With a view to increase safety and speed in train operations, Western Railway has successfully removed six operational constraints on Mumbai Division including three in its dense Mumbai Suburban Section.
The works include Interlocking of Leaf Gate No.31 at Kandivali station, Relaxation of PSR on Up Harbour line at Mahim and commissioning of three stabling lines for EMU rakes at Mahim, on suburban section. In addition to it, LC Gate No.6 between Udhna-Chaltan and LC Gate No.UB-1 near Bhestan are closed permanently enhancing safety & Speed of the trains. A low height subway has been provided in lieu of the LC gate between Udhna & Chaltan for seamless & safe road as well as rail traffic The provision of separate Isolator at Takarkhede on busy Surat – Nandurbar section will reduce obstruction in rail traffic during power blocks.
Commissioning of three stabling lines at Mahim has enabled stabling of three 12-car EMU rakes and it is useful for pulling and withdrawing Bandra bound EMU services. The relaxation of Permanent Speed Restriction has also resulted in increasing the speed of the trains to 50 kmph from 35 kmph on Down harbour line in Mahim south while on UP harbour line in Mahim North yard the speed has been increased from 20 kmph to 35 kmph.. It will be useful in increasing the punctuality of the trains by 2 minutes per train.
Similarly, the interlocking of Leaf Gate No.31 at Kandivali station is yet another step in ensuring safe and smooth movement of trains. It will provide safe passage to vehicle movement to Kandivali Car-shed as well as make the train working on STA line safer.
The permanent closure of LC gate No.6 in Udhna – Chalthan section and LC Gate No.UB-1 at Bhestan will also improve punctuality. It will eliminate the chances of gate failures or risk of late closure resulting in smooth movement of trains besides making the rail as well as road traffic safer.
A separate isolator has been provided at Takarkhede on Surat – Nandurbar section. It is worth noting that it will reduce traffic disruption by 10 km during power blocks, as earlier the trains were to be regulated at previous station during the power block. This way, it will reduce the disruption in rail traffic.
Great that Western Railway has improved operations by removing constraints like LC gates, adding stabling lines, Isolators etc. This should be the trend setter. Hope this will reflect in time table. Congratulations to Minister of Rlys and CRB for mooting such works