Railways gears up to tackle Cyclone Biparjoy, several trains cancelled in Gujarat

The Western Railway has taken up various safety and security precautions in areas under its jurisdiction due to the latest weather forecast that the coastal areas of Saurashtra and Kutch region in Gujarat will be affected by Cyclone Biparjoy. 

The Western Railway has taken up various safety and security precautions in areas under its jurisdiction due to the latest weather forecast that the coastal areas of Saurashtra and Kutch region in Gujarat will be affected by Cyclone Biparjoy. 

Several trains have been cancelled and short-terminated as a precautionary measure in view of safety of passengers and train operations. On Monday, approximately 56 trains towards Gandhidham, Veraval, Okha, Porbandar have been short-terminated at Ahmedabad, Rajkot and Surendranagar. Further, nearly 95 trains may be cancelled between June 13 and 15. 

General Manager of Western Railway Ashok Kumar Misra convened a meeting with the Principal Head of Departments and concerned Divisional Railway Managers were connected through video conferencing, to review the preparations. 

Mr. Misra gave detailed instructions with regard to the arrangement of various logistics, train movement including speed restrictions and cancellation of trains as a safety and precautionary measure. 

Anil Kumar Lahoti, Chairman and CEO, Railway Board along with the other Board Members also reviewed the preparedness of the situation. A war room has been established at Railway Board level to continuously monitor the situation. 

Cyclone Biparjoy is likely to hit Saurashtra and Kutch region of Gujarat, covering Bhavnagar, Rajkot and Ahmedabad Divisions of Western Railway. Veraval - Junagad, Porbandar - Kanalus, Rajkot - Okha and Viramgam – Gandhidham - Bhuj sections are most vulnerable to this cyclone. It is likely to make a landfall at Mandvi-Jakhau port by June 15. 

Disaster Management Room has been made operational at WR Headquarters and at Divisional Headquarters at Bhavnagar, Rajkot and Ahmedabad with round the clock availability of operating, engineering, mechanical, electrical, commercial, signalling and telecom officials and Railway Police Force.