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Railways increases max speed of trains to 75 kmph to combat delays during foggy winter

The national transporter has also asked railway zones to keep adequate supply of detonators
Last Updated 06 December 2022, 16:49 IST

To combat delays during the foggy winter months, the Indian Railways has decided to enhance the maximum permissible speed of trains to 75 km per hour from the present 60 km per hour, the national transporter said on Tuesday.

"It has been decided that with the use of fog devices in locomotives, the maximum permissible speed during foggy/inclement weather conditions can be enhanced from 60 kmph (kilometres per hour) to 75 kmph," the Indian Railways said.

The national transporter has also asked railway zones to keep an adequate supply of detonators -- appliances fixed on rails that explode with a loud report when an engine passes so as to attract the driver's attention.

It also said lime marking across the track at sighting boards (or at distant signals in case of double-distant signals) must be done.

"Loco pilots to observe all precautions during foggy season. During fog, when the loco pilot in his judgment feels that visibility is restricted due to fog, he shall run at a speed at which he can control the train so as to be prepared to stop short of any obstruction; this speed shall in any case not be more than 75 kmph," the statement 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," the railways said.

"The new existing Seating Cum Luggage Rakes (SLRs) are already being fitted with LED-based flasher tail lights, therefore, the existing SLRs with fixed red lights should be modified and fixed with LED lights. This will be a very important step to ensure safety in foggy weather," the Railways said.

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 statement said. The railways may also create infrastructure at new/additional crew changing locations.

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(Published 06 December 2022, 12:21 IST)

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