Railways to secure signalling equipment with double locks

Subject : Science and technology

Section: Msc

Concept :

The root cause of the three-train accident in Odisha’s Balasore district is suspected to be a change in the electronic interlocking system.

Double Locking Arrangement

Indian Railways issued a circular on a week-long safety drive, launched immediately to ensure goomties located within the railway station limits are provided with “double locking arrangements.”
The railways would check all goomties housing signalling equipment within station limits and ensure that they are being provided with double locking arrangements.
Goomty is a small cabin or small structure covering lever frame and other fixed equipment, at level-crossings and near railway stations.

Details

The circular was issued to all managers of all zonal Railways. Senior officials have been told to ensure SMS alert is generated on opening/closure of all relay rooms.
“All relay rooms in stations should be checked and ensured for proper working of double locking arrangement it should also be checked and ensured that there is data logging and generation of SMS alert for opening and closing of door of these relay rooms,” the circular read.
Further, the authorities have been asked to make sure that the system of disconnection and reconnection for S&T (signalling and traffic) equipment is being followed strictly as per laid down norms and guidelines.
According to the railways, the safety drive will check 100 per cent of these in all locations and “super checked to add another layer of checking by officers in that zone”.
The results of the drive have to be sent to the railway board by June 14, 2023.