Eastern Railway Upgrades Sealdah South Section with Advanced Electronic Interlocking System

In yet another mega infrastructure development endeavour, the existing Route Relay Interlocking System (RRI) will be replaced by Electronic Interlocking System (EI) at Ballygunge and Kankurgachi in Sealdah South Section. The existing Route Relay Interlocking (RRI) Systems at Ballygunge and Kankurgachi were commissioned in 1994 & 1993 respectively, and in the quest of upgrading the operational system, Eastern Railway has decided to equip Ballygunge and Kankurgachi with the state of Art Electronic Interlocking Systems.

With the installation of the Electronic Interlocking System, Ballygunge Electronic Interlocking will have 203 routes as comparison to 143 routes in the existing Route Relay Interlocking which will increase possible movements in the yard and the yard capacity.

For smooth and safe train operation during regulations, Sealdah Division has deployed more than 300 staff in each shift for 24X7 operation. Temporary goomties have been constructed to facilitate train movements, telephones. All 72 points have been illuminated with light, alongwith temporary control centre will be operational at Ballygunge and Kankurgachi to monitor train movements.

For the sake of giant non interlocking work, there will be regulation in train operations from Midnight of 01^st. February to 04:00 AM of 03rd February, 2025. This crucial non interlocking (NI) maintenance work is aimed at augmenting safety, security operational efficiency, flexibility and sectional speed. This improved Electronic Interlocking System will provide a safe and efficient way to control seamless movement of trains, which in turn will reduce delays, risk of accidents, maintenance costs etc. This cutting edge EI technology can be easily integrated with other Railway systems for ensuring an efficient rail network.

Planning Outlay:

1. Train services in Sealdah North / Main i.e., from Sealdah to Naihati and beyond will remain operational as part of the normal services.

• Train services in Sealdah Central section i.e., from Sealdah to Barasat, Hasnabad, Bongaon Junction will remain operational as part of the normal services.

• Train services will also remain normal from Sealdah (South) towards destinations namely: Diamond Harbour, Lakshmikantapur, Namkhana and Canning.

• Frequency of services in between Sealdah South and Baruipur Jn. will be reduced from 06 minutes to 12 minutes during the morning and evening hours.

• Services in between Sealdah South and Budge Budge will be Short Originated / Short Terminated from / to New Alipur instead of Sealdah South and will run as per scheduled timings.

• Direct EMU services via Kankurgachi Road Junction (Cabin) – Sir Gurudas Banerjee Halt – Ballygunge Jn. Chord section will be restricted/ diverted to Sealdah North due to the designated work site. Therefore, passengers from Sealdah North to South section and vice/versa travelling via chord line will have to change train at Sealdah.

• Naihati – Majherhat local trains which are running via Chord line will be diverted via Circular Railway section.

• Barasat – Dum Dum Junction Special service during the morning peak hours will be run for Dum Dum bound passengers.

• 02 numbers of Sealdah – Naihati Passenger Special will be provided during the evening peak hours.

SPECIAL TRAINS: Total 06 trains will be run on Saturday and Sunday to facilitate commuters: –

i) Dumdum – Barasat Special: From Dumdum at 18:00 Hours.

ii) Sealdah – Ranaghat Special: From Sealdah at 19:00 Hours.

iii) Sealdah – Naihati Special: From Sealdah at 15:05 Hours.

iv) Budge Budge – New Alipur Special: From Budge Budge at 17:30 Hours.

v) New Alipur – Budge Budge Special: From New Alipur at 20:12 Hours.

vi) Sealdah – Baruipara Special: From Sealdah 17:43 Hours.

In order to minimise disruptions in service and inconvenience of commuters, the mammoth Non interlocking work has been planned on Saturday & Sunday only. Sealdah Division sincerely wishes to apologies to commuters for possible inconvenience on Saturday & Sunday.

The changes are essential for long term benefits of Rail infrastructure improvement, passenger safety and average speed enhancement of trains. Passengers are advised to plan their journeys well in advance and check the detailed train schedules before their departure.

Team Maverick