MUMBAI: Western Railway (WR) has modified the design of the subway on the Marine Lines of Churchgate station, which now allows trains to exit the station at 30 kmph instead of 20 kmph. This will help the Western Railway save two minutes per train.
A sunbeam on the north end has been built that provides access to all the platforms from Church gate's east side. The boundaries of the subways on platform 1-2 were close to the edge of the platform and hence trains used to leave and enter at a bare minimum speed. This was done to avoid passengers standing on the footboard of the trains from getting hit with the walls of the subway. WR's chief public relations officer Sumit Thakur said, "We have demolished the roof and walls of the subway on platforms 1 and 2 as it used to infringe on the schedule of dimension (SOD), thus forcing trains to exit from platform at a speed of 20 km."
The SOD indicates an obstruction-free zone within which railway coach, wagon or engines move during travel.
Thakur said, "The demolition of walls has created more space on the platform. Instead of walls, we have provided railings - a protection boundary. The opening of space has allowed us to relax the permanent speed restriction, and trains can now leave the platforms at 30 kmph."
WR has also removed PSR on a stretch between Andheri and Goregaon on Harbour line. Thakur said, "The removal of speed restrictions helps in maintaining punctuality." -ManthanK.Mehta
