Central Railway has adopted an eco-friendly bioengineering solution using vetiver grass to tackle soil erosion and improve slope stability in vulnerable ghat sections, aiming to ensure safer and uninterrupted train operations during the monsoon.
Central Railway expects the nature-based solution to reduce soil erosion and slope instability and minimise incidents of boulders and debris falling onto railway tracks. It could also support safer and more punctual train operations during the monsoon while reducing maintenance requirements and costs associated with conventional slope-protection works. The initiative is significant for ecologically sensitive ghat stretches, where maintaining slope stability during intense monsoon rainfall remains a major challenge.
The railway said the vetiver-based approach would be used alongside conventional engineering measures, rather than as a replacement for them.
