The colonial-era iron buffer at Churchgate station that was damaged in an accident two years ago is set to be replaced with an advanced hydraulic buffer.
Saurabh Prasad, Additional Divisional Railway Manager of the Western Railway, said the tender would be finalised soon and the buffers installed within six months of awarding the contract.
The existing buffers at the four railway lines at Churchgate station were manufactured by Ransomes and Rapier at Ipswich in England, and installed in 1930 during the Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway era.
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Two offers on hand
Tenders were invited on August 24 and the Western Railway have received offers from two German companies — M/s Rawie and M/s Klose. The two firms have offered to dismantle the damaged buffer, install a new advanced one and look after its maintenance for the first 10 years for ₹1.6 crore and ₹2.1 crore respectively. The tender has not been finalised as it has overshot the estimated budget of ₹83 lakh.
The Western Railway is planning to install 15 new hydraulic buffers at suburban stations, including four at Churchgate and five in Mumbai Central. A senior Western Railway official said, “The new buffer is designed to absorb the impact of a loaded 12-car Electric Multiple Unit rake that travels at a speed of 15 kmph. It will ensure there is no structural damage to the coaches in case of a crash. The movable buffer will be the first such installation in the Indian Railways.”
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On June 28, 2015, a fast local train from Bhayander smashed through the buffer installed at the end of the tracks at Platform No. 3 of Churchgate station.
The train travelling at a speed of 30 kmph overshot the buffer zone, entered the platform and came to a halt within 10 metres of a coffee stall.
The overhead wires snapped in the impact of the crash and the wheels of the train were left hanging in the air. Five passengers, including the motorman, sustained minor injuries.
An investigation into the accident concluded that the accident took place because the motorman failed to apply the brakes on time. The motorman of the locomotive L.S. Tiwari, guard Ajay Gohil and loco inspector M.G. Verma were suspended after the accident. A senior Western Railway official said, “The accident was unfortunate. The investigation recommended installing modern buffers that can absorb the kinetic energy generated during a collision. The advanced buffers will require a space of 7.5 metres from the dead end of the platform to be installed.”