Bhubaneswar: The East Coast Railway (ECoR) has stepped up precautionary measures to safeguard train operations during the upcoming monsoon, focusing on protecting railway tracks, bridges and vulnerable hill sections from heavy rainfall.To prevent waterlogging, ECoR has cleared cross drains and longitudinal drains in station yards by removing silt, vegetation and other obstructions, ensuring the free flow of rainwater. Waterways of bridges have also been cleaned to avoid disruption during heavy showers, official sources said.Railway authorities have identified several vulnerable stretches prone to sudden water flow across tracks and falling boulders during the rainy season. Track patrolling has been intensified, with patrolmen assigned to monitor sensitive locations round-the-clock by walking between stations and keeping a close watch on tracks and bridges.To respond swiftly to emergencies, the three railway divisions have stocked materials such as boulders, quarry dust, cinder and sand at strategic locations for quick deployment in case of track damage. The ECoR general manager has directed officials to remain on high alert throughout the monsoon season, with special attention to mud accumulation on tracks.“Advance preparations and ground-level readiness are being ensured. Field officials have been asked to stay alert, while control rooms will maintain constant vigilance to monitor emergency situations,” an ECoR spokesperson said.Meanwhile, large-scale protection and strengthening works are underway in vulnerable ghat sections of the Kottavalasa–Kirandul (KK), Koraput–Rayagada (KR) and Rayagada–Vizianagaram (RV) lines, which are prone to landslides and soil erosion.In the KK-I section, 910 metres of rockfall barriers, 30,621 square metres of wire mesh netting and 25,830 metres of rock bolting have been completed. Similar progress has been made in the KK-II stretch, where targeted rockfall barriers and mesh works have been executed.In the KR section, key stabilization works have also been completed, while protection activities are ongoing in the RV section between Lanjigarh Road and Rayagada.Officials said modern techniques such as rock bolting, geomat laying and tunnel strengthening are being prioritised to minimise risks and ensure uninterrupted train movement during the monsoon, said the ECoR official statement.
