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Rail traffic in Bhavnagar, Rajkot divisions restored

Rail traffic in the Bhavnagar and Rajkot divisions of Western Railway was restored even as efforts were on to restart services in the rest of the earthquake-affected regions of Gujarat, according to V D Gupta, general manager, Western Railway.

Gupta told reporters in Bombay on Saturday that rail traffic had been restored up to Dwarka and Okha except in the Navkhali area.

Repair work had also begun at the Maliya Miyana, Gandhidham and Bhuj sections, which had suffered extensive damage.

Two railway teams are working from Maliya Miyana and Gandhidham, he said. "We do hope to extend rail traffic to Gandhidham by Monday," he added.

The railways have inducted 1,000 extra personnel apart from their regular staff to help in the repair and restoration work in these areas.

The Gandhidham-Bhuj section had been closed for rail traffic on account of gauge-conversion work. Efforts were on to restore goods traffic on this section for quick transport of relief material, Gupta added.

Two medical special trains from Ahmedabad to Gandhidham and Pallanpur to Radhanpur would be run, he said. Besides, the injured would be shifted to other areas where they could receive medical aid.

A train with 12 sleeper coaches and three AC coaches will be stationed at Maliya Miyana, Gandhidham and later Bhuj for the staff of central government agencies who are working in the area but have no place to stay. Several railway sheds will also be converted into shelters for the quake victims, Gupta said.

Railway property, including railway quarters, buildings, lines and signals had suffered extensive damage, he said. Several stations, including Gandhidham and Bhuj, have been damaged.

"We have not yet estimated the financial losses incurred by the railways. The losses could run into crores of rupees. But we are concentrating on restoration work," Gupta said.

Replying to a question on rescheduling of trains, he said trains between Gandhidham and Bhavnagar have been temporarily suspended, but rail traffic on other sections has been restored.

Meanwhile, a railway team comprising senior staff has left for the quake-affected areas in Gujarat. A special train for relatives and volunteers also left from Bombay on Saturday evening. The passengers were allowed to travel free of cost, Gupta added.

PTI

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