South Western Railway (SWR) has used the lockdown period to complete major track maintenance works, which has helped in increasing the sectional speed (the speed at which train runs) between stations. Maintenance of track is an integrated part of train operations and has a direct impact on both the safety of tracks as well as in maintaining the maximum permissible speed of the trains.
According to SWR official press statement, Maintaining the railway lines, points, crossings, sleepers and ballast for enhancing the safety, speed and reliability are being taken-up during the maintenance.
On SWR track maintenance works are being regularly carried out between Londa and Miraj section and Londa and Vasco sections of Hubballi division. This facilitated increase in sectional speed from 100 Kmph to 110 Kmph. Faster trains can be run now due to this enhancement of speed.
Works such as an increase in super-elevation at curves, correction of transition length, through tamping, attending points and crossings with track machine named UNIMAT have been completed enabling this speed increase. Recouping of Ballast to maintain cushion, recouping missing permanent way fittings have also been completed.
After inspection, Commissioner of Railway Safety has permitted increasing of sectional speed for 186 Km between Londa to Miraj and 19 Km between Sanvordem – Vasco of Hubballi Division.
Details of increase in speed permitted by CRS is as below :
Londa – Miraj Section – 186 Km
- Between Km 559/450 to 745/200 from 105 Kmph to 110 kmph in Sanvordem – Vasco section 19 Km.
- Between Km 69.13 to 82.75 from 100 Kmph to 110 Kmph.
- Between Km 92.50 to 99.30 from 100 Kmph to 110 Kmph.
SWR, GM Ajay Kumar Singh, has informed that increasing of speed on this section will improve mobility. He stated that SWR is on Mission mode to remove bottlenecks of Permanent Speed Restrictions impeding the speed of trains.
