In a significant achievement for railway safety and operational efficiency, the Varanasi division of the North Eastern Railway has secured a prestigious 5S work management certification for its critical accident relief infrastructure. This honour marks a first for the entire North Eastern Railway zone.
Honour for Critical Emergency Resources
The certification was awarded to all Special Class Accident Relief Trains (SPART), the Special Class Accident Relief Medical Van (SPARMV), and the division's heavy-duty 140-ton crane-equipped accident relief train. The formal certification event took place in Mau, highlighting the systematic upgrade undertaken across key locations.
According to Varanasi division spokesperson Ashok Kumar, this milestone was reached through a combination of clear target setting, precise guidance from senior officials, and dedicated teamwork. The effort was spearheaded under the directives of principal chief mechanical engineer Naresh Kumar and divisional railway manager Ashish Jain.
Systematic Overhaul with Japanese Techniques
Leading the on-ground execution was senior divisional mechanical engineer (Carriage & Wagon) Anubhav Pathak. Under his leadership, the SPART trains deployed at strategic locations including Banaras, Chhapra, and Mau were outfitted with state-of-the-art facilities.
The journey to certification involved all associated departments fulfilling stringent requirements for resources and equipment. A crucial step was the independent, third-party survey of the self-propelled trains. This audit notably employed Japanese procedures and techniques, ensuring every aspect was evaluated and systematized methodically.
The Impact of 5S Management on Railway Safety
The implementation of 5S work management principles brings transformative change to emergency response logistics. The core idea is to ensure everything has a designated place. This involves creating clear regulations for each piece of equipment, including its name, related information, and usage method.
The tangible benefit is dramatic time-saving during emergencies. Information about any specific item or equipment can now be located in minimal time, eliminating frantic searches and delays when seconds count. This streamlined system directly enhances the division's preparedness and response capability during accident relief operations.
This certification is more than an award; it represents a fundamental shift towards world-class, systematic management of life-saving railway assets, setting a new benchmark for safety protocols within the Indian Railways network.
