Kendujhar: Railway authorities are taking steps to protect tracks in the hilly and forested areas of Kendujhar district from landslides and falling soil and rocks during the monsoon. Safety netting and slope-protection systems are being installed at vulnerable locations along the railway line between Nayagada and Tangiriapal, where heavy rainfall increases the risk of soil and rock falls.
Nearly 3,580 metres of slope-protection work has been completed so far. The work involves laying high-performance turf reinforcement mats and high-strength boulder nets at vulnerable stretches. The mats and nets are secured to the slopes with self-drilling hollow anchors driven up to two metres into the ground, helping hold loose soil and rocks in place.
The railway route carries regular passenger trains, including Vande Bharat services, besides a large number of freight trains. Any landslide or slope failure could disrupt train movement and pose a risk to passengers and railway operations. The protection work is being undertaken in view of the risk of landslides and slope failures caused by heavy rain. Senior Deputy General Manager Akhil Kumar Das and Chief Project Manager Biswajit Bhoi are overseeing the work. The project is being executed by Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL), a Navratna public sector undertaking under the Railways. According to RVNL Deputy Manager Satya Ranjan Sahu, the measures are aimed at ensuring safer train operations and protecting railway infrastructure along the broader stretch from Jurudi in Kendujhar district to Tamka in Jajpur district.
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