Why do train drivers violate speed restrictions? Railway Board finds out
The advisory speed limit between Jajau and Mania railway station near Agra Cantt was broken by the loco pilot and assistant loco pilot of the Gatiman Express (PTI)
The Railway Board has established a committee to investigate why train drivers are breaking speed limits at several locations between the originating and destination stations, which is dangerous for the safety of train operations. Sources claim that the Board took action in response to recent events in which two train drivers drove their trains over 120 kmph over the 20 kmph speed limit at a river bridge that was undergoing maintenance.
What are the two incidents?
In the first incident, the advisory speed limit between Jajau and Mania railway station near Agra Cantt was broken by the loco pilot and assistant loco pilot of the Gatiman Express, India’s first semi-high-speed train that runs at a speed of 160 kmph between Hazrat Nizamuddin in Delhi and Virangana Lakshmibai Jhansi Junction in Uttar Pradesh.
A few days after the Gatiman incident, the Malwa Express train drivers, who operate between Katra and Indore, also violated the same law at the same location by speeding the train to 120 kmph. Soon after these incidents, the Railway Board on June 3 issued a circular to all zones.
The circular from the Railway Board asking all zones to nominate loco pilots from each division to attend a meeting on June 5, said, “Railway Board has constituted a committee to review the caution orders being issued to Loco Pilots and Train Managers (guards). The committee desires to interact with Loco Pilots through video conference to understand the issues related to caution orders at the field level.”
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What happened in the meeting?
A loco pilot who was part of the virtual meeting said that over 180 loco pilots and loco inspectors took part in the meeting and came out with various suggestions to ensure that speed restrictions are followed in letter and spirit.
“In the meeting, various suggestions came, For instance, a section of drivers suggested that a train guard should remind a driver on a walkie-talkie 3 km before the starting point of the speed restriction. This practice is being followed by the guards of Kota division and a request was made to make it applicable across the board in Railways,” said another loco pilot, who attended the meeting. He further added that some drivers wanted the caution order to be given on bold letters with bigger font size on A4 size white paper. They also said that drivers should be issued different colour highlighters to mark the restrictions for their convenience..
The participants also said that it was also discussed in the meeting whether permanent speed restriction (PSR) should also be made a part of the caution order. “Normally only temporary caution orders are given to the drivers on a paper sheet but a suggestion was made that PSR should also be mentioned,” said a loco pilot.
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According to railway officials, the loco pilots and their assistants must get a comprehensive route chart from the relevant operating department, along with any warnings and cautionary speed limitations, before boarding the engine. They are then expected to maintain the speed in accordance with the information provided. These warnings and cautions are spoken out aloud by the assistant driver during operation, and the driver confirms by saying it again. “The committee will look into these suggestions and deliberate upon other means to decide if there is a need to amend the operation norms concerning speed restrictions in the interest of safe train operations,” said a source in the Railway Board.
(with PTI inputs)