Nagpur: The platform number 1 at the Nagpur station under the Central Railway will be closed for traffic for 45 days from August 20, for washable apron work.
Washable apron is a ballastless track or tracks on a concrete bed — along the entire length of tracks at the station — so that water jets can be used to flush out waste from toilets of parked trains.
“Presently, track on platform number 1 is based on wooden sleepers. These sleepers are 25 years old and it is high time these are replaced for safe landing of trains. Recently, platform number 2 was closed for traffic for washable apron work,” said Central Railway spokesperson & assistant commercial manager (ACM) SG Rao.
“Due to heavy rains, platform number 1 used to get flooded. The wooden sleepers have suffered fungal decay and it would be hazardous to operate trains on such a track,” said senior railway officials.
Rao said, “At least 35 trains operate from platform number 1. Some originating SECR trains will depart from Itwari station to ease congestion at main station while other passing trains will be admitted to other platforms.”
Rao said the Rs25 lakh washable apron project will be an added advantage as trains will land safely without any jerks. “As the base will be cemented, the tracks will be easy to maintain and there will be cleanliness and no water logging,” he added.
Railway officials said due to wooden sleepers there was gauge disturbance and maintaining such tracks is time consuming. On the contrary, concrete sleepers will need less maintenance and reception will be better.
