In order to service its infrastructure comprising bridges, tracks, signalling system and overhead electricals, Delhi division of Northern Railways has started the concept of mega maintenance blocks in a big way.
In such mega blocks, a large number of machines and manpower from various departments are deployed to get maximum output in minimum timeframe.
One such block of seven hours was taken on the intervening nights of August 30 and 31 on Tilak Bridge-Hazrat Nizamuddin section in which old steel girders of Bridge No.14 were replaced.
A senior Railway official said a total of 150 employees were involved in this mega work and a 150 tonne crane
was used. Besides girder replacements, other work such as machine packing of tracks, painting of bridges in electrified area, testing of S&T cables and signalling assets, and maintenance of overhead electricals were also done.
Divisional Railway Manager Anurag Sachan said that keeping safety as the primary objective of the Railways, old assets are maintained, repaired or replaced at the earliest ensuring train services are least affected and passengers are not inconvenienced. However, it is ensured that there is no compromise on quality of work being carried out, he added.