Indian Railways Adopts Nirad Networks 5G/4G SD-WAN for Critical Communications

Indian Railways adopts Nirad Networks' 5G SD-WAN for reliable signalling and surveillance at challenging locations.

On 13 January 2026, Nirad Networks shared that Indian Railways has begun using Nirad Networks’ cellular Made in India SD-WAN solutions for signalling communication and station surveillance at locations where fixed networks are unreliable or unavailable. These are sites where leased lines, MPLS, or broadband links have been difficult to deploy consistently, but where communication reliability is still critical to day-to-day operations.

Rather than relying on wired links, the deployment uses 5G and 4G SD-WAN over cellular networks. This solution is designed with fallback in mind, so if one link degrades, traffic can move to another without disrupting operations. As a result signalling data and video feeds remain available even in locations that have long been difficult to connect reliably

Signaling communication over 5G SD-WAN

Signalling depends on constant communication between stations and trains. When that link drops, even briefly, it affects coordination and timing. In locations without reliable fixed networks, maintaining this consistency has been difficult for railway teams.

To deal with this, Indian Railways introduced Made in India dual SIM 5G SD-WAN devices by Nirad Networks into its signalling setup. The devices are used as the communication layer between stations and trains which carries the signalling data over 5G networks. Because the devices support two active SIM connections, traffic can switch automatically if network conditions change, reducing the need for manual intervention when signal quality fluctuates.

At locations where cellular coverage is uneven, the devices are paired with external antennas to improve signal reception. This makes it possible to use the same hardware across very different operating conditions, without redesigning the network for each site. Stations that previously struggled with inconsistent connectivity are now able to stay connected and exchange signalling data in real time.

4G SD-WAN for station surveillance

Alongside signalling, Indian Railways is also using Nirad’s SD-WAN platform to support station-level video surveillance. Many of the stations included in the rollout did not have access to fixed network services and, in some cases, were located in areas with inconsistent cellular signal strength.

Camera feeds are carried over cellular links using SD-WAN devices installed at the stations. Dual SIMs are used to handle variations in network conditions, and external antennas are added at sites where signal strength is weak.

The system is monitored from a central location, so teams can check camera availability and basic connectivity without visiting individual stations. This reduces on-site dependency and keeps monitoring consistent.

New stations can be added without waiting for wired connectivity to be put in place, including locations where physical network deployment is slow or difficult.

Operational impact

Across both signalling and surveillance, the cellular SD-WAN deployments have helped Indian Railways maintain connectivity in locations that were previously difficult to integrate into centralized systems. Stations operating under infrastructure constraints are now part of a unified network, improving coordination and visibility.

Because the model does not depend on fixed lines, it can be replicated wherever similar constraints exist. This gives Indian Railways a flexible foundation for expanding safety-critical communication systems without being limited by local network availability.

“Cellular SD-WAN provides a practical way to maintain secure, real-time communication for signalling and surveillance where traditional networks cannot be deployed,” said Ajay Virginkar, Founder of Nirad Networks.

About Nirad Networks

Nirad Networks is an Indian OEM providing 4G and 5G Made in India SD-WAN solutions and enterprise-grade cellular solution for public infrastructure and enterprise deployments. Its solutions enable secure, centrally managed networking in environments where fixed-line connectivity is limited or unavailable.

Media Contact: Ansh Tandon | Project Lead - Marketing

Email: ansh.tandon@benisontech.com

Website: https://niradnetworks.com/

Note to readers: This article is part of HT's paid consumer connect initiative and is independently created by the brand. HT assumes no editorial responsibility for the content, including its accuracy, completeness, or any errors or omissions. Readers are advised to verify all information independently.

Want to get your story featured as above? click here!