Men and machinery engaged in restoration work near along the Dudhsagar-Sonaulim rail section.
BELAGAVI
Taking up restoration work in the Braganza Ghats on a war footing, South Western Railways (SWR) authorities cleared the debris caused by the landslide and relocated the tracks that were dislocated due to the derailment of the diverted Mangaluru-Mumbai train.
The derailed engine and two coaches of Mangaluru“CST (Mumbai) train at the Dudhsagar-Sonaulim section have been re-railed. The engine was re-railed at around 5 pm on Friday, while the coaches were put back on the tracks at 4 am on Saturday.
Providing details, SWR Chief PRO Aneesh Hegde said despite heavy rains and hostile weather conditions, over 100 labourers and 2 excavators were pressed into the restoration work. Senior Officers from HQ and Hubballi Division were present at the site monitoring the work till Saturday afternoon.
“Restoration work becomes extremely difficult as the ghat section can be reached only by rail. Landslides that had occurred at two spots between Caranzol-Dudhsagar (at Tunnel 7) and Dudhsagar-Sonaulim in the wee hours of Friday. The rubble, muck and debris near Tunnel 7 were cleared at 2 am on Saturday. The track between Dudhsagar-Sonaulim was restored and cleared for traffic from afternoon,” Hegde said.
However, speed restriction of 10 kmph has been imposed temporarily in view of safety, while further monitoring of the fragile spots will be carried out for the next 24-48 hrs, very closely, Hegde added.
SWR authorities have also initiated arrangements to prevent further landslides and erosion of hills due to rain.
