Rlys issues fog alert for passenger safety

The East Coast Railway Ecor has issued a fog alert in order to ensure safe train operations in dense fog conditions. The alert is for Wednesday around 20 longdistance trains travelling between India and other countries. The engine drivers are instructed to regulate their speed depending on the visibility in the fog, and the general manager of the railway has instructed the officers to monitor the movement of trains during heavy fog. Staff have been asked to remain alert and report if they find unusual sounds during movement of trains. The railway has also introduced a cold weather patrolling system by deploying winter patrolmen to conduct surprise checks and carry out footplate inspections late in the night and early in the morning at all sensitive places. According to procedures, the engine drivers or loco pilots were advised to keep an eye on luminous and fluorescent strips painted in overhead equipment masts and level crossings, as well as busy traffic areas. The guards of the trains were also asked to watch that the loco pilot does not exceed the prescribed speed limit during fog. On January 16, 2020, at least 24 passengers, including five women, were injured after the Mumbai-Bhubaneswar Lokmanya Tilak Express 12879 got derailed between Salagaon and Nergundi stations in Cuttack district. Reduced visibility due