Gujarat rains: Ahmedabad Railway Division cleans 132 km of drains, installs 260 pumps

Ahmedabad, July 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Ahmedabad Division of Western Railway has completed a series of monsoon preparedness measures, including cleaning 132 kilometres of side drains, installing 260 pumps at vulnerable road underbridges and positioning emergency stocks of ballast and quarry dust, as part of efforts to ensure safe and uninterrupted train operations during the rainy season.

The measures were reviewed at a monsoon preparedness meeting chaired by Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Ved Prakash at the divisional office on Wednesday.

Former Railway Board Member (Infrastructure) Anil Kumar Khandelwal attended the meeting as a special guest.

Senior divisional officers, heads of departments responsible for monsoon management and all Senior Section Engineers (Works) participated, with the engineers joining virtually.

According to the division, the meeting reviewed preparations for potential monsoon-related challenges and assessed arrangements to maintain passenger safety and reliable train services.

Addressing the meeting, Ved Prakash said: "Ahmedabad Division has made comprehensive preparations to ensure safe and uninterrupted train operations during the monsoon."

He noted that tracks, bridges, drains, and culverts are inspected and cleaned before the onset of the rainy season, while joint surveys are conducted with relevant state government departments to identify vulnerable locations and improve drainage.

"Special arrangements have been made to prevent waterlogging at stations and railway yards. Vulnerable bridges are being monitored round the clock, with caution orders to be issued whenever necessary. Station sheds, roofs and railway equipment have also been inspected as part of the seasonal safety drive," he said.

The division said 132 kilometres of side drains have been cleaned to strengthen the drainage network, while tree cutting and trimming have been carried out at 190 locations.

To tackle waterlogging at Road Under Bridges (RUBs), 260 pumps with capacities of 10 HP and 32 HP have been installed.

In addition, flange clearance work has been completed over 675 kilometres of track and yard areas, and 37 sumps have been installed to improve drainage.

Emergency preparedness was also reviewed during the meeting.

Adequate stocks of ballast and quarry dust have been positioned at Dhrangadhra, Gandhidham, Maliya and Adraj Moti, while special emergency gangs have been kept ready for rapid deployment if required.

The division has stored seven wagons each of ballast and quarry dust at Dhrangadhra, 20 wagons of ballast and 10 wagons of quarry dust at Gandhidham, and reserve stocks of 10,000 cubic metres of ballast each at Maliya and Adraj Moti to support the swift restoration of rail services in the event of floods or other natural disasters.

Officials were instructed to give priority to the regular cleaning of side drains, catchwater drains, cross drains, and station yard drains to minimise the risk of waterlogging and maintain track stability and signalling reliability.

They were also directed to strengthen inspections at vulnerable locations and to ensure close coordination among the engineering, signalling and telecommunications, electrical, and operating departments.

The meeting further decided to maintain regular coordination with local authorities and village heads to continuously monitor Railway Affecting Tanks (RATs), enabling early identification of potential risks.

Officials were also instructed to ensure that monsoon reserve materials and emergency restoration equipment remain readily available at vulnerable locations for prompt deployment whenever required.

Ahmedabad Division said it remains committed to ensuring passenger safety, protecting railway assets and maintaining uninterrupted train operations throughout the monsoon season.

Source: IANS