Railways using old techniques to issue fog warning
Marya Shakil / CNN-IBN
New Delhi: Four train drivers have been suspended because of the accidents that took place in Kanpur and Etawah on January 2 in which at least 10 people were killed and over 40 injured.
The train accidents reportedly took place due to heavy fog due, low visibility and human error. The accidents have raised serious concerns on railway safety.
During fog conditions trains must stick to the speed limit of 30 km per hour and in the dense fog eight km per hour.
Railway officials say most accidents are due to the failure of their own staff. But of the 177 accidents that occurred in 2008-2009, less than half were due to human error.
The truth is the railways are still using outdated techniques like detonators to warn the train drivers during fog.
When the train passes over them the driver gets a warning to slow down. Another technique is for train drivers blow the horn ahead of crossings to warn road users.
"If anti-collision devices are installed on all the trains and at all the stations then you need not have to depend on the human element," claims former chairman of Railway Board SB Ghosh Dastidar.
The anti-collision device has only been fixed over 1,736 route kms of the North Frontier Railway.
Rauilway Minister Mamata Banerjee says 1700 kms more will be covered, but financial issues are holding that up.
Indian Railways say that anti-collision device is not fit to be implemented in all terrains.
Shockingly the 10-year old project is still undergoing technical evaluation even as accidents continue to rise.
With outdated techniques of dealing with fog, the lifeline of the country is surely Ram bharose (in God's hands).
PME Due Date
Master Circular No. 25
Copy of Railway Board’s letter No. 69/H/3/11 dated 06.12.1974
Subject: Implementation of the Recommendations of the Visual Sub-Committee.
6. Periodical re-examination of serving Railway Employees:
6.l. In order to ensure the continued ability of Railway employees in Classes A l, A 2, A 3, B l and B 2 to discharge their duties with safety, they will be required to appear for re-examination at the following stated intervals throughout their service as indicated below:
6.1.1. Classes A l, A 2 and A 3 —At the termination of every period of three years, calculated from the date of appointment until they attain the age of 45 years, and thereafter annually until the conclusion of their service.
Note: (l) The staff in categories A l, A 2 and A 3 should be sent for special medical examination in the interest of safety under the following circumstances unless they have been under the treatment of a Railway Medical Officer.
(a) Having undergone any treatment or operation for eye trouble irrespective of the duration of sickness.
(b) Absence from duty for a period in excess of 90 days.
(2) If any employee in medical category A has been periodically medically examined at any time within one year prior to his attaining the age of 45, his next medical examination should be held one year from the due date of the last medical examination and subsequent medical examination annually thereafter.
If, however, such an employee has been medically examined, at any time earlier, than one year prior to his attaining the age of 45, his next medical examination should be held on the date he attains the age of 45 and subsequent medical examination annually thereafter.
Ammendment: It was ammended in 1993 as below
Age Group PME Due
Age 00-45 every 4yrs
Age 45-55 every 2yrs
Age 55-60 every year
Details:-
As per Rly Bd's Guideline of Medical Exam issued vide LNo. 88/H/5/12 dated 24-01-1993
a) PME would be done at the termination of every period of 4 years from date of appointment / Initial medical Exam till the date of attainment of age of 45 years, every 2 years upto 55 years & there after annual till retirement.
b) Employees who has been periodically examined at any time within 2years prior to his attaining the age of 45years would be examined after 2years from the date of last PME & subsequent PME for every 2years upto 55years age.Of
NRMU 4 you
SMLokhande
6.1.2. Classes B-1 and B-2—On attaining the age of 45 years, and thereafter at the termination of every period of five years.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.