Railway track restoration work on war footing
Team Udayavani, Aug 19, 2018, 11:14 AM IST
- Railway gangmen working without a break
- 42 landslips in three days
Sakleshpur: Since June 11th, when the rains started here, hundreds of landslips happened on the Western Ghats forcing the staff to rush to take up restoration work. For the last two months, the railway staff in Sakleshpur has hardly had a break from work.
In the last three days alone, 42 landslips have been reported in the region and every reported landslide will either cancel or delay the scheduled trains plying on the track.
Speaking about the present conditions, a railway gangman, who has been working in Sakleshpur station for the last 10 years said “Three days ago when we were clearing the track, water was gushing from the top. We were neck-deep in water while clearing the track in a tunnel.”
“I have never witnessed such a critical situation in my career. Working amidst heavy rains and high-speed wind are near impossible. At times, within minutes of clearing the track at one point, there is one more landslip in the same place,” he added.
There are four stations between Sakleshpur and Subrahmanya including Donigal, Kadagarahavalli, Yedakumari and Sirivagilu of which the most problematic area reporting the maximum number of landslips in about 25 km from Kadagaravalli and Siruvagilu.
“At least 100 workers are on the job every day in the recent days. We hire local workers for daily wages, besides our staff. But it has been very difficult to get workers too,” informed an official.
Among the landslips that happened in more than 40 places between Donigal and Sirivagilu stations, the staff has cleared only a few. The heavy downpour continuing in the Western Ghats is causing much hindrance in the restoration work.
On Saturday morning, a special train meant for maintenance of the track left Sakleshpur station to take up restoration work. The staff along with the assistance of the hired workers managed to clear rubble collected on the track near Donigal station. However, it is not clear how many more landslips have happened since Friday.
Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.
Top News
Related Articles More
Siddaramaiah says confident of winning all three bypolls in Karnataka
Hop on! IT Minister Priyank Kharge checks out Uber Shuttle at Bengaluru Tech Summit
AIMPLB to hold its annual general sessions in Bengaluru from November 23
100 engineering colleges in Karnataka to be ‘adopted’ by corporates by next year: IT Minister Kharge
Siddaramaiah defends BPL ration card cancellation, says only ineligible beneficiaries affected
MUST WATCH
Latest Additions
Siddaramaiah says confident of winning all three bypolls in Karnataka
Hop on! IT Minister Priyank Kharge checks out Uber Shuttle at Bengaluru Tech Summit
Actress Kasthuri released from jail, says ‘I thank those who made me raging storm’
Kidnapped for ransom in 1998, 26/11 survivor Gautam Adani faces biggest trial
AIMPLB to hold its annual general sessions in Bengaluru from November 23
Thanks for visiting Udayavani
You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.