GUWAHATI: The railway track is a vital aspect for safe running of trains. As a result of train movement, wear and tear of railway track is bound to occur and renewal of track components is indispensable. Hence, proper upkeep of railway track is of paramount importance. The Northeast Frontier Railway strives to ensure that railway track gets the required attention by undertaking various planned track renewal works.
In this regard, 292408 cubic meter ballast has been added to the tracks for safer and smoother running of trains. Track renewal of 128.67 CTR units along with 198.64 km of through rail renewal, 110 equivalent sets of turnout renewal, sleeper changing in 58.71 km, 159.17 km of deep screening of ballast in plain track and 112 turnouts, track fittings renewal in 249.71 km have been carried out during this year from April, 2020 to February, 2021.
For monitoring health of railway track and to prevent rail fracture, USFD (Ultrasonic Flaw Detection) testing is vigorously carried out in railway tracks. During April, 2020 to February, 2021, USFD testing over 15805 km of track was done against a target of 13750 km. The NFR has also completed Flash Butt welding (which is a superior method of welding) of rail joints in 63.23 km during this period to make the rail joints in track more secure.
It can be mentioned that the NFR is also using various track machines for screening of ballast, changing of track sleeper and tamping of track etc. to achieve safer and smoother running of trains over its jurisdiction. Track tamping of 6792.71 km, tamping of ballast beneath 4118 points and crossings have been done by track machines during this year.
Moreover, the NFR has removed/relaxed 17 Permanent Speed Restrictions (PSRs) imposed on its tracks resulted in saving running time of all trains in those sections. During this year, 135 bridges have also been rehabilitated. The increased emphasis given on safety measures for railway track has led to safer running of trains with increased speed, stated a release.