Western Railway commission 3rd line between Surat-Udhana

Surat : Western Railway has completed the infrastructure work for the Surat-Udhna 3rd line project and has commissioned it for passenger and freight operations. The project included a 2-kilometer-long third line between Surat and Udhna, as well as electrification and Route Relay Interlocking (RRI) at Surat Yard.

According to a press statement released by Sumit Thakur, Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, the punctuality of Jalgaon bound trains between Surat and Udhna was hampered owing to high traffic on the Surat-Mumbai mainline segment. This congestion also hampered mainline traffic heading to Mumbai. Congestion has intensified between Surat and Udhna stations owing to increasing passenger and freight traffic destined for both Mumbai and Jalgaon. The doubling of the Udhna-Jalgaon segment has increased passenger and cargo traffic. To alleviate these delays and improve passenger and cargo flow, work on a third line between Surat and Udhna on the east side was begun.

Thakur further claimed that the Surat Yard Remodelling work and the Route Relay Interlocking (RRI) had been completed in conjunction with the Surat – Udhna 3rd Line construction. The job was completed in around 56 hours. From 09.30 hours on 26th August 2023 to 17.30 hrs on 28th August 2023, a massive block was set up at Surat Yard to carry out the Non – Interlocking (NI) operation. Surat Yard has been renovated using SIEMENS design RRI with ABB metal to metal relays. For the third line link, 18 routes have been added, totaling 154 route RRI.

The following are the advantages of the Surat-Udhna 3rd Line project:

The Surat Yard Non-Interlocking work in conjunction with the Surat – Udhna 3rd Line construction will assist traffic circulation in the following ways:

1) Will increase rail punctuality

2) Clearance of traffic between Surat and Udhna.

3) Separation of Main Line and Udhna-Jalgaon Line traffic.

4) Electronic interlocking for increased safety

5) This additional route will allow UP trains to be received and diverted to the Udhna-Jalgaon segment without disrupting the flow of trains on the Surat-Mumbai main line.