Rlys fixes design flaw that let rainwater flood Kulem platform

Margao: Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) has successfully rectified the design defect at Kulem railway station that was allowing rainwater to flood the platform and creating hazardous conditions for passengers during the monsoon.Following TOIs July 21 report highlighting the hardships faced by commuters due to the infrastructural flaw, RVNL took swift corrective action to address the problem that left the platform wet, slippery, and dangerous for commuters.The issue stemmed from improper alignment between the platform roof and the newly-constructed station building located directly behind it. This misalignment created a significant gap between the two structures, allowing rainwater to pour onto the platform during showers.RVNL engineers tackled the problem by extending the roof projection of the new station building outward with additional metal sheeting and structural supports. The extended section now bridges the void between the platform canopy and the building roof, preventing the entry of rainwater onto the platform.“The new roof projection provides adequate overhang to direct rainwater away from the platform area. The rainwater now flows to proper drainage points that would otherwise accumulate on the platform,” Railways sources said.

Before the correction, regular commuters complained about the platform becoming “extremely slippery”. This led to several incidents involving passengers slipping while boarding or alighting trains. The waterlogged conditions also left commuters without dry places to sit or keep belongings.Passengers have expressed satisfaction over the development. “We can now at least sit on the benches while waiting for the train to arrive, which would otherwise always be wet and dirty,” a regular commuter said.The Kulem railway station serves as a gateway to popular tourist destinations, including the Dudhsagar waterfall and the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary.