Successful Commissioning of Automatic Signalling Enhances Train Operations in Pune-Lonavala Section

In a significant development for the Pune-Lonavala railway section, the Automatic Signalling system between Khadki to Pune, covering 5 kilometers, was successfully commissioned on Sunday, 26th November 2023.

Key Features of the Commissioned Work:

1. Two new automatic signals introduced, with alterations made to seven existing signals.
2. Commissioning of nine new track circuits.
3. Pune Route Relay Interlocking (RRI) adjusted for signal aspect changes.
4. Installation of 11 auxiliary warning system (AWS) track magnets.
5. Electronic Interlocking provision at Khadki for 112 routes.
6. Interlocking of four lines in the Military yard, alongside the four main working lines.
7. Conversion of Alstom track circuits to DC track circuits, with new DC track circuits in Khadki and Khadki-Shivajinagar automatic section.
8. Replacement of outdoor gears for 35 point machines, 18 main signals, and 14 shunt signals.
9. New wiring for Level crossing gates no. 63 and no. 62A.
10. Dual detection provision for all track circuits of Khadki.
11. Display for automatic signalling in VDU (Visual Display Unit) room on both sides.
12. Fire alarm system installation with 53 detectors and aspiration system in Electronic Interlocking room, along with LHS cable.
13. Introduction of a new IPS at Khadki.
14. Standby conventional power supply system with auto-changeover arrangement.
15. Standby fuse alarm system for all fuses.
16. Telecom gears shifted from old OFC (Optical Fibre Cable) Hut to new OFC Hut.
17. Alteration in Panel interlocking at Shivajinagar for automatic signalling.

Impact on Rail Operations: The completion of Automatic Signalling in the entire Pune-Lonavala section, covering 64 track kilometers, is expected to increase line capacity and minimize human dependency for train operation.

Expansion and Ongoing Works:

• Total existing Automatic Signalling sections in Central Railway: 339.14 km.
  • Mumbai Division: 201.08 km
  • Bhusawal Division: 55.32 km
  • Nagpur Division: 18.74 km
  • Pune Division: 64 km
• Ongoing works of new Automatic Signalling in Central Railway (Likely commissioning this financial year): 61.27 km.
  • Biswabridge-Nandura-Jalamb-Shegaon (Bhusaval division): 38.35 km
  • Wardha-Kaotha (Nagpur division): 22.92 km

The commissioning of these Automatic Signalling systems is anticipated to enhance mobility, increase train speed, and reduce congestion in busy sections.

Additional Infrastructure Upgrades in Pune Division: Several shadow works were carried out during this megablock, including curved switch renewal, MFI machine track tamping, UNIMAT machine track tamping, rail replacement, switch expansion track joint replacement, bridge rehabilitation, track through fitting renewal, track glued joint replacement, platform cover shed column erection, and old foot over bridge bottom chord painting.

These comprehensive upgrades aim to improve the overall efficiency and safety of the railway network in the Pune division.