Howrah station, a crucial railway hub in Kolkata, is experiencing significant disruptions due to ongoing developmental works at the Santragachi railway yard.
The South Eastern Railway (SER) initiated a major signal system upgrade at Santragachi on April 30, aiming to enhance operational efficiency. However, technical complications have led to cascading delays and cancellations, affecting thousands of passengers. The project, which involves the commissioning of electronic interlocking with 533 routes, was scheduled for completion by May 18. Despite efforts to expedite the process, the non-interlocking signal system malfunctioned, causing widespread service disruptions. Major express trains, including the Coromandel Express, Gitanjali Express, Duronto Expresses, and Vande Bharat Express, faced long delays, with some services rescheduled or cancelled.
In response to the situation, several trains were short-terminated or short-originated from Kharagpur to mitigate the impact on passengers. For instance, the Howrah-Purulia-Howrah Express and Digha-Howrah Express were cancelled on Tuesday and Wednesday, while the Howrah-Bhubaneswar-Howrah Express faced similar issues. The disruptions have led to overcrowding at platforms and heightened passenger unrest. To manage the situation, the Railway Armed Force (RAF) and railway police were deployed at Howrah station. Passengers have expressed frustration over poor communication and delayed updates regarding train schedules.
SER officials have acknowledged the challenges posed by the ongoing works and assured that efforts are underway to restore normalcy. While the signal system issues have been addressed, the cascading effects continue to impact services. Authorities anticipate that train movement to and from Howrah will return to normal by Wednesday. This situation underscores the complexities involved in large-scale infrastructure upgrades and the need for effective communication and contingency planning to minimize passenger inconvenience.
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