Eastern Railway has appealed to residents living near railway tracks to cooperate in its pre-monsoon safety drive by trimming vulnerable trees on private properties or allowing railway teams to undertake the work, following severe weather-related disruptions that affected train services in the Sealdah Division on May 29.
According to railway officials, heavy rain and strong winds led to uprooted trees, broken branches and private banner festoons falling on railway tracks and Overhead Equipment (OHE) power lines at 12 locations, including North and South 24 Parganas.The incidents disrupted train operations, prompting emergency restoration efforts by railway teams.
Eastern Railway has advised property owners near railway tracks to maintain a minimum safety clearance of three metres between any tree branch and the nearest track, even in the event of a tree falling towards the railway line. Officials said maintaining this buffer is essential for preventing accidents, damage to overhead power lines and service disruptions.
As part of its network-wide pre-monsoon preparedness programme, Eastern Railway is undertaking the clearance of 26,509 vulnerable trees. So far, 21,384 trees have been trimmed or removed. However, progress has been hampered by issues involving trees located on private land.
In the Sealdah Division, 735 hazardous trees remain to be cleared before the June 7 deadline, of which 351 are situated on private property. Railway authorities have initiated the process of serving legal notices to concerned landowners and have urged residents to voluntarily cooperate in the interest of public safety. Similar challenges involving property disputes and access restrictions have also been reported in the Asansol, Howrah and Malda divisions.
Eastern Railway expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to passengers due to weather-related disruptions and reiterated that passenger safety remains its highest priority. The railway administration stressed that timely cooperation from residents can significantly reduce the risk of overhead wire damage and operational interruptions during the monsoon season.
Commenting on the need for public participation, Shri Shibram Majhi, Chief Public Relations Officer of Eastern Railway, stated, “Our field teams demonstrated incredible agility in restoring services after today’s storm, but nature’s onslaught requires a collective defense. We earnestly appeal to citizens living near railway tracks to inspect their properties, ensure the mandatory 3-meter safety margin is maintained, and cooperate with our engineering teams when approached. For the ultimate public good, safeguarding our overhead lines must be a shared responsibility.”
