Trains running without fog-safety device

The trains running on branch lines, which are the secondary railway lines connected to the main lines, have not got the fog-safety device until now. The railway department had announced to install the fog safety device in trains many years ago, but could arrange it for the main line trains only.

Sources said that even all trains on the main line track did not have the fog-safety devices.

Divisional traffic manager (DTM) SP Singh Bhatia said, “Most of the trains on the main lines are provided with the fog-safety device, but it could not be provided to the branch line trains yet. It is supposed to reach to the branch line trains over the time.”

Besides, the Northern Railways also do not have anti-collision device (ACD) as this proposal was gutted due to its cost. This device could stop the collision of the trains on the same track from front and rear and thus could be helpful in providing much safer journey on tracks.

Fog-safety device

The fog-safety is a GPS (Global Positioning System)-based system that is placed in driver's cabin. The device alerts the driver about the approaching signal on the track during the fog. This system has proved a boon for the trains during intense fog as it helps the driver to see the signal in dense foggy condition.

Fog continues to hit rail traffic

The fog continues to delay rail services, leaving passengers hassled in the city. Though there was no fog in many parts of the northern region for the first two days of New Year, but it could not bring the trains on track and dense fog on Saturday again made them off the track.

The long-distance trains were the worst-hit. Sachkhand Express train was delayed for more than eight hours, Saryu Yumna Express was delayed by six hours, Amarpali Express and Sealdah Express were delayed by more than three hours and Malwa Express ran behind its schedule time for nearly 3.5 hours.

Cancellation of Jansewa Express due to intense fog made passengers harassed a lot. This train has been cancelled by railway authorities from January 1 to February 15 due to fog but many passengers were not aware for this.

Ludhiana station superintendent RK Sharma said, “The situation can remain same if the fog continues to envelope the region. We are making announcements about the status of the trains so that passengers do not suffer. The passengers should also check the running status of train before coming to the station to avoid any problem.”