This year, authorities plan to operate 120 diesel-operated pumps to pump out rainwater from the tracks. There will be at least 39 pumps installed on CR, and 80 pumps installed on WR
Every monsoon it’s the same story as waterlogging takes a heavy toll on train travel. This year, the authorities plan to operate 120 diesel-operated pumps to pump out rainwater from the tracks. There will be at least 39 pumps installed on Central Railway (CR), and 80 pumps installed on the Western Railway (WR).
Many low-lying areas get flooded during the monsoon, severely disrupting rail services. File pic
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Sources in the CR said that these pumps are of 12.5 horsepower, whose installation will be completed before May 31 the deadline for completing pre-monsoon works.
Also Read: Railways, MMRDA to blame for waterlogging: BMC
The officials said that last year there were close to 80-odd pumps that were placed along the railway lines, and this year additional precaution is being taken as waterlogging on tracks is a major problems at most low-lying areas.
Road woes
Apart from these areas, SV Road and LBS Marg run parallel to the railway lines. This also compounds the problem as the height of these roads is higher than that of the rail lines. These pumps will discharge the water accumulated on tracks outside the rail premises, and also at these locations. Where the gradient of the road is higher, more diesel pumps will be placed.
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“A major problem could arise especially during 20 days of the monsoon, when the high tides are expected to be more than 4.5 meters,” said a WR official. High tides coupled with heavy rains make for a dangerous combination which results in waterlogging on tracks and disruption in train services.
Major task
“We have de-silted and cleaned 1,27,779 meters of drains across various sections and we also cleaned 87 culverts,” said a CR official. WR has cleaned 43 culverts in the process, apart from clearing muck near drains at Dharavi and the Mithi river. Authorities have also trimmed trees at over 800 locations (at both CR and WR).
They are also repairing the roofs of the coaches so that they do not start leaking during the monsoon. Maintenance of over-head wires, lifting of tracks, cleaning of insulators, and checking of protective shields on various wires too is also being carried out.
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