JAISALMER: The General Manager of North Western Railway, Amitabh, said that in the first phase, about 1,586 km of railway tracks under the zone are being equipped with the advanced indigenous anti-collision system Kavach 4.0 to prevent train accidents. He stated that more than 50 percent of the required towers for the system have already been installed, while around 70 percent of the OFC (Optical Fibre Cable) laying work has been completed.He also said that considering strategic requirements in Rajasthan’s border districts, efforts are underway to further strengthen the rail network. Surveys are currently being conducted for laying new railway lines to connect the border districts with each other. Amitabh also indicated that in the future, there is a possibility of trains like Vande Bharat Express operating from Jaisalmer. He made these remarks during a press conference held during his visit to Jaisalmer.During his two-day visit, the GM inspected the ongoing redevelopment works at Jaisalmer Railway Station under a mega redevelopment project worth about ₹140 crore. He reviewed various aspects of passenger amenities, cleanliness arrangements, and overall station management. Anurag Tripathi, Divisional Railway Manager of the Jodhpur division, was also present during the visit.Later, addressing the media at the station, the GM said that Jaisalmer is one of the stations in the NWR zone where redevelopment work under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme has been completed. To ensure the safety of passengers and station premises, a total of 219 CCTV cameras have been installed across the station area and buildings. This advanced surveillance system will keep a close watch on any suspicious activity. Monitoring of these cameras will be handled by the Railway Protection Force, further strengthening security arrangements at the station.Responding to a question, he said that considering the requirements of the armed forces in Rajasthan’s border districts, work is in progress to strengthen the rail network. Survey reports for new railway lines from Jaisalmer to Khajuwala and from Bikaner to Anupgarh have already been sent to the Railway Board. Similarly, the final survey DPR for a new rail line from Jaisalmer to Bhabhar via Barmer will be submitted to the Railway Board within the next three months.Speaking about the Kavach system, he said that installation work is underway across about 1,586 km in the first phase within the NWR zone to prevent train accidents. Work related to towers and OFC cable laying is in progress, and the system is expected to be commissioned during 2026–27.Amitabh further said that one pit line at the highly developed Jaisalmer railway station has already been completed and another has been approved. Both pit lines will have shed facilities to protect railway staff from the extreme heat in the region while working. With the development of these facilities, train operations from Jaisalmer are also expected to increase. In this regard, the number of locomotives will rise, and work on an engine maintenance shed has also begun.He added that as infrastructure and facilities continue to develop at the station, operations of trains like the Vande Bharat Express may begin from Jaisalmer in the future.The GM also said that the railway is playing an important role in boosting industries such as the cement sector and other businesses in the region. Keeping in mind the requirements of Rajasthan State Mines and Minerals Limited (RSMML), a survey will soon begin for laying a new rail line from Ramgarh to Sonu. The Rajasthan government will also participate in this project, and a DPR worth ₹300 crore has been sent to the state government.He also highlighted that the Jodhpur division of North Western Railway has achieved notable success under its track improvement campaign. On Thursday, a high-speed trial of 121 km/h was successfully conducted on the Jodhpur–Jaisalmer railway section. An OMS train was successfully operated at a speed of 121 km/h on this section, where earlier a speed limit of 100 km/h had been in place.
