MUMBAI: Central Railway (CR) has significantly increased its preventive measures to safeguard railway tracks from landslides during the monsoon season. This year, 60,000 square metres of netting have been installed across the Bhor and Thal ghats and mountain ranges along the Kalyan-Kasara/Karjat route, a substantial increase from the 500 square metres netted last year. Additionally, CR has implemented 450 metres of Canadian fencing to prevent muck and slush from encroaching onto the tracks, compared to just 40 metres the previous year.
These initiatives form part of CR’s extensive pre-monsoon preparedness strategy, which saw notable success in the last monsoon season by preventing multiple rockslides. A CR official stated, “We have also created 1,200 metres of new catch drains before this monsoon, a significant increase from the 160 metres established last year.”
In a bid to further enhance safety, CR has extended its network of portals, which are steel roof-like structures installed along tunnels, from 44 metres last year to 170 metres this year. These structures are strategically placed at critical locations to intercept rocks and boulders before they reach the tracks. The railway has also doubled the length of dynamic rockfall barriers from 300 metres to 650 metres to intercept detached rock masses. Additionally, sumps have been installed at 13 locations to capture falling boulders.
To support these structural measures, railway ‘hill gangs’ have been deployed for tasks such as tunnel-sounding, extensive scanning of ghat sections, and cleaning of waterways and vegetation. These gangs, consisting of two to three members, walk six to eight kilometres daily to identify potential hazards. These measures were meticulously planned and executed in consultation with experts from IIT Mumbai and Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd.
Western Railway is also ramping up its monsoon preparedness. Officials recently visited Vasai Yard on June 12 to survey ongoing drainage improvements. “Pre-monsoon preparations include stocking dewatering pumps, cleaning central and side drains, desilting culverts, and ensuring track-circuiting of the signalling department,” said Officials .
Given the history of waterlogging between Vasai and Nalasopara, rail officials have initiated work on gated openings in protection walls to facilitate the one-way discharge of rainwater. At Vasai Yard, staff have been instructed to screen ballasts to improve cross-drainage, following observations of choked ballasts at various locations.
These comprehensive efforts by Central and Western Railways underscore their commitment to ensuring the safety and reliability of rail operations during the monsoon season, protecting infrastructure and passengers alike from the hazards posed by landslides and flooding.
