Southern Railway targets speed enhancement works on vital sections in the current Financial Year 2023-24. Jolarpettai-Salem-Coimbatore sections targeted for sectional speed increase to 130 kmph. 1412 Route kms (RKm) to be increased to 110 Kmph during the current Financial Year.
More Details:
Southern Railway has undertaken significant speed enhancement initiatives across key sections of its network. The objective is to significantly reduce the travel time for both passenger and freight trains, ultimately improving the overall travel experience for the numerous rail users.
Sections in which maximum permissible speed is to be enhanced to 130 Kmph:
- Sections targeted in FY 2023-24: Jolarpettai – Salem – Coimbatore (286 RKM) section has been targeted for speed increase to 130 Kmph by end of March 2024.
Sections planned in FY 2024-25, FY 2025-26 and FY 2026-27:
- Shoranur – Kannur (175.17 RKM) section has been planned for a speed increase to 130 Kmph in FY 2024-25.
- Kannur – Mangaluru (131.4 RKM), Kollam – Thiruvananthapuram (64.48 RKM) and Chennai Egmore – Villupuram – Tiruchchirappalli (336.04 RKM) sections (total 618.13 RKM) have been proposed for speed increase to 130 Kmph in FY 2025-26.
- Ernakulam – Alappuzha – Kayankulam – Kollam (141.18 RKM), Shoranur-Podanur (92.55 RKM), Tiruchchirappalli – Dindigul- Madurai- Tirunelveli (311.11 RKM) and Nagercoil – Tirunelveli (73.29 RKM) totalling 618.13 RKM have been planned for speed upgrade to 130 Kmph in 2026-27.
Work Completed Sections:
Over 413.62 Route Kms of Southern Railway network, the maximum permissible speed has been enhanced to 130 kmph from 110 kmph as given below:
- 130 Kmph Speed enhancement works on Chennai-Gudur section spanning 134.30 RKM & Chennai – Renigunta section spanning 134.78 RKM were completed in FY 2022-23.
- Arakkonam – Jolarpettai section (144.54 Km) has been authorised for increasing maximum permissible speed to 130 kmph in FY 2023-24.
Sections in which maximum permissible speed is to be enhanced to 110 Kmph:
- During the current financial year 2023-24, Southern Railway has targeted to enhance the speed limit to 110 kmph across various sections for about a length of 1412 Route kms. Of this, speed has been already increased to 110 kmph in the following sections for about a total length of 187 Route kms:
- Karur- Dindigul section (74 Kms)
- Aralvaimozhi – Nanguneri- Melapalaiyam (57 Kms)
- Mayiladuthurai – Tiruvarur (39 Kms)
- Madurai – Tirumangalam (17 Kms)
The balance of 1225 RKms would be completed by the end of this financial year, with 247 kms, 558 kms, 380 kms and 40 kms targeted for completion in the coming months of November, December, January and February respectively. The section details are given in the Annexure.
In various important sections across the zone covering a network of 1218 Kms the maximum permissible speed has been already enhanced to 110 Kmph during the last financial year 2022-23.
Feasibility Study in Thiruvananthapuram – Mangaluru Section:
In order to increase the maximum permissible speed to 130/160 kmph across the entire length of Thiruvananthapuram – Mangaluru, via both Alappuzha and Kottayam.The feasibility study has been undertaken and is nearing completion.
Speed Enhancement Works:
- The work speed enhancement involves a comprehensive upgradation of all the infrastructure required for train operations. Major work to be undertaken are listed below:
- Complete track renewal work – replacing track with 60 kg rail wherever required.
- Strengthening of bridges
- Easing of curves wherever feasible
- Barricading for construction of walls at locations where there is heavy trespassing.
- Improving signalling system by providing automatic signalling /double distancing signal
- Improving OHE infrastructure- removing of infringement to enhance the speed
Southern Railway reaffirms its commitment to offer safe and punctual train operations and reduced journey time for passengers.
Sections targeted for increase in maximum permissible speed to 110 Kmph in current FY 2023-24:
Month | Length (In Kms) | Sections |
NOV-23 | 248.19 | Tiruchchirappalli-Karaikudi , Korukkupet – Attipattu (III & IV lines), Chennai – Arakkonam (Slow line), Pollachi-Palakkad, & Nagercoil – Kanniyakumari |
DEC-23 | 558.41 | Villupuram-Mayiladuturai-Thanjavur,Tiruvarur-Karaikudi, Nidamangalam-Mannargudi& Virudhunagar-Tenkasi, Madurai-Manamadurai, & Vanchi Maniyachchi-Tuticorin |
JAN-24 | 380.4 | Karaikudi – Rameswaram , Kayankulam-Thiruvananthapuram & Ernakulam-Alappuzha-Kayankulam |
FEB-24 | 39.81 | Podanur-Pollachi |
Source: Southern Railway- Press Release | Image Credit (representational): East Central Railway
