Latest news with #EOLBs
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
32 level-crossing gates in Tiruchi Division identified for installing electrically operated lifting barriers
More level-crossing gates in Tiruchi Railway Division have been identified for installation of Electrically Operated Lifting Barriers (EOLBs) aimed at enhancing efficiency in train operations and to eliminate the need for physical effort to open or close them. Sanction has been accorded for installation of EOLBs at 32 level-crossing gates in Tiruchi Railway Division's limits during the 2025-26 financial year. A majority of these gates are situated along the Villupuram-Katpadi broad gauge section, said railway sources. The Tiruchi Division has floated a tender for EOLB and emergency sliding boom at interlocked gates in the Villupuram-Katpadi section and at interlocked gates along the Villupuram-Tiruchi chord line section via Vriddhachalam and Ariyalur. The work of installing EOLBs at level crossing gates commenced in the last financial year in Tiruchi Division which has under its jurisdiction the Villupuram-Tiruchi chord line section; Villupuram-Thanjavur via Mayiladuthurai and Kumbakonam main line section, Villupuram-Katpadi section and other branch lines. The sources said 45 level-crossing gates in the division had been provided with EOLBs up to May 31. The major sections where EOLBs have been installed were the mainline section where this provision had been made in 14 gates besides in eight gates along the Thanjavur - Karaikal section and six gates in the Tiruvarur-Mayiladuthurai branch line, the sources further said. The railway administration had taken up installation of EOLBs in a sustained manner to enable swift operation of level-crossing gates and with a view to enhance efficiency of train operations. Unlike mechanical gates, electrically operated lifting barriers eliminate the need for physical effort on the part of the gatekeepers to open or close them. They function using relay technology with push-button operation. In a mechanically operated systems, the gates are opened and closed by rotating winches with wire ropes enabling the lifting and lowering of the barriers. This process takes the gatekeepers two to three minutes to complete following specific safety protocols. However, with respect to gates where EOLBs have been installed, a control panel with knobs and push buttons along with LED indications are provided. These barriers can be operated individually or simultaneously with the time required for opening or closing lasting only a few seconds. A lock pawl is provided to secure the boom in a horizontal position when fully lowered. Safety protocols at these gates are completed without manual intervention. The EOLBs would reduce the operational time of the lifting barriers thereby reducing the waiting time for the road users at the gates.
The Hindu
26-04-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Palakkad Rail Division takes safety to next level with loop line, level crossing upgrades
The Palakkad Railway Division has improved loop lines and modernised level crossing gates as part of an ongoing effort to strengthen the rail safety and operational efficiency. The division is upgrading passenger running loop lines to main line standards to enhance safety, recognising the critical role loop lines play in train operations for crossing, overtaking and halting trains. Loop lines are additional tracks within a railway station that allow trains to cross, overtake or halt without disrupting main line traffic. They are usually built to lower standards than main lines with speed limits up to 30 kmph. 'The division is upgrading loop lines by replacing the rails and sleepers, correcting alignment levels and ensuring proper track fittings and ballast cushioning to enhance safety,' said Divisional Railway Manager Arun Kumar Chaturvedi. The division has completed upgrades to 27 of its 56 targeted marshalling yards. Loop line upgrade work will be finished in a phased manner, said railway officials. The division has modernised level crossing operations by interlocking all 129 level crossings under it. 'It will ensure that trains can only pass when gates are closed. This adds a level of safety for trains and road users,' said Mr. Chaturvedi. Electrically operated lifting barriers (EOLBs) are fast replacing mechanically operated lifting barriers. Mr. Chaturvedi said 30 EOLBs were already commissioned and 62 more gates would be upgraded before April 2026. 'The traditional method of lifting the gates involves heavy physical effort and is prone to technical issues such as failures in wire transmission or turning wheels. Electrically operated barriers require less manual effort, reduce the chances of failure and ensure smoother and safer operations at level crossings,' he said. He said safety at all level crossings was enhanced by providing emergency sliding booms. 'Sliding booms are backup systems that can be used in case of any failure of the lifting barriers. These backup barriers will not only ensure safety and uninterrupted train operations, but also obviate delays during technical issues,' Mr. Chaturvedi said.
