Railways Gear Up for Cyclone ‘Dana’: Help Desks Set Up, Services on Alert

Bhubaneswar: With Cyclone ‘Dana’ set to hit the coasts of Odisha and West Bengal, the Ministry of Railways has ramped up preparedness, holding a high-level meeting to assess and coordinate measures with the East Coast Railway and South Eastern Railway. Chaired by Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw, the meeting focused on ensuring that disruptions are minimized while passenger safety remains the top priority.

Vaishnaw emphasized the importance of ensuring minimal disruption and maximum preparedness, stating, “Our focus is on safety, and we have taken all necessary measures to safeguard passengers and infrastructure.”

Key Measures and Preparedness:

• War Rooms and Emergency Control: Round-the-clock dedicated war rooms have been established at the Bhubaneswar and Garden Reach headquarters, along with divisional offices at Khurda Road, Visakhapatnam, Sambalpur, and Kharagpur. Staffed by officers from engineering, operations, and other key departments, these war rooms are equipped with satellite phones and backup power for uninterrupted communication.
• Specialized Teams and Restoration Readiness: Specialized teams are stationed at vulnerable areas, including Soro and Jaleswar, to ensure swift restoration of tracks, signaling systems, and electrification. Diesel locomotives are on standby in case of power failures, while over 600 staff are deployed with essential equipment for emergency responses.
• Continuous Monitoring and Alerts: The Bhubaneswar-Visakhapatnam corridor and adjoining divisions like Chakradharpur and Adra are under close observation, especially where a red alert has been issued. Railway bridges, tracks, and signaling systems are being patrolled continuously, and drainage systems are being cleared in anticipation of flooding.
• Service Disruptions: Several train services have been canceled, diverted, or short-terminated to ensure passenger safety. These changes will be communicated through official railway channels, and passengers are urged to stay updated.

Help Desk Numbers:

Help desks have been set up at major stations to assist passengers, with the following contact numbers available:

• Puri: 8926100356
• Khurda Road: 8926100215
• Bhubaneswar: 8114382371
• Cuttack: 8114382359
• Paradip: 8114388302
• Jajpur Keonjhar Road: 8114382342
• Bhadrak: 8114382301
• Palasa: 8114382319
• Brahmapur: 8114382340

Frequent announcements will also be made at these stations to keep the public informed.

Medical and Food Arrangements:

Medical teams are on standby with essential supplies, including chlorine tablets and other medicines, at critical stations like Mecheda, Tamluk, Kharagpur, and Balasore. Adequate food arrangements, including baby food, have been made at important stations to cater to passengers stranded by train cancellations.

As Cyclone Dana approaches, the railways remain in constant communication with the India Meteorological Department for real-time updates and will mobilize resources as needed to address any emergency situations.

Passengers are advised to monitor updates on train schedules and safety instructions through official railway channels and stay informed of any new developments.