Now, it will take 3 hrs less by train to reach Jabalpur
   Date :02-Nov-2020

Chraidongri Mandlafort _1
 A glimpse of newly opened Chraidongri-Mandlafort section of SECR's Nagpur Division
 
 
Staff Reporter :
 
CRS gives assent for train services as Lamta-Samanpur section, the last remaining section on Itwari-Jabalpur new line, stands completed
 
 
The wait for a shorter railway route to Jabalpur ex-Nagpur is inching closer to reality for train travellers as the last remaining section of Lamta-Samnapur was formally commissioned. A K Rai, Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS), South East Circle, has granted assent for plying of goods trains on the new railway line that was stuck for long owing to presence of forest section in Balaghat region of neighbouring State of Madhya Pradesh. Construction of 23 kms section was last remaining patch on Balaghat-Jabalpur section of new railway line that was under development.
 
Now, a seamless connectivity from Itwari to Jabalpur via Gondia and Balaghat would save nearly three hours of travel time. At present, connectivity to Jabalpur is via Itarsi which has increased travel time to nearly eight hours and hence forth the new direct line having distance of 230 kms would be negotiated within five hours at the most. As of now long distance passenger carrying trains are reaching upto Samnapur station. Now under unigague policy the work on erstwhile Narrow Gauge section to Broad Gauge is being completed in stage and CRS cleared the route of about 23 km Chiridongri-Mandlafort (non-electrified section) in Nainpur-Mandla section and Lamta-Samanpur under Gondia-Jabalpur section about 25 km (Electrified section).
 
CRS inspected the said two railway blocks on October 30 and 31. At Chiraidongri, speed trial was held in Mandla Fort section wherein train was run at a speed of 113 kmph to check the safety parameters of the new line. Similarly, electrification in Lamta-Samanapur section was checked when train was run at a speed of 117 km. During the inspection, he inspected all aspects related to operations and safety and also consulted railway officials and thereafter issued necessary guidelines.
 
Now with CRS nod, rail services would soon commence on both the section providing respite to travellers in days to come. Maninder Uppal, Divisional Railway Manager, Chief Administrative Officer (Construction), Principal Chief Engineer (Construction), Deputy Chief Engineer, Senior Divisional Engineer (Coordination), along with many officers of the Divisional and Headquarters were present during the inspection of new routes.