Vaishnaw Reviews Railways’ Preparedness for Cyclone Montha

War Rooms Activated; Railways on High Alert to Ensure Passenger Safety and Service Restoration

New Delhi, Oct 28 : Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw on Tuesday reviewed the preparedness of Indian Railways in view of the impending Cyclone Montha, which is expected to impact coastal regions of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Telangana.

Chairing a high-level review meeting through video conferencing, the Minister assessed the readiness of the Railway network and emphasized uninterrupted communication, real-time coordination, and swift post-cyclone restoration of train services.

Vaishnaw directed all Railway zones, especially those along the East Coast, to remain on high alert and ensure timely deployment of disaster response teams. He also stressed minimizing passenger inconvenience through continuous monitoring and proactive regulation of train operations.

To enhance response capability, Indian Railways has activated divisional war rooms for real-time cyclone tracking and coordination. Essential materials, machinery, and manpower have been strategically positioned in Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, and Guntur divisions to handle any emergency situation.

The East Coast Railway (ECoR), South Coast Railway (SCoR), and South Central Railway (SCR) zones have mobilized resources for emergency preparedness and safety measures.

During the meeting, ECoR General Manager Parmeshwar Funkwal, along with Principal Heads of Departments and Divisional Railway Managers, briefed the Minister on precautionary steps taken across vulnerable sections, particularly in the Waltair and Khurda Road Divisions.

The Minister reiterated that passenger safety and quick restoration of train operations remain the top priority for Indian Railways during the cyclone response phase.