The Commissioner of Railway Safety has completed inspection of the new 44-km Tihi-Dhar rail section of the Indore-Dahod project, with a 120 kmph speed trial completed successfully but a few bridge-related corrections still required before train services can begin.
The two-day inspection by the Commissioner of Railway Safety’s Western Circle was led by CRS E Srinivas and concluded at Naugaon railway station in Dhar. The team examined the track, bridges, overhead electrification, signalling, communication systems and passenger amenities along the section.
The inspection covered the stations at Pithampur, Sagda, Gunawad and Dhar. Railway officials also conducted a speed trial at 120 kmph to assess the track’s capacity. Srinivas said the infrastructure was broadly in order, while noting that the Railways would have to rectify a few minor shortcomings before operations could be considered.
The pending work includes drainage on some bridges and replacement of bridge bearings at one or two locations, according to sources cited in the inspection report. The CRS’s role is limited to inspecting the line and issuing safety certification. The Railways will decide when trains can begin running after addressing the observations and receiving the required clearance.
The section includes a three-km tunnel connecting Pithampur. It has been built with ballast-less track technology and is equipped with a ventilation system designed to regulate temperatures inside the tunnel. Srinivas said fans would operate if temperatures rise, to prevent inconvenience to passengers.
A separate passenger escape tunnel has also been constructed for emergency evacuation. Mobile phone signals are not available inside the main tunnel, so DK cables, an optical fibre-based communication system, have been installed to support communication with railway stations through walkie-talkies during emergencies.
The CRS also cautioned local residents about crossing the tracks. Since the line is new, people have been crossing at places along the route, and residents will need to exercise additional care once trains begin operating.
A detailed inspection report will be submitted to the Railways after the technical corrections are completed. The final report will then be sent to the Railway Board. No timeline has yet been announced for the start of passenger train services.
Once clearance is granted, the section will directly connect the Pithampur industrial area and Dhar district to the main rail network. The Tihi-Dhar stretch is also a step towards extending rail connectivity beyond Indore, with a further extension expected to strengthen the rail link between Indore and Mumbai.
