VASCO: Goods rail traffic was paralysed for nearly eight hours after two trees uprooted and collapsed on coal laden wagons near Desterro in Mormugao on Tuesday.
As per available information, two rain trees along the NH17 highway near Desterro uprooted and collapsed due to heavy rain in the premises of the Mormugao Port Trust. The incident was reported at around 10 am.
A tree collapsed on a coal laden wagon which was supposed to move from Vasco to deliver consignment to a steel plant was halted for nearly eight hours, while another empty wagon which was supposed to load coal at the coal handling plant was also halted for eight hours. In the process, the compound wall of the MPT also got damaged. The Vasco fire station immediately rushed to the site after receiving the call.
The Mormugao Port authorities provided a hydraulic crane in order to lift the trees. Vehicular traffic which was heading towards Headland-Sada and towards Vasco was paralysed during the operation.
A massive traffic jam was witnessed during the tree clearing operation. School students from Deepvihar high school and higher secondary schools faced a lot of hardship while returning home. Students were forced to alight from buses which were found in the traffic jam and were forced to walk up to Vasco city to board other buses.
After hectic efforts, the Vasco fire station personnel lifted the trees from the wagon with the help of a hydraulic crane and also cut the other dangerous trees which were on the verge of collapse.
Speaking to this daily, Vasco fire personnel have disclosed that the South Western Railway have incurred a loss estimated to cost Rs 10,000, while they have saved property worth around Rs 10,000. The goods rail traffic was resumed at around 7 p.m.