Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 7: Rail traffic between Jammu and Udhampur remained suspended for the second consecutive day today after exit of a tunnel was damaged due to sudden landslides yesterday.
The mishap, yesterday, led to the damage of tracks between Ramnagar and Manwal near Udhampur, forcing cancellation of train services.
According to Railway officials, the office of Deputy Commissioner Udhampur has been approached for help to ensure speedy removal of the boulders and garbage from the track even as three JCB machines have been pressed into service. Around one thousand cubic meter debris has so far been removed from the track and 40 percent work is completed, sources said adding that the train traffic is expected to resume tomorrow.
However, the engine of Malwa Express, which was partially damaged yesterday after the train rammed into debris despite applying emergency brakes, has not yet been shifted from the site. Efforts were made to remove boulders under the engine with the help of a hydraulic vibratory but no success could be achieved today.
Officials said the landslide occurred due to continuous seepage and obstruction to flow of water by the dumped garbage along the road-side. About 20-metre of the tunnel was damaged.
Senior railway officers including Principal Chief Engineer of Northern Railway and Divisional Railway Manager of Firozepur are personally monitoring the restoration work today.
The road running above tunnel is also not safe for traffic and more garbage is feared to come down unless it is not cleared immediately.
The Deputy Commissioner of Udhampur has been requested by Northern Railway administration to take immediate action for stopping the dumping of garbage and removal of already dumped garbage to avoid recurrence of incident.
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