Indian Railways has just made a declaration that will make you feel so much better! Railways has taken steps to ensure your journey is safe and you arrive at your destination without encountering delays or even cancelled trains that is a big worry for passengers during winter. Well, winter has already marked its onset and the Indian Railways has announced that it is ready to deal with all hurdles. Railways says it has started its preparation to sustain its operations during the dangerous foggy weather that is in the offing as the cold weather draws a blanket over India. Every year, the public transporter has to cancel several trains and hundreds more face hours of delays due to prevailing foggy conditions especially in the northern region. Much to the relief of passengers, Indian Railways has come out with a solution to this problem.

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The East Coast Railway said that it will be using detonators to keep its train running during the foggy season. "Use of Detonators in Foggy weather: Detonators are used in foggy weather or otherwise when visibility is severely impaired, to provide an audible indication to the locomotive crew that the train is approaching a signal," said the ECR.

The ECR has also listed out steps it will be taking to run its trains smoothly during the season.

* East Coast Railway has geared up its manpower to cope with dense fog during the night and early morning in various Rail Sections under its jurisdiction in areas prone to be affected by fog and precautions have been taken regarding train running during the current winter Season.

* The loco pilots & guards have been instructed to ensure that, they should put the safety of passengers at top & should run trains at such reduced speed in foggy weather as they may feel confident & comfortable, even if it means loss of punctuality to the train.

* In case of low visibility, loco-pilots will run the train at speed not more than 60 kmph. The loco pilots have also been advised to whistle frequently to warn the nearby gateman and road users of approaching train.

* Train running staffs are being counselled by the Railway Officers & Safety Counsellors to cope with the situations.

* In areas prone to dense fog, luminous & fluorescent strips have been painted in OHE masts, Level Crosings (LCs) & at busy traffic areas before an approaching “Stop Signal” to warn the loco pilot that the train is approaching a stop signal and running in sensitive areas. The provision of this device has been of great help to the loco pilots who now can spot these luminous strips even during fog and get extra careful regarding the aspect of the approaching signal.

* Station Managers have been provided with adequate detonators and have been advised to assess whether visibility is impaired badly enough to warrant the use of detonators.

* Counselling of Station Staff - The Railway Staff posted at Stations, Cabins and Gates have also been instructed to place detonators whenever there is thick fog to warn the loco pilots according to laid down rules & regulations.

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* Train Guards have been counselled and instructed to watch that, the loco-pilot does not exceed the prescribed speed limit during fog. Guards have been advised to use flasher lamps during daytime also during fog.

* Lifting barriers at busy LCs to be provided with luminous indication strips. The rear portion of trains fitted with LED Flasher Tail Lights in addition to Flashing Red Tail Lamp along with luminous indications.

* It has also introduced Cold Weather Patrolling System by deputing Winter Patrolman with proper training and monitoring.  Surprise checks and Footplate inspections are being done during the late night & early morning hours i.e. from midnight to 0700hrs at all sensitive places.