Kochi: The railways has deployed Track Relaying Train (TRT) machines to expedite rail replacement and maintenance works. It now aims to complete and restore normal operations by March, 2018. “The TRT machine can lay new track for a length of upto 650 metres a day compared to 120 metres manually. The TRT can do simultaneous operations of rail and sleeper replacement, thereby cutting down the time required for the work,” said a railway spokesperson. The TRT along with two tamping machines were deployed in the section between Kochuveli and Kazhakuttam from Monday night. The advantage of using the machines is that train operations can be done without interruption through the second track.
“The works are being carried out in the night to have least impact on train running and also to facilitate maintenance. How-ever speed restrictions are imposed in the initial phase and relaxed gradually,” the official said. The rail replacement and maintenance works using the manual mode were running behind the targets. So far only 38 km of rail and 13 km of sleepers have been renewed as against the target of 143 km of rails and 103 km of sleepers.
“Currently the TRT has been allotted till January first week. A total of 30 kms of track relaying is planned by TRT machine in the Kayamkulam-Thiruvananthapuram section. We’ve requested nod for its continuance usage in other sections too so that the works can be targeted as planned,” the official said.
Two Ballast Cleaning Machines (BCMs) too are being used in the section between Perinad and Kollam sections. Deep screening of ballast has to be done every 10 years to ensure proper drainage, stability of track and smooth running. This will prevent rail breakage. As of now more than 300 km are planned for deep screening.
