New Delhi, Oct 28: With Cyclone Montha intensifying along India’s eastern coast, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Tuesday conducted a high-level review of Indian Railways’ preparedness, officials said.

The virtual meeting focused on ensuring passenger safety, operational continuity, and swift disaster response across vulnerable regions.

Strategic Coordination Across Zones 

Minister Vaishnaw reviewed the measures being taken for passenger safety, train regulation, restoration planning, and coordination with local administrations and disaster management agencies. He instructed Railway officials to take all necessary precautions in anticipation of the cyclone’s impact, particularly along the East Coast in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Telangana.

The Minister emphasized the importance of uninterrupted communication and rapid deployment of disaster response teams. Railway zones — East Coast Railway (ECoR), South Coast Railway (SCoR), and South Central Railway (SCR) — have been instructed to remain on high alert and coordinate closely with local administrations and disaster management agencies.

War Rooms and Emergency Readiness

Indian Railways has activated divisional war rooms for real-time monitoring and coordination. Essential materials, machinery, and manpower have been pre-positioned in key divisions including Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, and Guntur. Continuous tracking of train operations is underway to minimize passenger inconvenience and ensure timely regulation.

Also Read: Cyclone ‘Montha’ Delay Prompts Restoration of 14 Cancelled Trains

Ground-Level Briefings

Parmeshwar Funkwal, General Manager of East Coast Railway, along with Principal Heads of Departments and Divisional Railway Managers, briefed the Union Minister on precautionary measures already implemented in vulnerable sections, particularly Waltair and Khurda Road Divisions.

The Minister reiterated the need for proactive planning and swift restoration of services post-cyclone, reinforcing the government’s commitment to passenger safety and infrastructure resilience.

Montha Nears Landfall

Cyclone Montha has intensified into a severe storm, battering several districts in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha with heavy rains and strong winds up to 110 kmph. Moving north-northwestwards, it is expected to make landfall near Kakinada between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam by tonight.