Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd (KRCL) is gearing up to ensure smooth train operations during the forthcoming monsoon. Konkan region is known to receive heavy rainfall during the monsoon and Konkan Railway runs through this region on 740-km long route.
All planned safety works on this route from Kolad after Roha station of Central Railway to Thokur before Mangaluru junction station have been completed. Special attention has been given to catch water drain cleaning and inspection of cuttings.
The large-scale geo-safety works executed along the railway line in last few years have significantly reduced the incidences of boulder fall and soil slip, thus ensuring safe running of trains. No major disruption to train services have occurred on account of boulder fall during monsoons in last 7 years, Sanjay Gupta, managing director, KRCL, said.
Konkan Railway will conduct monsoon patrolling to ensure safe running of trains. About 974 personnel will patrol the route during the monsoon. Vulnerable locations will be patrolled round the clock and 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 any emergency. Instructions have also been issued to loco pilots to run the trains at a reduced speed of 40 kmph in case of heavy rainfall when visibility is limited.
Self-propelled accident relief medical van, with provision of operation theatre and providing emergency medical aid are kept ready at Ratnagiri and Verna (Goa) along with accident relief train. Mobile phones have been provided to all safety category staff to contact control office/station in emergency.
Loco pilots and guards of trains have been provided with walkie-talkie sets as well as every station on Konkan Railway is equipped with 25-Watt VHF base station. This enables wireless communication between train crew and crew and station master. Emergency communication sockets have been provided at average 1-km distance that enables patrolmen, watchmen, loco pilots, guard, and field maintenance staff to contact station masters, control office.
Satellite phone communication has been provided in ARMV for emergency contact when it is ordered in service. All main signal aspects on Konkan Railway are now replaced with LED for improving signal visibility. Self-recording rain gauges have been installed at Mangaon, Chiplun, Ratnagiri, Vilwade, Kanakavali, Madgaon, Karwar, Bhatkal and Udupi stations which will record the rainfall in the region and alert officials in case of increased rainfall.
Flood warning systems for bridges have been provided at 3 locations, which will alert officials in case of flash flood in the river when water flow reaches above danger level. Control rooms at Belapur, Ratnagiri and Madgaon, will work 24×7 during monsoon period for ensuring safe running of trains. Monsoon timetable will be in force from June 10 to October 31. Passengers may check train status online during monsoon on www.konkanrailway.com