New Delhi/Kanpur: In the backdrop of
three stationary trains being hit from the behind amid foggy
conditions in the last fortnight, Railways have decided not to
allow passengers in the worst-hit rear coaches during fog.
"Only guard and luggage will remain and no passengers
will be allowed in SLR (rear) coaches during the foggy
weather," a senior Railway Ministry official said.
In case there are passengers in SLR coaches, they will
be shifted to other coaches before entering into areas
affected by fog, he said.
The decision comes close on the heels of three train
accidents in the last fortnight where trains rammed stationary
trains from behind damaging the SLR coaches and killing at
least 15 people and injuring more than 60 people.
The decision is already being implemented by North
Central Railway (NCR) and Northern Railway zones, worst
fog-affected zones in the country.
In Kanpur, NCR, General Manager, Harish Chandra Joshi,
said all those killed in the three train accidents were
travelling in the SLR coaches which were rammed by other
incoming trains.
> Besides guard, there are sitting arrangement for
handicapped persons, women and general passengers in the SLR
coach.
Now the SLR coach will be locked after the guard
occupies the coach, the official said.
Asked about the women and handicapped passengers, he
said they will be adjusted in some other compartments.
All the station masters in these two zone have been
asked to ensure that no body execept the guard is allowed in
the SLR coach.
However, the practice will be discontinued after the
foggy days are over.
Railways have also revised safety guidelines
increasing the mandatory halt at red light to five minutes
instead of two minutes.
"Earlier drivers were allowed to run the train at a
maximum of 8 km per hour speed after stopping at the red light
signal for two minutes in the automated section. But now they
have to halt the train for five minutes," said the official.
On January two, the Lichchavi Express rammed the
stationary Magadh Express near Etawah. On the same day, the
Prayagraj Express was hit from behind by the Gorakhdham
Express near Kanpur, leaving 12 people dead and 45 injured.
On January 16, the Kalindi Express rammed the
stationary Shram Shakti Express near Tundla amid dense fog
killing two women and a child and injuring 17 others.
PTI
