New Signalling System Inaugurated in India

The re-modelled yard and modernised signalling system at Ernakulam Junction railway station was inaugurated on Friday through tele-conferencing from Thiruvananthapuram by Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu.

Works were undertaken at the station by Railway’s Construction Wing. Ernakulam Junction is the biggest yard in Southern Railway, with 349 signalled routes. The station handles 586 trains a week, some of them doing multiple trips daily. The major tasks included replacement of wooden scissor cross-over with new layout and replacement of the Route Relay Interlocking (RRI) signalling system with microprocessor based Electronic Interlocking (Solid State Interlocking) system. The new signalling system would improve safety, enhance reliability and reduce failures. It will also provide enhanced flexibility in yard movements, increasing the efficiency of train operations.

The work was completed within 10 days with minimum disturbance to train traffic. Also upgraded were visual display unit and relay room.

Speaking on the occasion, Additional Divisional Railway Manager of Thiruvananthapuram Division P. Mahesh said that 60 kms of tracks were also replaced across Kerala, to enhance safety. Care has also been taken to ensure cleanliness of stations and trains.

Source: The Hindu