WR plans 55 water pumps on 60-km line

The Western Railway is gearing up for the monsoon. It is placing an unprecedented total of 55 water pumps in the 60-km distance between Churchgate and Virar to ensure smooth functioning of trains during the the rains.

The Western Railway is gearing up for the monsoon. It is placing an unprecedented total of 55 water pumps in the 60-km distance between Churchgate and Virar to ensure smooth functioning of trains during the the rains.

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These pumps will be used to throw out water that accumulates in the railway premises and avoid waterlogging that leads to delays and detention of train services.

“In order to provide uninterrupted train services during the ensuing monsoons, Western Railway is working on schemes such as culvert cleaning, de-silting of drains, installation of water pumps and waterproofing of local trains. All these are being undertaken on priority basis and are expected to be completed by May 31,” S.S. Gupta, chief spokesperson said.

“Out of the 43 culverts on Western Railway, cleaning of 30 is complete. Work on the remaining will be completed by May 31. The work at waterlogging-prone areas between Charni Road and Grant Road and at Virar is in progress,” he added.

“Accumulation of water on the track causes signalling failures during the monsoon. We are working to avoid that from happening,” he said.

The drains parallel to the tracks play an important role in quick removal of rainwater. De-silting of these drains and manholes should be complete soon, he added. “Cleaning of pipelines that bring water down from roofs of the platforms is being carried out at all stations, while broken sheets on platform roofs are being replaced. Leakages have been identified in the important service buildings such as power sub-stations and relay rooms,” he added.