As the Coronavirus outbreak continues to remain the prime focus on everyone, the railways has quietly stepped up efforts to ensure smooth movement of trains in the city during the monsoon. It has arranged for 20,000 metres of nylon rope, 199 walkie-talkies, 275 luminous jackets, 45 loud hailers and 20,000 metres of fluorescent tape apart from a battery of mechanised boats and drones to tackle rain-related challenges this year.

Officials said they cannot leave any chances especially after two consecutive years of incidents where passengers stranded on trains had to be rescued with the help of the National Disaster Response Force in Mumbai. “We have a back-up plan and will be in complete readiness by May 31. Trains have been checked, station roofs sealed, track magnets and machines water-proofed and an emergency response plan is in place to rescue commuters,” a senior official said.