Kozhikode: In a major move toward infrastructure modernisation, the Palakkad Railway Division has decided to remove Shoranur Junction from its official "Notice Station" roster.
Under the traditional system, notice stations are responsible for physically handing over crucial caution orders—covering details like route speed limits, upcoming track blockages and safety warnings—directly to loco pilots and guards.

Officials confirmed that this new operational directive will come into effect on June 21.

The structural transition aims to streamline train operations and drastically reduce transit delays. Previously, because Shoranur held operational station status, even non-stop freight trains were forced to halt solely to collect these printed caution orders. Railway authorities noted that this outdated process caused massive time losses, a bottleneck that the new order effectively eliminates.

 

Shift to a centralised digital system

According to senior railway officials, the system is moving toward automation. Instead of physical distribution at Shoranur, computer-generated alerts will now be dispatched directly via the newly established Divisional Control Office at Palakkad Junction, which commenced operations a month and a half ago. This control hub operates on a highly centralised digital framework. Following its launch, Coimbatore was similarly removed from the Notice Station list, and multiple other railway divisions are currently working to phase out similar stations.

 

With Shoranur's removal, the Palakkad Division will now rely on just three primary Notice Stations:

  • Mangaluru Central
  • Kozhikode
  • Palakkad Junction

Paving the way for high-speed transit

The structural shift is being viewed as a foundational step toward the Indian Railways' larger goal of upgrading track infrastructure to support train speeds of up to 130 km/h. By removing mandatory halts for paperwork, the division hugely cuts down intermediate delays for long-distance routes.

However, the decision has raised minor internal human resource concerns. While authorities assured that current personnel face no immediate threat to their jobs, employees noted that removing Shoranur's notice status means tasks like logging safety orders and acquiring physical signatures from loco pilots will disappear, likely leading to the future restructuring and reduction of these specific clerical posts.