DEVELOPING CORROSION RESISTANT RAILS
The Ministry of Railways
has decided to switch over to corrosion resistant rails. A project
has been taken in hand to develop corrosion resistant rails by
the year 2008 to suit Indian conditions. As the corrosion of rails
contributes substantially to rail fractures, corrosion resistant
rails are designed to prevent train accidents.
The Railways have
also taken up modification in passenger coach toilet chutes to
ensure that toilet discharge does not fall on rail foot area.
Toilet discharge is another major source of corrosion of rails
and fastenings.
Corrosion of rails
is rampant in approaches to major stations, coastal areas and
also the railway tracks passing through inhabited areas. Encroachments
have become a problem in approaches of all major towns and metros.
At certain places, the drainage from railway track is choked due
to existence of the encroachments on either side. The track is
frequently being used by local people for their morning natural
calls, which causes rapid corrosion of rails and track components,
in addition to causing difficulty in track maintenance.
