Taking advantage of early forecasts and past experiences, ECoR planned for early restoration of train traffic and railway track, if affected by the hurricane or heavy rain under the influence of the hurricane. The railway district has taken steps on deploying special teams for early restoration of tracks, signaling and electricity system, official sources said.
A senior railway official said diesel locomotives were kept in place for use during the power outage. “ECoR monitors all the stations in it Howrah-Chennai main line In its jurisdiction, including branch lines. He added that a disaster management cell has been opened at the ECoR headquarters here and at the divisional headquarters in Visakhapatnam, Khurda Road and Sambalpur for this purpose.
The official statement of the European Commission stated that water drains and side drains were cleaned of silt, vegetation and other obstructions to ensure the free flow of rainwater. “Apart from this, necessary measures have been taken to trim tree branches so that impact on Overhead Equipment (OHE) can be avoided,” an ECoR spokesperson said.
Necessary arrangements have been made for water to not stagnate on the track. In the station yards, appropriate grades for cross drains and longitudinal drains have been cleared/provided.
“The patrol men will patrol the railway lines and bridges. They notice danger or interruption if any and protect the trains from any unusual event. Fixed patrol men and guards have been deployed along with mobile patrol men in the vulnerable sections,” the official sources said.
As part of precautionary measures, the railways canceled more than 60 trains. ECoR Director General Manoj Sharma has instructed officials to remain alert and ensure that the track is safe for the passage of trains and ensure protection at all locations where drift/slippage incidents are likely to occur.
Ashoka Kumar Mishra, Chief Public Relations Officer, ECoR, said arrangements have been made to store adequate quantities of reserve materials for repair of the track and bridges such as rocks, sand, cinder, quarry dust and ballast at the identified locations. “The engineering relief truck and its equipment are ready. Bridge materials are being kept ready so that they can be transported as per requirements
He watches Major Cyclone Mechung Update: East Coast Railway cancels 60 trains, Chennai gets flooded