South Western Railway has taken major steps for many safety related maintenance works during Lockdown. These maintenance works form the backbone for safe train running. As only limited number of special trains in selected routes, goods and parcel trains are running now, turning adversity of lockdown due to an opportunity, SWR has reconstructed has many as 4 minor bridges. This ensures that disruption of train services needed for reconstructing in normal course, won’t be needed. Monitoring and asset maintenance is a continuous activity and railway took advantage of the lockdown to strengthen its rail network without inconvenience to passengers.
Reconstruction of Railway Bridges was taken up in the month of May with special care considering the then about to begin monsoon. Rehabilitation/rebuilding of 4 bridges on the Londa – Miraj section were identified and taken up and completed before the onset of the monsoons. This section carries heavy freight traffic, catering to movement of coal and Iron Ore to and from Goa Port and the sectional capacity is in excess of 100%.
Work on Bridge No.28, 33, 35 & 40 in Londa – Miraj was a major intensive work. 2 Nos.100-150 MT Road cranes, two Proclains, two JCBs, one Road Roller were used for lifting, insertion of RCC Boxes, excavation and compacting of dumped earth were used in rebuilding these bridges. Three Rail cutting, Drilling machines, Hydraulics Weld trimmers and track tampers were used. One Duomatic machine for packing of the linked track to allow train traffic at restricted speed was also used. About sixty (60) contractual labourers and thirty (30) departmental staff attended to the track dismantling, linking, packing and restoration works on the bridges. These works were completed at a cost of Rs.1.5 Cr.
In addition regular patch work like epoxy grouting, floor repair, treatment to exposed reinforcement, cement –mortar plastering were done thoroughly using the lockdown period to maximum effect. Shri Vijay Agrawal, PCE and Shri Arvind Malkhede, DRM/Hubballi led the planning of these bridge works from the forefront.
Shri A. K. Singh, General Manager/SWR said that the Section Engineers and staff are working round the clock to keep safe, secured and well-maintained railway track for train operations which is a highly challenging task during the monsoon season.
