the goan I network
BELAGAVI
South Western Railway (SWR) authorities have initiated stringent measures to streamline the Belagavi-Vasco bi-weekly passenger train which was running late and causing inconvenience to commuters.
Though the train was started as an initiative of Minister of State for Railways Suresh Angadi to enhance connectivity between Belagavi and Goa for mutual benefit, it faced various roadblocks, making it an unreliable and unpopular mode of transport, dashing the hopes of commuters.
Responding to a story in The Goan on March 10, SWR officials were quick in initiating immediate measures to streamlining the train timings as per the scheduled timetable.
Under the directives of Angadi and SWR General Manager Ajay Kumar Singh, SWR has initiated measures like directing a senior official to monitor the train, increasing the train speed at suitable stretches and directing the control room to closely monitor the train movement to maintain the scheduled timetable of the train.
Speaking to The Goan, SWR Chief Public Relations Officer E Vijaya stated that since the train was flagged off in September 2019, the train was facing one or the other hurdle.
“Many critical track safety-related works on ghat section between Castle Rock and Kulem have been undertaken in the last 3 months, which are now nearing completion.”
“Works included complete track renewal in the ghat section from Castle Rock to Kulem, ballasting the ghat and tamping and packing of track in the ghat,” Vijaya said.
“Noting the public concerns on poor punctuality of the Vasco-Belagavi-Vasco biweekly passenger train, we have started to closely monitor the running of this train with immediate effect.”
“An officer of operations in Hubli division is analysing the running and factors that led to detention if any. A control room has been directed to run this train according to the timetable, barring scheduled crossings. All the loco pilots are instructed to run at a maximum possible speed of sections,” Vijaya said.
Speaking further, she said many works related to the safety of en-route stations like Sanvordem and Sancoale have been carried out to improve the safe and punctual running of trains.
“Over the last two trips, detentions at destination stations are around 30 minutes only, which is a good improvement over the last few months when track maintenance works were going on.”
“Moreover, works of doubling of the railway track are being carried out on a war footing and once they are completed, no train will have a wait,” Vijaya added.
She also informed that with immediate effect, the speed of the train between certain sections is proposed from Sanvordem-Margao (100 to 110 kmph), Majorda-Sancoale (75 to 110 kmph) and Sancoale-to-Vasco (65 to 75 kmph), for which works are being initiated.
