Indian Railways has sanctioned a ₹432 crore project to modernise signalling infrastructure in the Asansol Division of Eastern Railway by replacing relay-based interlocking systems with Electronic Interlocking (EI) at 27 stations and cabins, including one Intermediate Block Signalling (IBS) location.
According to the Ministry of Railways, the project will replace 28 relay-based interlocking installations—comprising 27 Panel/Route Relay Interlocking (PI/RRI) systems and one IBS installation—with state-of-the-art Electronic Interlocking technology to improve the safety, reliability and efficiency of train operations.
The project covers sections on the High Density Network (HDN) and Highly Utilised Network (HUN), which handle some of the country’s busiest passenger and freight traffic.
Electronic Interlocking is a computer-based signalling system that replaces conventional relay-based technology, enabling faster route setting, enhanced operational flexibility, quicker fault detection and easier maintenance. The ministry said the upgrade will strengthen railway safety while supporting higher line capacity and smoother train operations.
The project is part of Indian Railways’ broader modernisation programme to introduce Electronic Interlocking across high-density routes alongside advanced signalling technologies such as Kavach, Automatic Block Signalling (ABS) and Centralised Traffic Control (CTC).
According to the ministry, the signalling upgrade will improve operational efficiency, enhance the reliability of train movements and support safer railway operations on one of the most heavily utilised sections of the national rail network.
