Mumbai: Konkan Railway (KR) has begun implementing its monsoon safety programme after completing all its safety works on the over 800-km route from Kolad, after Roha station on the Central Railway, to Thokur, before Mangalore, officials say.

Whilst gearing up for the monsoon, special attention has been paid to catch water drain cleaning and inspection of cutting.

“As a result of the large scale geo-safety works executed along the railway line in last 10-12 years, the incidence of boulder fall and soil slip has been significantly reduced, thus ensuring safe running of trains,” said L.K. Verma, chief public relations officer.

With the rains already having arrived, monsoon patrolling has begun to ensure safety along the track with 950 personnel patrolling the Kolad-Thokur section. Vulnerable locations will also be patrolled round the clock, officials say.

Speed restrictions will be imposed and stationary watchmen will be deployed for 24 hours at critical locations.

Excavators have been kept at all nominated points for quick movement in case of any emergency.

Locomotive drivers have been instructed to run the trains at a reduced speed of 40 kmph in case of heavy rainfall when visibility is limited.

Nominated trains passing through KR route between Kolad and Thokur during night time will be footplated by officers/supervisors during the monsoon.

Self-propelled Accident Relief Medical Vans (ARMVs) with an operation theatre and providing emergency medical aid are being kept ready at Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, and Verna, Goa, along with an Accident Relief Train.

Both pilots and guards have been provided with walkie-talkie sets with every station on KR equipped with 25 watt VHF base station.

This enables wireless communication between the train crew and station master.

Emergency communication sockets have been provided at a distance of one km along the KR route that enables patrolmen, watchmen and other field maintenance staff to contact in case of any emergency.

Satellite phone communication has also been provided to ARMV. LED signals are being provided in a phased manner, to begin with, for improving signal visibility at difficult locations. Three control rooms at Belapur, near Mumbai, Ratnagir and Madgaon, Goa, will work 24x7 during the monsoon period.

KR authorities have also asked passengers to check timings of their train well in advance as the departure timings of some trains will be preponed.