Kolkata : Sealdah Division is pleased to announce the successful 1st phase completion of critical infrastructure upgrades at Sealdah Station, one of the busiest railway stations in India. These projects will significantly enhance capacity and improve the passenger experience at the station.
This comprehensive modernization project also marks a significant step forward in Sealdah Division’s unwavering commitment to delivering an exceptional travel experience for its esteemed passengers.
The comprehensive upgrade at Sealdah Station involved the commissioning of an Electronic Interlocking (EI) system with a dual VDU system from the Route Relay Interlocking (RRI) panel, along with the extension of platforms 1 to 5 to accommodate 12-car trains. This project will significantly improve train movement, reduce congestion, and enhance passenger safety.
This sophisticated technology streamlines train movements, optimizes platform utilization, and enhances overall operational efficiency. The project also encompasses the extension of platforms 1 to 5, enabling them to accommodate 12-car trains, thereby providing passengers with ample seating arrangements and a more comfortable travel experience.
The phase 2 of the project involves intricate tasks such as the assembling, laying, and dismantling of turnouts, erection of Overhead Equipment (OHE) portals, and the installation of DC Track circuits. Additionally, the station’s signalling and telecommunication systems will be modernized to ensure seamless operations.
As we all know that in case of any construction work it is said that – “today’s pain, tomorrow’s gain”. For the sake of completion of pre-NI work on 07.06.2024 and two days non-interlocking work on 08th and 09th June, there will be some regulations of train movement at Sealdah which will be as under:-
• Out of 21 Platforms at Sealdah, only 5 will remain suspended for operation and remaining 16 platforms will be in operation.
• 806 trains will continue to be in service during the period.
• Train services in Sealdah/South Section i.e. to and from Diamond Harbour, Namkhana, Lakkhikantapur, Canning, Budge Budge, Sonarpur Junction will run at normal frequency.
• Train services in Sealdah/North & Main Section i.e. to and from Naihati, Ranaghat, Hasnabad, Barasat, Bangaon Jn, Krishnanagar Jn and other suburban stations will run except that the frequency of the services terminating at Sealdah will go up from 6.04 minutes to 12.00 minutes during the period from 5:30 to 8:30 hrs. and from 4.03 minutes to 15 minutes during 8:30 to 11:30 hrs. At other times i.e. from 14:30 to 22:30 the frequency will reduce only slightly from 7.5 minutes to 12 minutes.
• Similarly for train services originating from Sealdah and going to Naihati, Ranaghat, Hasnabad, Barasat, Bangaon Jn, Krishnanagar Jn, Gede and other suburban stations will run except that the frequency during peak hours from 17:30 to 20:30 hrs. will go up from 6 minutes to 13 minutes and marginally up from 8 minutes to 9 minutes from the period 20:30 to 23:30 hrs. For other timings from 5:30 to 17:30 hrs. the frequency will go up from 7 minutes to 13 minutes.
• To take care of the suburban passengers, we will run mostly 12 coach EMUs to accommodate the number of passengers in Sealdah/North & Main section.
• 4 pair of Mail/Express trains i.e. Sealdah-Ajmer SF Express, Hatebajare Express, Sealdah-Balurghat Express and Sealdah – Asansol SF Express will originate and terminate at Kolkata Station instead of Sealdah Station. Similarly Sealdah – Lalgola Passenger will also originate/terminate at Kolkata Station instead of Sealdah Station.
• No reserved Mail/Express SF trains are getting cancelled. Other Mail/Express trains will originate/terminate at Sealdah.
• The above 4 pair of Mail/Express trains and passenger train that are getting diverted from Sealdah to Kolkata will originate/terminate as per same schedule of timings at Sealdah.
• 147 services, out of 806 will be short terminated/short originated. The short termination of suburban trains mostly be at Dum Dum Jn and Dum Dum Cantonment.
• Total of about additional 400 Staff which includes departmental and contractor’s staff will be working round the clock.
The successful completion of phase 1 of this project is a testament to the dedication and teamwork of Sealdah Division’s various departments. A team of highly skilled staff and a team of senior officers and supervisors played a critical role in ensure the timely execution of the upgradation ensuring its timely completion without compromising safety standards. Sealdah Division remains committed to continuously improving its infrastructure and services to provide a safe, efficient, and comfortable travel experience for all passengers.
