Urgent Repairs Underway as Over 300 Engineers Battle 'Extensive' Damage on East-West Line

**SINGAPORE:** Over 300 dedicated engineers and technicians have been tirelessly working around the clock to address significant damage inflicted on the East-West Line's tracks and equipment, revealed Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat on Thursday (Sep 26).

The crisis began on Wednesday morning when a crucial component of a first-generation Kawasaki Heavy Industries train, which has been operational for more than 35 years, malfunctioned. The axle box dislodged and fell off while returning to the Ulu Pandan Depot, leading to what authorities have deemed "extensive damage" between the Clementi and Dover MRT stations.

This incident triggered a power trip that severely disrupted services on the East-West Line, a vital transportation route first inaugurated in the 1980s. Initially, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and rail operator SMRT had anticipated a partial restoration of services by Friday, but the extent of the damage led to an announcement late Thursday that disruptions would extend into a third day.

"Over the last 40 hours, our more than 300 engineers and technicians from LTA and SMRT have been working day and night to conduct extensive repairs," Mr. Chee emphasized during his visit to the Ulu Pandan depot. "Given the magnitude of the damage, we must approach this task cautiously, which requires time and diligence."

The ongoing repairs involve replacing over 30 damaged rail segments, each weighing in excess of 1 tonne. Additionally, technicians are addressing the repair of the third rail and the power cables, essential for train operation, along with point machines that necessitate precise calibration and alignment.

In a show of appreciation, Mr. Chee expressed his gratitude towards the workers. "They are doing their utmost to restore services swiftly while ensuring safety through rigorous testing and checks. It is imperative that we guarantee the safety of commuters before resuming full train services."

Early on Friday, Mr. Chee took to Facebook to thank commuters for their understanding during this challenging period and for their support for the repair teams.

WHAT OCCURRED?

The breakdown occurred around 9 AM on Wednesday when the Kawasaki train's axle box malfunctioned. Consequently, a bogie—a crucial undercarriage component—was dislodged, leading to significant damage across 1.6 kilometers of tracks. Authorities reported 34 rail breaks along this stretch, alongside damage to three critical switch machines, the third rail, and various power cables and rail clips.

In light of these challenges, officials assured the public that all Kawasaki Heavy Industries trains that remained operational on Thursday had successfully passed robust axle box functionality tests, emphasizing ongoing safety measures.

This incident raises vital discussions about the aging infrastructure of public transport systems, particularly in cities like Singapore that depend heavily on their MRT services. As many commuters juggle their daily routines, authorities outline their commitment to restoring full operations while enhancing the reliability of public transit for the future.

Stay tuned for updates as this situation develops!