The Turkish State Railways (TCDD) General Directorate announced that a comprehensive weed control campaign will be launched on the Sivas-Kayseri, Sivas-Divrigi, and Sivas-Samsun railway lines. Vital warnings were issued to citizens regarding the spraying operations to be carried out at depots, stations, and sidings along the lines. IT POSES A RISK TO HUMAN AND ANIMAL HEALTH!
In an official statement from TCDD, it was emphasized that the chemical agents to be used for combating weeds around the tracks have potent properties that can directly affect human and animal health. It was noted that citizens living near railway sections and station areas must be extremely cautious due to the risk of chemical contact. ATTENTION TO BEEKEEPERS, LIVESTOCK GRAZERS, AND HAY HARVESTERS!
The statement shared the following clear restrictions regarding agricultural and livestock activities near the sprayed areas: 'It is strongly announced that starting from the spraying dates, citizens must not approach the treated fields, graze their animals, harvest grass, or conduct beekeeping activities in the specified locations along the railway route and adjacent lands for 15 days.'
SPRAYING SCHEDULE: WHEN AND WHERE WILL THE WORK TAKE PLACE? The planned spraying dates and route schedule by TCDD are as follows: June 24-26: Sivas - Kayseri section. June 29 - July 3: Sivas - Divrigi section. July 6-10: Sivas - Samsun section. WHY ARE WEEDS DANGEROUS?
Weeds growing on railway lines and along their verges pose a far greater problem than a simple landscaping issue. They directly threaten navigation safety, infrastructure lifespan, and fire safety. When weeds growing on or immediately next to the rails are crushed by train wheels, they form a slippery, plant-based layer (similar to a wet oil film) on the rail surface.
This critically reduces the adhesion (friction) between wheel and rail, thereby significantly increasing braking distances and causing wheel slippage during acceleration or hill climbing. Additionally, weeds infiltrating the spaces between the special crushed stone ballast beneath the rails destroy its drainage (water evacuation) capability.
Especially during the summer months, dry weeds can quickly become like haystacks of flame. Sparks generated by trains during braking or small embers that may fly from locomotives can easily ignite this dry vegetation.
