Faster trains to Bihar! Indian Railways improves track; Some trains run ahead of schedule

Indian Railways has upgraded a line in Bihar that can now support trains with a speed of 130 km / h. The goal of the national carrier is to accommodate faster trains, as well as to ensure that trains arrive on time. According to an IE report, the main line from Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction train station (formerly known as Mughalsarai), which runs a distance of 393 kilometers to Jhajha in the Jamui district, through Bihar’s capital Patna , has been improved. For several years, this railway line has adapted to a maximum speed of 110 km / h. With the introduction of more rail services on this rail network, the actual average speed on this rail line is often reduced to a minimum in peak seasons.

According to the report, the benefit of this upgrade to the rail line is that all trains have started to gain about 30 minutes. Additionally, the time savings are expected to help introduce more trains to the state in the future. During the shutdown, work on this long-pending Indian rail project accelerated as the domestic carrier had the opportunity to upgrade its infrastructure due to the suspension of regular passenger train services. The report further stated that the Central Eastern Railway zone brought together resources in three different engineering departments to upgrade the railroad track, signaling and traction devices. Over the years, while various development work was carried out in phases, the last seven months provided an opportunity for Indian Railways to accelerate and finalize the line improvement project.

According to the report, the benefit of this line update has already started to show. For example, instead of the usual three hours or more, the Indian Railways Sampoorna Kranti Express that runs between Patna and Delhi is reaching Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Railway Station in just two and a half hours. Furthermore, the Purushottam Express that runs between Puri in Odisha and the national capital via Bihar, arrives in Koderma in Jharkhand state about 40 minutes before the scheduled time. Thereafter, the train arrives in Gaya almost 20 minutes early and then to Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyay train station about half an hour ahead of time.

However, the increase in train speed due to the improvement of the line has created a problem. Many trains running on this line are now idle after arriving at their stations before the scheduled time. Since the train schedule has not yet been revised, trains cannot leave their train stations en-route before the scheduled time. A senior rail official was quoted in the report as saying that the speed increase will be taken into account in the new schedule and that many new train services will be easily introduced without obstructing the system due to this line upgrade.

In addition, the railways were renewed with 60 kg, long welded rails and the concrete sleepers were replaced with the corresponding 60 kg variety for higher speed. Also, for a better cushioning, the ballast layer was raised, the bed of stones on which the train track rests. Along the 400-kilometer line, all points were improved, as well as crossings. To allow for a greater stopping distance for fast trains, additional double-distance signs were also placed. In addition, to stop the train at the planned point, the national carrier has installed signals that tell the driver when to apply the brakes. In addition, in order to allow higher energy loads required for higher speed, aerial equipment carrying electrical cable for traction has been equipped with more robust insulators.