The Western and Central Railways, responsible for transporting over 70 lakh suburban commuters daily in Mumbai, have assured full readiness to maintain uninterrupted train services during the monsoon season. Senior railway officials on Saturday (June 29) informed that CR and WR have carried out all pre-monsoon work concerning railway assets like tracks, mechanical, signalling and electrical equipment. Both CR and WR have collaborated closely with civic corporations and state departments to mitigate flood risks in Mumbai, known as the lifeline of the city.
Preventive measures
Preventive measures include drone surveys of flood-prone areas, desilting and cleaning of 651 culverts and 323 km of drains, and the installation of new drains for efficient water discharge in railway yards.
Western Railway (WR) and Central Railway (CR) have cleared over 3 lakh cubic meters of debris and installed 396 high-capacity pumps at vulnerable locations prone to waterlogging.
Additionally, 14 automatic rain gauges have been set up to provide real-time rainfall data. Officials confirmed that all necessary steps have been taken to ensure continuous suburban services on the central, harbour, and western lines, which collectively operate over 3,000 suburban trains daily.
Special flood gauges put up at 98 locations
Special flood gauges have been installed at 98 locations, and tree trimming along the tracks has been conducted to prevent obstruction. Moreover, technical measures such as boulder netting and Canadian fencing have been implemented on the ghat sections of Central Railway.
Innovative technologies like remote-operated floater cameras have been introduced to capture images of hard-to-access culverts and bridges, aiding in their cleaning and maintenance. Point machine covers have been installed at 231 flood-prone locations on the Central Railway network to enhance operational reliability during adverse weather conditions.
“Point machine covers have been implemented at 231 flood-prone locations across the Central Railway network to ensure protection and reliability,” the official said
Critical coordination with civic bodies
During heavy rains and severe weather alerts, CR and WR will collaborate closely with civic disaster management cells. Municipal bodies have been urged to raise awareness among local residents to prevent sewage and garbage disposal on railway tracks.
Given Mumbai’s topography, with its susceptibility to flooding during high tides and heavy rains, a special timetable has been adopted. Coordination with civic bodies ensures timely information on water releases from dams, crucial for safeguarding bridges and tracks.
In emergencies, local transport arrangements for swift passenger dispersal will be facilitated through municipal bodies, emphasizing collaborative efforts to uphold commuter safety and operational efficiency during challenging weather conditions.