Ministry of Railways highlights advanced operations at Ahmedabad control centre
The Ministry of Railways recently showcased the advanced operational capabilities of the Ahmedabad Operations Control Centre for the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor. This state-of-the-art facility acts as the central nerve system for freight movement and highlights India's ongoing modernization of railway infrastructure. Passengers and rail enthusiasts can now understand how freight operations are managed with cutting-edge technology and enhanced safety protocols across major routes.
The Ahmedabad Operations Control Centre serves as the command hub for the 1506 km Western Dedicated Freight Corridor connecting Dadri in Uttar Pradesh to Mumbai in Maharashtra, passing through Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.
Operationalized in March 2023 at Sabarmati in Ahmedabad, the facility spans a built-up area of 12867 square meters across a 3.07-acre site.
As of September 2025, the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor reported 93.2 percent completion, with commissioned sections successfully managing approximately 180 freight trains daily.
Inside the Ahmedabad Operations Control Centre
Central to the operations at the Ahmedabad facility is a 72-meter curved video wall, which is recognized as one of the largest in Asia. This massive screen provides real-time oversight of train movements, signaling, track layouts, and overhead power systems. The control room itself occupies 1480 square meters and is equipped with two specialized war rooms alongside a dedicated disaster management room to handle any contingencies efficiently.
The command hub integrates several advanced technological systems to ensure seamless freight movement. These include the Train Management System, GSM-R communications, and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition for power supply monitoring. Notably, Alstom developed the integrated Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition with the Train Management System under the Make in India initiative, with critical support provided by design teams based in Bangalore.
Safety and Sustainability Features
Safety remains a top priority at the facility, which features automated safety alerts such as hot axle detection. The system is also steadily advancing toward artificial intelligence-enabled predictive maintenance to prevent technical failures before they occur. The facility is managed by the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited, while fire safety systems have been installed by Western MEP Private Limited.
In addition to operational excellence, the Ahmedabad command centre demonstrates a strong commitment to environmental sustainability. The building incorporates eco-friendly features including rainwater harvesting and an 80 kW rooftop solar array, with an additional 50 kW solar system planned for the near future. This blend of high technology, safety, and green energy marks a major milestone in the evolution of Indian freight railways.