Sharp curves on railway tracks, which act as speed breakers, hinder the operational efficiency of both suburban and long distance trains.
Permanent speed restrictions (PSR) are imposed to regulate train operations on stretches with sharp curves and prevent derailments.
In order to improve the operational efficiency by removing PSRs, the Chennai Division identified curves that hindered fast movement and undertook infrastructure development and track straightening works in four sections.
A senior official of the Chennai Division said that as part of the sustained efforts towards improving line capacity andenhancing operational flexibility, the speed restrictions were relaxed in four sections — Beach-Egmore (where a fourth line was newly added), Egmore-Villupuram, Central-Arakkonam, and Central-Gudur.
The track straightening works involved track renewal, strengthening of formation, curve transition corrections, and continuous monitoring of track geometry.
Under the PSR relaxation procedure, the engineering work was carried out between Beach and Egmore railway stations, Central-Jolarpettai route in the Central-Arakkonam section, between Chengalpattu and Villupuram, and on Nayudupeta-Doravari Chatram and Sullurupeta-Polireddipalem stretches in the Gudur section.
Speed raised
After carrying out the corrective measures, the permissible speed has been raised on these stretches. For long-distance trains, it has been increased from 110 kmph to 125 kmph.
The speed restriction on the main lines have also been relaxed after correcting the curve geometry, facilitating smoother suburban train operations in these highly congested corridors.
T. Ramesh, a regular commuter from Perungalathur, said the fast trains operated from Chengalpattu to Beachwere previously operated on the main line till Beach station. However, after a platform at Chennai Fort was dismantled for constructing the fourth line, all the fast line trains were being operated on the slow line from Egmore to Beach, he said, urging railway officials to find a solution.