NAVABPALEM

Shri Gajanan Mallya, General Manager, South Central Railway undertook annual inspection between Vijayawada – Eluru – Rajahmundry – Samalkot – Kakinada Port section of Vijayawada Division today i.e., 16th November, 2021. He was accompanied by Shri Shivendra Mohan, Divisional Railway Manager, Vijayawada Division and other senior officials (from both the Headquarters and Division) throughout the inspection.

Shri Gajanan Mallya commenced the inspection at Vijayawada and examined the level crossing gate in Vijayawada – Nuzvid section. He conducted a detailed inspection of Nuzvid Railway station and reviewed the availability of various passenger amenities. The General Manager inspected a minor bridge and level crossing gate in Nuzvid – Vatlur section. Following which, he inspected the passenger amenities and facilities at Vatlur Railway station. Further, he examined the safety aspects of tracks, curves and Road under Bridge (Rub) in Vatlur – Eluru section. He also interacted with the gang-men deployed in the section. Later, the General Manager proceeded o­nto Eluru Railway station, wherein, he reviewed the passenger amenities and launched several in-house web applications developed by the Division as a part of e-initiatives to ease the workload of the employees. He also visited the exhibition stall setup at Eluru station projecting various developmental initiatives undertaken by the Division. Further, he inspected the goods shed, health unit and Railway quarters at Eluru.

The General Manager inspected major bridge in Eluru – Denduluru section and carried out a speed test in Pulla – Chebrol – Badampudi – Tadepalligudem section. Further, he conducted a safety inspection of several minor and major bridges including the important Godavari bridge in Navabpalem – Kovvur – Godavari – Rajahmundry section. Later, he inspected Rajahmundry Railway station and reviewed the passenger amenities available at the station. He also inspected the crew booking lobby, traction sub-station, Railway quarters. Further, he inaugurated the women’s RPF barrack and launched 10Kwp Solar Plant at Sarpavaram station through Virtual conference from Rajahmundry. The General Manager inspected the facilities at Railway quarters and interacted with the family members of the employees. He also inspected the goods shed at Dwarapudi and reviewed the loading facilities available. He carried out a speed test in Anaparti – Samalkot section.

Later, Shri Gajanan Mallya proceeded o­nto Kakinada Port Railway station. He inspected the entire station premises including running room and circulating area. He reviewed the passenger amenities available at the station and discussed o­n further improvement plans with the officials. The General Manager inspected the Carriage and Wagon depot at Kakinada Port and laid the foundation stone for construction of new pit line. He visited the Buddha garden at Kakinada Port. During the course of inspection several public representatives also met the General Manager and discussed o­n Rail developmental plans pertaining to their region.

- 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.