Prayagraj: In a move aimed at improving railway safety and enabling higher train speeds, Indian Railways would install W-beam metal-type safety fencing on both sides of tracks along the Prayagraj-Varanasi rail route.The work, being done by North Eastern Railway (NER), is on the lines of the high-speed corridor developed on the Delhi-Howrah route and would prevent animals and unauthorised persons from entering the tracks, ensuring smoother and safer train operations. Officials said the work is expected to begin soon. The decision followed a recent inspection by Varanasi Division, DRM, Ashish Jain, who visited Prayagraj Rambagh railway station to review the rail infrastructure and safety requirements. The initiative is part of the railways’ broader Mission Raftaar, a programme aimed at increasing the speed of trains on major routes across the country. Under the mission, work is already in its final phase to install protective walls and fencing along the busy Delhi-Howrah corridor, where the maximum speed of trains is planned to increase to 160 km per hour. The Prayagraj-Varanasi route currently hosts three trains of the semi-high-speed fleet, including the Vande Bharat Express. At present, these trains operate at a maximum speed of 110 km per hour on this section. However, on the Prayagraj-Delhi rail route, the same trains can reach speeds of up to 130 km per hour. Railway officials said once the fencing is completed, operational speeds will improve significantly. The Vande Bharat trains are expected to run at up to 130 km per hour on the Prayagraj-Varanasi section while speeds on the Delhi-Prayagraj route could increase to 160 km per hour, further reducing travel time for passengers. PRO, Varanasi Division of NER, Ashok Kumar, said the fencing is a proven safety measure that helps prevent animals from entering tracks and improves overall operational efficiency.
