MUMBAI – Both Central Railway (CR) and Western Railway (WR) are on schedule to complete their comprehensive pre-monsoon preparations by May 31.
These efforts encompass desilting drains, cleaning culverts, and installing heavy-duty pumps, ensuring the railway network’s resilience during the monsoon season. In addition to pump installations, CR is employing micro-tunnelling technology at key locations such as Dadar-Parel, Matunga-Sion, Kurla Car Shed, Tilak Nagar nallah, Diva, and Kalva. Further work is ongoing at Vikhroli-Kanjurmarg, Kanjurmarg, and Sion. The railway has targeted desilting and cleaning 119.82 km of drains within its suburban sections, with 68.44 km completed and the remaining 51.38 km progressing steadily. Moreover, 92 culverts have been cleaned, with efforts continuing on 64 more. On the WR front, 10 out of 55 culverts have been cleaned, and desilting operations are advancing along 38 km of its 50 km of drains. CR aims to clear 55,000 cubic metres of muck from its Main lines, while WR has set a target to remove 1.6 cubic metres of muck between Churchgate and Virar.
Monsoon precautionary measures extend to car sheds, where crucial equipment such as traction motors, axle boxes, and junction boxes are being sealed to prevent water ingress. The Traction Distribution Department has also implemented strategies to ensure an uninterrupted power supply to train engines throughout the monsoon. This includes deploying extra DG sets at five critical locations for dewatering pumps. The Signalling and Telecommunication Department has been proactive, testing and replacing defective cables, protecting cables on bridges and culverts, and sealing outdoor signalling gear. They have also verified earthing, bonding, and lightning protection devices. CCTV and telephone connections have been installed at vulnerable spots in the ghat section to enhance monitoring and communication.
Furthermore, the Electrical Department has reinforced its plans for maintaining an uninterrupted power supply during the monsoon. This comprehensive approach includes installing additional DG sets at key locations to support dewatering pumps, ensuring the railway network remains operational despite adverse weather conditions. These extensive monsoon preparedness efforts underscore CR and WR’s commitment to maintaining service reliability and safety for passengers. With the imminent arrival of the monsoon, these measures will play a crucial role in mitigating disruptions and ensuring the smooth functioning of Mumbai’s critical railway infrastructure.