Over 480 trains affected due to dense fog: Railways

Foggy weather in northwest India and the adjoining central and eastern parts of the country hit the movement of over 480 trains on Sunday.

"Around 335 trains have been delayed, 88 cancelled, 31 diverted and 33 short terminated due to foggy weather," the Railways said.

Movement of trains hit northwest India and the adjoining central and eastern parts of the country. Around 48 trains were delayed from one hour to four hours in Northern Railway Zone alone, said an official from the railways.

The Railways also said it is taking all measures to reduce inconvenience to passengers. However, poor visibility resulted in the slow movement of trains in some routes, said the official.

Also Read — Delhi in grip of severe cold wave; dense fog cripples road, rail movement

Listing steps taken for the smooth movement of trains during the winter season, the railways said, "Loco pilots to whistle frequently to warn the gatemen and road users of an approaching train at level crossings. Reliable fog-safe devices, if available, may be provided to the loco pilots in all locomotives running in fog-affected areas during fog."

Placement of detonators and adequate supply of detonators to be ensured. Detonating signals, otherwise known as detonators or fog signals, are appliances which are fixed on the rails and when an engine passes over them, they explode with a loud report so as to attract the attention of the driver.

Lime marking across the track at the sighting board (or at distant signals in case of double-distant signals) must be done.

All signal sighting boards, whistle boards, fog signal posts and busy vulnerable level crossing gates which are accident-prone should either be painted or provided with yellow/black luminous strips. The work of repainting for their proper visibility should be completed before the onset of the foggy season, the railway said.