Mumbai: Western Railway gears up to brace the monsoons

Pic/Western Railway

The Western Railway (WR) announced on Sunday that it has embarked on numerous monsoon preparatory projects with a mission-focused approach, ensuring proper upkeep and maintenance of mechanical, signaling, electrical assets, and equipment, among others.

"Western Railway is dedicated to ensuring seamless travel for its commuters, keeping the trains running smoothly and guaranteeing uninterrupted services, particularly during the monsoon season. Thanks to our continued efforts and infrastructure enhancements, suburban operations have significantly improved over the past few years, enabling WR to maintain train services smoothly and efficiently across the Mumbai suburban section with minimal disruptions, even amidst heavy rainfall," stated Sumit Thakur, Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway.

In a press release issued by Sumit Thakur, Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, it was highlighted that meticulous adherence to targets is underway to ensure uninterrupted services during the upcoming monsoon season. Thakur emphasized that various tasks including cleaning and de-silting of culverts, nullahs, and drains, removal of debris and garbage along the tracks, construction of additional waterways, installation of high-capacity pumps, and tree trimming are being swiftly executed under a mission-oriented approach.

Thakur provided detailed insights into the measures taken to ensure uninterrupted services, stating, "We've completed the muck removal of 1.50 lakh cubic meters, employing specially designed Muck special trains, BRNs, JCBs, Poclain, and other equipment. Culvert and drain cleaning operations are progressing rapidly. We've also studied water flow patterns in Yards and are constructing new drains and manholes to facilitate smooth water discharge. Utilizing suction and de-sludging machines, we've ensured deep cleaning of culverts 24 (Bandra) and 65 (Borivali). Micro tunneling has been employed to construct additional waterways at 8 locations. Furthermore, we've installed 15 pipes of 1200 or 1800 millimeter diameter at various sections including Prabhadevi-Dadar, Dadar-Matunga Road, Bandra Terminus Yard, Goregaon-Malad, Borivali Station North, and Virar-Vaitarna sections to enhance storm water drainage capacity. Additionally, construction of extra manholes and drains is underway at 11 locations to facilitate smooth water discharge."

Thakur elaborated on ongoing initiatives, stating, "We're conducting drone surveys to monitor, clean, and identify choke points in culverts and nallahs. Drone surveys for nallah cleaning in the Borivali-Virar section are currently underway and nearing completion. We've pinpointed various locations susceptible to waterlogging during heavy rainfall, and this year, we plan to install 100 high-capacity water pumps at these flood-prone sites, marking a 10 percent increase from last year. To ensure real-time and accurate water level monitoring of vulnerable bridges, we've installed four water level monitoring devices, along with flood gauges at 36 locations. Tree trimming activities are ongoing, and all EMU rakes are undergoing inspection, with necessary monsoon-related precautions being implemented."

Thakur also highlighted that, drawing from past monsoon experiences, flood-prone areas within railway premises were identified, and precautionary measures have been implemented at these sites. "To oversee track conditions, Monsoon Patrolling will be conducted by Patrolmen and Bridge Guards. Additionally, close coordination with the Disaster Management cell of Municipal Corporations has been established to promptly respond to monsoon and other weather alerts," he emphasised.

"Western Railway is ensuring continuous monitoring, and all efforts are being taken to maintain disruption-free travel for commuters," he affirmed.