Mumbai: Central Railway says it will be monsoon-ready by May 31

Central Railway on Thursday announced that it had completed a large part of the works that go into making its suburban lines operationally safe during the monsoons. In a statement, CR said that it had identified 20 locations vulnerable to waterlogging during heavy rains where 23 Pumps of 12.5 Hp will be provided before May 31.

CR said that locations identified on main line are Masjid, Mazgaon yard, Byculla, Curry Road, Sion, Kurla, Vikhroli, Ghatkopar, Nanipada, Thane, Mumbra, Dombivli. On the Harbour line are Sewri, Vadala, Chunabhatti, Tilaknagar and Chembur. 

It said that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) would provide 16 pumps at 15 locations. These locations are SVP Low level, Mazgaon yard, Masjid Bunder (east side), Berkley House Byculla, Rly FOB near Saibaba Mandir Byculla, Chinchpokli station, Parel station, Mukhgapak Nalla Sion, LBS Marg near Sion station, Gaurishankar Wadi, Vidhyavihar Station (West side), stretch between Ghatkopar-Vikhroli at km 21/3, Bhandup platform number 1 at km 26/6-7, Nahur station East side at km 28/6 and Sewri station Gate no.7.

CR also said that as part of its monsoon preparations, its workers had cleaned and de-silted 1,10,459 metres of drains on its suburban sections. "We have taken up cleaning of 58 culverts in the suburban sections. First round of cleaning is completed and second round of cleaning will be completed by May 31," said an official. 

A total of 17500 cubic metres has been removed as well, said officials, which is among the highest in recent years.