In a significant development on its track replacement project, the Central Railway (CR) has laid 65 km of new tracks in Mumbai since April of this year. They are aiming to replace 126 km of tracks by April 2025.
The tracks are being replaced as they have reached the end of their operational life, officials stated.
It is essential due to the tracks’ aging condition and the environmental impact of the coastal, humid climate, which accelerates wear and tear. Maintenance and repairs are regularly conducted, with tracks being replaced in accordance with their lifecycle, officials further added.
The process involves around 30 railway officials from various departments, who use specialised machines to remove old rails and install new ones. The new rails are then welded and aligned to ensure they meet operational standards.
For the unversed, the track replacement is taking place in the Mumbai division, on the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) to Kalyan, Kalyan to Lonavala, Kalyan to Igatpuri, and Panvel. These sections see daily operations of 1,810 local trains and around 250 to 300 mail and express trains.
Track replacement is carried out in short intervals called blocks, typically lasting a few hours. During each block, 200 to 600 meters of tracks are replaced.
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