Newly laid double line between Chikodi Road and Raybag stations (13.94 Km) on South WesternRailway was commissioned on 16.12.2020. This double line between Chikodi and Raybag is part of the186 km of doubling of Londa – Miraj project sanctioned in 2015-16 at a cost of Rs.1191 Cr.This is the second section of this project which is being commissioned.
The doubling between Ghatprabha to Chikodi Road (16 Km) part of the same project was commissioned last year. This section between Raybag to Kuduchi is also targeted for commissioning by 2021 During the time of Late Suresh Angadi, MoSR, this project was being personally monitored by MoSR for improving connectivity between Bengaluru to Mumbai. AK Rai, Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS)/Southern Circle, Bengaluru conducted statutory inspection and speed trial of newly laid double line earlier in Nov last month.
The new BG doubling line is in Belagavi district of Karnataka state and now opened simultaneously for goods and passenger traffic between Chikodi Road and Raybag stations. There are 21 Minor Bridges, 4 RoadUnder bridges and one Canal Bridge on this section. One manned Level crossing with Special Class interlocking has been provided. At Raybag New Station Building with the upgraded amenities are being provided: Gents Waiting Hall; Ladies Waiting Hall; AC Waiting Hall; Two New Platforms; One Foot Over Bridge; Circulating area. During this Doubling work, the yard is remodeled and number of lines are increased from three to five with one dedicated goods line with goods platform for handling goods traffic.
Chikodi Station is a four Road station provided with Electronic interlocking with centralized operation of points and signals from operator VDU (Dual VDU) with multiple Aspect colour light signals and motor operated points. Raybag Station is a five Road station provided with Electronic interlocking with centralized operation of points and signals from operator VDU (Dual VDU) with multiple Aspect colour light signals and motor operated points.The work of doubling in the section was monitored by K C Swami, Chief AdministrativeOfficer/Construction and executed by T V Bhusan, CE/CN/II/UBL, G Santhiram, CSTE/CN and officers of SWR Construction organization.
Non Interlocking works for connecting Raybag & Chikodi Road commenced on 15.12.2020 and was completed on 16.12.2020 at 18.5 hrs. Arvind Malkhede, Divisional Railway Manager, Hubballi monitored the work at the stations to ensure early commission the section. Officers and staff of Hubballi Division worked continuously for successful completion of the NI at Raybag and Chikodi Road. Ajay Kumar Singh, GM/SWR commended the work of Construction team and Hubballi Division and said that work of Doubling of track was a priority and SWR is increasing line capacity for better and faster connectivity over the Zone. The work of doubling in other sections between Londa andMiraj is in progress and once it is completed Bengaluru – Mumbai connectivity strengthened.