East Coast Railway (ECoR) has rolled out a comprehensive three-month special safety drive from November 10, 2026, to February 9, 2027, to safeguard train operations during foggy and inclement weather.
The initiative covers the Khurda Road, Sambalpur, and Rayagada divisions and involves officers, supervisors, and staff from every department.
The drive focuses on station preparedness, safe running of trains, signal visibility, and the availability of essential safety equipment. Station managers have been directed to maintain adequate stocks of detonators and ensure that fog signalmen receive proper training. Visibility of signals and prescribed visibility test objects will be monitored regularly, with any fog-related impairment promptly reported to the concerned control offices.
Adequate Fog Safety Devices (FSDs) will be kept ready at crew lobbies so that loco pilots can identify signals under restricted visibility. Retro-reflective indications, luminous strips, and visibility boards will be maintained at signals, level-crossing gates, and other critical locations.
Loco pilots and assistant loco pilots have been advised to exercise utmost caution and regulate speed according to prevailing visibility. During fog, the maximum speed must not exceed 75 kmph, subject to the pilot’s judgement and the signal aspect. If an FSD is unavailable or becomes defective, the speed limit drops to 60 kmph or lower. Pilots have also been instructed to whistle frequently to alert gatemen and road users.
Train managers must ensure adherence to speed restrictions and the proper functioning of flashing red tail lamps on the last vehicle during impaired visibility. Running staff will receive regular counselling on fog-related safety procedures.
The Engineering department will intensify cold-weather patrolling at rail-fracture-prone and other vulnerable locations, while also trimming tree branches, clearing bushes, and maintaining track infrastructure. Signal and Telecommunication staff will focus on signal-light visibility, cleaning of signal glasses, and upkeep of luminous indications at level crossings.
Surprise night inspections and footplate inspections by officers and supervisors will continue throughout the period to verify compliance. Through these coordinated measures, ECoR aims to minimise operational risks and keep the safety of passengers and trains as its highest priority during the fog season.
