NF Railway launches special drive at Silchar

Our Correspondent

Silchar, July 27: In view of the recent accident at a level crossing gate near Chabua in Tinsukia Division, NF Railway has launched a special drive to ensure the working of stations and gates strictly as per Station Working Rule and Gate Working Instructions. The intensive drive has been launched for 15 days with effect from July 21, 2018 and is being carried out all stations and level crossing gates of the zone for ensuring strict adherence to extant safety norms. The zone has already provided voice recording facility in telephones over which the station masters communicate with the gateman of nearby level crossing gates.

These telephones are being checked during the drive to ensure that they are in proper working condition. As per the prevalent system, every manned level crossing gate is connected by telephone to the nearest station. The station master communicates about the movement of a train to the on duty gateman posted at a gate. This communication is a crucial safety exercise and private numbers are exchanged by the two as a proof of exchange of communication. Moreover, concerned Traffic Inspectors have been advised to check and analyze the recorded data and satisfy themselves regarding proper working of station and gate as per Station Working Rule and Gate Working Instructions.

Divisional Operating and Engineering officers have been instructed to cross check these recorded data at least once in three months covering all stations and also to record in inspection register. Instructions have also been issued that all in-charge inspecting supervisors and officers doing night inspection invariably carry breathalyser with them and conduct random breathalyser test on frontline safety staff like gateman, patrolman etc.

It is to be mentioned that while NF Railway has launched an all out effort for elimination of unmanned level crossings which are most vulnerable to accidents, there has been an appreciable reduction in accidents in the zone over the years. There were 8 accidents over the zone during 2016-17, it came down to 2 during 2017-18 and so far there has been only one accident in 2018-19. This information has been shared by Pranav Jyoti Sharma, chief public relations officer, NF Railway.