Kolkata: Kolkata Circular Railway is an integral part of Sealdah Suburban Railway system connecting various districts and suburbs with the City of Joy. The Circular Railway started its passenger operations in 1984 and commemorates its glorious 40 years of passenger operations. During last 40 years, this section has been modernized adequately by introducing new trains, improving services and upgrading infrastructure of roadside Railway stations.
However, encroachment and trespassing in Circular Railway are posing serious threat for safety of Railway operations thereby endangering passengers’ safety & security. Encroachment drives are being initiated regularly for ensuring safety of commuters and preventing accidents. But, the encroachments near the tracks continues to be a perennial problem for train operations in Circular Rail. Excessive encroachment is posing significant risk for safe rail operations as track condition is getting deteriorated on account of unauthorized encroachers’ bathing, washing clothes & utensils and even doing cooking near the tracks, throwing domestic wastages and garbages on the track. Due to encroached space, regular patrolling and monsoon patrolling duties are getting compromised.
Due to the encroachments, Rail and all P.Way fittings are getting badly rusted in short time and its life span is severely affected. The encroachers are frequently damaging signaling equipment, causing disruption in train movements and safety.
At several places, Sealdah Division has tried to remove illegal occupants near the Railway tracks but support from local police is required to maintain law & order during eviction drives. Sealdah Division solicits the co-operation of public representatives, local police, passenger association and daily commuters in evicting the unauthorized encroachments in order to ensure smooth and safe Circular Railway operations.
