Mysuru Railway Division implements monsoon safety protocols

The Mysuru Division of South Western Railway has taken proactive measures and has rolled out the mandatory monsoon safety protocols with the onset of the rainy season.

These measures are not only precautionary but are extensive and meant to ensure safe, smooth, and uninterrupted train operations during the monsoon season which tends to be intense in the Western Ghats.

Mudit Mittal, Divisional Railway Manager, Mysuru, said that safety of passengers and the integrity of railway operations remain top priorities. Hence, the entire team is fully prepared with a comprehensive set of monsoon measures to guarantee safe and uninterrupted travel throughout the season, he added.

To further enhance readiness, the division has conducted training sessions and drills for railway personnel, focusing on monsoon safety, emergency response, and first aid, according to Mr. Mittal.

He said the division has ensured the cleaning of minor waterway bridges and drains, carried out thorough inspections of all electrical installations, deployed watchmen at identified vulnerable locations, and initiated special patrolling to monitor track conditions and nearby waterbodies.

Girish Dharmaraja Kalagonda, Divisional Commercial Manager, said that detailed inspections have been carried out across vulnerable sections to identify areas prone to waterlogging, landslides, and track washouts.

In the Mysuru Railway Division, Sakleshpur, Subramanya Road, and the stretch between Hassan and Mangaluru are vulnerable areas given the intensity of rainfall that the region receives during monsoon.

“Both major and minor bridges have been inspected, and embankments in flood-prone areas have been strengthened using boulders, geo-jute bags, and protective pitching to enhance their stability,” said Mr. Girish Dharmaraja Kalagonda.

As an additional safety measure, monsoon patrolling has been introduced and patrolmen have been deployed and will work on shift basis to ensure there was continuous monitoring in sections prone to landslides, he added.

In certain areas which are not easily accessible by foot, modern technologies such as drone surveillance and mobile-based monitoring have been introduced in specific locations to improve real-time tracking and response capabilities, said the authorities.

Essential emergency materials, including sandbags, wire netting, boulders, lighting equipment, and diesel generators, have been strategically pre-positioned at key locations to facilitate quick deployment when needed.

The authorities said track maintenance teams are on high alert and are fully equipped with all necessary tools and protective gear to respond promptly to any situation.

Apart from regular coordination with India Meteorological Department to receive timely weather forecasts and alerts, the Mysuru Railway Division has also established active liaison with the National Disaster Response Forces, State Disaster Response Forces, and local civil authorities to ensure swift and coordinated action in case of any emergency.

Trees in proximity to tracks and vulnerable to be uprooted in case of storm or high velocity wind and rain have been felled to clear the pathway, the authorities added.

Published - May 31, 2025 06:52 pm IST