Mumbai: With the monsoon around the corner, the Central Railway (CR) has ramped up its preparedness to tackle seasonal challenges, especially waterlogging. In a high-level review meeting recently, senior officials assessed the ongoing monsoon readiness work across the Mumbai division.
"CR has identified 33 vulnerable spots prone to waterlogging and is taking proactive measures to ensure smooth train operations during heavy rains. A total of 112 pumps are slated for installation at these locations, including several high-capacity 100 HP pumps. According to CR, Of these, 44 pumps are being provided by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), while the remaining 68 will be installed by Central Railway at critical points," said an official of CR.
In addition, the BMC is setting up major pumping stations at four critical flood-prone zones and will also install four floodgates to prevent stormwater from spilling onto the tracks during intense downpours in the low line areas.
"Cleaning work for culvert and nullah cleaning is already in full swing, with a deadline of May 31, 2025, set for completion. This step is crucial in preventing blockages and ensuring the swift flow of rainwater" further added official.
To ensure uninterrupted train services, CR’s Traction Distribution Department has implemented measures to maintain consistent power supply to locomotives throughout the season. The Signal & Telecommunication Department has nearly completed its inspection and replacement of critical components, including earthing, bonding, and lightning protection systems.
Meanwhile, the Electrical Department is reinforcing its infrastructure by deploying additional diesel generator (DG) sets at five key locations to support dewatering pumps in case of power outages. CR operates over 1,810 suburban trains on weekdays, which are used by an average of 38 lakh commuters each day.
