The devices will ensure water-logging does not affect signals in low-lying areas.
Central and Western Railway have begun procuring underwater signalling devices to keep trains running in the monsoon.
The city railways’ experiment with the devices had proved successful last year, with only a few disruptions. Railway minister Mamata Banerjee has also made provisions in the railway budget to buy more such devices, technically known as digital axle counters.
The railways have also simultaneously begun work to de-silt side drains, manholes along tracks. They are looking to complete these works by mid-May so that there is no last-minute rush. Tenders have already been issued for various de-silting works.
“There are long stretches of drains in the railways premises. The earlier the work begins the better is the quality, and there are no last-minute goof-ups. Coordination with the BMC will also begin soon,” a railway spokesperson said.
“Every monsoon, disruptions along the suburban corridors lead to losses of time and man hours. However, last year, the German-made digital axle counters proved to be successful, and there were no disruptions. These devices ensure that signals along the rail lines are not affected by water-logging in low-lying areas. Hundreds of such devices were installed along both lines last year,” a senior official said.
The railways have tried out other devices, including analog axle counters, in the past. But these were prone to malfunctioning, particularly during the monsoons when tracks get inundated. The digital axle counter will inform controllers when a train has entered a particular stretch.
“These devices will completely insulate signals along the city’s railway lines against heavy rain and subsequent flooding. The devices were initially installed as part of the World Bank-funded Mumbai Urban Transport Project,” a senior official added.
The hi-tech devices are in addition to conventional methods like water-proofing signals and taping them up.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}