Indian Railways has changed the rules for accessing relay rooms, which control train signals, during fires or other emergencies. Previously, the presence of Signal and Telecommunication (S&T) staff was mandatory to open these rooms. Now, Station Masters can use sealed keys to gain immediate entry to prevent signal failures and train delays.
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Why were the rules changed?
This decision follows an incident at Bad railway station near Mathura. In that case, a 10-minute delay in getting the key to the relay room led to the signaling system burning down, which stopped train services for several hours. To avoid such delays in the future, the Railway Board has simplified the access process.
What are the new guidelines for Station Masters?
- Station Masters (SM) can now open the relay room immediately using a sealed key.
- The requirement for S&T staff to be present during the initial opening is removed.
- The SM must record the entry in the relay room register immediately after using the key.
- Technical staff will re-seal the room once the emergency work is completed.
How is safety being ensured?
The order was issued by Rameshwar Meena, Executive Director of Signals, and is effective immediately across all zones, including North Central Railway (NCR). To further boost safety, every relay room must now have modern fire extinguishers. These rooms continue to operate under a double-lock system as per security instructions updated after the Balasore accident in June 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
रिले रूम खोलने के नियमों में क्या बदलाव हुआ है?
अब आपातकाल या आग लगने पर स्टेशन मास्टर सीलबंद चाबी से तुरंत रिले रूम खोल सकते हैं। इसके लिए अब S&T स्टाफ की मौजूदगी जरूरी नहीं है।
यह नया नियम क्यों लागू किया गया?
मथुरा के पास बाद स्टेशन पर चाबी मिलने में 10 मिनट की देरी से सिग्नल सिस्टम जल गया था, जिससे ट्रेनें घंटों ठप रहीं। इसी घटना से सबक लेकर यह बदलाव किया गया।