Bhubaneswar: As summer approaches, the railways is implementing a host of measures to ensure safety of passengers and maintain the infrastructural facilities to tackle heatwave conditions. An East Coast Railway (ECoR) spokesperson on Sunday confirmed regular monitoring of drinking water quality and frequent inspections of water booths at stations. The railways will ensure adequate water availability in trains and at stations throughout summer.
The station infrastructure maintenance includes inspection of pipes, taps and tube wells. Catering units must maintain sufficient stock of approved water bottles. Fans and air-conditioned (AC) units at stations will be repaired if needed. Train coaches will receive heat reflective paint treatment to lower internal compartment temperatures, he added.
Official sources said engineering teams will monitor track maintenance, considering the risk of cracks on tracks due to temperature variations between day and night. Trackmen have received instructions to maintain constant vigilance. The authorities have also implemented measures to safeguard overhead electrical equipment.