In a significant stride towards enhancing railway safety and facilitating higher train speeds, the East Coast Railway (ECoR) has embarked on a major safety fencing project across various sections of its network.
This initiative, with a budget exceeding ₹1000 crores, aims to improve track safety by preventing unauthorized trespassing and restricting the movement of cattle and wild animals near railway tracks.
A comprehensive 2792 kms of safety fencing will be installed at a cost of ₹865 crores, aimed at ensuring safe train operations. The project also has an additional ₹207 crores sanctioned for track safety fencing works between Titilagarh & Lakholi and Balangir-Theruvali-Singapur Road rail sections.
Status of Safety Fencing Works in ECoR
Khurda Road Division: ₹388.85 crores has been allocated for track safety fencing spanning 1025.3 kms, which includes 797.3 kms in Bhadrak-Palasa & Khurda Road-Puri rail line sections and 228 kms in Nergundi-Kerajang rail sections. Future plans include fencing the Jakhapura-Kendujhargarh-Nayagarh railway section and other sensitive locations.
Sambalpur Division: ₹288.045 crores has been sanctioned for a 468.23 kms stretch, covering 124.15 kms in Sarla Road-Balangir rail line section and 344.08 kms in Jharsuguda Road-Sambalpur City-Kerajanga rail section. Contracts for this work are being finalized. An additional 188.89 kms is sanctioned between Balangir-Theruvali-Singapur Road, with a further 172.781 kms proposed between Titilagarh & Lakholi.
Waltair Division: ₹187.19 crores has been sanctioned for 600 kms of rail line in the Palasa-Visakhapatnam-Duvvada & Vizianagaram-Singapur Road rail sections.
Implementation and Benefits
- Safety Measures: Fixed knot fencing and double W metal beam crash barriers are being installed.
- Speed Enhancements: Facilitates train operations at speeds of 130 kmph and beyond in multiple sections.
- Trespassing Prevention: Prevents unauthorized entry and restricts cattle and wild animals from accessing railway tracks.
- Access Control: Seals level crossings, ROBs, RUBs, and bridges, ensuring smooth train movement.
Work has already commenced on pilot sections near Bhubaneswar and Palasa railway stations, along with the Brahmapur-Golanthara rail section and sensitive locations over Sambalpur division. As of now, 30 kms of fencing has been completed. To ensure efficiency and minimal disruption, boundary walls will be constructed closer to the tracks, maintaining necessary access for maintenance and future expansion.
This safety fencing initiative marks a significant milestone in East Coast Railway’s commitment to advancing railway safety and infrastructure, meeting the evolving demands of modern train travel in India.
