In order to keep the wheels of local trains running, monsoon preparations on Western Railway are undergoing in full swing
In order to keep the wheels of local trains running, monsoon preparations on Western Railway are undergoing in full swing. These preparations which include cleaning of culverts, desilting of side drains, installations of pumps, special maintenance of infrastructure etc are done to ensure uninterrupted services during the monsoon.
The first phase of this work will be completed by May 30, 2016.
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Western Railway has identified the flood prone areas on its section. On the basis of this analysis, more attention will be paid to certain sections which are flood-prone. These places are near Marine Lines and in some places in Charni Road-Grant Road, Mumbai Central, Elphinstone Road, Dadar, Matunga Rd-Mahim, Bandra-Khar, Andheri-Jogeshwari and Nalasopara-Virar sections.
The Western Railway has also come up with the time table showing the dates of high tides of more than 4.5 meters during monsoon 2016 to help in taking necessary precautions when required most.
The following work has been undertaken
>> Lifting of tracks in low line areas such as Elphinstone Rd down and Up, Matunga Road down and Bandra Up and down where water logging had been observed in 2015.
>> De silting and cleaning of all 43 culverts is being done. Funds have been provided by the MCGM. This work will be completed in three phases. The first phase will be completed before the onset of monsoon up to 30th May, 2016 followed by second and third round after necessary inspections and based on the requirement. Some major culverts will be cleaned by the BMC which include Mithi River, Dharavi Nallah, Poisar Nallah, etc. Joint inspections are also being carried out by Railway and MCGM officers/Engineers.
>> WR will install about 80 diesel pumps at vulnerable low lying locations such as Marine Lines, Mumbai Central, Dadar, Matunga Road, Mahim, Bandra, Andheri, Borivali, Nalasopara, Virar etc.
>> WR has also undertaken the work of de silting of side drains. This work will be completed before the onset of monsoon. After reviewing the position, this work may again be undertaken in June-July and August, 2016 as per requirement.
>> In order to ensure smooth running of trains during monsoon, special attention is being given to the maintenance of OHE. It includes cleaning of insulators, checking of protective screens on FOB/ROB, protection of catenary wires and earthing.
>> WR has also taken up the monsoon related maintenance work of its EMU suburban rakes which include detection & plugging of possible leakages in EMU coaches and its electrical equipments, smooth movements of windows & doors etc. Work of cleaning of roof of coaches and insulators has also been taken up in hand.
>> WR has come up with a monsoon booklet for its officers and supervisors. This booklet not only mentions the flood prone areas and important dates of high tides but also the course of action to be taken during such situations. It also has the telephone numbers of official dealing with disaster management and important telephone numbers of railway and civil officials such as BMC, Weather Bureau etc.
>> Running of muck specials during nights to clear the muck and garbage, as and when required.
>> Round the clock monitoring during heavy rains by deputing officers/ supervisors at vulnerable locations.
Joint inspections of Railway and BMC officials have already been started and the first round is proposed to be completed by June 1. It also includes provision of pumps by BMC at locations where the blockage in the drainage is likely. A hotline has been set up between MCGM Disaster control and Western Railway Traffic control for faster communications during emergency.
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