Latest news with #PalakkadRailwayDivision
The Hindu
28-04-2025
- The Hindu
Palakkad Railway Division launches Project Sugamya
In a significant step towards further enhancing travel accessibility for persons with disabilities and reduced mobility, Palakkad Railway Division launched Project Sugamya – Breaking Barriers at Palakkad Railway Station on Monday. This initiative, supported by the Swarga Foundation in collaboration with the International Gemological Institute (India), was formally inaugurated by Arun Kumar Chaturvedi, Divisional Railway Manager, Palakkad. As part of the project, 24 lightweight mobile ramps and 24 specially designed wheelchairs were formally handed over for deployment across 20 major stations in the Palakkad Division. The stations are Palakkad Junction, Nilambur Road, Pollachi Junction, Ferok, Vadakara, Tanur, Kasaragod, Kanhangad, Payyanur, Thalassery, Shoranur Junction, Ottappalam, Kuttippuram, Pattambi, Mangaluru Central, Mangaluru Junction, Kozhikode, Parpanangadi, Kannur, and Tirur. These mobile ramps will facilitate seamless boarding and alighting from coaches, while the customised wheelchairs will support safe and independent movement within the station premises and inside trains. Mr. Arun Kumar Chaturvedi said, 'Indian Railways is committed to building an inclusive and accessible travel environment for all. The addition of mobile ramps and customised wheelchairs will provide greater convenience, safety, and independence to our differently-abled passengers.
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.
