Patna: With temperatures rising sharply across the region, the Danapur division of the East Central Railway (ECR) has initiated precautionary measures to ensure safe and uninterrupted train operations during the peak summer months.According to Danapur senior divisional commercial manager (senior DCM) Abhinav Siddarth, acting on recent directives issued by the Railway Board to all zonal railways and principal chief engineers, the division has begun implementing summer safety measures. The Danapur division, which handles around 260 to 280 passenger trains daily across six key routes — DDU–Patna–Jhajha, Patna–Gaya, Kiul–Gaya, Fatuha–Islampur, Bakhtiyarpur–Rajgir and Dildarnagar–Tarighat — has geared up to tackle extreme heat with a strict “zero tolerance” approach towards weather-related incidents.As part of the measures, hot weather patrolling has been introduced on all vulnerable routes. Intensive summer counselling sessions have also been launched for loco pilots, station managers, keymen and track patrol staff, with a focus on heat-related risks and operational vigilance, Siddarth said.Priority is being given to de-stressing faulty tracks, while continuous monitoring is underway to detect changes in track behaviour caused by excessive heat.
Railways officials have emphasised that tracks are susceptible to expansion and deformation at high temperatures, making close surveillance critical.Safety personnel have been deployed for footplate inspections and regular checks at level crossing gates, horizontal and vertical curves, and areas with shrinkage-prone soil. Push trolley inspections, along with mechanised and manual maintenance of track infrastructure, are also being carried out to ensure optimal track conditions.The Senior DCM said these proactive steps are aimed at preventing mishaps and ensuring passenger safety during the summer season, reaffirming the Railways’ commitment to maintaining high operational standards despite challenging weather conditions.
