New Delhi: Due to the approaching powerful cyclone 'Biparjoy,' the Western Railway (WR) has taken several precautionary measures. More than 50 trains heading towards the coastal areas of Gujarat have been short-terminated, and the cancellation of several trains over the next three days is being considered. The WR has set up disaster management rooms, and help desks, and prepared relief trains to handle any emergencies.
To monitor the wind speed, five locations in the Bhavnagar division, eight sites in Rajkot, and three spots in Ahmedabad division are being observed hourly. Station masters have been instructed to regulate or halt trains if the wind velocity exceeds 50 km/h. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts that 'Biparjoy' will make landfall near the Jakhau port in the Kutch district on Thursday afternoon as a 'very severe cyclonic storm,' with maximum wind speeds reaching up to 150 kilometers per hour.
According to the release, 56 trains heading to Gandhidham, Veraval, Okha, and Porbandar in coastal Gujarat have been short-terminated at Ahmedabad, Rajkot, and Surendranagar. Additionally, around 95 trains are proposed to be canceled between June 13 and June 15.
Sumit Thakur, the chief public relations officer of WR, stated that passenger trains scheduled from June 12 onwards in vulnerable sections are under review, and necessary decisions will be made. Thakur emphasized that cancellations and short terminations are precautionary measures taken for the safety of passengers and train operations.
The WR has identified the Veraval-Junagad, Porbandar-Kanalus, Rajkot-Okha, and Viramgam-Gandhidham-Bhuj sections as the most vulnerable to the cyclone. Safety and security precautions have been implemented accordingly.
The general manager of WR, Ashok Kumar Misra, conducted a virtual meeting with senior officials to review the cyclone preparations. Directives were given concerning logistics arrangements, train movement, speed restrictions, and cancellations as precautionary measures.
To ensure safety, restrictions have been imposed on Double Stack Container (DSC) movement for all terminals of Ahmedabad, Rajkot, and Bhavnagar divisions until June 16. Disaster management rooms have been made operational at the Western Railway headquarters in Mumbai and at divisional headquarters in Bhavnagar, Rajkot, and Ahmedabad. Hotlines have been established between these locations for smooth coordination.
The concerned divisions have been put on alert, and equipped with necessary resources such as tree-cutting equipment, DG sets, pumps, earth-moving equipment, and vehicles. Relief trains are prepared with sufficient medical supplies and are on standby. Help desks have been opened at various locations to assist passengers and provide information.
The Western Railway has implemented various safety measures, including train cancellations and short terminations, to ensure the safety of passengers and mitigate the impact of cyclone 'Biparjoy' in the coastal regions of Gujarat.
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