Guwahati: NFR track renewal works have surpassed the set annual targets during the last fiscal year, “projecting the remarkable works done by the zone”, officials said.

The NFR’s spokesperson Sabyasachi De said, “In a bid to maintain railway tracks in proper condition and provide safe transportation and comfortable journeys to rail passengers and stakeholders, several track renewal works were undertaken by NFR during the fiscal year of 2023-24, as a part of the ongoing safety action plan and works.”

“257.98 TKM of through rail renewal, 210.71 TKM of through sleeper renewal, and 264.16 CTR units of complete track renewal works have been completed”, said De. NFR has also achieved 7.27 lakh cubic meter of progress in ballasting works against a target of 5 lakh cubic meter which is marked as the highest ever progress surpassing last year’s progress of 6.34 lakh cubic meter.”

In addition, 134 of thick web switches have been installed as compared to 35 during the last fiscal year, De added.

As a part of the Road Safety Works, for ease of movement of both road and rail users, 19 nos. of manned level crossings have been eliminated as well as 20 nos. of Road Over Bridges (ROB) and 48 nos of Road Under Bridges (RUB) were commissioned during the fiscal year of 2023-24 within NFR.

Upto March 2024, maximum speed limits on 118.2 km loop lines were raised to 30 kmph and sectional speed of 803.5 Km was raised to 110 kmph. The sectional speed marked a progress by 42%. Also, 9 additional waterways have been constructed to mitigate the problem of flooding during monsoon season. Modern monitoring techniques like structural health monitoring, 3D scanning of river bed, underwater inspection by RORV (Remote Operated Robotic Vehicle), Scour monitoring and water level monitoring are also introduced for monitoring railway bridges.

According to De, “the increased emphasis given on safety measures for railway track by engineering department of NFR has led to safer running of trains with increased speed and better riding experience.”

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