Western Railways’ equipment keeps failing

Unit failure of old EMU rakes stands at 63 per cent this fiscal as against 14 per cent in 2009 -2010.

Trains also get delayed owing to breakdown of OHE wire. In 2010-2011,the average breakdown of OHE wires was two percent.

In 2009-2010,the average failure of signal equipment in the suburban section was 46 per cent while in 2010- 2011,it increased to 56 per cent. The average of rail fractures was 0.5 per cent in 2009-2010. In 2010-2011,this increased to 1.5 per cent.

On July 28,after the axle of a Churchgate-bound Borivali train got jammed at Andheri station. The rake used was a new Siemens rake.

On May 21,traffic at the suburban section was badly hit after miscreants threw the brake controller from the motor-coach as it was reportedly opened by the Railway staff in a careless manner.

“The percentage of unit failure in old rakes is more than in new rakes,” said a WR official. “A unit comprises driver-coach,trailer-coach and motor-coach. In most of the cases,the motor-coach equipment fails,” he said.