Completely shaken after the worst train tragedy at Balasore, the Indian Railways is leaving nothing to chance while stressing the need for more vigil and inspection of tracks and signalling systems.
In a recent meeting, the top brass of the Railways has reiterated the fact that “nothing is fully safe and one has to ensure safety at all cost.”
The Railways has issued directives to general managers of all zones to ensure digital and double locking system in control rooms, gate huts and goomtis (cabins).
Relay room or control room are in places where the system used is large and in busy stations that have to handle high volumes of train movement, while gate huts and goomtis are situated near level crossings and the station yard, where signalling and telecommunications equipment are kept.
According to order issued by Railway Board Member (Infrastructure) Roop Narayan Sunkar, all cabins housing signalling and telecommunications equipment in station yard, should be treated as a relay hut and till double-locking arrangement is provided, the key of the present single lock would be with the station master.
“Double lock in relay rooms including end cabins, gate huts and goomtis within station limit etc should be ensured. Till double locking gets completed, signal staff key of single lock at relay huts, goomtis should be kept with panel station master,” the order stated and added, “Digital locking system may be provided wherever necessary.”
The lengthy order also directs the concerned authorities to make “Proper planning of signalling works in relay rooms or goomtis for maintenance/ alteration/special works should be undertaken in advance before taking up the work. This includes site verification related to circuit diagrams, cable terminations, fuses, relay contacts etc. on issues related to safety and signalling.”
Issuing detailed instructions on regular maintenance of signalling assets, the railway board member has clearly stipulated the process and procedure to be followed for maintenance and execution of signalling works.
The order has also sought mandatory correspondence check of panel at the site, to be done at the time of reconnection of signalling gears jointly by signalling and operating staff.