East Coast Railway (ECoR) is once again stepping up its safety protocols to ensure the secure operation of trains through fog-prone regions. With dense fog often blanketing areas under its jurisdiction, particularly during the night and early morning hours, the railway has put in place a series of precautionary measures to protect passengers and train staff alike.
This initiative is part of ECoR’s ongoing commitment to maintaining safety in foggy conditions, which annually pose significant challenges for train movement. The railway has focused on enhancing visibility in areas where fog is most problematic, introducing critical visual aids to ensure clear sightlines for locomotive pilots. These include the installation of luminous and fluorescent strips on overhead equipment masts, at level crossings, and near approaching stop signals. These visual enhancements are vital during low visibility, allowing train drivers to identify critical signals and points well in advance, thereby avoiding accidents. To further safeguard operations, the railways have set stringent speed limits, with trains restricted to a maximum of 60 kmph in poor visibility conditions. This ensures that trains are operated at a pace that is not only safe but also allows for greater reaction time should an unexpected situation arise. In foggy conditions, locomotive pilots are given the discretion to adjust speeds as they deem necessary, prioritising safety over punctuality, according to official statements.
Ashoka Kumar Mishra, Chief Spokesperson of ECoR, emphasised that passenger safety remains the railway’s foremost concern. “To enhance alertness, we have implemented a detonator system that creates an audible warning when trains pass over it, ensuring further safety on tracks,” Mishra explained. The system uses flat, red-coloured metal containers that emit a distinct sound when triggered by passing trains, alerting station staff and signal operators to any approaching trains. In addition, ECoR has deployed winter patrolmen who carry out regular checks along train routes, particularly during the critical hours of midnight to 7 am, when fog is most dense. These patrolmen are trained to assess visibility conditions and install necessary safety measures, such as LED-based flasher taillights, luminous indication strips, and mandatory red tail lamps, which further aid in the detection of trains. Surprise checks and footplate inspections are conducted to ensure that safety measures are consistently followed.
Train staff, including guards and loco pilots, undergo regular training and counselling sessions to improve their preparedness for foggy conditions. One of the key safety measures includes frequent whistle-blowing by loco pilots, which serves to alert both gatekeepers and nearby road users of an approaching train, enhancing the safety of those on the tracks. While the railway continues to adapt to the challenges posed by winter fog, passengers are urged to remain patient and cooperate with any adjustments to train schedules. ECoR assures that these measures are implemented with one goal in mind: ensuring the safety and well-being of all passengers, even in the most challenging weather conditions. As winter fog continues to threaten visibility, ECoR’s proactive approach in enhancing its safety measures demonstrates the railway’s dedication to providing a safe, secure, and comfortable travel experience, with a clear focus on protecting both lives and livelihoods during the cold season.
