SCR implements Emergency Plan to deal with flooding

Hyderabad, Oct 27 (INN): Due to incessant heavy rains, water has overflown the Railway track on Sunday morning at several places between Eelamanchili-Anakapalli Stations on Samalkota-Visakhapatnam Section of Vijayawada Division. The Vigilant Railway staff on duty have immediately got alert and stopped the train services on this route in the interest of safety. The movement of train services between Samalkota and Visakhapatnam got affected, resulting in cancellation/partially cancellation/diversion of trains scheduled to run on this route.

With a view to handle the situation arising out of heavy rains and the consequent flooding of Railway track as mentioned above, the South Central Railway has immediately pressed into service its emergency action team. Concerted efforts are underway to ensure safety and minimize dislocation to train services and avoid inconvenience to passengers to the extent possible within the given conditions. The emphasis has been on safety of trains; early restoration of services and provide immediate relief to the passengers, the SCR said.

The SCR has set up Activated Emergency Control Rooms at Rail Nilayam, the Head Quarters of SCR and also at Vijayawada Divisional office. These emergency cells are being manned 24 X 7 by a multi disciplinary team of senior officials from various departments to closely monitor the ground situation and immediately initiate necessary action. The control team provides necessary guidance and on-the-spot approvals to the field staff.

The Special Patrolling of Railway Tracks has been pressed into service on Vijayawada Division. Stationary watchmen have also been positioned round the clock at sensitive locations like bridges, highbanks/cuttings etc. to keep a sharp watch on the rising water levels or any other unsafe situation.

Senior Engineering Officials have been camping at the affected locations to keep a watch on the situation continuously and take appropriate steps towards restoration. Divisional Railway Manager, Vijayawada along with senior officials rushed to the spot and 2 Chief Engineers from SCR/Hqrs., have also been deputed to the spot to monitor the restoration activities.

Special Engineering Trains carrying material like boulders, sand, quarry dust and cribs etc., have been moved on top priority from various locations on the Zone ' from Rajahmundry (16 wagons), Bitragunta (36 wagons), Dornakal (10 wagons), Renigunta (18 wagons) and Timencharla (28 wagons) etc. to the affected section to strengthen the track structure and facilitate restoration.

Several long distance express trains which are scheduled to run on Vijayawada-Visakhapatnam Section have been diverted to run on suitable alternate route from Vijayawada via. Kazipet, Balharshah, Nagpur etc. A Special Train is being operated between Kakinada and Secunderabad to clear the passengers towards twin cities.

The trains which are bound upto Visakhapatnam only have been short terminated and the stranded passengers were transshipped by buses wherever feasible. Passengers of Godavari Express have been cleared by buses arranged from Pithapuram Station.

Help Line Numbers have been activated at important Railway Stations ' Anakpalli, Tuni, Annavaram, Rajahmundry, Nidadavolu, Tadepalligudam, Eluru, Vijayawada and Secunderabad etc. to ensure smooth flow of information to passengers on train services. Apart from frequent announcements over public announcement system at Stations, the status of train services is being widely publicized through Media also on a continuous basis.

Additional Enquiry Counters and Refund Counters have been opened at all important Stations to cater to the needs of the Passengers. Full refund is given to the passengers of cancelled trains.

Special care has been taken to provide drinking water and catering arrangements to the passengers of stranded/diverted trains. Adequate supply of raw materials is made to pantry cars of the long distance express trains. For the passengers of trains without pantry cars, food has been supplied from the platform stalls wherever available. Food items from outside vendors/eateries have also been permitted on platforms so as to ensure adequate supply. In addition, local voluntary organizations have been roped in to provide food packets/biscuits/water etc to the waiting passengers at some stations. The efforts in this direction, of the local Lions Club at Pithapuram and Tuni ; and temple authorities at Pithapuram have been appreciated by all.

The SCR Administration is in liaison with the State Government authorities and APSRTC to provide necessary relief/assistance to the passengers and track restoration activities are being taken up on a war footing to ensure resumption of services in the earliest possible time. The details of changes in train services are being uploaded on SCR's website http://www.scr.indianrailways.gov.in and SCR's Facebook page also for instant dissemination of information to the public, the SCR spokesperson said.