With winter setting its foot forward, the Sealdah Division is gearing up to handle hurdles posed by fog in the cold weather.
To enable safe train passage despite dense fog, the Sealdah Division is particularly focusing on signal visibility. This involves ensuring that every loco pilot has a clear and immediate view of necessary guidance points by checking that all existing signal lights are operating at peak brightness, often through the use of modern LED signals. Furthermore, critical warning markers like signal sighting boards and W/L boards are inspected and maintained – including checking luminous paints and strips to ensure they are perfectly positioned and reflective, confirming that drivers are given ample warning and adherence to safety visibility standards are met even when the fog rolls in thickest.
To overcome the challenges brought by the fog during winter, a comprehensive safety seminar was held by the divisional authorities. Chaired by the divisional railway manager, Rajeev Saxena, the seminar addressed specific precautions connected to signal and telecom, operating, engineering, TRD, electrical op topics covered and actions taken to enhance safety and to ensure train operations remain smooth and safe despite reduced visibility on winter and foggy conditions.
According to the divisional railway sources precautions are being taken at level crossings (LC) gates too. Railway staff are making sure that barriers are highly visible with retro-reflective tapes and clear markings, level-crossing gates are either painted or provided with yellow/black luminous strips. It also being checked that hooters are working properly so motorists and pedestrians are warned clearly, even in dense fog.
For protecting the tracks, the maintenance of which is critically important, especially as the winter season brings colder temperatures that can cause tracks to become brittle and potentially cracked, petrol-men are deployed during 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. on each day for special monitoring of track to avoid the adverse impact of rail, weld fracture. The petrol men are equipped with GPS tracker and wear retro-reflective jackets with a three set torch. They regularly inspect four km in single-line section and two km in double-line section in their assigned beat. Their movement is monitored through GPS tracker and ambush check by officers for safe train movement. For alerting loco pilots by placement of detonators, fog signal posts are marked.