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Borivali railway station: The old relay-based signalling system at Mumbai’s WR station has been replaced with a modern Electronic Interlocking (EI) system
Borivali: This upgrade is part of broader capacity enhancement works. (AI generated for representation)
Mumbai’s Borivali station, one of the busiest commuter rail corridors, has got a smart signal upgrade as part of the major modernisation of Western Railway’s suburban network
This upgrade is part of broader capacity enhancement works including the 6th line project between Kandivali and Borivali.
What is the upgrade?
At Borivali, the old relay-based signalling system — a mechanical/electrical system that has served for decades — has been replaced with a modern Electronic Interlocking (EI) system, specifically the Siemens Westrace MK-II platform, Mid-Day reported.
This new system functions as a smart digital control center that automates and digitally coordinates:
Train routes
Signals and track points
Track circuits and safety logic
All with real-time monitoring and digital interfaces that improve precision, reliability, and responsiveness compared with the old relay system.
ALSO READ | Borivali-Kandivli 6th Line Is Now Running
What are the key features of the smart system?
381 operational routes under electronic control
56 signal aspects managed digitally
90 track points (switches) coordinated for safe movement
123 track circuits monitoring train positions
Seven running lines integrated into one control setup
Large digital display screens for controllers to visualize train flow and system status
This makes Borivali’s signalling installation the largest and most advanced of its kind in Mumbai’s suburban rail system as of early 2026.
How it will help
Electronic interlocking prevents conflicting train movements and embeds automatic safeguards, reducing human error risk.
With tighter control and faster signalling response, trains can be scheduled more closely and reliably. This is critical on a corridor where trains run nearly back-to-back during peak hours.
The design supports ongoing expansion (including the 5th/6th line capacity increase) without requiring proportionate infrastructure build-out on the ground.
The new setup resembles a modern rail control center rather than the older panel boards or relay racks, improving situational awareness and remote management.
How Borivali system stands globally
The Borivali upgrade uses a modern Electronic Interlocking system (Siemens Westrace MK-II) to replace older relay-based signalling, managing hundreds of routes, signals and track points across multiple lines. It represents a significant capability improvement for one of India’s busiest suburban corridors.
EI systems like Borivali’s are used widely in large rail networks worldwide as the backbone of safe train routing and signal control. EI is often a precursor to more advanced systems like Automatic Train Control.
Example of industrial leaders in signalling technologies include global firms such as Siemens, Alstom, Thales, Hitachi and China Railway Signal & Communication (CRSC) — platforms these companies build range from EI to fully automated control systems.
January 21, 2026, 16:47 IST
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