Harda lessons forgotten: Soil erosion at Bhopal station

Bhopal: Railways appears to have taken no lesson from August 4 last year, when 29 people were killed after two trains derailed while crossing a rain-water flooded bridge over Machak River in Harda district following washing away of ballast and formation-soil beneath the track.
Recent flash flood in Bhopal has washed away soil beneath newly-laid track near main railway station, raising serious questions over quality of work undertaken.
While authorities say it's a newly-laid track and is not being used, insiders say washing away of formation-soil is posing a potential threat to adjacent tracks on the same spot.
Barely a short distance from Bhopal railway junction, erosion of soil under railbed is evident.
The third line (Bhopal-Itarsi), an esteemed project of West Central railway, is being developed by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited.
Torrential rains from July 9 to July 12, the railbed became hollow at some spots and soil washed away from sides. The situation of railbed was observed near Platform 1 of Bhopal railway junction. When questioned about soil quality used in making railbed, Vikas Awasthi, chief project manager, said, "It is natural if such heavy rainfall happens. It will erode railbed, which is in initial stage of construction. A lot is to be done and once rains are over, all works will be redone."
"We have two years of time to complete project," Awsasthi said while talking to TOI.
PRO I A Siddique, however, denied any problem with rail bed underneath other track said, "The problem might be with the railbed underneath third track, which is being made by Rail Vikas Nigam. Everything is fine with other rail beds"
Divisional railway manager (DRM) Alok Kumar was not available for comments.