Central Railway's Monsoon Preparedness Averts Major Disaster
By A Draft Correspondent
> On 28 June 2023, two landslides in the Ambenali Ghat area and another in the night before disrupted railway traffic. The zone connects Mahabaleshwar and Raigad. A large section of the ghat had collapsed following the landslides.
> In July 2022, a landslide in Maharashtra’s Vasai led to the debris falling on a house in Wagrapada.
> In July 2018, a bus carrying 33 passengers fell down in the Ambenali Ghat Valley.
Constructed at a height of 60 meters, the rockfall barrier wall effectively trapped 2.5 meters of boulders resulting from the landslide that followed a heavy rainfall spell of 185 mm in the Karjat-Lonavala Ghat section on 30 June 2023.
He added, "The sturdy rockfall barriers placed on the hill cuttings 60 meters above the rail level trapped the entire mass of muck and boulders and prevented them from reaching the tracks."
Train services were restored soon as, following the incident, a group of labourers were deployed to clear the site and large boulders were broken down using the compressor breaker machines.
The successful outcome of the monsoon preparation in Mumbai Division demonstrates the dedication and expertise of the railway authorities in prioritising the well-being and security of commuters. It serves as a testament to their commitment to implementing proactive measures and safeguarding the lives of passengers in the face of challenging weather conditions.
> On 28 June 2023, two landslides in the Ambenali Ghat area and another in the night before disrupted railway traffic. The zone connects Mahabaleshwar and Raigad. A large section of the ghat had collapsed following the landslides.
> In July 2022, a landslide in Maharashtra’s Vasai led to the debris falling on a house in Wagrapada.
> In July 2018, a bus carrying 33 passengers fell down in the Ambenali Ghat Valley.
This year, and thankfully, the Central Railway’s Mumbai Division’s timely monsoon preparedness, to ensure unobstructed railway movement during the monsoons, averted a potential disaster in the Karjat-Lonavala Ghat when heavy downpour caused a landslide between Monkey Hill and Thakurwadi stations. The construction of rockfall barrier walls by the railways ensured there were no major casualties following the landslide on 30 June 2023.
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| Rockfall barrier wall effectively trapped the muck and boulders |
Central Railway's Chief Public Relations Officer Dr Shivraj Manaspure said, "The landslide happened at approximately 100 meters above the rail level following which muck and 80-90 boulders of size up to 2.5 meters fell onto the tracks."
He added, "The sturdy rockfall barriers placed on the hill cuttings 60 meters above the rail level trapped the entire mass of muck and boulders and prevented them from reaching the tracks."
Train services were restored soon as, following the incident, a group of labourers were deployed to clear the site and large boulders were broken down using the compressor breaker machines.
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| Mumbai Division's monsoon preparedness averted a potential disaster |
According to CPRO Manaspure, the recent incident's success highlights the significance of the rockfall barriers and wall fencings incorporated as part of the Central Railway's monsoon preparation efforts in the Karjat and Kasara ghats. These comprehensive measures encompassed the installation of rockfall barriers, spanning a total length of approximately 300 meters, at various vulnerable locations.
Additionally, boulder netting, covering an area of around 550 square meters, was strategically deployed at critical spots.
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| Train services were soon restored following the incident |
Moreover, the CR proactively executed hill-cutting bank stabilisation, encompassing an approximate distance of 160 meters, at locations prone to vulnerability. An official from the CR emphasised that these measures were vital in effectively reducing the risk of damage to railway tracks and trains, thereby ensuring the safety of passengers during the monsoon season.
The successful outcome of the monsoon preparation in Mumbai Division demonstrates the dedication and expertise of the railway authorities in prioritising the well-being and security of commuters. It serves as a testament to their commitment to implementing proactive measures and safeguarding the lives of passengers in the face of challenging weather conditions.
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