Lucknow: North Central Railway (NCR) has rectified a track defect at Hodal Yard in the Mathura section, part of the busy Delhi-Agra high-speed rail corridor used by premium trains such as the Gatimaan Express, Rajdhani Express and Shatabdi Express, besides several freight and passenger services.Railway officials said a technical inspection found that a crossover, which allows trains to switch from one main track to another, was 1.30 metres shorter than its approved design. The mismatch had caused a slight bend in the track, requiring rectification.The repair work was carried out during a planned traffic block on Sept 19. Engineers shifted a section of the crossover by 1.30 metres using a track maintenance machine, restoring it to the approved design. Three long sleepers were also installed and the sleeper spacing was corrected as per railway standards, officials said.On the following day, the track was aligned and compacted using a Unimat tamping machine to complete the work.According to railway officials, the repairs have improved the crossover’s alignment and are expected to improve operational safety, reduce maintenance requirements and ensure smoother movement of trains on one of the country’s busiest high-speed rail routes.Restaurant to open soon at Mathura JnA theme-based Rail Coach Restaurant will open near the main entrance of Mathura Junction under a five-year contract. The restaurant will offer food and refreshments to passengers and visitors. NCR expects to earn about Rs 27.2 lakh annually as non-fare revenue from the project.
