Kolkata: In a significant stride towards modernizing railway maintenance infrastructure, the Naihati Carriage and Wagon (C&W) Depot under Sealdah Division has commissioned a suite of advanced technological devices aimed at expediting the overhauling of wagons. This development marks a key milestone in Indian Railways’ continuous efforts to enhance safety, reliability, and operational efficiency.
The Naihati C&W Depot plays a vital role in Routine Overhauling (ROH) of wagons, ensuring seamless movement of freight and passenger trains. With the integration of advanced machines, maintenance work is now expected to be faster, more accurate, and less dependent on manual intervention.
New Technologies Commissioned:
🔹 CTRB Condition Monitoring System:
This system automates the checking of Cartridge Tapered Roller Bearings (CTRB), a critical component in rolling stock. Earlier, most depots relied on manual inspection prone to human error. The new digital system minimizes such errors, offers detailed reports, and enables better tracking of maintenance-related failures. This step will significantly enhance the quality of ROH and contribute to smoother train operations.
🔹 VR-Based Welding Simulator:
For the first time, a Virtual Reality (VR) welding simulator has been introduced to improve welding skills among railway staff. The machine simulates real-world welding scenarios, offers cost-effective training without consumables, and gives real-time feedback on techniques such as welding speed, arc length, and angle. This will support continuous upskilling and performance tracking of welders.
🔹 Brake Components Overhauling at Naihati Yard:
Thanks to the proactive efforts of Shri Rohit Ranjan, Sr. DME/SDAH, overhauling of key braking components like SAB, BC, LSD, APM is now being done directly at the Naihati depot. This reduces dependency on workshops like Liluah and Kanchrapara, and significantly cuts down wagon detention time—leading to better turnaround and improved traffic flow.
🔹 Overhauling of Distribution Valve (DV):
Given the high volume of premium rakes requiring 100% brake power, and the limited supply of DVs from feeding depots, Naihati has now initiated in-house overhauling of Distribution Valves. The new facility was formally inaugurated in the presence of DRM Sealdah, Shri Rajeev Saxena, who has been instrumental in driving these innovations.
DRM/Sealdah emphasized the importance of embracing technological solutions to meet growing operational demands. “These upgrades at Naihati Depot are a reflection of our commitment to reducing downtime and improving quality in wagon maintenance,” he said.
The deployment of these cutting-edge tools is expected to significantly bolster the capacity of Sealdah Division’s maintenance infrastructure, reduce costs, and ensure safer, more reliable rail services for passengers and freight customers alike.
