Green Light for Safety: ₹145 Cr ABS Project for Erode-Podanur

Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has approved the implementation of an Automatic Block Signalling (ABS) system along the 107-km Erode–Podanur section in the Salem division of Southern Railway.

Building upon ongoing ABS installation between Jolarpettai and Erode, this extension aims to decongest the busy corridor, reduce train headways, and enhance operational safety. The ABS system improves signalling efficiency by automatically managing train intervals and stopping trains that overrun red signals. It is already operational in high-traffic stretches such as Chennai–Jolarpettai and Chennai–Gudur.

The ₹144.96 crore project has recently received clearance from the Ministry of Railways. It is a critical upgrade for the B-route connecting Chennai to North and South Kerala, which is facing traffic saturation and is projected to see a 125% increase in train traffic by 2026–27.

The Erode–Podanur route also services major tourist and pilgrimage destinations such as Udagamandalam (Ooty), Coimbatore, Valparai, and connects to the iconic Nilgiri Mountain Railway.

Meanwhile, Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd. (RVNL) is executing a ₹239 crore ABS project on the adjacent Jolarpettai–Erode section, further enhancing capacity and safety along this critical rail corridor.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.