PATNA: With mercury gradually rising, the Danapur division of East Central Railway (ECR) has stepped up summer safety measures to ensure smooth running of about 260 passenger and 45 goods trains either originating or passing through the division.
Railways is taking special care at vulnerable places as well as on different sections of the division. Maximum alert is being maintained on major bridges under the division, particularly during peak time of the day. Movement of trains is badly affected in summer due to buckling of tracks caused by excessive heat. The buckling often causes derailment of trains if preventive measures are not taken in time. Keeping this in mind, the railways has taken safety measures to avert any mishap on tracks due to buckling or other reasons, sources said.
According to divisional railway manager (DRM), Danapur, Gyan Prakash Srivastava, the railways has set up action force teams for carrying out track patrolling during the peak time from 11 am to 4 pm on each section of the division. In case of any fault, the team will immediately swing into action and inform the Danapur control room. And, repair work of the tracks will be carried out on top priority, he said.
Besides, railways is carrying out surprise inspections at different places during day and night to check the alertness of safety staff. Footplating (travel on locomotives) is going on to give proper counselling to drivers and other staff posted at different stations under the division, the DRM said.
To ensure foolproof safety during summer, railways has already introduced breath analyser test, which is mandatory for each driver (loco pilot) and assistant driver while reporting on duty. This test checks whether the loco pilot has consumed liquor before reporting on duty, the DRM added.
That apart, railways has set up a team of senior railway officials to check summer safety measures from time to time under the division. Railway gangmen and keymen have been asked to remain vigilant round the clock during peak summer time. Destressing of the tracks is the only solution to buckled tracks, a safety official of Danapur division said.