Rain check: NWR to keep vigil of tracks

Jaipur: The North-Western Railway will keep special vigil of tracks and areas where heavy rain is predicted during the monsoon season. Teams will be deployed to ensure that tracks do not get washed away due to heavy rain said officials. “Jaipur, Ajmer, Jodhpur and Bikaner divisions have been instructed to adopt additional security measures on North Western Railway in the month of June. Based on the estimates of previous years, instructions have been issued for intensive monitoring of railway sections where there is a possibility of heavy rains or where warnings of storm, strong wind or heavy rain have been issued by the MeT. Patrolmen have been directed to monitor the railway track and be vigilant with immediate effect after warnings or information from the MeT department,” said Shashi Kiran, chief public relations officer of NWR. Officials said that additional track maintenance material has been provided to meet any demands during patrolling. Adequate arrangements are made for soil-filled ditches, roads, etc. to deal with the situation of erosion at the places of excess rainfall, so that the rail operations can be smoothened by correcting the soil erosion under the track immediately. Along with this, there is a possibility of sliding stones in hilly areas, where additional arrangements are being made along with arranging JCB and tractors, so that the track can be cleared immediately in any situation.“On receiving a message from the MeT department of warning, the station master will ensure the operation of the train in consultation with the guard and the driver.,” added the official.