With wind speeds expected to reach up to 150 kilometers per hour, the railway is closely monitoring the situation and has set up disaster management rooms and relief trains to respond to any emergencies.
In anticipation of the powerful cyclone 'Biparjoy' approaching the coastal areas of Gujarat, the Western Railway (WR) has taken proactive measures to ensure the safety and well-being of passengers and maintain smooth train operations. With the cyclone expected to make landfall near the Jakhau port in Kutch district on Thursday afternoon as a 'very severe cyclonic storm,' the WR has implemented a comprehensive plan to mitigate potential risks.
According to a release by the Western Railway, more than 50 trains heading to coastal areas such as Gandhidham, Veraval, Okha, and Porbandar have been short-terminated at Ahmedabad, Rajkot, and Surendranagar. Additionally, around 95 trains are being proposed for cancellation between June 13 and June 15 as a precautionary measure.
Sumit Thakur, the Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of WR, emphasized that these actions have been taken to prioritize the safety of passengers and ensure the smooth functioning of train services. Passenger trains scheduled from June 12 onwards in vulnerable sections are being carefully reviewed, and necessary decisions will be made accordingly.
The WR has set up disaster management rooms at its headquarters in Mumbai, as well as divisional headquarters in Bhavnagar, Rajkot, and Ahmedabad. These rooms will act as centralized command centers to monitor and coordinate response efforts during the cyclone. Hotlines have been established between the headquarters to facilitate seamless communication and swift decision-making.
To closely monitor the cyclone's impact, wind speed is being tracked hourly at various locations across Bhavnagar, Rajkot, and Ahmedabad divisions. Station masters have been instructed to regulate or halt trains when the wind velocity exceeds 50 kmph. This proactive approach aims to minimize any potential risks and ensure the safety of passengers and staff.
The WR General Manager, Ashok Kumar Misra, chaired a virtual meeting with senior officials to review the cyclone preparations and issue necessary directives. The meeting focused on logistical arrangements, train movement, speed restrictions, and the cancellation of trains as precautionary measures.
Restrictions have also been imposed on inward and outward traffic of Double Stack Container (DSC) movement, as well as on inward traffic for all terminals of Ahmedabad, Rajkot, and Bhavnagar divisions until June 16.
Moreover, the WR has equipped relief trains with adequate medicines and placed them on high alert to provide immediate assistance in affected areas. Help desks have been set up at strategic locations across Bhavnagar, Porbandar, Veraval, Junagadh, Okha, Dwarka, Khambhaliya, Jamnagar, Hapa, Surendranagar, Gandhidham, and Bhuj.
The WR has urged passengers to stay informed about train updates and cooperate with the authorities during this challenging period. Passengers are advised to check the official WR website, helpline numbers, and social media channels for the latest information regarding train schedules and any further developments related to the cyclone.
(With PTI Inputs)