Borivali station in Mumbai, one of the busiest suburban rail hubs, has received a smart signalling upgrade as part of Western Railway’s larger suburban network modernisation.
The upgrade is linked to broader capacity expansion work, including the sixth rail line project between Kandivali and Borivali.
Smart Signalling Upgrade Transforms Mumbai’s Borivali Station
The station’s old relay-based signalling system, which relied on mechanical and electrical components and had been in use for decades, has been replaced with a modern Electronic Interlocking system.
The specific platform installed is the Siemens Westrace MK-II Electronic Interlocking system.
The new system acts as a digital control center that automatically manages and coordinates train routes, signals, track points, track circuits, and safety logic.
It uses real-time monitoring and digital interfaces to improve accuracy, reliability, and responsiveness compared to the older relay-based system.
The system electronically controls 381 operational train routes.
It digitally manages 56 signal aspects.
It coordinates 90 track points (switches) to ensure safe train movement.
It monitors train positions through 123 track circuits.
Seven running lines are integrated into a single unified control setup.
Large digital display screens allow controllers to visualize train flow and overall system status.
This installation is the largest and most advanced signalling setup in Mumbai’s suburban rail network as of early 2026.
The electronic interlocking system prevents conflicting train movements and includes automatic safety safeguards to reduce the risk of human error.
Faster and more precise signalling allows trains to be scheduled closer together and more reliably, which is crucial on a corridor where trains operate almost back-to-back during peak hours.
Scalable Signalling Design Supports Future Rail Expansion
The system’s design supports future network expansion, including the fifth and sixth line capacity projects, without requiring equally large additions to physical trackside infrastructure.
The new control setup resembles a modern rail operations center rather than traditional relay racks or panel boards, improving situational awareness and enabling remote management.
The Borivali system represents a major capability upgrade for one of India’s busiest suburban rail corridors by managing hundreds of routes, signals, and track points across multiple lines.
Electronic Interlocking systems like this are widely used in major rail networks around the world as the backbone of safe train routing and signal control.
Such systems often serve as a foundation for more advanced technologies like Automatic Train Control.
Global industry leaders developing signalling technologies include Siemens, Alstom, Thales, Hitachi, and China Railway Signal & Communication (CRSC), whose platforms range from Electronic Interlocking to fully automated train control systems.
