RailEnquiry

NAGPUR: After nearly 60 hours of restoration work on war footing, one of the tracks near Sindi Railway was temporarily opened for traffic on Monday morning. Both main line tracks were damaged after the earthen foundation below it was washed away due to floods in Pipra nullah on Friday night.After severe damage to tracks in 500 metres, train movement stopped completely on east, west, north and south routes. Many trains were either cancelled or diverted through Badnera-Amravati-Narkhed and Bhusawal-Khandwa-Itarsi-Nagpur.Over 1,000 men and machines pressed into service since Friday night could temporarily help restore train traffic on down line (towards) Nagpur) Monday morning. According to Central Railway PRO P D Patil, the first train to cross the restored track was 12721 Hyderabad-Nizamuddin Dakshin Express around 9.15am. The train arrives at Nagpur at 9.15am, but was delayed by an hour.

"After Dakshin Express, around a dozen trains passed through the vulnerable spot at a speed of 10 kmph. These trains included four from Ballarshah, four from Itarsi and four from Badnera side," said Patil.

Divisional railway manager (DRM) Brijesh Dixit had said on Sunday that the track would be opened by that day evening but due to heavy damage, this could not be done. The track was declared fit by the engineering department at 5.30am on Monday and at 7.15am, electrical department declared overhead power lines fit.

As the trains were already moving along the diverted route and there was no passenger train in the section after the track was declared fit, two empty wagons were sent by the down track. Since then, no loaded rakes were being operated on the stretch.

"When such a disaster happens and tracks are restored, some unimportant trains are run on it for testing. The down line was found fit," said Patil. Around 9.15am, Dakshin Express was cleared followed by 12145 LTT-Bhubaneshwar Express at 10.30am. Till evening, at least 15 trains ran through Sindi Railway.

"It will be a temporary structure but won't be risky for trains passing at a 10-15 kmph speed. Rebuilding of permanent structure will take some time as it is monsoon," said railway officials.

Meanwhile, the Central Railway revised timing of Nagpur-Mumbai Duronto Express and Nagpur-Mumbai Sevagram Express that left Nagpur on Monday. The Duronto which leaves Nagpur at 8.40pm, departed at 12.40am and Sevagram, which leaves Nagpur at 9pm left at 1am. Both the trains will arrive Mumbai 3-4 hours late.