Indian Railways is taking all measures to face Tauktae cyclone. Following are the details of the measures taken up by the railways:-
- Zonal and Divisional controls are monitoring the situation and constantly in touch with all Railway Stations in Southern Railway, South Western Railway, Konkan Railway, Central Railway and Western Railway. Divisions and Zones are in constant touch with State Governments to monitor and plan for any contingency.
- All emergency response of Railways like Accident Relief Trains (ART), Medical Relief Vans (MRV) and Tower Wagons are put on high alert and readiness for quick turnout in case of any contingency. Reserves of stone dust, boulders etc are kept readiness for attending to any breaches.
- Special intensive patrolling of vulnerable sections as done in Monsoon Season is being carried out.
- Wind speeds are being monitored constantly in vulnerable sections and speed restrictions of train movement being imposed as per instructions.
- Temporary cancellation or pre termination of certain long distance and short distance passenger trains keeping in view the evolving weather conditions.
- A Disaster Management Cell has been opened from 16.00hrs of 14.05.21.
- Railway lines serving Goa port, VSG and other stations are being provided with proper announcements. If intensity of cyclone is more than trains will be stopped, however very few trains are running.
- Loading and unloading for Railway rakes at ports is calibrated and adjusted as per intensity of cyclone and all concerned have been asked to adjust the operations and ensure that loss of human life and property is avoided.
- All vulnerable areas and important bridges are being constantly monitored by Engineering wings and relief material has been kept at convenient locations for quick response.
- Railways is in regular touch with State Met departments and is taking action accordingly.
The Safety Department has also reiterated Disaster Management guidelines to prevent loss of life and damage to property. Efforts are on to ensure minimal time disruption of any Railway Operations and earliest resumption wherever temporary suspension occurs due to safety reasons.
Running of Oxygen Expresses:
Meanwhile, Overcoming all hurdles and finding new solutions, Indian Railways is continuing its journey of bringing relief by delivering Liquid Medical Oxygen(LMO) to various states across the country. As on 17 May 2021, Indian Railways has delivered more than 10300 MT of LMO in more than 600 tankers to various states across the country.
- Oxygen Expresses have been delivering nearly 800 MT of LMO to the Nation each day for the last few days.
- Inspite of upcoming cyclone Railways run early morning 2 Oxygen Expresses from Gujarat to beat high winds and deliver 150 MT of Oxygen to the Nation.
- One Oxygen Express from Vadodara left at 4 am on 17 May 2021, with 2 RORO trucks & 45 MT of LMO for delivery in Delhi region.
- The other Oxygen Express left Hapa at 5.30 am on 17 May 2021, with 6 tankers loaded with 106 MT of Oxygen Relief for deliveries for UP & Delhi region.
- First Oxygen Express from Bokaro to Punjab is also reached Phillaur with two tankers with 41.07 MT OF Oxygen Relief.
- It may be noted that Oxygen Expresses started their deliveries 23 days back on 24th April 2021 in Maharashtra with a load of 126 MT.
- In slightly over 23 days time, Railways has upscaled it’s Oxygen Express operations to deliver more than 10300 MT of Medical Oxygen to 13 States.
- Criss crossing the country, Indian Railways is picking up oxygen from places like Hapa & Mundra in the West and Rourkela, Durgapur, Tatanagar, Angul in the East and then delivering it to States of Uttarakhand, Karnataka, Maharashtra, MP, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Telangana, Punjab, Kerala, Delhi & UP in complex operational route planning scenarios.
- It may be noted that nearly 160 Oxygen Expresses have completed their journey so far and brought relief to various States.
- It is Indian Railways endeavour to deliver as much LMO as possible in the shortest time possible to the requesting states.
- Till 17 May 2021, 521 MT of Oxygen has been offloaded in Maharashtra, nearly 2652 MT in UP, 431 MT in MP, 1290 MT in Haryana, 564 MT in Telangana, 40 MT in Rajasthan, 361 MT in Karnataka, 200 MT in Uttarakhand, 231 MT in Tamil Nadu, 40 MT in Punjab, 118 MT in Kerala and nearly 3734 MT in Delhi.
- Railways has mapped different routes with Oxygen supply locations and keeps itself ready with any emerging need of the States.
- States provide tankers to the Indian Railways for bringing LMO.
Source: PIB-Press Release | Image Credit: MoR
