KOLKATA, 18 Mar 2026 –
To ensure the highest standards of safety, Passenger amenities and operational efficiency during the upcoming peak summer months, Sealdah Division organized a specialized Safety Seminar on Summer Precautions today. The seminar focused on identifying seasonal challenges and implementing robust preventive measures to safeguard railway assets, passenger lives and amenities.
The event saw active participation from all concerned departments across the division, bringing together senior officials and grassroots employees to align on safety protocols.
*Topics covered on Seminar:*
• Vulnerable Locations prone to fire hazard-
Stations Area where cooking is done on LPG, Kerosene.
Unauthorised shops in station and its vicinity
Tree cutting left near the track area.
Short circuit or sparking in service building, unauthorised shops.
Accumulation of dry leaves, cigarette butt and garbage near railway track/Station/Yard causes recurrence fire incidents during summer.
• *Mitigating Rail Buckling* : One of the primary technical focuses was the management of Rail Buckling, a phenomenon frequently triggered by extreme thermal expansion during high summer temperatures. Experts discussed advanced monitoring techniques and immediate intervention strategies to secure tracks and prevent derailments.
• Gap survey and Rectifications in sensitive locations for SWR (Before onset of summer) – Where track develops excessive creep, jammed joints, sun kinks, misalignment, wide gaps, battered and hogged joints, fractured at joints and bending of bolts etc.
• *Fire Safety and Electrical Vigilance* : With the rise in temperatures, the risk of fire incidents due to sudden high-voltage fluctuations and overheating increases significantly. The seminar outlined strict maintenance schedules for electrical installations and fire-prevention drills.
• *Departmental Synergy* : Employees from Commercial, Engineering, Electrical(Gen), S&T , TRD and Operations departments shared a unified platform to coordinate rapid response actions during heat-related emergencies.
• *Preventive Maintenance* : A strategy was established especially during the hottest day.
Hot weather Patrolling
Monitoring of Rail temp record
Availability of requisite tools and plants of Patrolman
Cleaning of under slung power equipment of Locomotives, Fuel tanks and removal of spillages from the engine areas.
Functioning of Fire safety equipment.
Coaching stock:- Power cars, AC coaches, under gear maintenance, Axle box temperature monitoring, cleaning of high voltage equipment. Proper functioning of fire extinguisher, FDBA, FDSS, maintenance of compressors.
To ensure a safe and comfortable journey, division is prioritizing passenger well-being by maintaining passenger amenities is in good and functional condition like chilled drinking water booths, ac units etc.. These amenities coupled with enhanced medical readiness for heat-related emergencies.
Speaking in this event, Sri Rajeev Saxena, Divisional Railway Manager, Sealdah, emphasized that the safety of the railway network is a collective responsibility. By proactively addressing the “summer surge” in technical failures, Sealdah Division aims to maintain a seamless and secure travel experience for its thousands of daily commuters. The seminar concluded with an interactive session where employees shared field insights, ensure that the division’s safety strategy is both practical and comprehensive.
