East Coast Railway Prepares for Cyclone Impact, Halting Passenger Services

By A Staff Reporter — As a cyclone approaches Odisha, Parmeshwar Funkwal, General Manager of East Coast Railway in Bhubaneswar, has assured that the railway is fully prepared to face the impending storm. Speaking to the media, Funkwal stated, "East Coast Railway is fully geared to face the cyclone," emphasizing the proactive measures taken to ensure safety and minimize disruptions.

Funkwal highlighted that both East Coast Railway and Southeastern Railway have made extensive preparations, with teams stationed in key locations to manage the situation effectively. "We have war rooms functioning in the railway board at headquarters," he added, indicating a structured approach to crisis management.

To facilitate rapid response and recovery, security forces have been placed on standby, ready to assist in restoring services as quickly as possible. Funkwal noted, "They (security forces) are all having their teams on standby to extend any assistance or help that may be required to restore the traffic at the earliest."

In a crucial safety measure, the East Coast Railway has decided to suspend all passenger train services in areas expected to be impacted by the cyclone. Funkwal explained, "In order to keep the train safe, we have analyzed and decided that no passenger train should be traveling in the cyclone-affected zone." This decision prioritizes the safety of passengers and crew as the region braces for severe weather conditions.