Railways rides lockdown, completes eight projects to boost capacity

NEW DELHI: Taking advantage of the lockdown and reduction in train operation due to the pandemic, the Indian Railways has completed eight major capacity-enhancement works, including the upgradation of the entire 389km railway line from Jhajha in Bihar to Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya junction in UP, which is now fit to bear trains running at 130 kmph. Earlier the track could allow trains to run at 110 kmph.

A senior official of South Eastern Railway said the major work done to achieve this feat included upgradation of tracks from 52kg to 60kg rails, upgrades in sleepers, strengthening of bridges, raising of ballast cushioning and improving the signalling system. He said all stations on the route have been provided with either electronic interlocking or panel interlocking while major junctions have a route relay interlocking system.

He said that all unmanned level crossings have been eliminated on this route. “This has helped save time for passengers and with the enhanced line capacity, we can now run more trains. The benefit will be known once the new time table is implemented,” said a railway spokesperson.


Railway ministry officials said the national transporter commissioned three super critical projects with combined length of 68km, three critical projects with combined length of 45km and a new 82km port connectivity line to Paradip during the lockdown period.