MALLAPUR

                                                                  SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAY

                                    Press Release No. 153  Dt. 09.08.2019

GM/SWR TOURS FLOOD AFFECTED AREAS ENROUTE FROM BELAGAVI TO HUBBALLI AND INSPECTS FLOOD RELIEF OPERATIONS

In view of heavy rainfall and floods in various districts of Karnataka, Shri Suresh Angadi, Hon’ble Minister of state of Railways has directed the railway authorities to render all possible assistance to Passengers and public.   South Western Railway have reached out to those affected by floods.  The Officers and Staff of the Railway along with the Scouts & Guides team have been working round the clock to collect relief material and distribute the same to the flood victims. South Western Railway is dispatching essential items like drinking water, groceries, mosquito repellents, biscuits, soaps, milk powder, Tea powder, candles, medicines, blankets etc. o­n daily basis to the flood hit areas.

Shri A K Singh, GM/SWR, Shri Rajesh Mohan, DRM/UBL and Senior Railway officers inspected the restoration and relief works being taken o­n the Railway infrastructure affected by floods during the last 2 days.

A special drive was taken by Hubballi Division today to collect clothing, food materials and water bottles to be distributed to the flood effected people in various Districts.  The material of Rs.1.1 Lakh is under distribution. Flood relief centres were set up at Gokak, Rayabag & Belagavi and relief material distributed to the victims.  Shri A K Singh, GM/SWR visited the relief centre at SWR community hall in Belagavi and interacted with the stranded passengers.  He also joined the flood victims for lunch which was prepared by Scouts and Guides & volunteers of SWR.  Breakfast lunch and dinner is being served to the flood victims who had taken shelter at the community hall.

Due to the overflowing of Mallapur Dam over 1500 passengers were stranded at Hole Alur Station.  To provide relief to the stranded passengers, temporary stoppage was provided to Golgumbaz Exp to help stranded passengers reach Gadag.  Two trips of MEMU rakes were also run Ex. Gadag to Hole Alur Staff for the benefit of the stranded passengers. Staff of Gadag branch line have arranged vehicle and taken prepared food for distribution to the flood affected victims at Hole Alur. 

SWR officials have been working tirelessly to supply relief material to Gokak o­ne of the worst affected taluks in Belagavi district. Relief camp has been setup at Gokak Railway Station and flood relief victims have been given food and clothing. Today Railway Scouts & Guides volunteers went to Konnur, Melmatti of Gokak Taluk, Raybag and Ugar Khurd and distributed food materials, bedsheets, blankets, tooth pasters, soaps etc.

In the last three days, over 3000 people were offered food, highest number being o­n Thursday, in view of disruptions caused to train service by incessant rains.  The timely help of railway was well received by the public.    

            During the day SWR, ran three JanSadharan specials o­n worst affected areas. Total of 28 buses are arranged by SWR to facilitate passengers' journey.

The initiative of SWR of arranging buses to minimise the difficulties to the travelling public due to cancellation/termination of trains, for o­nward journey to their destinations, was well received.

Refunds were promptly arranged to passengers and frequent announcement of cancellation/short termination/ diversion were done. Notice Boards clearly indicating affected trains were put up for information of passengers. SMS alerts sent to reserved passengers about the changed schedule/ movement owing to weather conditions.

            All the flood relief and restoration works are being directed by Shri Suresh Angadi, Hon’ble MoSR and monitoredfrom time to time. 

                                                      (E. Vijaya)

                                                         Chief Public Relations Office