WR commences ground level work to ensure disruption-free train services in monsoon

Western Railway (WR) is committed to provide smooth travel for its commuters, to keep the wheels of trains running and ensure uninterrupted services, especially during the monsoons. Due to the sustained efforts and infrastructure upgradations, the suburban operations have become better in the past few years during the monsoons, and WR ran train services smoothly and normally over Mumbai suburban section with minimum disruptions, despite heavy rainfall.

WR is undertaking several monsoon preparatory works on a mission mode along with proper upkeep & maintenance of the mechanical, signalling, electrical assets & equipment, etc. 

According to a press release issued by Sumit Thakur, Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, to ensure uninterrupted services during the ensuing monsoon, targets are being meticulously followed. Works such as cleaning and de-silting of culverts, nullahs & drains, clearing the muck & garbage along the tracks, construction of additional waterways, installations of high-power pumps, trimming trees, etc. are being completed o­n a mission mode.

Giving further details, Thakur stated that various measures taken for ensuring uninterrupted services are as under:

• Muck removal of 1.50 lakh cubic meters completed. This work is being carried out by deploying specially designed Muck special trains, BRNs, JCB, Poclain, etc.
• The work of cleaning of culverts and drains is being done at a fast pace. Also, the flow patterns of water in Yards were studied and new drains & manholes are also being constructed for facilitating smooth discharge of water. Suction/de-sludging machine has been used to ensure deep cleaning of culvert 24 (Bandra) and 65 (Borivali).
• Additional waterways constructed by micro tunneling at 8 locations. 15 pipes of 1200 or 1800 millimetre diameter has been created at Prabhadevi-Dadar section, Dadar-Matunga Road section, Bandra Terminus Yard, Goregaon-Malad section (3 Nos.), Borivali Station North and Virar-Vaitarna section to increase storm water drainage capacity.
• Additional manholes and drains are being constructed at 11 locations for facilitating smooth water discharge.
• Drone survey is being carried out for monitoring, cleaning & identification of choke points in culverts and nallahs. Drone survey and monitoring for cleaning of nallah in Borivali-Virar section is under progress & will be completed soon.
• Various locations prone to waterlogging during heavy rains have been identified and this year, 100 high capacity water pumps are proposed to be installed at these flood prone locations. This is an increase of 10% as compared to last year.
• In order to have real time and authentic water level of vulnerable Bridges, 4 nos. of water level monitoring devices have been installed.
• In addition to this, Flood Gauges have been provided at 36 locations.
• Works of trimming of trees are in progress.
• All EMU rakes are being inspected and work is being carried out for monsoon related precautions.

Thakur also mentioned that based o­n the experience of previous monsoons, flood-prone areas in railway premises were identified and various precautionary works have been completed at these locations. To monitor the condition of tracks, Monsoon Patrolling will be done by Patrolmen & Bridge Guards. During monsoon and other weather alerts, it has been ensured to keep close coordination with the Disaster Management cell of Municipal Corporations.

Western Railway is ensuring continuous monitoring and all efforts are being taken for maintaining disruption free travel to commuters.