Water Specials From Jolarpettai to Villivakkam(10MLD)

Water Specials From Jolarpettai to Villivakkam(10MLD)

156/2019-20

15-07-2019

CHENNAI

WATER SPECIALS

Government of Tamil Nadu had requested Southern Railway to transport water from Jolarpettai to Villivakkam to supply 10 MLD (Million Litres per day) of drinking water to Chennai to tide over water shortage. Agreeing to this request Chennai Division has made elaborate arrangements to run water specials from Jolarpettai to Villivakkam, a distance of over 200 km. This arrangement is likely to continue till the water situation improves in Chennai Area.

Two BTPN rakes have been earmarked and made fit for water loading at KOTA workshop of West Central Railway. A Rake consists of 50 BTPN (Bogie Tank wagons) wagons of 50,000 litres each. Thus, in o­ne water special 2.5 million litres of water can be transported.

Dedicated loading and unloading facilities have been installed at Jolarpettai and Villivakkam respectively by TWAD (Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board) and Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board, with three pumps of 50 HP capacity have been installed to complete loading in four hours. o­ne pump is reserved as standby. Water decanting facilities have been installed at Villivakkam with 600 metres of pipeline to carry decanted water from the rake to the reservoir through a culvert.

Two dedicated locomotives in a push – pull formation have been nominated to each water special. This will enable Railways to cut down o­n Engine Turn Around Time and Wagon Turn Around Time and help in quicker transit.

Railways have deputed adequate supervisory officials at each end to oversee loading and unloading operations. Security and lighting arrangements have been made at Villivakkam for safe operations.

The first water special left today 12th July 2019 from Jolarpet at 07.20 hrs. 

Source:Southern Railway