07 July,2026 08:08 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. Aklekar
BMK Rao, motorman, WR. Pic/By Special Arrangement
When tree branches fell onto the tracks between Bhayander and Naigaon stations on Monday morning, Western Railway motorman BMK Rao, who was driving his Virar slow local, slammed the brakes and brought the train full of passengers to a safe halt. He then got down, accompanied by a few passengers, cleared the tracks, checked the safety and proceeded on his journey, keeping Mumbai's lifeline operational. Rao has been serving the railways for the past 30 years, and the monsoon, he says, is a challenging time.
Despite the heavy rain over the past week, trains on Western and Central Railway slowed down but did not stop operations. mid-day got inside the driving cab of a local train to interview Rao on how railway motormen judge "safe to proceed" waterlogged tracks and what they want passengers to know?
Excerpts from the interview.
At what visible water level on the track do you slow down, and at what level do you stop completely? Is there an official threshold, or is it your judgment call?
Yes, there is an official threshold for the operation of trains during flooding. When the water level is up to rail level, we run the trains at normal speed. Up to 75 mm above the rail level, we run the trains at 40 kmph. With increasing water levels, the speed restriction becomes more pronounced.
Who actually gives the order to reduce speed or halt - the station master, the traffic control room, or your own call in the moment? What's your maximum "safe" speed through a waterlogged stretch?
The water level is measured by engineering field staff and also determined by flood gauges at various locations. Depending on the water level, speed restrictions are imposed and relayed by traffic control, which is passed on by the station master to corresponding trains.
Has a train you were piloting ever been stalled by water? How long before help arrived? Is there a radio/walkie protocol for warning the train behind you about flooding?
There have been instances in the past when due to a sudden rise in water level, certain rakes have been stranded. In such cases, efforts are made to reverse such trains to the nearest stations. Also, stalled rakes are sometimes cleared by attaching diesel engines. However, this year, no rakes have been held up in this section so far.
How does visibility in heavy rain, especially at night, change your speed?
It all depends on the visibility of the signal. Motormen can reduce speed as per their judgement, if they feel there is poor visibility.
What do passengers do during delays that makes your job harder - chain-pulling, opening doors early, trying to get off between stations?
In general, we receive tremendous support and cooperation from our passengers. I have come to realise that when it comes to emergency situations, a majority of our passengers behave very responsibly. However, at times, there are frayed tempers, and some passengers tend to get unruly. However, when counselled and when they are informed in detail, they too start cooperating.
