19 December,2010 07:22 AM IST | | Vedika Chaubey
Central and Western Railway (WR) officials have begun assessing the feasibility of using a microwave oven instead of an LPG cylinder, after a major disaster was averted on December 9 when one of the three unauthorised gas cylinders found in the shopping centre at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus exploded.
Interestingly, the Railway board had asked Central Railways (CR) and WR, to use ovens instead of gas cylinders as a safety measure, in a letter, last month. Of course, CR and WR chose to act upon the letter only after disaster struck.
While there was no damage to life, the fire that broke out at the CR Employees Co-operative Society office caused major damage to the canteen and the shopping centre. The cause for the explosion is still unknown.
"None of the canteens at CST station had a fire safety certificate. There are a number of violations and disasters waiting to happen," said a senior railway official from CR. Bigger stations like CST, Dadar, Kurla, Thane and Kalyan will be provided with microwave ovens to start with. V A Malegaokar, Chief PRO, CR, confirmed, "The assessment is in process. We're deciding on the number of stalls, their power capacity, electricity required etc.
The result should be out in a week and we will insist on using ovens instead of gas cylinders."
"We are in the process of assessing as per the guidelines," said Sharat Chandrayan, WR Chief PRO.
However, railway officials doubt the system makes sense. "Maximum fires are caused because of short-circuit and not cylinders.
I doubt that this (using microwaves) is practical," said a senior railway official.
Unconcerned with short circuit
Two fires broke out last week including one on December 17. There was no damage to property and train services were not disrupted. Both fires were caused due to short-circuit. While the CR and WR plan to replace LPG cylinders, they are yet to receive information on rewiring or fixing the short-circuit situation.
