Tech push to new tracks in Ranchi

The two newly constructed platforms at Ranchi station will soon become functional with engineers starting the process of redoing the mechanical interlocking system to make room for two more tracks.

Nearly 50 engineers of different cells of Ranchi railway division ' mechanical, signal and traffic ' started work at the yard of Ranchi railway junction three days ago. The process is expected to get over on February 1, thus setting the stage for eventual installation of the solid state interlocking system.

"We are removing tracks at a few points and making additions at other places. We will also add a few more levers that control track selection by the cabin man. All these are being done to connect the yard properly with the tracks at the new platforms," explained a senior engineer.

Platform Nos 4 and 5 were readied several months ago. But the tracks connecting them had to be reorganised for linking them to the mechanical interlocking and signalling system.

"We will be completing the work on February 1. On February 2, we will test the new tracks, the mechanical interlocking and the signalling system, following which the new platforms will get commissioned," said K.S. Mukherjee, senior commercial manager of Ranchi railway division.

According to the engineer, this step of connecting the new tracks with the existing ones is necessary for installation of the solid state interlocking system at Ranchi station. While the cabin man has to pull the levers and select the tracks in mechanical interlocking system, the solid state interlocking set-up requires the stationmaster to do the selection on his control panel.

The Ranchi division has been allotted Rs 10 crore by the railway ministry for installing the solid state interlocking system. A building has to be constructed at the station to house the hi-tech equipment. However, this project is long awaited.

Located at centre of the state capital, the Ranchi railway station is the busiest in the entire division. Over 40 passenger trains, including Ranchi-Delhi Rajdhani, Ranchi-Delhi Garibrath and Jammu-Tawi Express, apart from several dozens goods trains, pass through the station daily.

At present, trains, including goods trains, run only on platform Nos. 1, 2 and 3 at Ranchi railway station. As traffic on the tracks increased manifold over the past few years, many trains remain stranded on the outskirts, waiting for their turn to enter the station.