Automatic railway signalling work between Ernakulam Town & Aluva in final stage

Kochi: Work on automatic signalling system between Ernakulam Town and Aluva railway stations is in final stage. The system is about signals being automatically controlled through a click of mouse for train movement instead of manually doing it by railway staff at stations.Officials said works are expected to be completed in two months.Works on the system, first in the state, began years ago. "We have to complete some of the remaining works in Kalamassery and Aluva before commissioning. Works involve connecting old cables laid along the stretch to newly laid ones. This will increase track capacity by allowing one more train to pass since automatic signals are installed every one kilometre," an official said. Currently, only one train is allowed to pass between two stations. With the new system, one more train can be allowed along the same stretch.Meanwhile, Phase I redevelopment works of Ernakulam Town railway station is in final stage. Once it is completed in two months, offices will be shifted to new complex. Construction of multi-level car parking is also in final stage. Phase II includes demolition of old structure and building a new complex.