Kochi: The punctuality of Mail or Express trains in Thiruvananthapuram division stands at an all-time high of 92.1 per cent against the national average of 78 per cent. However, the achievement in the last few years was at the cost of much-needed track replacement and repair works in several sections, which has compromised security.
“The last track replacement exercise was done in 2004. As per the norm, the tracks should be replaced within seven years on a busy route. This is more applicable in the state due to two reasons. One is the weather factor as it may be very hot during day and it rains in the night leading to quick expansion or reduction. The other is that line capacity is overutilised. For instance, the Ernakulam-Shoranur section is saturated with 147 per cent utilisation,” said a senior official of the engineering department.
The main reason behind the situation is the operating or traffic department’s insistence on allowing minimum line block, effected to carry out maintenance and repair works. This resulted in the track replacement work being postponed continuously.
According to the Divisional Railway Engineers Association, track problems were detected in 202 places in the Thiruvananthapuram-Shoranur section. It would require rail replacement over a distance of at least 100 km, they said.
The division, however, improved its punctuality to 92.1 per cent till July 2016 as against 85.9 per cent in 2015-16. This, despite augmentation of traffic, including operation of 30 special fare trains.
Post-Karukutty derailment, the railways has imposed a speed restriction of 30 kmph to repair track defects at over 200 spots. However, a decision on track replacement in the sections is yet to be made.
