Pune Yard Completes Third DDS Upgrade, Replaces Rails, Crossings and Switch Motors

Pune, 4th August 2026: Pune Division of Central Railway completed the conversion of a 52kg Diamond Double Slip (DDS) Point to a 60kg Point in Pune Yard during a nine-hour traffic block on Sunday, August 2.

The work was carried out between 8 am and 5 pm and marked the third such conversion undertaken in Pune Yard.

The upgrade involved replacement of key track and signalling components associated with the DDS point. The 60kg configuration is designed to provide greater strength and durability to the track infrastructure and support train operations under higher traffic loads and speeds.

Major track and signalling works

A total of 200 Permanent Way labourers, four Permanent Way supervisors, eight Signal & Telecommunication supervisors and 25 S&T staff were deployed for the work, along with a glued-joint team, four blacksmiths and other personnel.

During the block, railway teams replaced:

– 8 stock rails and 8 tongue rails, along with fittings
– 2 acute crossings and 2 obtuse crossings, with pre-welded approach rails
– 4 lead rails
– 4 switch motors, along with roddings

The teams also fabricated four in-situ glued joints and inserted four prefabricated glued joints as part of the work.

Additional works completed

Several works were also completed during the shadow block, including the replacement of 13 turnout sleepers of 1 in 8.5, 60kg TWS at 232/I.

Railway teams also replaced two glued joints and 60 running metres of rail in turnout 232/I.

At Platform No. 1, 10 sleepers of the platform apron were broken, replaced and epoxy-grouted.

The conversion of the DDS point from 52kg to 60kg forms part of the track infrastructure upgradation being undertaken in Pune Yard. The upgraded components are intended to improve the strength and durability of the track layout and reduce maintenance requirements while supporting train operations.