September 29, 2025: Central Railway (CR) has commissioned the Optical Ground Wire (OPGW) system on its Mumbai Division, marking a significant step towards modernising railway communication and safety infrastructure.
The inauguration took place on Sunday at the 110 KV North-East transmission line near Asangaon, led by Dharam Veer Meena. The ceremony was attended by Anoop Kumar Agarwal, Principal Chief Electrical Engineer; Hiresh Mina, Divisional Railway Manager, Mumbai Division; along with senior officers and Principal Heads of Departments.
“The Optical Ground Wire (OPGW) is a high-capacity aerial fibre optic cable system, introduced as per directives of the Railway Board, with the objective of ensuring safer and more reliable train operations,” a CR official explained. Unlike conventional underground Optical Fibre Cables (OFCs), the OPGW is installed as an Aerial Earth Conductor (AEC) along Overhead Equipment (OHE) masts and portals, allowing quicker deployment and greater resilience.
The system will support critical functions such as Automatic Block Signalling (ABS), improve operational efficiency, and reduce train delays. Enhanced wireless connectivity enables real-time monitoring and seamless control of rail operations, while advanced networking technologies minimise the risk of signal failure. The OPGW will also provide the communication backbone for upcoming safety systems, including KAVACH.
The newly commissioned 96F OPGW system incorporates two fibres on either side of the track, as against the single fibre arrangement in traditional OFC networks, thereby boosting capacity and redundancy. As the fibres are integrated within power lines, the system is protected from external damage and tampering, improving reliability and reducing costs.
Officials added that surplus fibre capacity could be leased to telecom and data service providers, opening avenues for additional revenue. With easier maintenance and faster execution, the OPGW represents a forward-looking and cost-effective investment for Indian Railways.
Source: The Free Press Journal
