Coal mine fire: Railways to close section in Jharkhand

The order is likely to impact 26 trains - diversion of 7 trains, cancellation of 13 Mail Express Trains and 6 passenger trains.
Indian Railways . | Express File Photo
Indian Railways . | Express File Photo

NEW DELHI: Keeping in view the safety of passengers, Ministry of Railways has decided to stop the operation of goods and passenger traffic on Dhanbad-Chandrapura Railway line in Jharkhand from June 15 due to the Jharia Coal Field Fire.

The order is likely to impact 26 trains - diversion of 7 trains, cancellation of 13 Mail Express Trains and 6 passenger trains. The closure of section is expected to cause huge revenue loss to cash strapped railways.

Mohd Jamshed, Member Traffic of Railway Board, informed that on an average 11 pairs of Mail/Express and 6 pairs of passenger trains run on the section daily. Special counters to facilitate refunds as per extant rules will be provided for the affected passengers.

Giving further details, railways said that safety of train running over Dhanbad-Chandrapura section is affected in three main locations -- within Bansjora station limit where fire has reportedly crossed the Railway line, in Sijua-Katrasgarh section, fire is on the south side of the Railway line and in close proximity, and Katrasgarh-Sonardih where fire has reportedly crossed to the other side.

“Scientific studies have been conducted by Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research (CIMFR) and Central Mine Planning and Design Institute (CMPDIL), and Ministry of Coal intimated that Dhanbad- Chandrapura section should be closed for train operations in view of the ongoing fire,” said a railway ministry official.

Following the Coal Ministry advisory, it was decided that the situation shall be reassessed by DGMS (Directorate General of Mines Safety) about the impact of fire on safety of train operations.

“Coal Ministry communicated that the situation has been reassessed by DGMS and that 14 kms out of 35 kms of line has been declared as unsafe and the movement of trains on this line is to be stopped. Ministry of railways on advise of Coal Ministry has decided to stop train operations on this line June 15, 2017,” said railways.

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