₹145-Crore Automatic Block Signalling Cleared for Erode–Pothanur Railway Section

The Ministry of Railways has approved the implementation of an Automatic Block Signalling (ABS) system on the 107-kilometre Erode–Pothanur railway section falling under the Salem division of Southern Railway. This ambitious project, sanctioned at an estimated cost of ₹145 crore, is expected to significantly enhance operational efficiency and safety while easing congestion on one of the region’s busiest routes.

Automatic Block Signalling works by dividing the railway track into multiple sections or “blocks.” Each block is controlled by signals that automatically manage train movements. The system ensures that only one train occupies a block at any given time, thereby reducing the risk of collisions. It also stops trains that overshoot danger signals, offering an extra layer of safety.

Currently, ABS is already in operation on the heavily congested Chennai–Jolarpettai and Chennai–Gudur stretches. The approval for the Erode–Pothanur line marks a continuation of the modernisation drive, following similar work on the Jolarpettai–Erode section where Rail Vikas Nigam is executing a ₹239-crore ABS project.

Railway officials said the project is vital to manage traffic saturation on this B-route, which serves as a crucial link connecting North and South Kerala via Chennai. Passenger and freight traffic on this corridor is projected to rise by nearly 125 percent by 2026–27, making advanced signalling technology an urgent necessity.

The Erode–Pothanur route also connects major urban and tourism hubs such as Coimbatore, Udagamandalam, Valparai, and the Nilgiri Mountain Railway. By reducing train headways and easing delays, the system will not only benefit commuters and businesses but also strengthen connectivity to important pilgrimage and tourist centres in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

With the Ministry’s clearance, work on the Erode–Pothanur ABS project is expected to gain momentum in the coming months. Once operational, the upgrade will mark a significant step in Indian Railways’ broader strategy to modernise its signalling infrastructure and handle growing demand with enhanced safety and efficiency.