Indian Railways approves electronic interlocking upgrade for Samastipur Division

The Ministry of Railways has officially approved the implementation of Electronic Interlocking systems across 21 stations within the Samastipur Division of the East Central Railway. This major infrastructure project has been sanctioned at a total cost of ₹233 crore to replace the existing Panel Interlocking infrastructure with modern Electronic Interlocking technology. The announcement was officially confirmed by the Ministry of Railways and the Press Information Bureau on September 1, 2026.

This modernization initiative is designed to significantly bolster the railway signalling infrastructure throughout the division, ensuring smoother train operations and enhanced safety for passengers. By upgrading to advanced electronic systems, Indian Railways aims to minimize signal failures and improve punctuality across busy routes in Bihar.

Paving the Way for Kavach Implementation

A crucial objective of this ₹233 crore upgrade is to facilitate the seamless deployment of Kavach, the indigenous Automatic Train Protection system developed by Indian Railways. Kavach is a vital safety measure designed to prevent train collisions by automatically applying brakes if a locomotive pilot overshoots a signal at danger. By upgrading these 21 stations in the Samastipur Division, the East Central Railway is taking a major step forward in making train journeys safer and more reliable for millions of daily commuters.