Jamshedpur: In response to increasing commuter protests over chronic train delays in the Chakradharpur railway division, railway officials have announced a significant improvement in operations over the last fortnight. The punctuality rates, which had previously slumped to 35%, now range between 65% and 75%, according to senior divisional commercial manager (DCM) Aditya Choudhary.
Choudhary stated, “Trains that were previously delayed by up to 120 minutes now face only 15 to 20 minutes of delay.” He emphasized that officers are monitoring each train to prevent bottlenecks and ensure smooth movement across the network. The remarks were made at Tatanagar railway station.
Freight vs. Passenger Trains
Addressing allegations that the Chakradharpur division prioritizes goods trains over passenger trains, Choudhary clarified that 47 passenger trains operate through the section compared to 35 freight trains. He added, “Once the dedicated freight corridor becomes operational, freight traffic will shift to other tracks, allowing passenger trains to run at speeds up to 130 km/h on the main lines.”
Infrastructure Projects Underway
The divisional railway has launched multiple projects to tackle the issue of late-running passenger trains. Work on the third line between Tatanagar and Adityapur is underway, while the fourth line between Asanboni and Bagbera is in progress. Additionally, a third line between Sini-Chaibasa and Gamaharia-Chandil stations will be laid to ease traffic pressure on the triangle section.
Choudhary further revealed that the zonal railway has finalized plans for the fifth and sixth lines between Sini and Rajkharsawan. These lines will provide alternative routes for trains coming from Jharsuguda and Chandil, further improving punctuality and reducing congestion.
