Bengal: ER highlights safety initiatives at Railway Board meet

Kolkata, Aug 14 (IANS) Satish Kumar, Chairman and CEO of the Railway Board, chaired the monthly high‑level safety review meeting on Thursday, during which Eastern Railway (ER) highlighted several critical operational safety and infrastructure monitoring initiatives.

The meeting was attended by Gitika Pandey, General Manager, ER, and the Divisional Railway Managers of Howrah, Sealdah, Asansol and Malda through video conferencing. Officials said ER is paying utmost attention to safety in rail operations and at station premises.

A senior official said detailed discussions were held on expanding CCTV coverage across passenger terminals to strengthen station security, as well as on the smooth operation of ER’s 54 Electronic In‑Motion Weighbridges (EIMWBs), which are vital for accurate load monitoring and protecting track integrity. Overloaded wagons can damage tracks and lead to accidents.

As tracks across most of the railway network are shared by both freight and passenger trains, undetected faults can cause derailments, putting passengers’ lives at risk. Rigorous track maintenance protocols and the execution of advanced signalling safety works were also discussed during the conference.

“Tracks and signals are the two most important components of train operations. ER is placing significant stress on track maintenance, including renewals. The proper functioning of changeover points is also being monitored carefully. All systems connected to signalling are routinely checked to detect faults,” the official said.

The steady progress in the construction and maintenance of Road Overbridges (ROBs) and Road Underbridges (RUBs) was also reviewed. Measures to combat waterlogging in Limited Height Subways (LHS) and RUBs were highlighted. These facilities allow the railways to eliminate Level Crossing (LC) gates. Waterlogging of LHSs and RUBs is a recurring problem during the monsoon. ER said it ensures proper drainage and even deploys pumps at certain locations to allow pedestrian and vehicular movement through these passages.

Dedicated steps are being taken to ensure crew safety and support train operating personnel, ER officials noted during the conference.

“We remain fully dedicated to upholding the highest safety standards. Under the guidance of the Railway Board, we are continuously enhancing our track infrastructure, signalling frameworks and passenger security systems to ensure a safe, smooth and dependable travel experience for everyone,” ER Chief Public Relations Officer Shibram Majhi said.

–IANS

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