Konkan Railway gears up for Monsoon

A file photo of train on Konkan Railway route

Udupi: While the Canara region known for the heavy rainfall is preparing for monsoon, the Konkan Railway that runs through this region and comprises of a 740 KM long route is gearing up to ensure uninterrupted service by taking all safety measures. 

While construction of Konkan Railway route was itself a marvel, safety measures on this 740 KM long route is a challenging task. 

All planned safety works on this route from Kolad (after Roha station of Central Railway) to Thokur (before Mangaluru Junction) 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 the last few years have significantly reduced the incidences of boulder fall and soil slip, thus ensuring the safe running of trains. No major disruption to train services have occurred on account of boulder fall during monsoons in the last 7 years,” Konkan Railway Chief Public Relations Officer L K Verma said.

Konkan Railway will conduct Monsoon Patrolling as per the provisions of Indian Railway Permanent Way Manual to ensure the safe running of trains. About 974 personnel will patrol the Konkan Railway 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 the loco pilots to run the trains at a reduced speed of 40 kmph in case of heavy rainfall when visibility is limited. Self-propelled ARMVs (Accident Relief Medical Van), with the provision of Operation Theatre and providing emergency medical aid, are kept ready at Ratnagiri and Verna (Goa) along with ART (Accident Relief Train).

Mobile phones have been provided to all safety category staff to contact the control office/station in an emergency. Both 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 the train crew as well as the train crew and Station Master. Emergency Communication (EMC) sockets have been provided at a distance of average 1 Km along the Konkan Railway route that enables the Patrolmen, Watchmen, Loco Pilots, Guard, and other field maintenance staff to contact Station Master and control office during any emergency situations. Satellite phone communication has been provided in ARMV (Accident Relief Medical Van) for emergency contact when ARMV 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 9 stations viz. Mangaon, Chiplun, Ratnagiri, Vilwade, Kanakavali, Madgaon, Karwar, Bhatkal & Udupi 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 will alert Officials in case of a flash flood in the river when water flow reaches above danger Level.

Control rooms at Belapur, Ratnagiri, and Madgaon, will work 24 x 7 during the monsoon period for ensuring the safe running of trains. Monsoon Time Table will come into effect from 10th June 2020 up to 31st Oct 2020. Passengers may check train status online during monsoon by visiting www.konkanrailway.com or using KRCL App by downloading from Google Play Store or by dialing 139.

Konkan Railway aims to ensure safe travel for its passengers in the coming monsoon with the measures taken above.

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