Latest news with #PalakkadDivision
New Indian Express
21-07-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Palakkad railway officials to pre-commission jumbo intrusion system before July 30
COIMBATORE: As part of ensuring the safety of wild elephants, Palakkad railway officials said they have decided to pre-commission the activities of Elephant Intrusion Detection System (EIDS) in the Kottekkad-Madukkarai stretch before July 30. Kottekkad and Madukkarai share borders with Kerala and Tamil Nadu and are vulnerable to wild elephant movement. In this regard, the Palakkad Division is implementing EIDS, which is aimed at preventing elephant intrusions and enhancing the safety of wildlife and train operations. 'It integrates an optical fibre-based sensing network with artificial intelligence-driven analytical modules to detect the presence and movement of elephants in real time. Installation of the system has been completed on both A Line and B Line. At present, signal validation, fine-tuning, and systematic reduction of unconfirmed (spurious) alarms are in progress. We have targeted pre-commissioning activities for completion by July 30,' said a railway official. Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Palakkad Division, Arun Kumar Chaturvedi, inspected the ongoing implementation of the EIDS in the Kottekkad-Madukkarai stretch on Saturday. As per a release from Palakkad Railway Division, verified alerts will be relayed without delay to the station masters of stations concerned, the Divisional Control Office, Palakkad Division, level crossings between stations, and locomotive pilots via dedicated display and alert interfaces, enabling timely operational responses to avert incidents.
The Hindu
19-07-2025
- The Hindu
Palakkad DRM inspects elephant intrusion detection system implementation
The Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Palakkad Division, Arun Kumar Chaturvedi, inspected the ongoing implementation of the elephant intrusion detection system (EIDS) in the Kottekkad – Madukkarai section, a vulnerable stretch spanning Kerala and Tamil Nadu that has recorded wild elephant movements onto railway tracks. The EIDS is an initiative of Palakkad Division, Southern Railway, aimed at preventing elephant intrusions and enhancing the safety of both wildlife and train operations. It integrates an optical fibre–based sensing network with artificial intelligence–driven analytical modules to detect the presence and movement of elephants in real time. The system covers all identified elephant corridors along both the A and B lines of the section. Installation of the system has been completed on both the A Line and the B Line. At present, signal validation, fine‑tuning, and systematic reduction of unconfirmed (spurious) alarms are in progress. Pre-commissioning activities are targeted for completion by July 30. Using distributed acoustic sensing, sensors along the tracks capture vibration signatures (such as characteristic elephant footfall patterns) and relay data to the Distributed Acoustic Sensing unit located at Walayar. The AI engine and reference databases then localise any confirmed elephant presence to the exact kilometre. Verified alerts will be relayed without delay to the Station Masters of stations concerned, Divisional Control Office, Palakkad Division, any level crossings between the stations, and locomotive pilots via dedicated display and alert interfaces, enabling timely operational responses to avert incidents. The estimated project cost is ₹15.42 crore, fully funded by the Railways. During the visit, the DRM also inspected protection measures in the section, including solar fencing, rail fencing, clearance of vegetation on both sides of the track, and the functioning of railway‑constructed elephant underpasses.
Hans India
25-06-2025
- Hans India
Rail users in Mangaluru seek swift action on long-pending demands
Mangaluru: The Dakshina Kannada District Railway Passengers' Committee has urged the Southern Railway's Palakkad Division and the Railway Board to expedite action on a series of service and infrastructure-related demands concerning Mangaluru Central Railway Station. Responding to the committee's representation, the Palakkad Division confirmed that Mangaluru Central already has operational facilities for the maintenance of modern LHB coaches. However, it cited infrastructural limitations in addressing the wide gap between platforms and tracks, noting that yard remodelling would be required for any permanent solution. The Committee also pushed for prioritising the recruitment of local staff conversant in Kannada and Tulu for IRCTC stalls at the station. While officials noted that such contracts are awarded through a centralised tendering process, they assured that contractors would be advised to give preference to local-language speakers where possible. Development works at both Mangaluru Central and Mangaluru Junction are currently underway. The committee's request for establishing an IRCTC lounge at Mangaluru Central has been forwarded to relevant authorities. On the issue of upgrading key trains like the West Coast Express, Maveli Express, Malabar Express, and Mangaluru–Chennai Mail to LHB coaches, the division clarified that the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the Railway Board and would be presented for consideration. Given the intensity of the ongoing monsoon in coastal Karnataka, the committee emphasised the need to expedite the extension of platform shelters. Officials responded that shelter extensions would be undertaken based on necessity. Meanwhile, the proposed Mangaluru–Rameswaram train service has received Railway Board approval and is now awaiting final operational orders from the Southern Railway's headquarters. Another key proposal, the resumption of the Navajeevan Express via the Hassan–Miraj–Pune route, is still pending with the Railway Board. The Southern Railway has been urged to take this forward at the earliest. The request for additional coaches on the Mangaluru Central–Subrahmanya Road passenger train has been acknowledged and will be reviewed based on passenger footfall. Expressing thanks for the official responses, the committee reiterated its demand for time-bound action on these proposals, stressing their importance for enhancing passenger experience and safety in one of Karnataka's busiest coastal rail corridors.
The Hindu
30-05-2025
- Climate
- The Hindu
Karnataka rains: Fallen tree affects train traffic from Mangaluru Central towards Kerala for over six hours
A huge tree that fell on the Mangaluru Central-Shoranur line between Central and Netravathi Cabin near Marnamikatte in Mangaluru city affected train traffic in the region for over five hours on Friday (May 30, 2025) early morning. The line was restored by around 10.30 a.m. following which train operations towards Kerala resumed albeit with a huge backlog. While heavy rains inundated the circulating area and adjoining places at Mangaluru Central early in the morning, the tree that fell on the track damaging the Railway Overhead Equipment (OHE) and bringing down a few electricity poles, disrupted the traffic soon after. Southern Railway's Palakkad Division immediately deployed railwaymen to remove the fallen tree and restore the OHE. Two OHE repair vans were deployed to restore the railway electrification lines. The Mangaluru Central-Mangaluru Junction line (single line), however, was not impacted by the tree fall. As such, the Railways diverted a few Kerala-bound trains from Mangaluru Central via Mangaluru Junction, including the Mangaluru Central-Kanniyakumari Parasuram Express, the Mangaluru Central-Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat Express, the Mangaluru Central-Thiruvananthapuram Ernad Express and others. The KSR Bengaluru-Kannur overnight express and the SMVT Bengaluru-Murdeshwar overnight express skipped Mangaluru Central and moved directly towards Kannur and Murdeshwar respectively from Mangaluru Junction. Several trains from Kerala to Mangaluru too were running late following incidents of tree fall in Thiruvananthapuram Division. Consequently, the Railways has been rescheduling many trains. For real time updates on train timings, passengers may check the National Train Enquiry System App or portal.
The Hindu
29-05-2025
- The Hindu
Rail passenger welfare association makes a case for improving amenities at stations on Coimbatore-Dindigul route
Welfare Association of Rail Passengers - Coimbatore-Pollachi-Palani-Dindigul (WARP-CPPD) has made a representation to the Divisional Railway Manager, Palakkad Division, for improving passenger amenities and services at stations on the Coimbatore-Dindigul route. The current platform length at Kinathukadavu Railway Station was insufficient to accommodate long-distance and express trains. The inconvenience and safety concerns of passengers have to be addressed by increasing platform length, association president S. Devadass and secretary K. Mohan Kumar said. A petition submitted by the association also sought platform coach indication boards and a PRS (passenger reservation system) counter either at the station or at the Kinathukadavu Post Office to facilitate ticket bookings. Restoration of halt at Kovilpalayam and Nallattipalayam stations will boost regional connectivity and support daily travellers, especially school children, workers and small traders, the petition said. According to the Kovilpalayam Train Passengers' Association, the Kovilpalayam Station on an expanse of over 16 acres is surrounded by colleges and industries, and, hence, would ensure profit for the Railways. The residents rely on road transport. Restoration of the one-minute stoppage at Kovilpalayam will be of help to pilgrims visiting Sulakkal Mariyamman Temple, which is only two km away from the station. Most of the pilgrims visiting the temple are from Kerala, the association said. The old station building that served the passengers till 1992 must also be rebuilt, the association emphasised.
