The Ministry of Railways instructs the general managers of the branch railways to carry out a week-long safety campaign from now on
Posted Date – 07:00 AM, Sun – 6/11/23
The Ministry of Railways instructs the general managers of the branch railways to carry out a week-long safety campaign from now on
New Delhi: The Ministry of Railways has instructed the general managers of railways in various regions to carry out a week of safe driving activities from now on.
Safety Drive is designed to address specific aspects related to signaling equipment and relay rooms to ensure the highest safety standards across the railway network.
Safe Drive requires a thorough inspection of all Goomaties enclosure signaling equipment station-wide to verify and ensure that a ‘double locking arrangement’ exists. These arrangements play a vital role in maintaining the integrity and reliability of the signaling system.
The order further emphasizes the inspection and verification of double lock installations located in relay rooms at various stations. It must be confirmed that these arrangements are functioning properly. Also, the security driver needs to check that the “data logging and generating door open/close SMS alerts” in these relay rooms are functioning properly.
The order emphasizes strict adherence to prescribed specifications and guidelines for the disconnection and reconnection of Signaling and Telecommunications (S&T) equipment. During the period of safe driving, 100% of the above-mentioned locations shall be checked for compliance, and 10% of the locations shall be “super-checked”.
The order directs railway authorities to take appropriate follow-up action on any deficiencies or irregularities discovered during safe driving.
Driving results must be reported to the Railway Authority by 14 June 2023. Additionally, reports must be uploaded to the Safety Management Database System (SMDMS).
This safe drive demonstrates the Government of India’s commitment to enhancing safety measures within the railway system and ensuring the smooth and safe operation of signaling equipment and relay rooms.
Meanwhile, the direction was issued after a triple train accident in Balasore, Odisha on June 2 involving the Coromandel Express bound for Chennai, Shalimar Express bound for Howrah and A freight train, the accident claimed the lives of 275 people and left 1,000 injured.
The railway said initial investigations indicated the accident may have been the result of “signal interference”.
