Konkan Railway steps up preparations ahead of heavy rains

As the monsoon season begins bringing its characteristic heavy rainfall to the Konkan region in Maharashtra the Konkan Railway on Thursday announced stepping up its efforts to ensure the safety and reliability of its train servicesldquoA series of comprehensive measures have been implemented to prepare for the challenges posed by the monsoon focusing on infrastructure maintenance enhanced patrolling and emergency preparedness These efforts are aimed at minimizing disruptions and ensuring the smooth and safe operation of trains even under adverse weather conditions With a track record of significant improvements in geosafety and operational readiness Konkan Railway is wellequipped to handle the monsoon seasonrdquo an official saidKey PreparationsDrainage and Infrastructure MaintenanceIntensive cleaning of catch water drainsDetailed inspections of railway cuttingsSignificant geosafety projects over the past few years have successfully minimized incidents of boulder falls and soil slips ensuring safer train operations Notably there have been no major service disruptions due to boulder falls during the monsoon in the past decadeMonsoon PatrollingDeployment of 672 personnel to patrol the railway route during the monsoon seasonRoundtheclock patrolling at identified vulnerable locations and imposition of speed restrictions in these areasWagonmounted excavators positioned strategically for quick emergency responseRail Maintenance Vehicle RMV will be stationed at 09 designated locations viz Veer Chiplun Ratnagiri Rajapur Road Kudal Verna Karwar Bhatkal amp UdupiTower wagons are stationed at Mangaon Chiplun Ratnagiri Kankavali Karmali Karwar amp Udupi for quick emergency responseOperational AdjustmentsIn cases of heavy rainfall with limited visibility loco pilots are instructed to reduce train speeds to 40 kmhrSelfpropelled Accident Relief Medical Vans ARMVs equipped with operation theater and emergency medical aid are on standby at Ratnagiri and VernaAn Accident Relief Train ART is also ready at Verna ready to move within 15 minutesIn situations where the water level on the tracks exceeds 100mm train services will be temporarily suspended until the water recedes ensuring passenger safetyEnhanced Communication SystemsSafety personnel equipped with mobile phones for emergency communication with the control office stationLoco Pilots and Guards provided with Walkietalkie setsAll stations are equipped with 25 Watt VHF base stations for seamless wireless communication between train crew and Station MastersEmergency Communication EMC sockets installed approximately every 1 km along the route for immediate contact between Patrolmen Watchmen Loco Pilots Guard and other field maintenance staff with control offices during emergenciesSatellite phone communication has been provided in ARMVs for emergency useTechnological UpgradesLED signals installed for improved visibilitySelfrecording rain gauges installed at nine stations Mangaon Chiplun Ratnagiri Vilwade Kankavali Madgaon Karwar Bhatkal and Udupi to monitor and alert officials about rainfall levelsFlood warning systems installed at three bridges ie Kali river between Mangaon amp Veer Savitri river between Veer amp Sape Wamane and Vashishti river between Chiplun amp Kamathe to alert officials if water levels reach dangerous levelsAnemometers installed at four locations Panval viaduct between Ratnagiri amp Nivasar Mandovi bridge between Thivim amp Karmali Zuari bridge Karmali amp Verna and Sharavati bridge between Honnavar amp Manki to monitor wind velocityRoundtheClock Control RoomsControl rooms in Belapur Ratnagiri and Madgaon will operate 247 throughout the monsoon period to ensure safe train operationsMedical teams will be available at 06 locations viz Chiplun Ratnagiri Verna Madgaon Karwar amp UdupiMonsoon TimetableThe monsoon timetable is in effect from June 10 2024 to October 31 2024 during this period the sectional speed is reduced to ensure safety and accommodate the challenging weather conditionsKRCL is a part of the National Disaster Management and also has its own disaster management planDaily Updates of the weather forecasts are taken from the India Meteorological Department IMDPassengers can check train status online at wwwkonkanrailwaycom or by dialing 139