Western Railway gears up for Monsoon

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In order to keep the wheels of local trains running, and ensure uninterrupted services during the ensuing monsoon , pre monsoon preparations works are undergoing o­n Western Railway in full swing. These preparations include cleaning of culverts, desilting of side drains, installations of pumps, special maintenance of infrastructure etc. These works will be completed by June 01, 2017 in the first phase.
Analysis of Rainfall and Flood prone areas:
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 could be flood prone such as near Grant Road, Elphinstone Road, Dadar, Matunga Rd-Mahim yard , Bandra-Khar, Andheri-Jogeshwari and Nalasopara-Virar sections.
Western Railway has also come up with the time table showing the dates of high tides of more than 4.5 meters during monsoon 2017. This will help in taking necessary precautions when required most. The dates of major high tides are mentioned in the enclosed Annexure. Special Pre-monsoon Action:
ØLifting of tracks in low line areas has already been completed in Mahim Yard o­n Harbour lines and between Bandra- Khar Down slow line as water logging has been observed at these locations in the year 2016.
ØDe silting and cleaning of all 41 culverts is in progress. 78 % desilting has been completed as o­n date and balance will be completed by 30.05.17. 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 May 30th, 2017 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 officials.
Ø WR will install about 88 diesel pumps at vulnerable low lying locations such as Marine Lines, Mumbai Central, Dadar, Matunga Road, Mahim, Bandra, Andheri, Borivali, Nalasopara, Virar etc.
Ø 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 July and August, 2017 as per requirement.
Ø 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 contact and catenary wires and earthing.
Ø Cutting of vulnerable trees in the vicinity of track will also be done. 70 % tree cutting has been completed with MCGM permission by availing traffic and power block and balance will be completed by 01.06.17.
Ø 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.
Other Actions:
Ø 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.
Ø Running of muck specials during nights to clear the muck and garbage, as and when required.
Ø Round the clock monitoring during heavy rains by deputing officers/ supervisors at vulnerable locations.
Coordination with BMC:
Joint inspections of Railway and BMC officials have already been started and the first round will be completed by 1.06.2017 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.