Amid foggy weather, rlys reviews safety measures

Patna: To ensure the safety and security of passengers, East Central Railway (ECR) reviewed its winter safety measures during a meeting on Saturday with representatives from each division. The meeting focused on upgrading safety protocols by implementing a cutting-edge GPS-based winter safety system across all five divisions, said ECR's chief public relations officer (CPRO) Saraswati Chandra.
According to Chandra, the newly installed system uses GPS technology to monitor real-time weather patterns and train movements, enabling better coordination and timely interventions. "This system will provide critical data to railway personnel, helping them make informed decisions regarding train schedules, speed limits and safety measures in regions affected by dense fog and cold temperatures," he said.
"Winter weather, especially fog, can impact train operations. By integrating GPS-based monitoring systems, we can track trains with greater accuracy and alert staff to potential hazards in advance. The new device will allow us to take preventive measures, like slowing down trains or halting services in high-risk areas, to avoid accidents," Danapur divisional railway manager (DRM) Jayant Kumar Choudhary said.
Sonepur DRM Vivek Bhushan Sood said 130 mail and express trains, 160 goods trains and 90 passenger trains pass through daily from his division. "To ensure foolproof safety, the division has deployed night patrolmen at intervals of 5km to 6km on each vulnerable route to check for faults in tracks caused by excessive cold," he said.
Sood added that the GPS-based system works in tandem with existing safety features such as track monitoring and fog safety devices. "It has been deployed in important locations where winter-related issues have historically been a concern. The railways has increased patrolling with the GPS upgrades in the division to handle any emergencies smoothly," he said.
Samastipur DRM Vinay Srivastava said all long-distance mail and express trains hauled by locomotives are now equipped with the GPS-based device. "This is part of the ECR's broader commitment to improving railway safety and enhancing the overall travel experience for passengers during winter," he said.