BIKKAVOLU

- To ease freight operations & to accommodate Longer Haul Goods trains

- This is the second longer loop over the zone

To enhance train operations, ease congestion and to accommodate long haul goods trains with additional wagons than the standard composition, SCR has commissioned a longer loop line at Navabpalem Railway Station of Vijayawada Division located o­n the Grand trunk route of Vijayawada – Visakhapatnam section. This is the second longer loop that has been constructed o­n the Zone, the first o­ne being at Bikkavolu station.

In Railways, loop lines are constructed in station area to handle more number of trains and to ease out the train operations. Normally, the loop lines at a station are constructed with a length of 750 meters which can accommodate a full-length goods train with multiple engines. With the increasing need to transport huge quantities at a o­ne go, it has necessitated to handle longer trains having more number of wagons than the regular composition. To mitigate this problem, Indian Railways has been encouraging the construction of Longer Loop lines of around 1500 meters (which is double than the existing loop line lengths).

Considering the importance of longer loop lines, Ministry of Railways has accorded sanction for construction of Longer Loops at six stations of Vijayawada Division viz., Bikkavolu, Navabpalem & Elamanchili in Vijayawada – Visakhapatnam section and Nidubrolu, Ammanabrolu & Bitragunta in Vijayawada – Chennai section. Out of these, now, two longer loops have been commissioned i.e., At Bikkavolu and Navabpalem stations. Works are in the fast progress at the remaining locations.

Salient features of Longer Loop line at Navabpalem station

v The Electronic interlocking system has been provided with 70 routes.

v Advanced Axle counters have been provided for Intermediate Block signals located in Navabpalem - Tadepalligudem & Navabpalem - Nidadavolu sections.

v The Central Interlocking system, Data loggers are provided with modern equipment.

v Fire alarm facility is provided for enhanced protection.

v The execution of works has been done with meticulous planning duly completing the NI work within seven days as against scheduled period of 9 days.

v 2 sets of Unimat machines and T-28 Cranes have been used at the site for faster work.

v The main line and loop line of the station have been provided with separate elementary sections to facilitate independent OHE blocks.

Benefits of Longer Loop Lines

v Will accommodate long haul trains like Jai Kisan specials where 2 freight trains are combined and run for quick mobility

v Provision for crossing of trains to enable faster movement of trains without too much detention of freight trains

v Improves punctuality of passenger trains by avoiding main line regulation of Goods trains

v Improves overall train operations.

v Reduces the wagon detention and travel expenses.

v Enables in handling more number of trains.

Shri Gajanan Mallya, General Manger, SCR complimented the officials of Vijayawada Division o­n completion of second longer loop line over the Zone with sincere and dedicated efforts. He instructed the officials to complete the remaining longer loop lines o­n fast pace for overall improvement in operation of freight trains in the busy trunk route section.

Shri Gajanan Mallya, General Manager, South Central Railway undertook Inspection of Kakinada Port – Rajahmundry – Nidadavolu – Bhimavaram – Narsapur section of Vijayawada Division today i.e., 03rd September, 2021. He was accompanied by Shri Shivendra Mohan, Divisional Railway Manager, Vijayawada Division, Principal Head of the Departments and other senior officials.

The General Manager commenced the inspection at Kakinada Port Railway station, he examined the passenger amenities available at the station and discussed o­n further developmental plans with the officials. Shri Gajanan Mallya visited the Kakinada Port siding and inspected facilities provided at the new siding along with Hamali dining room and rest room for crew. He proceeded o­n to Kakinada Town Railway station where he inspected the station premises and interacted with the freight customers. The General Manager carried out a rear window trailing inspection of Kakinada Town - Samalkot section and reviewed the maintenance and safety aspects of track.

Later, the General Manager visited Samalkot Railway station. He inspected the station master’s office, circulating area of the station and passenger amenities and also reviewed the facilities available at the goods shed and interacted with the Hamali workers. Further, he visited the Health Unit at Samalkot and inspected the health care facilities available, while also interacting with the staff. He also inspected Bikkavolu Railway station enroute.

The General Manager inspected Rajahmundry Railway station, where he examined the o­n-going developmental works at the station and discussed o­n further improvement plans with the officials. He also inspected the Health Unit and goods shed at Rajahmundry. Following this, he carried out a rear window inspection between Rajahmundry - Nidadavolu section and reviewed the track maintenance of the section. Shri Gajanan Mallya conducted a detailed inspection of Nidadavolu station. During the inspection, Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) officials gave a brief presentation o­n the progress of o­n-going doubling works between Nidadavolu – Narsapur section. Later, the General Manager inspected Tanuku, Bhimavaram, Palakollu and Narsapur Railway stations where he examined the passenger amenities available at these stations and discussed o­n improvement plans with the officials.

During the course of inspection, the General Manager interacted with Smt. Vanga Geetha, Hon’ble MP Kakinada and Shri Margani Bharat Ram, Hon’ble MP Rajahmundry and discussed o­n various Rail developmental plans pertaining to their region. Later, Shri G. Sreenivas Naidu, Hon'ble MLA along with Municipal Chairman, Nidadavolu, AP State met Shri Gajanan Mallya, General Manager, SCR and discussed o­n developmental plans pertaining to Nidadavolu. Shri Gajanan Mallya also interacted with the media and briefed them o­n various plans for improvement of facilities.