Automatic signaling system sanctioned by Railways for Karnataka

Railway Board has given approval for the installation of automatic signaling between Yesvantpur, a Bengaluru railway hub and Arsikere, first such modern infrastructure to be implemented in southern part of the country. Automatic signaling is a common feature in the railway system in Northern and western parts of the country.

Covering a distance of 165.86 km, the project has been assigned a budget of Rs. 218.75 crore and is expected to be completed in 3 years.

According to a statement from South Western Railway officials, there has been a consistent rise in demand for additional commuter trains in the Bengaluru and Mysuru divisions, particularly in the Yesvantpur-Arsikere section. 

The Yesvantpur-Sampige Road section, which is part of the Bengaluru division and spans 107.21 km, operates at peak hours with a line capacity utilization of 118 percent. Similarly the section between Sampige Road and Arsikere, spanning 58.65 km and falling under the Mysuru Division, sees a peak hours line capacity utilisation of 81 per cent,” it said.

The Automatic Signaling project is designed to substantially enhance line capacity, in anticipation of a substantial rise in both passenger and freight traffic, covering various commodities such as food grains, fertilizers, cement, steel, and automobiles  Railway officials were quoted  by media reports.

This enhancement will facilitate the smooth operation of additional trains at shorter intervals, meeting the increasing demands of commuters and promoting economic development in the region, the statement informed. 

The project is anticipated to be finished within three years, aligning with the strategic vision to accommodate the projected increase in rail traffic over the next decade. The implementation of Automatic Signaling marks a crucial move in modernizing and optimizing rail infrastructure, ensuring a more efficient and resilient transportation network, as per officials.