Machines that keep railway tracks of Madurai Division in good fettle     

Rail passengers in Madurai division experience increased train speeds due to meticulous track maintenance and modern technology inspections.

Rail passengers would not have forgotten that the speed of trains over Madurai division has increased gradually over the last half a decade.

Many would think that latest coaches that of LHB and Vande Bharat and electrification of most of the sections in the division could have made it possible.

But, what has really helped in increasing the running speed of mails and expresses to 110 kmph over all possible sections across the division from a mere 70 – 90 kmph is meticulous planning in strengthening of the railway tracks, including renewal of the rails, sleepers and with technology in inspections and maintenance, said Madurai Railway Divisional Manager Sharad Srivastava.

Though this looks very simple, all these activities have been done by the railway engineers like how the doctors do beating heart surgeries, without much disruption in rail services.

Modern mode of inspections

The conventional system of inspection still exists in system. It includes daily patrolling of entire length of track by Keyman, carrying hammer and other equipment, by walking on the track. They check every inch of track and ensure that each of the elastic rail clips are tightly fastening the iron rails with concrete sleepers.

Special patrolling by track maintainers during the night hours in the monsoon, winter and during hot weather condition during hot summer to check that there is no obstruction/endanger condition to the train services due to weather conditions.