SCR takes measures to keep trains running

Hyderabad, The South Central Railway (SCR) has decided to maintain a continuous watch on power supply to railways and take appropriate measures on Tuesday, due to power crisis in the Seemandhra region after the strike by electricity employees in protest against the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.

SCR General Manager A K Mital conducted a high-level review meeting on the situation and also spoke to the AP Chief Secretary about the issue. The General Manager directed officials to maintain a continuous watch on the power supply position to railways in close liaison with AP state government officials and also the movement of trains 24x7 from emergency control rooms at Rail Nilayam HQ, SCR said in a release here on Tuesday. He told officials to accord top priority for running of mail, express and passenger trains utilising available resources to running these first, the release said. In case of any shortfall in power supply to railways, goods train movement will be curtailed to facilitate movement of passenger trains. However, all efforts should be made to keep goods trains also moving when adequate power is available or using diesel locomotives whenever necessary, it said. He reviewed the position of availability of diesel locomotives, especially in Vijayawada-Gudur-Renigunta section, which could be pressed into service to haul trains in case there is a major shortfall in power supply, the release said. The General Manager emphasised operation of special passenger trains wherever feasible to clear passenger rush. He also directed officials to keep diesel generators ready to ensure that power supply to signaling systems at stations are not affected, the release said. There have been no new cancellations of train services announced by SCR (except for one express train for want of a pairing rake from East Coast Railway) and all services continue to be run normally, the release said.