Kochi: In the wake of the recent train derailment at Karukutty, the Southern Railway has finally started focussing on maintenance of tracks, resolving raw material shortage faced by the Thiruvananthapuram division and intensifying track replacement works. "Last year, track replacement was carried out at a total of 58-km stretch. This time, we'll focus on both routine track maintenance and out-of-the-course replacement. As of now, there is no shortfall of rails as the materials required for the works for a total of 40 km were delivered," said Divisional Railway Manager Prakash Bhutani.
Instructions in this regard have been given to the engineering division which aims to cover double the track distance compared to last time. However, to facilitate the work, Line Block (restriction in the operation of train services) needs to be put in place. "We've to strike a balance between carrying out the maintenance and causing minimum inconvenience to the passengers. A plan is being prepared for the same," the official said.
A 'rail fracture' was found to be the cause of the Karukutty train derailment on August 28. A four-member committee headed by the Chief Safety Officer John Thomas has recommended action against four officials for lapses in track maintenance. A goods train also derailed near Kollam early on Tuesday. The second mishap in less than three weeks has shocked the railway officials. However, senior railway officers who inspected the spot said "rail fracture" is not the cause as per preliminary assessment.
"Hit marks were found in engines that passed before the goods train, pointing to the presence of hard material on the track. It can be conclusively stated only after the completion of a probe," a senior engineering official said. Meanwhile, the speed restriction imposed post the Karukutty derailment to facilitate permanent repair at 31 places has been lifted fully with the completion of the works.
