Winter fog forces NCR, UPSRTC to ‘go slow’

Both NCR and UPSRTC have issued detailed guidelines for night service operations to make it safe for the passengers

PRAYAGRAJ: At a time when different parts of the northern plains of the country have started witnessing thick blankets of fog, North Central Railways (NCR) and Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) have started making preparations on their end to ensure safe travel for common man.

Keeping passenger’s safety as their top priority, both NCR and UPSRTC have issued detailed guidelines for night service operations in view of possible fog and the winter chill. “With the mercury coming down, we have started monitoring the tracks since November 15 itself. Although, thick fog is limited to some stretches of train routes coming under our jurisdiction, yet the station masters are monitoring the mist on the track. If there is thick fog on the tracks, the maximum speed of trains would be reduced at 75 km per hour. Instructions in this regard have already been given,”, said Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of NCR Ajit Kumar Singh.

Besides, loco pilots have been issued GPS enabled fogsafe devices which alert the loco pilot concerned of the approaching signal, he added. The control room is operating the trains based on the information received from the station masters concerned and track patrolling at night has also been increased.

Likewise, UPSRTC too has taken several steps to make bus travel safe during foggy weather.

As per the guidelines issued by the Chief General Manager (Operations) of UPSRTC PR Belwariar, speed of buses in the night will not exceed 40 km per hour.

Usually, during normal days, buses run at an average speed of 60-70 km per hour but as a precaution, bus speed has been reduced during night travel.

Besides, night buses will be driven by experienced drivers and officers in-charge would keep an eye on the fog-trend of the route concerned and buses would be operated keeping this factor in mind.

Moreover, the bus passengers would be given information through the public-address system at the bus stands.

Thermo-flasks would be made available for bus driver, operating the buses at night. In addition to this, officers would also be counselling the drivers on safe driving and extra vigil they need to keep while plying the buses in fog.