With a view to improving the mobility of trains in the Thiruvananthapuram division, that caters to a large part of Kerala, five new Intermediate Block Stations (IBS) would be set up this year that would minimise the halting of trains for line crossings.
IBSs are automatic signal stations between two existing stations to improve line capacity in the section. With the introduction of IBS between a pair of stations, say ‘A’ and ‘B’, a second train can be started from station ‘A’ towards ‘B’ once the trains passes the IBS (usually the mid-point).
Without the facility, a train can be started from ‘A’ only after the earlier train crosses ‘B’.
“Five IBSs would be commissioned this year to improve the mobility of trains. This means trains would take less time to cover destinations inside the state, especially during peak hours,” a railway official said. Frequent hold-ups, at stations and in between stations, have been a curse of the railway system in the state, with passengers being at the receiving end.
The new IBSs would come up between Sasthankotta-Perinad, Perinad-Kollam, Kadakkavur-Muruk-kumpuzha, Aluva-Angamali and Pudukkad-Irinjalakkuda sections.
Earlier, only two IBS were available in Thiruv-ananthapuram division at Mullurcarai and Koratty Angadi and at Thiruva-nanthapuram Pettah.