Indian Railways Plans Fog-Related Train Cancellations
Indian Railways plans fog-related train cancellations and frequency reductions to prevent massive delays during the winter season.
As the winter fog season approaches in North India, the Indian Railways is gearing up with a strategic action plan to minimize travel disruptions. To maintain punctuality and prevent chaos, the Railway Board is considering fog-related train cancellations or reducing the frequency of certain trains that are highly susceptible to delays.
Preventing Cascading Delays and Station Congestion
The primary focus of this new strategy is to address trains that suffered delays of four hours or more during the previous winter season. By identifying these problematic routes, the Railways aims to prevent a cascading effect, where a single delay disrupts subsequent schedules and causes massive congestion at major stations.
The department is currently evaluating the operational feasibility of adjusting schedules to avoid extreme scenarios. In past winters, some trains have faced delays ranging from 10 to 20 hours. Such massive delays lead to rake unavailability for return journeys, forcing difficult last-minute rescheduling. By reducing the frequency of high-risk trains, the Railways hopes to keep operations smoother during the peak fog period, which typically spans from late November through February.
Safety Upgrades and Visibility Enhancements
To ensure passenger safety during low-visibility conditions, the Railways is implementing several technical and infrastructure-based improvements:
- Fog Safe Devices (FSDs): Loco pilots are being equipped with specialized devices to assist in navigating through heavy fog.
- Luminous Signage: Signal-sighting boards and whistle boards are being painted with luminous strips to make them more visible to train drivers.
Passenger Refund Policy for Delayed Trains
Passengers are reminded of their rights regarding significant schedule changes. Under existing policy, travelers are entitled to claim a full refund if their train is rescheduled or delayed by more than three hours from its original scheduled departure time.