Nagpur: Train operations are set to get streamlined on the Kalamna-Durg section as the Nagpur Division of South East Central Railway (SECR) has finished work on the third line in the 180km stretch.
“This section has been the most congested due to heavy coal transport, which often leads to delays in mail and express trains. The completion of the third line is expected to ease the congestion and improve efficiency of train operations,” said an SECR official.
The Kalamna-Durg section is a critical part of the railway network, connecting the coal-rich regions of Chhattisgarh to the rest of the country.The heavy coal traffic on this route has been a major challenge for the railways, leading to frequent delays and disruptions in passenger train services.
The ₹3,425 crore project, spanning 228km, aims to address this issue by providing an additional track for goods trains, thus freeing up the existing lines for passenger trains. SECR has been working on this project for the past several years, and the completion of 180km of the third line is a significant milestone.
“Of the remaining 48km of the project, we have set a target to complete 38km in 2024-25. These sections include Salekasa-Dhanoli (7km), Guduma-Gangajhari (24km), and Kamptee-Kalamna (7km),” said Dilip Singh, senior divisional commercial manager (SrDCM).
However, the work in the critical Darekasa-Salekasa (10km) section is expected to take two years, due to the challenging terrain. This section passes through tiger and elephant corridors, which require construction of wildlife underpasses as per the conditions laid down by the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL).
“The NBWL had granted approval for the project in May 2023, and tenders have been floated for Darekasa-Salekasa section,” the official said.
The completion of the third line is expected to bring significant benefits to both the railways and passengers. For the railways, it will help streamline operations, reduce congestion, and improve the utilization of existing infrastructure.
It will also enable the railways to run more goods trains, thus increasing their revenue potential. For passengers, the completion of the third line will mean more reliable and punctual train service, with fewer delays and disruptions.
The Kalamna-Durg section is not the only one facing congestion issues due to heavy coal traffic. Several other sections in the coal-rich regions of Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Jharkhand face similar challenges.
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