Bhubaneswar: Installation process of Kavach, the indigenous train collision avoidance system, has begun on 595 km of the main line under East Coast Railway (ECoR), general manager Parmeshwar Funkwal told TOI on Saturday. A tender has been floated for the process, he said.
He said Kavach is a top priority to enhance safety on busy and critical railway corridors. The safety system was sanctioned for installation on the stretch from Ranital Junction in Odisha’s Bhadrak district to Duvvada in Andhra Pradesh, at an estimated cost of Rs 280 crore. “Detailed estimation is underway for installing Kavach in the remaining sections of ECoR,” the GM said.
“To enhance safety, we are focusing on modern signalling and interlocking systems to minimise human error. Unmanned level crossings have been completely eliminated in our railway zone. Road overbridges (ROBs) and road underbridges (RUBs) have been sanctioned in place of manned level crossings. Advanced machinery has been deployed for track maintenance, safety fencing provided along the tracks and coaches are being converted into LHB,” said Funkwal.
He said they are focused on improving train punctuality through measures to enhance mobility and remove bottlenecks. “Our initiatives include better crew and rake management, infrastructure upgrade at busy junctions, construction of rail flyovers at Khurda, Sambalpur, Titilagarh, Paradip and Haridaspur, and line capacity expansion works,” he added.
He further said, “We are also reducing delays through technological solutions such as real-time monitoring systems and by reinforcing asset maintenance schedules. We aim to achieve higher punctuality through these comprehensive measures, ensuring reliable service for our passengers.”
He said the sectional speed was increased from 110 kmph to 130 kmph in 584-km of the main line, and in 300 km of the route, it was increased up to 110 kmph to improve the train running times.
Funkwal said there has been substantial progress in the crucial Khurda Road-Balangir new line project, which aims to connect coastal and western Odisha. Train services are already operational up to Daspalla from Khurda and till Sonepur from Balangir. Tunnels and viaducts are being built to connect the challenging terrain between Purunakatak and Daspalla.
He said passenger comfort and convenience have received a boost with the introduction of Vande Bharat services connecting major cities, including Howrah, Visakhapatnam, Rourkela, Raipur and Tatanagar. “Railways is also exploring the introduction of Amrit Bharat trains on high-demand routes,” he added.
In a boost to tourism, he said, ECoR is enhancing facilities at stations near tourist sites and has sanctioned a new line to connect Konark. “Vistadome coaches have been introduced on select routes in the Eastern Ghats, offering passengers panoramic views of the scenic landscape,” he added.