A number of development works, some of them taken up with local initiative, were completed in Waltair division during 2017. They include safety-related works, passenger amenities, use of gadgets to improve the performance of workers and installation of Wi-Fi at 10 far-flung tribal areas located in the division.
An intermediate crossing station was built on the 90-km section between Naupada and Gunupur, which is a single line. The track and signalling work was done internally with an investment of ₹3 crore. Communication channel was established through BSNL and power supply was provided through a diesel generator, Divisional Railway Manager Mukul Saran Mathur told the media here on Thursday.
The setting up of the 2nd intermediate block station facilitates movement of two trains and lesser waiting time for passengers. The renovation and re-launching of the Bobbili-Salur Rail Bus was another initiative which was done locally.
The two rail buses, which were very popular, were condemned after about 25 years of service. The General Manager had visited the section and the local people had demanded their revival. “We got the engine and transmission system renovated and by December-end the rail bus service was re-commissioned,” he said.
The central FOB work at Visakhapatnam Railway Station was partially commissioned as there were boulders towards Platform-1-side and hence major blasting could not be done. The second phase work would be completed by March-end.
Track renewed
Mr. Mathur said that during the last one-and-a-half months, 18-km of track was renewed in the division. The speed of track renewal was improved by nearly three times with proper planning and optimum use of manpower and machinery. A total of 24 level crossing gates were closed in the division and ‘Gate Mitras’ were appointed on the 90-km stretch between Naupada and Guntur, where the manning of gates was given to ‘private persons’, known as Gate Mitras.
