Konkal Railways Corporation Ltd prepares to combat monsoon

Mangaluru: Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd has made necessary arrangements to combat monsoon this season.

The coastal belt from Kolad (after Roha station of Central Railway) and Thokur (before Mangaluru) by completing all its planned safety works.

In a press release, KRCL said that special attention has been paid to catch-water drain cleaning and inspection of cuttings. As a result of the large-scale geo-safety works executed along the railway line in past 10 to 12 years, incidence of boulder fall and soil slip has significantly reduced, thus ensuring safe running of trains. According to KRCL, there has been no major disruption of train services on account of boulder fall during monsoon in the past five years.

The KRCL plans to conduct monsoon patrolling as per the provisions of the Indian Railway Permanent Way Manual to ensure safe running of trains. As many as 770 workers will patrol the route during monsoon. Vulnerable locations will be under watch round the clock while stationary watchmen will be deployed for 24 hours at critical locations. Speed restrictions will be imposed at vulnerable locations. BRN-mounted excavators have been kept ready at all nominated points for quick movement in case of emergency.

KRCL also said that instructions have also been provided to loco pilots to run trains at a reduced speed of 40 kmph in case of heavy rainfall when visibility is limited. Self-propelled ARMVs (Accident Relief Medical Van), with provision of operation theatre and providing emergency medical aid, have been kept ready all the time at Ratnagiri and Verna (Goa) along with ART (Accident Relief Train).

Satellite phone communication has been provided in ARMV for emergency contact when ARMV is pressed into service. All main signal aspects on Konkan Railway (2,344 in number) have now been replaced with LED for improving signal visibility.

Three control rooms at Belapur, Ratnagiri, and Madgaon will work 24×7 to ensure safe running of trains. Passengers can check train status on www.konkanrailway.com or dial 139.