Maharashtra, Pune — Central Railway’s Pune Division has completed the conversion of its fourth Diamond Double Slip (DDS) at Pune Yard from 52 kg to 60 kg rail, a move officials say will strengthen track infrastructure and improve operational reliability in the busy yard.
Nine-hour block used to complete complex renewal
The conversion of DDS No. 251/252 was carried out during a planned Traffic and Power Block on 23 August 2026, from 08:00 hrs to 17:00 hrs. Central Railway’s statement reported that the work was finished as scheduled and the block was cleared at 17:00 hrs, restoring normal railway operations.
"The work was completed as planned," Central Railway’s Pune Division said in an operational note.
A Diamond Double Slip is a complex set of turnouts that allows trains to move between intersecting tracks by multiple routes. Upgrading such an arrangement from 52 kg to 60 kg rail increases the ability of the track to bear heavier axle loads and better withstand traffic growth.
Scope of the renewal and staff deployed
The renewal involved detailed replacement and strengthening of both track and signalling hardware, undertaken by coordinated engineering and signalling teams. Components replaced or inserted included:
- Eight stock rails and eight tongue rails with associated fittings
- Two acute and two obtuse crossings
- Eight approach rails and four lead rails
- Four in-situ glued joints fabricated and six prefabricated glued joints inserted
- Replacement of four switch motors with their roddings as part of signalling upgrades
To complete the work, the division reported the deployment of around 200 Permanent Way labourers, one glued joint team, four blacksmiths, 25 signalling and telecommunications staff, five Permanent Way supervisors and eight signalling and telecommunications supervisors.
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Stock rails replaced | 8 |
| Tongue rails replaced | 8 |
| Crossings (acute/obtuse) | 2 / 2 |
| Approach rails | 8 |
| Lead rails | 4 |
| Switch motors replaced | 4 |
Operational safeguards and temporary restrictions
During the shadow block and preparatory work, the division completed 122 Manual Temporary Speed Restrictions to safeguard traffic movements while materials and teams were marshalled. The use of manual temporary speed restrictions is standard during major renewals to manage train movements safely around work sites.
Central Railway said the conversion is the fourth such DDS upgrade at Pune Yard to 60 kg rail. The progressive strengthening of these complex turnouts forms part of broader renewal and capacity-improvement efforts across the division to meet rising traffic requirements and heavier axle loads.
For Pune commuters and freight operators, the upgrade is expected to reduce maintenance-related disruptions and improve the long-term durability of a critical junction in the city’s rail layout. Engineers say 60 kg rails typically offer greater resilience under higher tonnage and can lengthen maintenance cycles compared with lighter rails.
While the division did not provide an immediate timeline for converting further DDS units at the yard, the successful execution of this nine-hour operation — involving close coordination between permanent-way and signalling teams — demonstrates procedural readiness for similar complex renewals in future.
Local residents in surrounding areas of Pune Yard, including Khadki and Shivajinagar, have in recent years complained about noise and temporary disruptions during major track works; railway officials note such blocks are planned to keep disruption minimal and to restore normal services promptly.
The upgrade aligns with Central Railway’s ongoing programme to modernise track assets and signalling systems across the division to handle projected traffic growth and to improve safety and punctuality for passenger and freight services serving Pune and the wider region.
