Safety and security of the travelling public is paramount to South CentralRailway. An independent commission on railway safety to advise the administration,accident prevention measures based on consistent quality, and a supremelycommitted Railway Protection Force have made SCR one of thesafest zonal railways in the country. When it comes toensuring the safety and security of the passengers ,at SCR , the customer comes first and remains the foremost.
* Railways Safety
* Accident Prevention Measures
* Railway Protection Force
* Important Security Telephone Numbers
Railways can be considered as amongst the safest modern modes of transport. Yet there are occurrences which do or may affect the safety of the Railway, its engines, rolling stock, permanent way, signalling equipment, works, etc., or passengers, Railway servants or others which are termed as accidents in Railway terminology. Similarly, certain events, which do or may cause heavy delay to trains or loss to the Railways are also considered technically to be accidents.Train accidents which involve risk of life, limb and property, viz., collisions, derailments, trains running into road traffic at level crossings and fires in trains, are termed as ‘consequential train accidents’ and are referred to as ‘train accidents’ in brief.All failures of equipment, viz., engines, rolling stock, permanent way, overhead traction wires and signal apparatus which do not result in train accidents but have the potential for causing consequential train accidents or can cause serious dislocation to traffic are also classified technically as accidents.
Some accidents, like cattle or trespassers getting run over by train, train running over obstruction without any derailment, attempted train wrecking, fires in trains when the amount of damage is less than Rs.500/-, collisions between trains and push trolleys, fires at stations, bridges, viaducts, etc., are termed as ‘miscellaneous accidents”.
INCIDENCE OF TRAIN ACCIDENTS:
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Every accident or untoward happening in the working of the Indian Railways is taken note of. Safety occupies a high place in all operations of the Railways. As a result of multifarious safety measures adopted on the South Central Railways, the number of train accidents during the last four decades has declined from 122 in 1967-68 to 42 during 2002-03.
The year 2002-03, recorded considerable improvement in traffic moved. The incidence of accidents per million train kilometres in 2002-03 dropped to 0.55 from 3.01 in 1967-68. There was considerable improvement during the current year i.e., 2003-04 up to December 2003, and the accidents have declined by 29%.
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THE COMMISSION OF RAILWAY SAFETY:
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The commission of Railway Safety is an independent statutory body set up under section 4 of Indian Railways Act and is directly under the control of the Ministry of Civil Aviation. The Commission of Railway Safety is to direct, advise and caution the Administration through its regulatory, inspectorial and investigatory functions. It thereby assists the Railways in ensuring that all reasonable measures are taken in regard to soundness of railway construction and safety of train operation. Besides conducting statutory enquiries into serious accidents the commission of Railway Safety performs the following principle functions:
* Inspection of new railway lines prior to authorisation for their opening/to carry passenger traffic.
* Periodical inspection of open lines, i.e., lines under operation.
* Approval of new works, renewals and introduction of new type of rolling stock.
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Safety Organisation:
Safety of the men and material is of vital concern to the Railways who are continuously engaged in their efforts to provide a safe service to the nation. A separate organisation for monitoring safety performance functions has been established. The job of this organisation is to conduct and monitor inspections surprise checks ambush checks etc., review the accident reports of accidents and suggest preventive measures.
A Chief Safety Officer in Senior Administrative Grade heads the Safety organisation at Headquarters he is assisted by five Junior administrative grade Officers from various disciplines including traffic, mechanical, engineering, Signal-Telecommunications, Electrical and Safety Counsellors from different departments and other ministerial staff. The setup in the divisions consist of Senior divisional Safety Officer in Junior Administrative Grade and Divisional Safety Officer in Senior Scale assisted by a Junior Scale Officer and Safety Counsellors. There is one junior scientific officer for conducting psychological tests.
During 2002-03, emphasis was laid to consolidate the gains of special safety drives launched in the previous years. Greater stress was laid on toning up the system by intensive inspections, frequent surprise checks and drilling the staff in observing correct methods of working.
A number of safety drives and campaigns launched were not only directed at the railway employees but also publicity campaigns to educate road users in observing the Motor Vehicles Rules before negotiating level crossings. Contacts were also established with the State Governments. Each division launched safety campaigns/drives to check irregularities, shortcomings and to suggest remedial measures.
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SAFETY AUDIT TEAM:
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Two safety audit teams - comprising of HODs viz.,
CSO, CTE,CEGE,CMPE/Dsl.
CTPM,CRSE,CCE,CELE,CTE
has been formed to conduct safety audit of stations/sections. Safety Audit team undertakes vigorous inspections on all aspects of safety on the Railways, special emphasis being given to vulnerable sections on the divisions. On summary of recommendations of safety audit team, the divisions are directed to take prompt action in rectifying the shortcomings.
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TRAINING AND INSPECTION:
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Considerable emphasis is being laid on proper training of staff. Apart from the initial training, staff have to periodically undergo refresher courses at Zonal Training Centres. Besides refresher courses, Safety camps are also organised to discuss important aspects of safety in a very informal atmosphere. Typical accident cases are discussed with a view to educating the staff.
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MEDICAL EXAMINATION:
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All the essential categories of staff like Guards, Station Masters and other maintenance staff of Engineering, Mechanical, Signal and telecommunications and Electrial departments are subjected to medical examination such as vision test including colour blindness, medical fitness etc.,. This examination is conducted during recruitment and also once in four years for those who are below 45 years and every 2 years for those who are above 45, every year for those who are 55 and above.
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FAIL SAFE SYSTEM:
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In railway operations the signalling system is provided such that when there is a failure signal will come to more restrictive aspect ie., DANGER. If any system falls it will be fail-safe system.
DISASTER MANAGEMENT:
Medical relief vans having all the facilities to meet any eventualities with all facilities to medical assistance are located at 150 –200 KMs and also cranes of various capacities upto 140 tonnes and accident relief trains having hydraulic rescue equipment are also located. As and when message is received either from station or from control a siren is hooted, medical relief van and accident relief train is moved in the time ranging from 15 to 45mts. Trained staff is nominated to work on these rescue and relief trains. Railway maintains the tradition of BEST RESCUE TEAM.
However, the vastness of our country, its geo-topographical conditions, the vagaries of nature, the average level of medical facilities and the attitude and expectations of travelling public have direct bearing on disaster management on Indian Railways.
The quality of response to a crisis is real testimony of the capability of an organisation. indian railways undisputedly recognise the importance of the cardinal principal of swift response in an accident. Keeping this in mind, railways have set up a high level committee to review disaster management on Indian Railways. After a thorough review of the topographical conditions, infrastructure, personnel etc., on Indian Railways, the committee have made 111 time bound recommendations. The implementation of these recommendations is being monitored at the highest level.
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INSPECTIONS:
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In railways for ensuring safety working practices, by the staff, inspectors and officers will have regular inspections of surprise in nature i.e., by going road and night inspections and inspections by going in the engine and motor trolleys. There will ambush checks conducted at level crossing and also at signals by observing whether staff are following correct procedures in train passing. Lapses pointed out in these inspections the concerned staff have to comply. Serious lapses noticed repeatedly will be dealt under disciplinary rules and staff will be punished seriously. Wherever counselling is needed, counsellors and inspectors nominated for this purpose will be regularly interacting with staff and counsel them.
In addition, the following inspections are also done :
* Inspections by Hq. Officers – ‘Own your section scheme’ : For improving safety performance and intensifying safety awareness, a programme viz., “own your section” is being conducted from July 2003. Under the scheme the entire zone has been divided into small sections (division wise) and Headquarters officers from PHODs to JA grade level have been nominated for each section for conducting intensive safety inspections. The officers have been divided into 4 groups viz., group ‘A’ to group ‘D’ and after every 3 months starting from July 1st 2003 the officers nominated under group ‘A’ move to group ‘B’, group ‘B’ to group ‘C’ and so on, so that all sections are covered by all the officers.
* Inspection by divisions: Each division has been divided into three or four sections. Every night in each of the section one officer is nominated to conduct ambush checks and night surprise inspections to increase alertness of the staff and thereby enhance safety.
* Inter Railway Safety Inspections are being conducted once in six months. South Central Railway conducted Inter Railway Safety Inspection of Sholapur on C.Rly and Durg and Raipur stations on S.E.C Railway .
* Safety at Level Crossings
Accidents at level crossings arecaused mostly due to the negligence of the road users in non - observance of road traffic rules ,while negotiating level crossings . A number of special safety drives are conducted to educate both the road users and railway staff.
Co-operation of the state governmentshas also been sought to enforce the Motor Vehicles Rules requiring road users to exercise caution and vigilance while negotiating level crossings.
With a view to reducing accidents at level crossings, the following steps were taken:
* Seminars are conducted at strategic locations involving Village panchayats, Sarpanch, Regional Transport authorities, Road transport authorities etc.,
* Mass safety awareness campaigns are carried out at pilgrimage centres during important festivals.
* Wide publicity is given through print media, local TV network, cinema theatres, petrol filling stations etc.,
* Ambush checks are conducted in co-ordination with police and local authorities with a view to prosecute such of the person/s who disregard the provisions of motor vehicle act.
* Publicity through the media (Press, T.V., Cinema, etc.) was made to educate the road users and the travelling public about the safety precautions to be observed before crossing the level crossings;
* The State Governments, which have a major role to play in assisting the Railways in prevention of accidents at level crossings, were requested to extend their co-operation;
* Surprise inspections were made to check the alertness of gate men on duty; and
* Manning of level crossings where traffic density is high.
* As a measure of preventing accidents at Unmanned level crossings, the Government of Andhra-Pradesh was requested to include a chapter on the lines of ‘Traffic Safety on Roads’ in the syllabus of schools.
Samvad on Safety :
For understanding problems of staff in their working, a workshop on ‘Safety’ was conducted at Zonal level on 11.08.2003, on the lines conducted by the Railway Board. The workshop having 250 participants was attended by PHODs, DRMs, Senior officials, office bearer from recognized labour unions etc., Shri Sumant Chak AM/Planning from Railway Board was an observer. About 26 speakers from the divisions / Headquarters representing the organized labour unions spoke on the occasion. The speakers expressed free and frank opinion on safety and improvement at field level. The workshop has provided a good interaction between the field staff and Senior officials. Action on the opinion/ideas expressed is in progress.
“Maha Safety Samvad” organized by National Federation of Indian Railway men was held at Secunderabad on 20.10.2003. About 10,000 delegates from different railways attended the Samvad. South Central Railway provided all the infrastructure arrangements including reception/ dispatch of 12 special trains. Despite inclement weather i.e., heavy down pour and cyclone, affecting the venue, proceedings of Maha Samvad were completed as per the schedule. Honourable Minister for Railways Shri Nitish Kumar, MSR (B) and MSR(A) with CRB, ML, FC,MM, MT participated in Maha Samvad on 20.10.03
Corporate safety plan:
Safety as a basic policy pervades in all activities of railway operations and maintenance. Therefore all the departments and staff associated in operations have to contribute to safety. The safety organization essentially functions as a safety auditor to help concerned departments to maintain safety standards and take action wherever felt necessary.
Zonal safety plan for S.C.Railway has been prepared based on Indian Railway Corporate Safety Plan 2003-13 issued by Railway Board, which lays the following plan objectives.
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OBJECTIVES:
* To achieve reduction in rate of accidents for million train kilometers from the present level of 0.55 to 0.17 by the year 2013.
* Implement measures to reduce chances of passenger fatality substantially in consequential train accidents by 2013.
* Focus on development of manpower through major improvements in working environments and training to reduce the accidents attributable to human failure by 40% by 2013
* Achieve safety culture on all fronts including maintenance depots, work sites, stations, controls etc.,
* Progressively achieve an environment of “Fail Proof” from the present “Fail safe” system of asset failures by upgrading the systems by 2013
* Prioritisation of safety related projects.
Railway Safety Review Committee 1998
Railway Safety Review Committee headed by Shri Justice HR Khanna made a critical review of safety on Indian Railways and submitted its reports in two pars RSRC 1998- Part 1 and II.
The committee has made about 268 recommendations on various aspects of railway operations etc., Majority of the recommendations have been implemented.
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SAFETY DEVICES:
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* Track Circuitry
* AEB system in Ghat Section
* Provision of Walkie-Talkie sets for communication
* Plate light on loco
In addition to check human errors, the following Electronic/Mechanical Gadgets are being used in day to day operations:
* Auxiliary Warning system/Track circuiting - this is a electronic device which warns in advance the occupation of the track
* Fail Safe System - The signals have been devised such that - in any type failure of signal the signal indication will be DANGER
* Automatic Emergency brakes system was introduced in Ghat section
* Provision of Walkie Talkie sets introduced for communication between Guard and Driver of the train
* All locos have been provided with Flasher lights.
· Breathalyser tests is carried out at nominated stations.
Railway Protection Force ( RPF ) in South Central Railway is a 3,077 strong , vital department entrusted with the responsibility of safeguarding the properties belonging to Railways as well those entrusted for transportation. RPF in SCR is a decentralized and well-organized department, with its posts and outposts spread across every important station in every division.
RPF – The Mission
· Promote and safeguard Railway property and goods entrusted to Railways.
· Carry on an unrelenting fight against criminals in protecting railway property.
· Facilitate passenger safety and security by bringing anti social elements to book
· Co - operate with other departments of the Railway in improving the efficiency and the image of the Indian Railways .
· Act as a bridge between the Government, the Railway Police, the Local Police and the Railway administration.
· Adopt modern technology and management techniques in the pursuit of these objectives.
Duties of RPF
To protect and safeguard Railway Property, Passenger area and Passengers and to combat crime against it
To do any other act conducive to better protection and security of Railway Property
To remove any obstruction in the movement of trains and
To perform other functions of an Armed Force of the Union and to exercise powers of a Railway servant as conferred on them under section 10 of RPF Act 1985.
Strength of RPF in SCR
Inspectors
92
Sub-Inspectors
140
Asst. Sub-Inspectors
236
Head Constables
993
Constables
1551
Drivers
24
Ancillary Staff
27
Total
3077
Training
The RPF Training Centre of South Central Railway is located at Moula-Ali, Hyderabad on a sprawling 26 acres of land with a well laid out parade/ground, play grounds, administrative office , Central armoury, stores wing, class rooms for indoor classes , barracks for the accommodation of the trainees and a dining hall.
* Important Security Telephone Numbers
* Passenger Facilities
* Passenger Duties
Important Security Telephone Numbers :
Person/Place
STD Code
Office
Residence
Cell
Zonal Security Control RPF/HQ/Secunderabad
040
27833366 (Round the clock)
--
CSC/RPF/Secunderabad
040
27822223
27003283
9848011711
Dy.CSC/RPF/Secunderabad
040
27821103
-
-
Sr.DSC/Secunderabad
040
27831390
27003416
9849495040
DSC/Hyderabad
040
27825346
27016646
9849495048
Sr.DSC/Vijayawada
0866
2576898
2474082
9849495085
DSC/Guntakal
08552
226773
226710
9849495102
DSC/Guntur 08552 2330520 2230566 9848532980
DSC/Nanded
02462
223632
--
9850050109
Government Railway Police
Person/Place
STD Code
Office
Residence
Cell
Addl. DGP/Rlys/A.P.
040
23235498
27820352
9440627700
SRP/Secunderabad
040
27704050
24600140
9440627263
IRP/Secunderabad
040
27700568
24574077
--
DSRP/Manmad
02591
222311
--
--
SRP/Guntakal
08552
226237
--
944050290
SRP/Vijayawada
0866
2576062
--
9440627304
SRP/Bangalore
080
2871249
--
9845398551
SRP/Nagpur
0712
2532109
2561194
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* CSC - Chief Security Commissioner ;
* Dy.CSC - Chief Security Commissioner ;
* Sr.DSC - Senoir Divisional Security Commissioner ;
* DSC - Divisional Security Commissioner ;
* ASC - Assistant Security Commissioner ;
* IGP - Inspector General of Police ;
* SRP - Superintendent of Railway Police ;
* IRP - Inspector Railway Police ;
* DSRP - Deputy Superintendent of Railway Police ;
Passenger Facilities
Railway Protection Force of South Central Railway is committed to assist the passengers in all possible ways in addition to its main duty of ensuring protection and security of railway property.
'May I Help You' RPF Assistance Posts
In its mission to provide safe, hassle free and comfortable journey to the travelling public, South Central Railway / RPF have setup 'May I Help You' RPF Assistance Posts at major railway stations viz. Secunderabad, Hyderabad, Vijayawada ,Guntakal ,Rajahmundry, Guntur, Renigunta and Tirupathi. The RPF personnel manning these Posts/Booths have necessary information that the passengers may ask for such as arrival and departure of trains on various platforms, delays , facilities available at the railway stations, names and telephone numbers of Civil, Police and Railway authorities , city bus routes, approximate fare for taxis and auto rickshaws, doctors/hospitals etc. The persons manning these posts have also been made responsible for accepting complaints of thefts of passenger belongings and pass it on to RPF Post in-charge of getting it registered by concerned Railway Police.
Lodging FIR through RPF
Standing Order No. -39/97 was issued by DG/RPF and circulated to all CSCs, GMs, GRP chiefs and state DGPs with a view to simplify the procedure of lodging FIR by the passengers travelling by trains , who become victims of theft /Robbery / Dacoity of their belongings while on journey. By virtue of this Standing Order , RPF personnel are duty bound to accept the filled FIR forms by passengers and then hand over the same to concerned GRP under acknowledgement for registration / investigation. This system has facilitated passengers to lodge FIRs without breaking their journey and undue detention to the train.
Task Force
With a view to contain the menace of undesirable and anti-social elements like unauthorized vendors and hawkers , touts , towel-spreaders, beggars, gents travelling in ladies compartments etc., on trains in railway premises, Task Force teams have been constituted at Zonal, Divisional and Post levels. The Task Force teams in SCR have apprehended as many as 30137 unauthorized persons under the various sections of the Railways Act in 2004.
Prevention of unwarranted Alarm Chain Pulling
With a view to improve loss of punctuality on account of miscreant activities, Railway Protection Forceof South Central Railway is escorting about 177 trains per day. Due to concerted efforts taken by these escorts, 499 persons have been arrested in the year 2004 and were prosecuted U/S 141 of The Railways Act.
Passenger Duties
SCR is committed to provide a clear safe journey to the travelling public. The official efforts can be strengthened by your active co-operation.
· The services of RPF/GRP can be utilized by rail commuters in driving away anti social elements , ticketless travellers , unauthorized hawkers/beggarsfrom the Rly premises and trains.
· Any suspected / unclaimed articles if noticed , should immediately be brought to the notice of GRP/RPF or Rly staff. The unclaimed articles may contain explosive material.
· Do not accept any eatables from strangers / unauthorised vendors . The eatables may contain sedative drugs.
· Use the safety chains provided to lock the luggage , prevent thefts of passenger belongings.
· In the event of Robbery/Dacoity, and theft of passenger belongings while on journey the victims need not break their journey to lodge the FIR. The FIR forms are available with Train Supdt., Conductor, TTEs, Coach attendants, Train Guard and also with RPF/GRP escorts.
NOTABLE INNOVATIONS :
a) Mobile Police Stations - 28 pairs of trains were identified and Mobile Police stations are allotted by allotting one side berth to the GRP personnel to register the FIR received from the complainants in the running trains. This eased the problems of travelling public in registering their complaints and in getting a copy of FIR then and there. The list of 28 pairs of trians are
Train no Train name
7050/7049 Secunderabad - Machilipatnam - Secunderabad express
7021/7022 Hyderabad - Hazrat Nizamuddin - Hyderabad Dakshin express
2764/2763 SSecunderabad - Tirupati - Secunderabad Padmavati express
1406 Kakinada - Manmad Bi-weekly express
7010/7009 Kakinada town - Bangalore - Kakinada town Seshadri express
6044/6043 Kakinada - Chennai - Kakinada Circar express
7664/7663 Kacheguda - Manmad - Kacheguda express
7603/7604 Kacheguda - Satya Sai Prashanti Nilayam - Kacheguda express
7606/7605 Nanded - Lokamanya Tilak Terminus - Nanded Nandigram express
1004/1003 Nizamabad - Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus - Nizamabad Devagiri express
9770 Purna - Jaipur Meenakshi express
7487/7488 Tirupati - Visakhapatnam - Tirupati Tirumala express
7225/7226 Vijayawada - Hubli - Vijayawada Amaravati express
7054/7053 Hyderabad - Chennai- Hyderabad express
7016/7015 Secunderabad - Buvaneshwar - Secunderabad express
7008/7007 Hyderabad - Visakhapatnam - Hyderabad Godavari express
7048/7047 Secunderabad - Kakinada - Secunderabad Gautami express
7685 Secunderabad - Bangalore - Secunderabad Gautami express
2760 Hyderabad - Hazrat Nizamuddin - Hyderabad Dakshin express
2616 New Delhi - Chennai Grand Trunk express
6003/6004 Chennai - Howrah - Chennai mail
2625/2626 Thiruvananthapuram - New Delhi - Thiruvananthapuram Kerala express
7497/7498 Kacheguda - Chittoor - Kacheguda Venkatadri express
6009 Mumbai - Chennai Mail
7424/7423 Secunderabad - Tirupati - Secunderabad Narayanadri express
8563 Visakhapatnam - Bangalore Prashanti express
7056/7055 Hyderabad - Hazrat Nizamuddin - Hyderabad Dakshin express
b) Security Audit - A new scheme of security audit team consisting of Sr. DSC/DSC IPF/CIB & IPF/SIB was constituted in each of the divisions to take stock of the entire security scenario post wise. The time table for such audits were sent from the Zonal Headquarters. The above mentioned team should visit two posts per month and conduct a detailed security audit covering train escorts, passenger luggage thefts, Railway property theft and other important aspects. This team has already visited Posts and are submitting comprehensive report to CSC. This is a useful system of keeping of check on working of Posts.
c) Change of format of Complaint - Following the introduction of latest amendments to RPF Act and the Railways Act, a simplified complaint format has been workded out in which the jpassenger should fill up this format and write down the detils regarding tghe theft of his belongings on a plain paper and hand over this to the Escorting team. The escorting team in turn will get the FIR registered with the GRP.
d) Dos and Don'ts for escort teams - An exhaustive guidelines regarding the Dos and Don'ts for the escorting teams has been made in a small booklet. These booklets were circulated to all the escorting staff. A manual spelling out duties and responsibilities of RPF, GRP and other Railway servants in respect of various crime or untoward incidents is also brought out and circulated.
