Central Railway comes up with innovative solution to prevent point machine failure due to flooding

This solution has already been implemented at 231 identified flood-prone locations across the network, ensuring widespread protection and reliability. The reduction in point machine failures during flooding significantly improves operational efficiency. This enhancement ensures that train operations remain smooth and uninterrupted, eliminating the need for manual clamping of points, which are traditionally required during such failures.

The modifications to the point machine covers ensure their effective functioning even in severe weather conditions, thus providing a more reliable and robust railway infrastructure. This initiative underscores Central Railway’s commitment to passenger safety and operational excellence, said a Central Railway official.

Besides other initiatives undertaken by Central Railway amid monsoon is 24 vulnerable locations identified and equipped with 192 pumps with increased pump capacity upto 100HP, micro-tunnelling at Vikhroli-Kanjurmarg, Kanjurmarg, and Sion, desilting and cleaning of 119.82km of drains in the sub-urban section, 1.55 lakh cubic metres of muck/garbage collected from May to June this year.

All 157 rakes of EMU have been checked for safe operation during monsoon. Over 6,000 tree branches near OHE have been trimmed, 16,000 insulators cleaned , and earthing, bonding, and lightning arresters have been checked.

Additionally, round-the-clock continuous and real-time monitoring, along with inter-agency coordination in liaison with the India Meteorological Department and Disaster Management cell are being undertaken. Adequate staff have also been deployed in the flood-prone areas.