Indian Railways Winter Safety: GPS Tracking & Track Maintenance
Indian Railways has initiated a comprehensive Indian Railways winter track safety drive to prepare for the extreme temperatures expected in the coming months. To mitigate the risk of rail fractures and ensure smooth operations, the Railway Board has issued critical directives to all zonal railways regarding track monitoring and personnel management.
Strengthening Rail Integrity
K.R. Chaudhary, Executive Director of Civil Engineering Planning at the Railway Board, has directed Principal Chief Engineers across all zones to intensify track monitoring. A key priority is the timely de-stressing of Long Welded Rails (LWR) and Continuous Welded Rails (CWR). This proactive measure is designed to prevent weld defects and rail fractures that frequently occur during sudden temperature drops.
Furthermore, officials have been instructed to identify and maintain regular oversight of all rail joints to ensure structural stability throughout the season.
Mandatory GPS Tracking for Personnel
In a significant shift for employee safety, the Railway Board has strictly prohibited the use of personal mobile phones for location tracking during patrols. Following a decision made in April 2026, all track maintainers will now be required to use official GPS tracking devices instead of personal devices. This mandate ensures that staff performing 'cold-weather patrolling' are accurately monitored and can be reached quickly in emergencies.
To support these safety protocols, the following measures are being implemented:
- Experienced track maintainers will be prioritized for patrol duties.
- Staff will receive regular training and counseling to handle winter conditions.
- Official GPS devices will serve