Central Railway Tests Next-Gen Optical Ground Wire Tech, Enabling Single Cable To Carry Power And High-Speed Data

The Central Railway (CR) has launched a pilot project to test optical ground wire (OPGW) technology across its electrified network, aiming to strengthen communication for train operations and enhance passenger connectivity, the Indian Express reported.

The OPGW system integrates fibre optic communication with electricity transmission, allowing a single cable to carry both power and high-speed data.

The 96-core cable will allocate four to six fibres for railway operations, while the remaining capacity can be leased to telecom operators. Officials estimate this could generate up to Rs 1,000 crore in revenue.

“OPGW will make railway communication more reliable, speed up projects like Kavach and modern signalling, and at the same time improve mobile connectivity for commuters using railway apps or streaming content on trains,” a railway official said in a statement.

The technology is expected to support critical projects, including the Kavach anti-collision system, automatic block signalling, LTE-4G wireless networks for operations, and IoT-based monitoring of tracks and rolling stock.

Compared to underground fibre, the OPGW offers faster installation, easier aerial maintenance, and route diversity.

If successful, CR plans to expand OPGW deployment across its entire electrified network, providing a backbone for safety, modern signalling, and digital applications, while monetising unused fibre capacity through third-party leasing.

The pilot project was inaugurated at the 110 kV transmission line near Asangaon, Thane, by Dharam Veer Meena, General Manager of Central Railway.

The event was attended by Principal Chief Electrical Engineer Anoop Kumar Agarwal, Divisional Railway Manager (Mumbai) Hiresh Mina, principal heads of departments, and senior CR officials.

The initiative aligns with Railway Board directives to lay optical fibre cables across all zones, with OPGW offering a more reliable alternative to underground lines.

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