According to a press release by Vineet Abhishek, Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, the railway has worked on a war footing to get everything ready before the rains arrive. A detailed action plan has been shared with all staff through a Monsoon Precaution Booklet, outlining steps to reduce damage, maintain service, and keep passengers informed.
“Western Railway is determined to repeat its success this year by taking thorough steps to prevent flooding and ensure smooth train services,” an official statement said.
Last month, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) had stated that monsoon in Mumbai has arrived earlier this year.
The Mumbai has been receiving rains on regular intervals recently.
The Western Railway said that it has cleaned 58 culverts and over 55 km of drains. It has also built 3 km of new drainage lines and manholes to allow water to flow out easily from railway yards. Around 480 special train trips have been used to clear muck and garbage with the help of machines like JCBs and Poclains.
It said that several steps have been taken for prevention of waterlogging.
The Western Railway said that to handle waterlogging, 104 powerful dewatering pumps have been installed at flood-prone spots. Pumping capacity has gone up by 10 per cent compared to last year. Additional pipe openings have been made using advanced micro-tunneling methods in areas like Goregaon-Malad and Borivali-Virar.
A 4.5 km-long retaining wall has been built in the Vasai-Virar section to protect the tracks. Flood gauges have been set up at 36 important locations. Water level monitoring systems using SCADA technology have been added to four key railway bridges, providing real-time alerts through SMS.
Tree and Track Management:
36 trees close to the tracks have been trimmed or removed. Low-lying tracks have been lifted, and vulnerable areas have been fixed to prevent delays.
High-Tech Monitoring:
Drones and floater cameras are being used to inspect drains and ensure they are properly cleaned. Special suction and de-sludging machines have also been deployed. Drone surveys have helped WR track progress, and five automatic rain gauges have been set up to give accurate, real-time rainfall data.
Staff Preparedness:
Trained staff will be on patrol during the monsoon. Emergency reserves like boulders and quarry dust have been stocked at Virar. Joint inspections with local authorities including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) and the Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC) have been completed.
Western Railway’s targeted efforts at flood-prone spots from previous years—such as micro-tunneling at 15 key locations—show its strong commitment to passenger safety and reliable service. These efforts highlight how WR is blending hard work with modern technology to keep Mumbai’s trains running smoothly, even in heavy rain.
