KRCL working feverishly to restore site of goods train derailment

MANGALORE : Konkan Railway is carrying out restoration work at the site where a goods train derailed on Tuesday on a war footing. Railway track of about 160 metres length is severely damaged as a result of the derailment of the loaded goods train. While clearing the railway track of the 12 derailed wagons, all wagons had to be unloaded and also ensured that the wheat bags contained in them are safe and secure stacked.
There were about 15,000 bags of wheat in the derailed wagons weighing about 750 tonnes. Since the track was damaged and uprooted, KRCL had to lay the railway track first and then take the crane ahead to remove the first derailed wagon and then repeat the procedure. There is no direct road access to the site for easy transportation of restoration material. Hence KRCL had to carry the same to nearest location and then move it manually.
The derailment had occurred in between two bridges and two derailed wagons are on the bridge, needing to be tackled cautiously to avoid damage to structure of the bridge. Steep, high embankment on either side made it difficult to tackle the derailed wagons. Heavy rain in the region also hampered restoration work for some time. One ART with 140-tonne breakdown crane and ARMV belonging to KRCL was deployed for quick restoration work.
One more ART of Central Railway has also been called. Two excavators and more than 300 labourers are deployed at the site. Senior level officials of Konkan Railway are also present at the site round the clock for effecting early restoration. The work is being monitored continuously from the central control room at Belapur through remote cameras. Trains are likely to run late today. For info: www.konkanrailway.com or call: 022-27587939.