WESTERN RAILWAY GEARS UP FOR MONSOON

In order to keep the wheels of local trains running, monsoon preparations are undergoing o­n Western Railway in full swing. These preparations are being done to ensure uninterrupted services during the ensuing monsoon. These preparations include cleaning of culverts, desilting of side drains, installations of pumps, special maintenance of infrastructure etc. These works will be completed by 30th May, 2014 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 Marine Lines and in some places in Charni Road-Grant Road, Mumbai Central, Elphinstone Road, Dadar, Mahim, 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 2014. This will help in taking necessary precautions when required most. The dates of major high tides will be as under:

Date Time (hrs) Height (Meters)

14/06/14 13.17 4.76

15/06/14 14.03 4.85

16/06/14 14.50 4.85

17/06/14 15.36 4.74

13/07/14 12.58 4.83

14/07/14 13.44 4.95

15/07/14 14.28 4.95

11/08/14 12.35 4.87

12/08/14 13.29 4.97

13/08/14 14.01 4.92

14/08/14 14.44 4.73

09/09/14 12.10 4.80

Special Pre-monsoon Action:

Lifting of tracks in low line areas such as Churchgate yard, Dahisar-Mira Road, Bhayander Yard & Nalasopara-Virar.

De silting and cleaning of all 43 culverts is being done.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 30th May, 2014 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 officers/Engineers.

WR will install about 80 diesel pumps at vulnerable low lying locations such as Marine Lines, Mumbai Central, Dadar, Matunga Road, Mahim, Bandra, Andheri, Borivali, Nalasopara, Virar etc.

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 June-July and August, 2014 as per requirement.

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 catenary wires and earthing.

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:

WR will come up with a monsoon booklet for its officers and supervisors. This booklet will not o­nly mention the flood prone areas and important dates of high tides but also the course of action to be taken during such situations. It will also have the telephone numbers of official dealing with disaster management and important telephone numbers of railway and civil officials such as BMC, Weather Bureau etc.

Running of muck specials during nights to clear the muck and garbage, as and when required.

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 before the o­nset of monsoon. It also includes provision of pumps by BMC at locations where the blockage in the drainage is likely.

This year MCGM has agreed to carry out the work of trimming of trees in its areas adjacent to the Railway lines, as well as in Railway area. The MCGM has been given necessary information in this regard with a request to carry out the work at the earliest possible.