and freight.
Overall, the project will strengthen the communication backbone of Western Railway. It will also support long-term improvements in safety, efficiency, and operational performance.
