Monsoon preparations in full swing: CR

Mumbai, May 22 (UNI) The Central Railway (CR) authorities today claimed that they have taken several measures on its main line as well as harbour line to provide disruption-free services to its commuters during the monsoon season.

As part of the monsoon preparations, the CR has identified certain trouble spots (flood-prone areas) both on the main line and harbour line and subsequently taken some measures to provide a disruption-free service to its commuters.

These flood-prone areas lie on six stations on the main line and 3 stations on the harbour line, a CR release said today.

According to the authorities, the cleaning work of 34 culverts on main line and 29 culverts on harbour line is in progress, and is likely to be completed before May 31. Along with this, cleaning of side-drains is also being carried out a the war-footing level.

In addition, four more culverts are under construction, which will help augment the discharge capacity, and the work will be completed before May 31, the release stated.

The rail authorities are also working in tendem with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and other agencies to prepare for the monsoon.

The CR has also identified locations, which require pumping of clogged water, and have made necessary arrangements in coordination with other agencies, the release said.

Train crew have also been provided with certain guidelines like flourescent water level indicators, with particular colour codes, along the tracks.

According to these guidelines, green will be colour code in the situation when water level is upto rail level, and in that situation the train will move on at its normal speed. However, if the water level goes up to 4 inches of the rail level, the crew will be given yellow code, and in that case, the trains are required to reduce the speed limit to 10 km per hour.

But in the eventuality of the level going up further, the crew will be given red code, and the rain will be stopped altogether.

Also, each rake has been tested with pressurised water jet to ensure that there are no leakages and air-ventillators too have been inspected to prevent any oozing of water from them. At the same time, all gaskets of traction motors, compressors and motor generators are changed with new ones, the release added.

UNI