On 24.11.2020, General Manger Rajiv Chaudhry reviewed position of safety, fog and winter preparedness and other important works over North Central Railway through video conferencing with PHODs of North Central Railway and Divisional Railway Managers Prayagraj, Jhansi and Agra.
In the beginning of the video conference, detailed presentations on fog and winter preparedness were made by Divisional Railway Managers of Agra, Jhansi and Prayagraj. To ensure safe and detention free train operations over high traffic density routes, North Central Railway has framed detailed and time bound action plan for foggy and winter season. Under the ongoing preparedness, requisite training and compulsory medical examination of all train running staff have already been completed. To ensure proper visibility of gate boom and stop boards to road users, retroreflective signages have been provided at all manned level crossing gates over the three divisions.
For assisting crew on approaching signal during foggy weather, adequate number of fog-safe devices are provided at all crew booking points and GPS location of signals have been updated in all fog-safe devices to warn loco pilots on approaching signals during less visibility conditions. To safeguard crew from chilling winds, sealing of locomotive cabs in entire fleet of 448 electric locomotives and 102 diesel locomotives is being done. Similarly, adequate arrangement for blankets, geysers, room heaters etc. have been ensured in all Running rooms over NCR to ensure quality outstation rest to crew. Under the ongoing winter precautions, necessary destressing of track, checking of joints, greasing etc. have already been completed and night patrolling of railway tracks has also been started since 15.11.2020.
To ensure proper visibility of last vehicle of train ahead in section, provision of retroreflective cross mark and flashing tail lamp are being checked and ensured in SLRs of passenger trains and guard-vans of goods train. Other important items related to winter and fog working like availability of visibility test object (VTO) to assess fog condition, availability of retroreflective signages, adequate availability of VHF sets, detonators, lime marking before signals etc. are being ensured on Agra, Jhansi and Prayagraj divisions.
Reviewing fog and winter preparedness GM observed that divisions should learn from experience of each other and implement good practices followed over other divisions. He also stressed that proper and adequate availability of winter and patrolling gears must be ensured for all staff deputed for inspection of track and other assets. He further added that arrangement for prior information to passengers on late running of trains and adequate availability packed food items at stations be ensured. General Manager also directed divisions to check and ensure proper illumination at all level crossing approaches and station platforms. GM Chaudhry directed divisions to ensure uniform and proper level of illumination at station platforms.
For timely detection of Hot axle and Brake binding cases in moving trains, Hot axle and Hot wheel (HAHW) detectors are installed over NCR. These equipment send automatic alert messages to control room and maintenance personnel in case of excess temperature noticed in passing train. Reviewing performance of HAHW, GM suggested to explore possibility of installing buzzer in section ahead of such equipment to alert crew of affected trains in addition to the existing system of message-based alert.
On the front of freight loading, North Central Railway has narrowed the gap and expected to surpass last year loading volume within this week. So far it has finalized 08 station to station (STS) concessional rate proposals which brought major impetus to loading. Reviewing loading performance of North Central Railway, GM Chaudhry commended performance of divisions and said that good efforts made by BDUs needs to be continued and upscaled to maximize volume and revenue from freight loading.