Malda Division Imposes Strict Speed Restrictions on Bihar Railway Sections Due to Rising Ganges Waters
The Malda Division administration has issued a high alert on the Jamalpur-Bhagalpur railway section due to the rising water levels of the Ganges, which have reached near railway bridges and culverts. To ensure passenger safety and track integrity, train speeds in sensitive areas have been reduced from 110 kilometers per hour to 30 kilometers per hour, with some sections operating at 20 to 30 kilometers per hour. This measure follows rapid water level increases in the Ganges and other rivers in Bihar triggered by flooding in Nepal, with authorities in Munger, Jamalpur, and Bhagalpur maintaining constant monitoring of bridges, culverts, and tracks.
Key Highlights of Railway Safety Measures
- High alert issued by Malda Division on the Jamalpur-Bhagalpur railway section due to rising Ganges water levels.
- Train speeds drastically reduced from 110 kmph to 30 kmph in sensitive areas to protect passengers and track integrity.
- Continuous track monitoring and safety inspections underway on the Jamalpur-Kiul section following heavy rainfall and reported track subsidence.
- Specific caution orders implemented for bridge areas and sections between Bariarpur, Ratanpur, and Lailakh-Sabour.
- Monsoon patrolling intensified with two dozen railway workers deployed in round-the-clock shifts.
Track Inspection and Maintenance on Jamalpur-Kiul Section
On the Jamalpur-Kiul section, continuous rainfall has raised concerns, specifically regarding reported track cracks and subsidence near Dharhara, Abhaypur, and Kajra stations. Under the direction of Jamalpur AEN Line Rajiv Kumar, the PWE team is conducting ongoing track inspections, and safety standard work has been completed from the signal to the point beneath the Jamalpur major railway bridge.
Specific Speed Restrictions Implemented
Specific speed caution orders have been implemented to handle the seasonal flooding risks safely. In the Bariarpur station area, bridge number 195 has speed restrictions on both up and down lines (kilometer 347/45-347/51 and 347/50-347/46). Additional restrictions are in place between Bariarpur and Ratanpur (up line 347/45-350/41, down line 350/42-347/46) and on the Lailakh-Sabour section near bridge number 145/B (up line 295/13-295/15, down line 295/16-295/14), all limited to 30 kilometers per hour.
Intensified Monsoon Patrolling
To address the flooding, the Malda Division has intensified monsoon patrolling, deploying approximately two dozen railway workers in shifts to monitor bridges, culverts, and tracks day and night. Manish Kumar Gupta, DRM of Malda Division, stated that while train operations remain normal, the fluctuating water levels of the Ganges necessitated these precautionary speed cautions to ensure safety while the situation is continuously monitored.