Electronic Interlocking commissioned at Prayagraj Jn. Station

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New EI with 825 routes to ensure seamless and safe operations on the very busy New Delhi-Howrah route

Prayagraj: North Central Railway achieved yet another milestone in the leadership of Upendra Chandra Joshi GM/NCR by commissioning new Electronic Interlocking (#EI) in connection with Prayagraj Jn yard remodelling and Prayagraj Jn.-Prayagraj Rambagh doubling work on 20.10.24. Prayagraj is second biggest yard in North Central Railway. Electronic Interlocking has been commissioned at Prayagraj Jn station thus providing 825 routes for better flexibility in train operations. The new interlocking will help in ensuring safe and seamless train operations.

On 21.10.2024 Pranjeev Saxena, Commissioner Railway Safety, North Eastern Circle inspected the newly commissioned Electronic Interlocking and the newly doubled Prayagraj-Prayagraj Rambagh section. Initially he held a discussion about the project and its commissioning with Himanshu Badoni, Divisional Railway Manager, Prayagraj, and other divisional officers along with the officers of executing agencies viz Construction Organization of the zone and Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (#RVNL). This was followed by the inspection of newly commissioned EI and the site inspection at Niranjan Bridge. Thereafter he did motor trolley inspection from Prayagraj to Prayagraj rambagh and lastly he conducted speed trial between Prayagraj Rambagh & Prayagraj.

The commissioning of this new electronic interlocking is a major achievement in the history of development of this very crucial and strategically located station which started its journey in the service of nation in 1859 as the first station of Northern India to have train operations. This station since then has served as the link between Delhi-Howrah and Howrah-Mumbai routes and facilitates multi directional traffic emanating from here. The current Route relay Interlocking was working since 1993 and was more than 30 years old. The new interlocking will ensure smooth and availability of additional operational capacity for the upcoming and future Kumbh Melas and the ever-increasing traffic in the future.

Approx 500 officers and staff of Signal & Telecom, Civil Engineering, Electrical & operations worked round the clock to get this very major and complex infrastructural task accomplished with immaculate planning and precise implementation.

This complex work included 20 lines, 206 signal (58 –main, 95 Shunt signals including dependent & independent, 53-calling on signals), 172 Point machines. Total 09 Visual Display Units have been provided including 03 each for operating, stand by and maintenance purpose. 05 Data loggers have also been provided to enhance safety in train operations.

The new state of art system will facilitate Safety in train operation increased manifold due to advanced Electronic Interlocking. It will also enhance efficiency and will enable reduced detention times for Varanasi, Lucknow, Deendayal Upadhyay, and Satna bound trains. It will also provide increased flexibility in train movement. There will be Simultaneous movement of trains possible i.e. reception from Prayagraj Rambagh to Line No. 11 at Prayagraj Jn and departure to Naini from Line No. 10. It will also resolve dispatch issues from Line No. 1-8 to Prayag & enable departure of trains from Line No. 18 & 19 of Prayagarj Jn to Prayag Jn station of Northern railway. It will also allow reception of trains from Prayag station to Line No. 13-17 of Prayagraj Jn. It will also Increase running lines availability in Prayagraj yard.

This Non Interlocking work is part of first phase of Prayagraj Jn yard remodelling which covers, Provision of new El, Doubling between Prayagraj Rambagh and Prayagraj, Insertion of a new cross over between Prayagraj – Prayag UP & Down line for movement from line No.1 to 8 of Prayagraj to Prayag , Extension of Niranjan bridge in Civil line side, Remaining proper connection of Malaka shunting neck from Down yard over Niranjan bridge for smooth shunting and avoiding detention of PRG bound trains, Conversion from single slip to double slip diamond crossover No.277 for simultaneous movement from and to Prayag & Prayagraj Rambagh, Conversion of engine line No.9 & 12 into coaching fit running lines, Extension of Branch washing and stabling line to accommodate full coaching rakes, Provision of Sand hump in Howrah end of line No.27 (PF No.6) to facilitate simultaneous movement on line No.27 (PF No.6) and line No.18 &19 (PF No.9&10) , Provision of both side signalling movements of ARME & ART lines Provision of Crane line and Crane shed near ART line by converting engine line into ARME line and ARME line into Crane line with crane shed facility,  connecting one Diesel shed line to Electric Loco shed line to accommodate more Electric loco , Track circuiting of short sidings for safe movements and enable Extension of Lina Shah Baba FOB towards Civil line side.