Sealdah division upgrades Naihati carriage and wagon depot
The Statesman | 15 July 2025
The Sealdah Division of the Eastern Railway has upgraded the Naihati Carriage and Wagon (C and W) depot which plays a crucial role in maintaining safety, reliability and efficiency of train operations of Sealdah division by ensuring faster wagon Routine Overhauling (ROH).
The all important depot is responsible for the maintenance and repair of railway carriages and wagons, ensuring they are in good working condition for safe operation.
Installation of cutting-edge technological devices in railway operations is crucial for improving efficiency, safety, reliability and reducing downtime for trains. Considering the fact, the Sealdah division has introduced few latest technologies in the depot to optimise resource allocation, minimise delay and improve overall productivity. One of the crucial upgradation includes the cartridge tapered roller bearings (CTRB). The technology is used in various rolling stock to reduce friction and ensure smooth operation. During routine over hauling (ROH), CTRB checking is mandatory but most of the depots depend on manual checking which involves human error. With the introduction of new monitoring system at Naihati, human error component will be minimized to a great extent. Getting the condition report in digital format will provide a detailed tracking of failure related issues detected during maintenance. This digital machine will help Railways to necessary upgradation for better and faster maintenance.
The division has installed another technology called the welding simulator. Indian Railways’ vast fleet depends on various maintenance in which welding is deeply integrated. Efficiency and periodic training of welders is a major challenge to Railways. Welding simulator is a Virtual Reality (VR) based modern machine to develop better welding skills in a controlled environment to replicate the experience of real welding without using any consumables.
Notably, Naihati depot is a major wagon ROH depot for Sealdah Division. A large number of special premium rakes are also examined which requires 100 per cent brake power. The divisional authorities are now carrying out overhauling of various braking components at Naihati Depot itself which is anticipated to help in reducing dependency on workshops like Liluah and Kanchrapara also help to reduce the average wagon detention time for more effective traffic operation.
Apart from this, Naihati C and W depot examines a large number of premium rakes which requires 100 percent brake power.