Ahmedabad DRM inspects monsoon rail safety on Viramgam, Barejadi sections
Synopsis
Ahmedabad's divisional railway chief made a rare end-to-end field sweep on 6 July — covering drainage infrastructure, Railway Under Bridges, and a new fourth rail line — signalling that Western Railway is treating monsoon preparedness as an operational priority, not a paperwork exercise, ahead of Gujarat's peak rainfall months.
Key Takeaways
DRM Ved Prakash conducted a monsoon preparedness inspection on 6 July across the Ahmedabad Division of Western Railway .
Sections covered included Ahmedabad–Barejadi and Ahmedabad–Viramgam , along with stations at Viramgam , Jakhwada , and Ahmedabad Junction .
Officials were directed to clean drains and bridges regularly and ensure Railway Under Bridges (RUBs) remain clear of waterlogging.
Progress on the fourth railway line between Ahmedabad–Kankaria and Vatva was reviewed; the line is expected to reduce pressure on Ahmedabad Junction.
The DRM stressed that cleanliness must be a sustained drive and directed sanitation inspectors to ensure effective waste disposal at all stations.
Field staff were instructed to remain on full alert and respond promptly to any monsoon-related emergency.
Ahmedabad Division Railway Manager (DRM) Ved Prakash on Monday, 6 July carried out a comprehensive field inspection of monsoon preparedness and infrastructure works across critical stretches of the Ahmedabad Division under Western Railway, with the stated objective of ensuring uninterrupted train operations and passenger safety through the rainy season.
Sections and Sites Covered
The inspection spanned the Ahmedabad–Barejadi and Ahmedabad–Viramgam railway sections. DRM Prakash also visited Viramgam station, Jakhwada station, Ahmedabad Junction, and a railway residential colony, reviewing passenger amenities, cleanliness standards, and drainage infrastructure at each location.
Waterlogging and Drainage Preparedness
A central focus of the review was the prevention of waterlogging on railway tracks during heavy rainfall. The DRM directed officials to ensure that drains and bridges alongside tracks are cleaned on a regular basis so that rainwater can flow freely without obstruction. Railway Under Bridges (RUBs) were also inspected to confirm that water accumulation would not disrupt road traffic during peak monsoon spells. This comes amid a broader Western Railway drive to minimise weather-related delays across Gujarat divisions during the June–September monsoon window.
Fourth Railway Line Between Ahmedabad and Vatva
The DRM reviewed progress on the construction of a fourth railway line between Ahmedabad–Kankaria and Vatva. According to railway officials, the additional line is expected to ease operational pressure on Ahmedabad Junction and improve train punctuality once commissioned. No completion date was officially stated during the inspection.
Hygiene and Sanitation Directives
Prakash instructed officials to maintain high hygiene standards at both stations and railway colonies, emphasising that the cleanliness drive must be a sustained effort. 'The cleanliness drive should continue as a sustained exercise rather than a one-time activity,' he said. He also directed health and sanitation inspectors to put in place effective waste disposal arrangements at all stations under the division.
Emergency Readiness for Monsoon Season
Concluding the review, the DRM instructed field staff to remain on full alert and to respond promptly to any emergency arising during the monsoon. Senior divisional officers accompanied Prakash throughout the inspection and briefed him on measures already undertaken. With the monsoon advancing across Gujarat, railway authorities say the focus will remain on round-the-clock monitoring of vulnerable track sections through the season.
Point of View
But the specificity of this one — covering RUBs, drainage, a new fourth line, and residential colonies in a single sweep — suggests the division is aware of past criticism over weather-related delays on the Ahmedabad–Viramgam corridor. The fourth line between Kankaria and Vatva is the more consequential story here: when completed, it could meaningfully ease congestion at one of Gujarat's busiest junctions. The absence of a commissioning timeline, however, is a gap that officials have yet to address publicly.
NationPress
6 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Ahmedabad DRM conduct a monsoon inspection on 6 July?
DRM Ved Prakash carried out the inspection to assess drainage readiness, waterlogging prevention, and infrastructure works ahead of Gujarat's peak monsoon months. The review aimed to ensure safe and uninterrupted train operations across the Ahmedabad Division.
Which railway sections and stations were covered in the inspection?
The inspection covered the Ahmedabad–Barejadi and Ahmedabad–Viramgam sections, with station visits to Viramgam, Jakhwada, and Ahmedabad Junction, as well as a railway residential colony.
What is the fourth railway line project between Ahmedabad and Vatva?
It is an ongoing infrastructure project to add a fourth rail line between Ahmedabad–Kankaria and Vatva. Railway officials say it will reduce operational pressure on Ahmedabad Junction and improve train punctuality once completed, though no official commissioning date has been announced.
What directives did the DRM issue on cleanliness and sanitation?
DRM Prakash directed officials to maintain high hygiene standards at stations and railway colonies on a sustained basis, and instructed health and sanitation inspectors to ensure effective waste disposal arrangements across all stations in the division.
What emergency measures are in place for the monsoon season?
Field staff have been directed to remain on full alert throughout the monsoon and to respond promptly to any weather-related emergency. Senior divisional officers briefed the DRM on measures already undertaken to safeguard track sections during heavy rainfall.
