Western Railway is set to significantly strengthen its communication infrastructure with the sanctioned deployment of a 1,929 route kilometre (RKm) Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) backbone, forming a critical part of Indian Railways’ broader push toward digitalisation and enhanced safety systems.
The project entails the installation of a high-capacity 4×48 OFC backbone across key corridors, with 1,456 RKm falling under the Ahmedabad Division and the remaining 473 RKm under the Ratlam Division. Designed to improve communication reliability, capacity, and operational efficiency, the network will play a pivotal role in supporting real-time data exchange and coordination across railway operations.
This initiative is embedded within the national programme titled “Provision of Kavach with communication backbone of Long Term Evolution (LTE) on balance routes of Indian Railways (Umbrella Work 2024–25)”, which carries a sanctioned cost of ₹27,693 crore under the Works Programme 2024–25 (PH-33). Additionally, Western Railway has secured a sub-umbrella allocation of ₹2,800 crore, under which the OFC backbone project is being implemented.
As part of the deployment, 2×48 fibre OFC cables will be laid along identified routes to establish a robust, high-speed communication network. The enhanced infrastructure is expected to enable seamless data transmission, improve coordination between operational systems, and support modern railway requirements.
A key objective of the project is to facilitate the rollout of Kavach, Indian Railways’ indigenous train collision avoidance system. The system relies on a dependable communication backbone for real-time interaction between trains and control centres. The OFC network will provide the necessary support to ensure effective implementation, contributing to improved safety standards, reduced human error, and more efficient train operations.
The integration of LTE-based communication systems with OFC infrastructure further underscores Indian Railways’ commitment to adopting advanced technologies. This combined approach is expected to deliver future-ready capabilities, enabling smarter, more connected railway operations.
Overall, the OFC backbone project marks a major step in modernising Western Railway’s infrastructure. By reinforcing communication systems and supporting safety technologies like Kavach, the initiative is poised to enhance reliability, optimise train management, and deliver improved services for both passengers and freight customers.
