The recent successful handling of the situation arising due to the Phailin has helped the East Coast Railway (ECOR) tackle the ensuing flood situation in south Odisha and north Andhra Pradesh.
Railway engineers worked tirelessly to restore one line in Balugaon-Chilika-Chhatrapur section despite floods. The second line was also expected by Saturday evening. With emphasis on “zero-compromise” with safety and early restoration of train services, the following steps were taken.
In order not to delay the passengers who were stranded at Chilika and Khalikote stations, about 2,000 passengers were ferried by special buses to Solari station near Balugaon and from there to Bhubaneswar by train. Indian Navy and State Transport Department helped railways in these efforts. Besides, free food and drinking water were served to more than 2,000 passengers at Bhubaneswar railway station. They were later dispatched to respective destinations ie Howrah and Kamakhya (Guwahati) by two special trains.
Just after receding of floodwater from rail lines and bridges before October 26 noon, the pre-positioned safety and patrol teams started inspection and repair works at urgent speed. One of the lines between Khurda Road and Palasa was made fit and Konark Express would run on trial basis to allow more trains by the evening. Special patrol teams were also engaged round-the-clock at sensitive locations to keep a look out for rising water levels or any other issue involving train safety.
All long-distance trains passing through Kharagpur-Bhubaneswar-Vizianagaram were diverted via Kharagpur-Tata-Jharsuguda-Bilaspur-Nagpur-Ballarshah-Kazipet, Kharagpur-Tata-Jharsuguda-Sambalpur-Titilagarh-Vizianagaram and Angul-Sambalpur railway routes.