PATNA: Work on the route relay interlocking (RRI) system at Patna Junction has been going on in full swing. To be completed at an estimated cost of about Rs 20 crore in two to three months, the work is being personally monitored by East Central Railway (ECR) GM K K Srivastava.
Divisional railway manager (DRM), Danapur, Gyan Prakash Srivastava said the railways is likely to make the RRI system functional in June or July this year to cater to the needs of traffic operation of Patna Junction, in particular. The indoor work, including the RRI building, has already been completed while the outdoor work is going on, he said.
The DRM said the system of advanced technology has been available at several railway stations in India. It has become a must for Patna Junction as well keeping in view the increased traffic movements under the division. The division has been coping with the operation of about 140 pairs of passenger trains, including mail and express, either originating or passing through the mainline section of the division, he said.
Under the RRI system, monitoring of train movements will be centralized and the possibilities of head-on collision or any other mishap within the periphery of the station will be virtually negligible. Besides, the RRI system has the capacity to clear traffic movements quickly, too. The entire system will be computerized, too, the DRM said.
According to sources, there will be no manual pulling of “lever” either to lower signals or lock the railway crossing gates. With the touch of a button, the whole system will become functional. A tower house has been built at Patna Junction to house the new system machinery. The new system will facilitate smooth movement of goods trains as well. It will save much time being spent currently in shunting of passenger train rakes and locomotives, sources said.
The RRI equipment and machines are indigenous. These machines would be installed soon at Patna Junction under direct supervision of technical experts. The railways, which has already floated tender for installation of the machinery plant, is likely to finalize machinery installation in a proper way. The safety measures on tracks will further improve with the installation of the RRI system, the DRM said.
The newly built platform no. 10 at Patna Junction will also be thrown open at the time of commissioning of the RRI system. The railways will earmark platform nos. 8 ,9 and 10 for the dedicated run of Patna-Gaya passenger trains while platform nos. 1 to 7 will cope with the traffic load of mainline from both Delhiand Howrah ends, sources said