Conflict between rain and train is unending this northeast monsoon
Landslide along the NMR track in the recent past. DC file photo
Ooty: The Salem division of southern railway has cancelled hill train services on the risky Coonoor-Mettupalayam sector of the Nilgiri mountain railway (NMR) till November 1 as the conflict between rain and train is unending this northeast monsoon.While the heavy thundershowers have already wrecked havoc on the NMR line in the form of landslides that led to the cancellation of NMR services last week, the continuing threat from rains and landslides has made the railway administration re-think their strategy of running the train.
A landslip near Adderly on Wednesday morning led to the cancellation of NMR services on the racked Coonoor and Mettupalayam sector instantly. Speaking to mediapersons at Coonoor, Mr Shubhranshu, divisional railway manager at Salem, said NMR had encountered landslides in the past two weeks. Now, as a precautionary measure, train services on the Coonoor and Mettupalayam sector of NMR has been cancelled till November 1.
This northeast monsoon, there has been heavy rainfall. Nearly double the rainfall has been registered in the NMR sector so far when compared to the corresponding period last year. We need to be very cautious. We do not want to put the lives of passengers at risk during the rainy days. We will regularly monitor the situation and take a decision on resumption of train services. Moreover, we are exploring intermediate road connectivity to take relief in time, especially in the Coonoor-Mettupalayam sector of NMR during emergencies. We are making a study to find out vulnerable points along the slopes on the NMR line," he added.
DC carried a report on October 25 where in it was suggested that the train service be suspended on account of the monsoon fury.
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