East coast railway takes precautionary measures as cyclone DANA nears

With the impending arrival of Cyclone DANA, the East Coast Railway (ECoR) has implemented a series of precautionary measures to ensure passenger safety and maintain the integrity of railway operations. Drawing on past experiences with severe cyclones, ECoR is taking proactive steps to minimize disruptions to train services and infrastructure.

Key Measures in Place

Disaster Management Cell Activated: ECoR has set up a 24x7 Disaster Management Cell at its headquarters in Rail Sadan, as well as control rooms in Khurda Road, Sambalpur, and Waltair, to monitor the situation and ensure quick restoration of services.
Train Service Adjustments: Various train services in the affected areas will be canceled, partially canceled, or diverted to mitigate risks. Passengers are urged to stay updated via official channels.

Emergency Teams on Standby: Specialized teams are ready for the swift restoration of tracks, signaling systems, and electrification. Diesel locomotives will be on standby to maintain train operations in case of power outages.
Red Alert Monitoring: With a red alert issued for coastal areas, ECoR is closely monitoring stations between Bhubaneswar and Visakhapatnam.

Additional Safety Protocols

• Track Patrolling: Patrolmen and watchmen will be deployed at vulnerable locations to monitor tracks and ensure passenger safety during heavy rain. Sectional gangmen will also patrol tracks when necessary.
• Precautionary Stocking: ECoR has stocked sufficient monsoon/cyclone reserve materials, including boulders, sand, and ballast, at key locations for emergency use.
• Coordination with Meteorological Department: Close coordination with the Meteorological Department and other agencies will ensure up-to-date weather information and swift response to potential threats.
• ECoR General Manager Shri Parmeshwar Funkwal emphasized that passenger safety remains the highest priority and instructed all departments to ensure zero risk to passengers.
• ECoR remains committed to restoring services as quickly as possible once conditions improve. Passengers are encouraged to stay informed by checking updates from official sources.