The Vijayawada Division of South Central Railway (SCR), in collaboration with its Projects Organisation Unit, has successfully commissioned 206.29 Route Kilometers (RKm) of Automatic Block Signalling (ABS) in the 2024-25 financial year, marking a significant step in railway modernisation. 

On March 23, ABS was activated over 29.67 RKm between Samalkot, Pithapuram, Gollaprolu, and Ravikampadu, bringing the total ABS coverage to 416.23 Track Kilometers. This initiative enhances train movement efficiency on the Vijayawada–Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada–Gudur routes, reducing congestion and improving punctuality. 

The project included the integration of 30 stations, interlocking of seven level crossing gates, construction of 14 ABS huts, installation of 231 mid-section signals, and laying of 364 km of optical fibre cable. These upgrades significantly boost line capacity and operational efficiency, easing delays at critical junctions like Rajahmundry and Nidadavolu. 

Chief Signalling and Telecommunication Engineer (Projects-III) CH PR Vittal commended the precise execution under Dy. CSTE (Projects-III) Viswanath Reddy and the Projects Unit. Divisional Railway Manager Narendra A Patil called the project a milestone in railway efficiency and safety, with further ABS commissioning planned on the Vijayawada–Gudur section. 

(newindianexpress)