In order to improve of punctuality of the suburban trains, Western Railway (WR) will soon undertake the remodelling project of Andheri Yard which will enhance punctuality by five per cent, a senior WR official said.
"In the project, we would be easing down the steep degree in some of the cross-overs on through line tracks that would enable trains to pass cross-overs with the speed of 100 Kmph," Divisional Railway Manager, WR Mumbai division, Shailendra Kumar said.
He said, currently, the suburban trains have a speed restriction of 50 kmph, but after the remodelling by the end of the year, trains would be able to pass through at the maximum speed of 100 kmph, which would reduce the time and hence improve the punctuality considerably.
Cross-overs are the part of tracks that connect two tracks with each other and the driver has to maintain a speed restriction while passing over to it, which has been a major factor to throw the punctuality out of the track.
The project of remodelling of Andheri yard was to be done in 2003-04, but was postponed as it looked too complicated then.
"Now all the modalities, including financing and tendering process, has been finalised and Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC) has sanctioned a budget of approximately Rs 13.5 crore," Kumar said, adding the project is likely to be finished by this year end.
Divisional Railway Users Consultative Committee (DRUCC) member Rajiv Singal said it is a welcoming step taken by WR.
"This project will definitely improve punctuality of the trains that has been a major concern for over 30 lakhs commuters," he added.
