Ishwardi (Pabna) Correspondent :
Intense heatwaves are being recorded in some places of Pabna, Rajshahi and Khulna divisions. In this situation, the temperature of the railway’s iron rails may rise to 57 degrees resulting in bending the rail lines. Essentially iron rails can withstand temperatures up to 50 degrees. So, train movement is being obstructed due to bending of the railway lines.
In railway parlance that is called buckling. In this situation, a standing order or permanent order is being given to reduce the speed of trains especially during the day on the dangerous railway line of the Pakshi section of the Western Railway.
Railway officials say that the temperature on iron tracks is 10-15 degrees higher than the temperature in the meteorological office. If the temperature on the track exceeds 50 degrees, the track is monitored and the train is instructed to slow down. Patrolling personnel are employed to check for buckling or bending of lines. Rail PWI measures the temperature of the railway line. If the temperature is more than 50 degrees, the higher authority may give instructions to reduce the speed of the train.
Pakshi Divisional Railway Assistant Transport Officer Harun-or-Rashid said that a permanent order has been given to reduce the speed of trains on the railway route from Jessore Cantonment Station to Darshana on Saturday (April 27) from 2 pm to 5 pm. The speed of trains on this line has been reduced from 80 kmph to 60 kmph. Instructions are given depending on the temperature conditions.
Pakshi Divisional Train Controller (DTNN) Alamgir Hossain said that the engineering department takes care of the matter of reducing the speed of trains. If they give any instructions the train runs accordingly.