North Central Railway may have spent crores on improving facilities at the Allahabad Junction Railway station but it seems that it will take a few more years to improve the track signal system--a very crucial aspect of passengers safety.
The recent rain caught the railway officials on the wrong foot, with most of the tracks getting water- logged leading to track circuit failure which became a cause for detention of several trains.
As a result, the harried passengers on board had to wait for a long time for the train to get an indication to leave the station.
According to NCR sources, "Drainage system at the junction station has not been properly cleaned since long. Following this the accumulated filth chokes the sewer lines and whenever there is rain it results into water-logging which often causes breakdown in track circuit and consequent detention of trains".
Sources said, in the event of track circuit failure, the signal system constantly emits red light. And as the signals emit red light the trains get detained.
As many as five trains including Mahabodhi Express, Purushottam Express, Shivganga Express, Poorva Express and Magadh Express were detained for about 30 to 45 minutes a few days back due to track circuit failure, said the sources.
Though instructions have been given to clean the drainage system before the onset of monsoon, but steps have not been taken as yet, the sources said.
When contacted a highly placed officer, on the condition of anonymity, said, "Efforts are being made to clean the drainage system and the work will be completed within a few days, which will help in reducing the number of cases of train detention.
As many as five trains including Mahabodhi Express, Purushottam Express, Shivganga Express, Poorva Express and Magadh Express were detained for about 30 to 45 minutes a few days back due to track circuit failure, said the sources.
Though instructions have been given to clean the drainage system before the onset of monsoon, but steps have not been taken as yet, the sources said.
When contacted a highly placed officer, on the condition of anonymity, said, "Efforts are being made to clean the drainage system and the work will be completed within a few days, which will help in reducing the number of cases of train detention.
Moreover there are many reasons other than uncleaned drainage system that are responsible for the track circuit failure."