‘Ambush checks’ conducted at non-interlocked level crossings in Tiruvarur – Karaikudi section by railway team

A team of officers of the Tiruchi Railway Division conducted ‘ambush checks’ at non-interlocked level crossings in the Tiruvarur -Thiruthuraipoondi- Pattukottai-Karaikudi broad gauge section to strengthen safety compliance.

This is the second such surprise inspections carried out by a railway team in the Division this month with the first one having been done on December 9 on the Tiruchi – Thanjavur – Tiruvarur- Nagapattinam section. 

The checks were conducted between 11.30 p.m. on December 22 and 2 a.m. on December 23 (Tuesday) during which 25 non-interlocked level crossing gates were checked under the direct supervision of the Divisional Railway Manager, Tiruchi Balak Ram Negi involving 27 officers.  The checks were carried out simultaneously at all selected gates on the Tiruvarur – Karaikudi section and were carefully synchronised with actual train movements to ensure a realistic assessment. 

The operation targeted the Tiruvarur – Thiruthuraipoondi – Pattukottai – Karaikudi section where Auto Private Number Generation is yet to be implemented.

The inspection strategy was designed to detect and prevent advance or unauthorised exchange of Private Numbers by the gatekeepers thereby reinforcing procedural discipline and operational safety. M. Ramesh Babu, Senior Divisional Operations Manager coordinated the real time operations at Pattukottai station enabling officers to inspect level crossing gate under live traffic conditions.

  Key observations and findings from the inspection have been shared with the Principal Chief Safety Officer, Southern Railway for further review and necessary systemic improvements. 

Mr. Balak Ram Negi emphasised that such surprise simultaneous hecks would continue regularly across the Tiruchi Division to uphold the highest standards of safety, vigilance and accountability. He reiterated that any deviation from the prescribed safety procedures , however minor, would invite stringent disciplinary action, a press release from the Tiruchi Division said.