VIJAYAWADA : Giving a big thrust to track maintenance and top priority to passenger safety, the Vijayawada division of the South Central Railway has completed 210 km of Through Rail Renewal in FY 2023-24.
This is the highest-ever progress achieved so far in the last two decades by the Vijayawada Railway Division. Not only Rail Renewal, but the division has also achieved record Through Sleeper renewal in 2023-24. The division has replaced aged/damaged concrete sleepers for a length of 148 km with new sleepers across the length of the division.
Through Rail Renewal (TRR) is a critical process in railway maintenance aimed at replacing worn-out or damaged rails while ensuring minimal disruption to train operations. It enhances safety by replacing deteriorated rails, reducing the risk of accidents, and at the same time improves operational efficiency by maintaining track integrity. The Through Sleeper Renewal (TSR) addresses issues such as deteriorated sleepers that can compromise track stability and safety. Laying of new sleepers ensure the safety of train operations and prevents track undulations.
The division achieved this rare feat with the help of newly commissioned TRT (Track Relaying Train) and PQRS (Plasser Quick Relaying System) track machines. Currently, the Vijayawada division houses one newly commissioned TRT and two PQRS track machines for threading out old rails, removing old sleepers, and laying new track and sleepers
Allotment of Traffic Blocks played a vital role in boosting the track maintenance activity. Productive utility of traffic blocks and structural and coordinated team efforts led to the desired results. As per the directives of the Railway Board, the Division has strictly implemented Rolling Corridor Block Works in full momentum.
Prioritising safety and making good use of traffic blocks, the division strengthened its track assets and performed maintenance activity at required schedules.
Vijayawada Divisional Railway Manager Narendra A Patil commended the efforts of S Varun Babu, Sr. DEN, Coordination, and Engineering and Track Machines team for skillfully utilising the rolling corridor block works and fortifying the track parameters to ensure safety in train operations.
The DRM stated that sections with old and worn out rails, aged sleepers, bad soil formations, and frequent breaches are being identified as the top priority, and rail-cum-sleeper renewal and deep screening works are being undertaken on a war footing. DRM emphasised that such maintenance blocks, deep screening, and sleeper renewal works shall result in long-term fruitful results from a safety perspective.
Replacement of deteriorated rails enhances safety
Through Rail Renewal (TRR) is a critical process in railway maintenance aimed at replacing worn-out or damaged rails while ensuring minimal disruption to train operations. It enhances safety by replacing deteriorated rails, reducing the risk of accidents, and at the same time improves operational efficiency by maintaining track integrity