No more delays

Fog conditions badly impede visibility and it has significant adverse impact on the schedules of all modes of transport — air, road, railways et al. Special arrangements have been made by Northern Railway for ensuring punctuality and safe running of trains and to minimise inconvenience to passengers during foggy weather. Severe fog conditions affect train operations from punctuality and safety point of view, particularly during the months of December and January. The most severely affected routes are:

• Delhi-Ambala, Delhi-Palwal, Delhi-Rewari.
• Shakurbasti-Bhatinda, Saharanpur-Ambala-Amritsar, Ambala-Kalka.
• Roza-Moradabad-Saharanpur, Moradabad-Haridwar-Dehradun.
• lucknow-Faizabad-Varanasi sections.

Preventive measures

As per the directive of the general manager, the following extensive measures are being undertaken:

• Intensified night inspection by officers at all levels for increasing alertness level amongt staff.
• Extensive drive launched for inspection by the officers at the divisional and headquarters level during night.
• Monitoring of divisional control office during night at the officers level.

Staff training and comfort

They have trained crew to administer safety measures during foggy situations.

• All crews have been imparted necessary training for up to two days about the system of working of trains during fog.
• In a view of increased ‘hours on road’ during fog, extra crews for manning of mail/passenger trains have been finalised. Divisions are directed to monitor train movement to avoid over ten hours duty.
• Adequate numbers of quilts/blankets have been arranged.
• Geysers have been set up and put in working order in all running rooms.
• Heating arrangement (Room heater) have been provided in the running rooms at hilly and cold places like  Shimla, Kalka, Badgam, Baijnath Paprola and Amritsar.

Set the standard

Following items/activities of traction distribution in electrified sections are carried out/in process during patrolling/maintenance in the pre winter drive:

• Retro reflective tape sigma mark on OHE structures prior to signals to pre-warn the pilots of approaching signals.
• Meticulous cleaning of porcelain OHE insulators in polluted zones to avoid flash over during foggy weather.
• Cleaning of transmission line insulators and provision of anti-fog insulators in polluted zones of Diwana-Shahbad Markanda section over Delhi division.

Right signals

Monitoring and upkeep of signalling systems is a paramount priority during foggy weather. Following safety precautions have been implemented to ensure safety:

• To indicate fog, a visibility test object (VTO) is set up at least 180 metres from the starter signal of the station. If the station superintendent/master is unable to see the VTO clearly from the station, fog is declared and advisories are put in place.
• A fog signal register is maintained mentioning the commencement and clearing time of fog along with duration. Information is promptly relayed to the control for proper monitoring of operations.
• In automatic signaling section, a guard is directed to be alert with his hand signal lamp and to show red flashing light towards rear in case the train comes to halt.

Technology to the rescue

The railways have also provided technology-aided devices to all staff to ensure safety in train operations. Some of them are:

• To keep loco pilots alert vigilance control devices have been provided in all electric locomotives to check the alertness of loco pilots during train operations.
• Train Protection Warning System  has been provided to avoid collision.

Additional arrangements

At major stations arrangements have been made to ensure round the clock maintenance. Some of them are:

• PRS counters will be opened to passengers seeking refund in case of cancellation.
• Railway Protection Force Personnel have been directed to assist passengers in the event of train delays  apart from their brief of duties in security of passengers.
• A dedicated helpline number 011-23747110 has been provided for disseminating train-related information.

Be on track

Passengers can check train arrival/departure details through:

• Telephone number 139.
• National Train Enquiry System.
• Passengers can SMS the five digit train number to 9717631813 along with STD code of boarding station. The expected arrival/departure of train from Delhi area stations will be sent back to the passenger by the system after a few seconds.

nInformation on web-portals of Northern Railway and Indian Railways.