CRS accords clearance for opening of Karaikal - Peralam new BG line for train services

CRS authorizes opening of Karaikal-Peralam broad gauge railway line after 40 years with specific operational stipulations.

The Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS), Southern Circle, Bengaluru A.M. Chowdhary has given authorisation for opening the converted broad gauge railway line from Karaikal to Peralam for operation of train services.

The authorisation was issued on Tuesday following a two-day mandatory inspection of the 23.5 km electrified section by the CRS on May 23 and 24. As part of the inspection, the CRS conducted a speed trial run.

The clearance has set the stage for resumption of train services on this section, falling under the limits of Tiruchi railway division, after a gap of 40 years. The CRS has given the permission for operation of passenger trains at a maximum speed of 75 km per hour. The authorisation is subject to observance of a detailed set of conditions / stipulations spelt out by the CRS in the communication forwarded to the Southern Railway General Manager, Chief Administrative Officer (Construction), Southern Railway, Chennai and the Divisional Railway Manager, Tiruchi.

The CRS has made it clear that the stipulations should be complied with before starting commercial services on this section. Essential amenities should be ensured at the stations before the start of the passenger services is one among the stipulations. Karai Kovilpathu, Thirunallar, Pattakudi and Ambagarathur are the stations which fall between Karaikal and Peralam. Barring Thirunallar, which is a crossing station, the remaining are halt stations. Peralam station has become a railway junction with the new line having been laid.

Another stipulation is that the gatemen of all interlocked engineering level crossing gates on this section shall be counselled on the working of electrical lifting barrier and manual sliding boom operations, including use of emergency crank handle and emergency key of the sliding boom.

Deployment of manpower for maintenance of Permanent Way / Signaling/ Electrical assets and for operation of trains on this section as per norms shall be made to ensure inspection and maintenance of assets; providing Fouling Marks and Distance Blocks at prescribed locations; imparting adequate training to staff in predictive and preventive maintenance of Electronic Interlocking and MSDAC systems installed on the section; provision of height gauges at all subways; counselling of station staff and officials concerned in special precautions to be taken for working of trains in the newly commissioned Peralam Junction and fixing of Station Limit Boards and W/L Boards at standard height are among the host of other stipulations to be complied with. The Southern Railway Construction Organisation had executed the project.

Any suo motu dilution in the stipulations by the railway administration shall automatically invalidate the authorisation, the CRS communication further said. “If passenger train services are not commenced within three months from the date of the issue of authorisation, the CAO, Construction shall inspect the section and certify the section structurally fit for passenger services,” it further said adding that immediate intimation should be given to the Commission for starting of train operations on the gauge converted line.