Trains to run faster on Villupuram-Tiruchi chord line as Railways decides to increase maximum speed to 130 kmph

The Southern Railway has identified a host of work to be carried out before increasing the maximum speed on trains on the Villupuram-Tiruchi section of the chord line.
| Photo Credit: FILE PHOTO

Southern Railway has embarked on the task of increasing the speed of express trains from 110 kmph to 130 kmph on Villupuram-Tiruchi chord line section via Vriddhachalam, Ariyalur, Lalgudi and Srirangam. 

The chord line section is an important route in the north-south direction through which several express and passenger trains pass through daily to reach various destinations in the central, south eastern and southern districts in Tamil Nadu.

The double line section, falling under the limits of the Tiruchi Railway Division, witnesses operation of some inter-State express trains proceeding to Kerala and those in the northern and eastern parts of the country besides operation of freight trains carrying different commodities. 

Ahead of increasing the sectional speed of trains on the over 170-km Villupuram-Tiruchi electrified section, the Southern Railway authorities identified a host of work to be carried out. The stretch has major and minor bridges, manned level-crossing, signals, limited use subways and loop lines enroute. 

Work connected with increasing the speed of trains will be carried out in the portions from Villupuram to Vriddhachalam and from Vriddhachalam to Tiruchi. Engineering, signal and telecommunication departments are to be mainly involved in the execution of work for increasing the speed limit of trains.

A railway official said work had already begun without affecting the regular movement of trains. One of the main work to be carried out was deep screening of ballast to increase the cushion along the section. Slewing the track to correct the alignment was another work that is to be carried out. The curves along the section are to be eased to make them suitable for operation of trains at 130 kmph, said the official. Fencing along vulnerable areas to prevent trespassing on tracks was another task to be executed. 

The official said installation of double distant signals from Villupuram to Vriddhahclam was nearing completion. The railway authorities will take up the installation of double distant signals on the stretch from Vriddhachalam to Sillakudi next and from Sillakudi to Tiruchi thereafter. Installation of double distant signals is to enable faster movement of trains and their safe operations. Plans are afoot to install Intermediate Block Signals for long sections, the official added.

The official said the entire work was expected to be completed in the next fiscal. Increasing the sectional speed limit of express trains would cut down travel time. The Villupuram-Tiruchi BG section witnesses operation of over 100 express and passenger trains every day making it one of the busiest routes in the Southern Railway zone.

The long list of express trains which pass through the chord line section include Vande Bharat trains, Ananthapuri Superfast Express, Vaigai Express, Pandian Express, Pallavan Express, Rockfort Expresses and Howrah Express.