Ratnagiri : Heavy rains have damaged railway tracks in Konkan and badly affected train services. Konkan Railway, hailed as an engineering marvel, has been forced off the track due to heavy rains. For the last 10 days services on the route have been suspended as mudslides caused by the rain have weakened rail tracks.

At the Nivsar railway station, around 20 kms from Ratnagiri, the tracks of Konkan Railway have sunk about 15 feet. There is now no foundation. It was an eventuality authorities were expecting as the track has been constructed over a water canal that flows beneath it.

Experts have been studying the weakened embankment since 2005. Their proposal to build a bridge over the existing railway station is yet to get the green flag and experts say landslides will continue to pose a threat.

“Most of the cuttings are vulnerable. We are looking to make the slopes more safe by reducing height of the cutting. This is an ongoing process under capital budget. We have already spent around Rs 90 crore on that,” says Nagadut R, Regional Railway Manager, Konkan Railway.

The Konkan Railway winds through treacherous terrain. Repair work is going on at Pomendi.

The wire mesh and concrete wall meant to protect against landslides have been unable to withstand the elements and small landslides keep occurring even as JVCs struggle to clear the debris

Officials say the route will be ready in two days, but workers here say it could take many more weeks to solve the chronic problem of landslides and track collapses this route faces every monsoon.

In a bid to resume services, the Konkan railway has also begun ferrying railway passengers between affected stations in Ratnagiri by bus. But as the rains continue to lash this region, railway authorities will have to find a more permanent solution.