The East Central Railway (ECR) has initiated a comprehensive winter safety campaign effective from Monday, responding to falling temperatures and the anticipated onset of dense fog across its network. This proactive move addresses growing concerns over operational and passenger safety as visibility continues to deteriorate on several critical stretches.
Fog-Prone Zones Prompt Enhanced Protocols
According to ECR’s Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Saraswati Chandra, the railways has always prioritized winter safety. However, the current situation demands heightened measures. Nearly 40% of stations under the Danapur division are located in fog-prone zones, a statistic that has directly triggered the introduction of upgraded safety protocols. This challenge is also prevalent in sections of the North Central Railway (NCR).
Multi-Layered Safety Mechanism Activated
The railway administration has deployed a multi-faceted strategy combining technology and human vigilance to minimize risks. A key technological upgrade is the deployment of GPS-based winter safety systems. These devices provide real-time alerts to locomotive pilots about upcoming signals, speed restrictions, and track conditions, offering crucial support when visual cues fail.
On the ground, the ECR has implemented several physical visibility enhancement measures at identified critical points. These include:
- Installation of high-intensity flashlights and retro-reflective posts.
- Placement of Visibility Test Objects (VTOs).
- Fresh painting of track-side falling lines.
These markings are vital, helping train crews assess distance and track alignment even when thick fog reduces visibility to just a few meters.
Focus on Human Vigilance and Monitoring
Recognizing that technology must be complemented by alert personnel, the railways is conducting special counselling sessions for loco pilots. These sessions focus on maintaining peak alertness during night shifts when visibility can drop suddenly and without warning.
Furthermore, operational adjustments are in force. The safety drive will continue throughout the winter period, extending until the end of February. During this time, authorities have mandated extra alertness and constant monitoring. This includes reducing sectional speeds where necessary and intensifying the patrolling of tracks to preempt any issues.
"The railways has activated a multi-layered winter safety mechanism to minimise risks associated with dense fog," CPRO Saraswati Chandra stated. He emphasized that technological upgrades combined with heightened human vigilance will be the cornerstone for ensuring smooth and safe train operations during the challenging winter months.
