Kochi: Rail replacement works increased by more than 20 times post the Karukutty derailment incident in 2016 and the regulation of trains will continue for some more time as part of tightened safety norms, according to divisional Railway Manager Prakash Bhutani. Speaking at the 69th Divisional Railway User Consultative Committee (DRUCC) here on Friday which discussed punctuality and safety of train operations, Mr Bhutani said the minor flaws detected during ultra sonic flaw detection (USFD) tests were dealt as “under observation”(OBS) till 2016, and the traffic allowed through them by slowing down the trains.
“However, post the Karukutty derailment, two OBS within a four-metre section was considered unsafe and needed to be replaced immediately. Similarly OBS within 100 metres of a bridge is regarded as unsafe and being replaced.” This has resulted in train regulations like never before.
The railways, however, promised to reconsider the decision to cancel eight MEMU trains for two months. “They will be restored in phases by the end of the Sabarimala season,” the officer said. The meet decided to recommend stoppage of Parasuram Express at Chirayinkeezh station. Doubling in the remaining part of the Kottayam line is progressing at a fast pace and the works in the Ettumanur- Kurupanthara section will be completed by April 2018.
