FCC

Palakkad Railway Division Upgrades Turnouts for Safety

2025-05-13

The Southern Railway’s Palakkad Division has implemented a series of infrastructure upgrades to enhance train safety and operational efficiency. Over the past one year, the division has replaced one hundred thirty-three ageing fifty-two kilogram turnouts with robust sixty kilogram Thick Web Switches, engineered for high-speed durability and increased strength.

Seventy-seven track layouts were corrected using advanced computer-based geometry solutions, involving precise longitudinal and lateral alignment with the aid of the T-28 Track Relaying Machine. These corrections improve track stability, resulting in smoother and safer travel.

In addition, the division conducted deep screening of one hundred forty-five turnouts by replacing weak, dust-laden ballast stones beneath the tracks. The cleaned sections now maintain a minimum cushion of two hundred fifty millimetres of clean ballast, boosting track elasticity and stability under high-speed and heavy-load conditions, especially during rainfall.

These upgrades not only support passenger comfort but also align with Indian Railways’ commitment to enhanced safety through rigorous track maintenance standards. The initiative underscores a broader vision of delivering faster and more secure rail transport across the country.

Source:The Hindu