India Plans Modern Command System to Transform Rail Operations Nationwide
India is set to modernise its century-old train control system, signalling a major shift in railway operations aimed at improving safety, reducing delays, and easing congestion across the nation’s sprawling network. The Railway Board is drawing up a blueprint for a tech-driven, integrated command-and-control centre that would merge operations, signalling, rolling stock, maintenance, and crisis response into a centralised hub.
This move follows a series of train accidents and mounting red flags over the safety risks posed by outdated manual systems. Senior officials describe the initiative as a targeted response to challenges in freight-intense corridors and semi‑high-speed passenger routes, where current systems are increasingly overwhelmed. While learning from advanced railway systems in Japan, Germany, and Switzerland, Indian Railways acknowledges that plug-and-play solutions won’t suffice for its multilayered, high-density operations. Instead, the new system must be tailored to India’s unique mix of long-haul freight, mixed traffic, and varied rolling stock.
At the heart of the plan is the proposed Integrated Rail Operations Command Centre (IROCC), designed to oversee the movement of over 20,000 trains daily. Equipped with real-time data analytics and AI-driven decision support, the centre aims to streamline train routing, foresee bottlenecks, and empower controllers with instant crisis-management tools. These capabilities seek to ease the burden on train controllers, who have been struggling with escalating workloads and limited technological support. Behind the scenes, a Railway Board committee focused on traffic control reforms has identified systemic issues—undertrained staff, siloed workflows, and inadequate recognition for controllers. Retired Chief Controller Chandan Chaturvedee, a vocal advocate for reform and contributor to the committee, emphasised that traffic control had long been the rail network’s nervous system, yet remained undervalued and overburdened.
Consultations are already underway with international experts and technology partners, with pilot testing expected on key corridors such as Delhi–Mumbai and Howrah–Chennai within the next fiscal year. These pilots are seen as critical stepping stones toward a national rollout. This modernisation drive aligns with Indian Railways’ broader strategy, which includes achieving full electrification and net-zero emissions by 2030. Centralising control with real-time monitoring and AI analytics is key to managing faster trains and heavier freight volumes safely and efficiently.
Furthermore, this initiative coincides with record investment: the railways received over ₹2.4 lakh crore in the Union Budget 2024–25 for capacity expansion and safety improvements. The command centre is expected to complement this investment by making infrastructure smarter and more responsive.
As to when the first trains managed under the new system will roll out, officials remain cautious. Yet the shift is clear: India’s rail network is moving from legacy operations to a future-ready system that balances speed, reliability, and passenger safety—all under a centralised, intelligent command framework.
