04 September,2010 07:12 AM IST | | Vedika Chaubey
The Central Railway (CR) has given commuters a reason to smile this year. In spite of heavy rains, CR trains did not stop totally even once, a record in the last 16 years, thanks to efficient technology.
CR officials say they were conscious of a lot of factors this time to ensure the improved performance. "We have made several improvements since the last few years and the result is apparent.
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Earlier, we had wooden slippers on the track, which used to restrict train speed. Now we have concrete cement slippers, strong enough to bear water logging.
Despite heavy rains this year, the Central Railway trains did not stop even once.
Also, where there were no pumps available to drain excess rainwater off the tracks, there are 50 now near the tracks," said S Mudgerikar, chief PRO, CR.
CR has also installed a digital axle counter at signalling points, which has helped improve the reliability of signalling through better visibility. Another addition is the new trains, called EMU (electro motive unit) rakes in technical parlance.
"Our new MRVC (Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation Limited) rakes can run even after water level reaches six inches on the track.
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With the old rakes, trains used to stop when water on the tracks was four inches high," informed Mudgerikar.
Past record
Last year, with a rainfall of 1,220 mm, CR trains had ceased functioning eight times. However, this year, with rainfall recorded at 2,900 mm till now, there has not been a single case of disruption of services.
"Moreover, we have assigned 500 railway officials to continuously monitor the tracks for 24 hours. If any snag is detected, it is rectified immediately," Mudgerikar added.
Trains have not only been functional, they have also been on time. From June to September this year, punctuality of train arrivals was 86.4, 91.2, 92.4 and 92.6 per cent.
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Compare these to 1997 figures when, for the same months, CR had clocked 26, 19, 40, and 39 per cent respectively.
The Railway's proficiency has brought most relief to commuters, who are satisfied with its performance this year.
Said Dhanshree Date, who stays in Kalyan, "I am surprised that trains haven't stopped even once this monsoon. We have had our grudges with CR, but we appreciate its achievement this year."
But CR has left some unhappy with its proficiency. "Every monsoon, we get leave form work when rains bring a halt to the train services.
This time, thanks to CR, we couldn't enjoy an official holiday," said Shalaka Mane, who works in a shipping company at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, lightheartedly.
The Rakes
EMU rakes (trains): 114
New MRVC rakes: 44
(out of 114)
Water draining pumps: 50
Services per day: 1,556
Number Game
2,896mm
The rainfall Colaba received this year, the highest in the past 50 years
2,999mm
The rainfall Santacruz received this year
11,000mm
The average rainfall in Cherrapunji
