MAHES KHUNT

WESTERN RAILWAY COMMISSIONS THE ENTIRE SECTION OF AHMEDABAD – MAHESANA GAUGE CONVERTED LINE

This newly gauge converted section has facilitated an additional line to the existing single Broad Gauge line

Due to this, the travel time between Ahmedabad & Mahesana is reduced

Will enhance the freight carrying capacity o­n the busy Ahmedabad – Delhi route, thus decongesting this important section

Gauge Conversion of Ahmedabad - Mahesana section is an impetus to theuni-gauge rail system policy

Photo caption: Various views of the newly commissioned Station Building & Yard at Mahesana which is part of the Ahmedabad – Mahesana Gauge converted line.

Western Railway is contributing immensely in the infrastructural development of railways in Gujarat and in the last few years, tremendous boost has been given to new line, gauge conversion, electrification, doubling and other infrastructural upgradations along with enhancement of passenger amenities. In this direction, Western Railway has completed the work of gauge conversion between Jagudan – Mahesana over Ahmedabad Division and a new double line has been opened for traffic. Last year, Hon’ble PM had dedicated the Sabarmati – Jagudan portion of this section. Now, with the completion of the Jagudan – Mahesana portion, the entire Ahmedabad – Mahesana Gauge Conversion project has been completed and commissioned.

According to a press release issued by Shri Sumit Thakur, Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, the new double line between Jagudan - Mahesana has been opened for traffic with speed of 90 kmph. The new section has 1 major bridge, 16 minor bridges and 8 underpass as grade separators. It is noteworthy to mention that this section is completely free from Level Crossing which has enhanced the safety of the rail passengers as well as road users. The entire project has been completed at a cost of Rs 620 crore.

Giving further details of the project work, Shri Thakur stated that an additional platform of 644 m length has also been commissioned at Mahesana railway station, thereby increasing the number of lines from 5 to 14. The dedicated new main line between Viramgam to Patan which was not earlier present in the Mahesana yard has now been provided in the work. Apart from it, dedicated 2 loop lines with platforms, o­ne goods siding of 750m length with 15 m wide RCC platform have also been added. A new Station Building with Booking office, General waiting hall with Toilets, concourse, PRS has been made operational. A 10.84 km long new DOWN main line, 2 km long new Viramgam - Patan new main line, 760 metre long two new Goods Siding and a 375 metre long Track Machine siding and a tower wagon sidinghas also been added.

Also, a new Electronic Interlocking (EI) system has been commissioned at Mahesana railway station, having lines merging from 7 directions. The upgraded Mahesana Yard is now equipped with Electronic Interlocking having 380 routes. Operation of gears has been done with the help of 85 inch VDU monitor and also state of art Fire alarms, Axle counter, Block & Axle counter for block section monitoring has been provided.

Shri Thakur further stated that the Team of Survey and Construction Department of Ahmedabad successfully executed the mammoth task of Yard Remodelling of Mahesana in a matter of just 23 days with efficient planning and without any safety lapse. The Yard Remodeling work involved a complex work of realignment of 2000 m Yard existing main lines at both ends, conversion of Loop to DOWN Main lineby upgrading the track structure apart from laying 58 new Turnouts and 8 km of track o­nly in yard. The work of connection of the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFCCIL) with Indian Railways at Mahesana towards New Bhandu with new RTR line of 800 m has also been completed by Western Railway’s Construction Team comprising of Engineering, Signalling & Telecom and Electrical (Traction) jointly in a traffic working order in between 8^thFebruary 2023 to 28^th February’2023.

The benefits of project are as under:

•   This meter gauge line has been converted into Broad Gauge line under the Uni-gauge policy of Indian Railways between Ahmedabad till Mahesana.

•This gauge converted line has facilitated an additional line between Ahmedabad & Mahesana section resulting in reduced travel time for the passengers.

•This section is part of an important BG route between Ahmedabad & Delhi serving Western India, including ports o­n the Western coast.

•   Will enhance the Freight carrying capacity of this important section as it is connected with the western freight corridor of DFCCIL at Mahesana.

•This project will smoothen the movement of trains and will help in decongesting the busy Ahmedabad – Delhi route.

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