Western Railway (WR) has taken decisive action to enhance safety measures and prevent rail accidents following the recent Balasore rail incident. Chittaranjan Swain, the Principal Chief Operations Manager of WR, has issued a comprehensive set of instructions to be followed after signal maintenance or reconnection. . A detailed report regarding the same was published in the Free Press Journal which included these measures that aim to prioritize safety and prevent similar incidents in the future.
Caution During Operations
In response to the Balasore rail accident, WR has underscored the need for utmost caution and the instructions state that the first up and down trains after reconnection must come to a complete stop before the home signal. These trains are then allowed to proceed but at a restricted speed of 30 kmph. Moreover, the letter explicitly prohibits the issuance of a through signal for the first train after reconnection or any maintenance work.
Enhanced Security Measures
To bolster security, WR has mandated stringent measures for relay rooms, relay gumties, and relay huts. Double locks are now required for each facility, with station managers exclusively holding the keys. Station managers are responsible for purchasing new locks using their cash imprest and must retain custody of all keys. Keys should only be handed over to authorized officials after proper entry in a dedicated register. Keys should not be given to S&T personnel below the rank of electronic signal maintainer, and the station manager must retrieve the key before offering reconnection.
Ensuring Integrity of Reconnection Process
To ensure the same, WR emphasizes the importance of correspondence tests conducted by authorized signaling personnel. The reconnection memo must explicitly confirm the full restoration of the designed condition of the gear. The letter also encourages the adoption of digital locking arrangements, similar to those successfully implemented in the Howrah Division of the Eastern Railway, whenever possible.
Vigilance in Operation of Points and Signals
WR highlights that the points in the panel should normally blink for 5-6 seconds or more, as a lack of blinking may indicate shortcuts or irregular practices. Any discrepancies should be promptly reported by the station manager to the S&T staff.
Coordinated Records and Planning
To improve coordination and maintain accurate records, WR instructs that information about disconnections and reconnections at stations should be recorded in the controllers' records. The Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) is directed to make necessary provisions for this purpose. Additionally, proactive planning for blocks is highlighted, with branch officers responsible for planning blocks at least one week in advance. Approval from the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) is required, and advance notice should be given to facilitate appropriate train regulation, short termination, or cancellation.
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