Since assuming charge as the first full-fledged General Manager of the newly formed South Coast Railway (SCoR) on June 1, 2026, Mr. Sandeep Mathur has made disaster preparedness and infrastructure resilience the cornerstone of the zone’s functioning. In a bid to ensure uninterrupted train operations, he has personally inspected more than 2,100 km of railway network, from Ichchapuram in the north to Guntakal in the south.

In an exclusive interview with The Hindu, Mr. Mathur said the zone was adopting a shift from reactive crisis management to proactive, forecast-based resilience planning.

“Safety is not merely an event-driven response. It is a continuous process of anticipation,” he said. “Our objective is to identify vulnerabilities well before they develop into operational challenges. By integrating weather forecast monitoring with robust inter-departmental coordination, we are ensuring that the South Coast Railway remains prepared for the uncertainties of the monsoon.”

Focus on subways

A key focus of the inspections has been Limited Height Subways (LHSs), which replaced level crossings to improve safety. As these subways are vulnerable to waterlogging during heavy rain, Mr. Mathur ordered a comprehensive audit of all susceptible locations, particularly between Pendurti and Simhachalam North and between Gopalapatnam and Visakhapatnam.

He directed field officials to keep dewatering pumps in readiness, ensure uninterrupted power supply, and maintain proper drainage so that waterlogging is cleared without delay.

Mr. Mathur also reviewed the condition of major bridges, particularly in the flood-prone Rajahmundry section.

“Bridge safety during peak river levels is non-negotiable,” he said.

He assessed the effectiveness of real-time bridge monitoring systems and the preparedness of engineering teams, while directing that all monsoon-related maintenance works be completed well before the peak rainy season. Bridge inspection teams have also been instructed to remain on high alert.

Emergency preparedness

To ensure swift response during emergencies, the zone has placed all emergency assets in a state of operational readiness. Accident Relief Trains (ARTs), Medical Relief Vans and Quick Response Teams (QRTs) have been strategically positioned across the zone.

The General Manager has instructed senior officials to remain available for immediate mobilisation and directed field staff to maintain round-the-clock vigil at vulnerable locations.

Infrastructure push

The South Coast Railway is also accelerating long-term infrastructure projects aimed at eliminating rail-road conflicts. Mr. Mathur said work had commenced on three major Rail Over Bridges (ROBs) at Gunadala, Guntur and Mangalagiri at an estimated cost of more than ₹300 crore.

These projects, along with several others across the zone, are expected to ease traffic congestion and eliminate hazardous level crossings.

Mr. Mathur said safe railway operations depended on continuous field monitoring, timely risk assessment and the effective use of technology. As the South Coast Railway establishes its operational identity, the emphasis will remain on building a resilient network capable of withstanding the challenges posed by extreme weather events and climate change.