Railways Approves Two Projects Worth Rs 275 Crore to Strengthen Infrastructure and Operational Capacity

New Delhi, 19 September (H.S.): Indian Railways has approved two projects worth approximately Rs 275 crore under South Coast Railway and Western Railway, aimed at strengthening rail infrastructure and enhancing operational capacity.

Railways has sanctioned Rs 142 crore for upgrading the 1x25 kV electric traction system to 2x25 kV on the Savalyapuram-Guntur section of South Coast Railway. The work will cover 73 route kilometres (RKM) and 146 track kilometres (TKM). The section forms part of HUN Route-8, which connects the Vasco-Gadag-Guntakal-Nandyal-Savalyapuram-Guntur-Vijayawada corridor.

According to the Ministry of Railways, upgrading the traction system will enhance the capacity and reliability of power supply and help the route handle the growing volume of rail traffic more efficiently.

In addition, approval has been granted for the construction of a four-lane Road Over Bridge (ROB) in place of Level Crossing No. 53 on the Udhna-Ukai Songadh section of Western Railway. The project will be executed at an estimated cost of Rs 133.2295 crore.

The project will be implemented on a cost-sharing basis between the Railways and the state government. The respective shares of the Railways and the state government will be Rs 66.6147 crore and Rs 66.6148 crore.

The railway bridge component of the proposed ROB will feature an open-web girder structure and is estimated to cost Rs 91.60 crore. The viaduct will have a length of 311.58 metres, while the railway approach will extend for 524.32 metres.

According to the Ministry of Railways, the project involves technical complexities in both design and construction because the concerned level crossing has a skew of 62 per cent. The construction of the ROB will facilitate smoother road traffic, reduce disruptions to railway operations and enhance the safety and efficiency of rail services.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar