WEST Central Railway (WCR) has recorded a series of significant achievements in 2025, reflecting its strong commitment to infrastructure development, safety enhancement, operational efficiency and environmental sustainability, under the leadership of General Manager Shobhana Bandopadhyay. One of the landmark accomplishments is completion of Up Grade Separator at Katni, part of India’s longest railway grade separator (viaduct) project. With a total project length of 33.40 km and an estimated cost of Rs 1,800 crore, Katni Grade Separator includes both up and down lines.

 

In August 2025, Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) granted permission for rail operations on the 15.85 km Up Line, enabling partial commissioning. This project will significantly enhance freight capacity, bypass congested stations, improve connectivity between Bina and New Katni Junction and boost regional economic growth. Another historic achievement is successful installation of Kavach 4.0, India’s indigenous automatic train protection system, on the Mathura–Kota section of the high-density Delhi–Mumbai route.

 

Approved by RDSO in July 2024, Kavach 4.0 has been implemented over 500 km in Kota Division. Based on SIL-4 safety standards, the system supports speeds up to 160 kmph, prevents collisions, provides real-time signal information inside the locomotive cabin, and applies automatic braking during emergencies. More than 30,000 railway staff have already been trained under this initiative. In infrastructure expansion, WCR conducted CRS inspections and high-speed trials over 76 km of new railway lines.

 

On the Bhopal–Ramganj Mandi project, multiple newly built sections underwent inspection and successful speed trials at 125 kmph. The project spans 276 km across MP and Rajasthan, with 168 km already commissioned, improving passenger and freight connectivity across five districts. Similarly, CRS inspections and speed trials were completed on sections of the Lalitpur–Singrauli new line project, confirming high safety and quality standards. Adding to this, 13 km of multi-tracking projects under the K a t n i – B i n a third line and Katni–Singrauli doubling works received CRS approval after successful high-speed trials, further strengthening network capacity.

 

In a major boost to passenger amenities, PM Narendra Modi inaugurated six redeveloped Amrit Bharat Stations under West Central Railway Shridham and Katni South (Jabalpur Division), Mandalgarh and Bundi (Kota Division) and Narmadapuram and Shajapur (Bhopal Division). These stations now offer world-class facilities, accessibility features, digital information systems and designs reflecting local culture. WCR also earned national recognition in energy conservation. Miyana Railway Station (Bhopal Division) received the National Energy Conservation Award (NECA) 2025, presented by the President of India. Energy-efficient lighting, BLDC fans, and smart circuits helped save over 10,000 electricity units annually.

 

In rolling stock maintenance, WCR workshops at Bhopal and Kota carried out periodic overhauling of 7,829 coaches and wagons during 2025, ensuring safe and reliable train operations. Safety infrastructure saw major progress with the completion of 16 Road Over Bridges, 39 Road Under Bridges/Subways, and the closure of 26 level crossings, significantly reducing accident risks. Further enhancing WCR’s green credentials, the Passenger Coach Rehabilitation Workshop, Bhopal, received the prestigious CII Green Platinum Award, making it the only unit in WCR and the sixth in Indian Railways to achieve this status.

 

The workshop has adopted solar energy, water recycling, waste management, and large-scale plantation, setting benchmarks in sustainable operations. These achievements collectively underline West Central Railway’s commitment to safe, modern, efficient, and sustainable rail transport, contributing significantly to regional development and national growth.