Bhubaneswar: In response to the impending cyclone ‘Dana’, the East Coast Railway (ECoR) has geared up to ensure zero risk to the passengers.
General manager of ECoR Parmeshwar Funkwal on Tuesday chaired a preparatory meeting and advised all the principal heads of the Departments of ECoR and Divisional Railway Managers to take necessary steps for ensuring “zero risk to passengers”. He emphasised deployment of special teams for early restoration of tracks, signaling system and electrification to ensure quick restoration of the train services after the cyclone.
Specialized teams have been deployed to carry out these works. In the event of power outages, diesel locomotives will be on standby to ensure continued train operations.
Emergency Control Rooms are operational round-the-clock, equipped with satellite phones to maintain communication during the crisis. With a Red Alert issued for coastal areas, ECoR is closely monitoring conditions at all stations between Bhubaneswar and Visakhapatnam.
To ensure readiness, ECoR has activated a round-the-clock Disaster Management Cell at its headquarters at Rail Sadan as well as divisional headquarters in Khurda Road, Visakhapatnam and Sambalpur.
To improve safety of trains, tracks and passengers and minimise the effects of cyclone, the ECoR has planned patrolling of railway tracks by patrolmen during heavy rain. They observe danger or interruption if any and protect the trains and travelling passengers from any unusual occurrence. Stationary patrolmen and watchmen have also been deployed at vulnerable locations. Mobile Patrolmen have been deployed in vulnerable sections.
Instructions have been issued that whenever there is heavy rain, the sectional gangmen will organise patrolling of track on their own in their beat to make sure that the track is safe for passage of trains and ensure protection at all locations where washouts/slips are likely to occur.
Arrangements have been made to stock sufficient quantities of cyclone/monsoon reserve materials including boulders, sand, cinder, quarry dust and ballast at identified locations. The engineering relief vans and their equipment have been kept ready. The CC cribs and relieving girders are kept in readiness so that they can be moved as per requirement.
Diesel Locomotives, Tower Wagons and other Heavy Mechanism have been strategically placed for mobilisation at vulnerable locations to facilitate any emergency restoration work.