The derailed engine, which is stranded between Vidyavihar and Kurla stations, is likely to meet its end at the spot itself, as the Central Railway is planning to remove its functioning machinery and discard the rest as scrap.
On June 1, a diesel engine and a coach had derailed on its way to the yard. However, it’s been 20 days since the incident, but the derailed engine is still lying near the tracks while the coach has been removed.
According to the authorities, it would be a huge task to remove the derailed engine from the spot. “We are currently assessing the condition of the engine. The life of an engine is around 35 years, and the derailed engine has been in service for the last 25 years. A committee will first inspect the spot, and based on their recommendation, a decision will be taken whether to condemn the engine or remove it,” said a high-ranking CR officer.
However, it will be a daunting task to transport the heavy engine from the spot, and hence, sources said that the reasonable option is to condemn it after removing the important machinery in it.
“We would require two 140-tonne cranes to lift the engine. As the engine has derailed near the suburban tracks, we will have to take a major block and stop traffic on two tracks at least,” said the officer.
Moreover, the overhead equipment will also have to be removed to make way for the cranes. All this is a costly preposition and the logical option is to dismantle the engine,” explained another CR officer. “A new engine would cost around `4 crore. The parts of the derailed engine will be utilised,” he added.