South Central Railway (SCR) has given 1,800 GPS tracking devices to its patrolmen and trackmen across the Hyderabad, Secunderabad and Nanded divisions to improve safety on its lines, The Hindu reported.
Patrolmen and track maintainers inspect tracks, bridges and other structures round the clock to spot defects before they cause accidents. Depending on their section, they walk 3 km on single-line routes and up to 6 km on double-line routes on each patrol.
How the trackers work
Each tracker carries a SIM card, is assigned to one patrolman, and must be carried and switched on while on duty. Supervisors can follow patrolmen's movements in real time, and the system alerts them if someone strays from the set route.
"This device will also help ensure the personal safety of patrolling staff by identifying their exact location. It has three alert buttons to contact immediate supervisors and an 'SOS' button for emergencies," said SCR Chief Public Relations Officer A. Sridhar.
The devices store movement data for up to six months, which officials said can help verify conditions on the ground and investigate any incident.
Why it matters
Patrolmen are often the first to find a fault on the line. They check for loose fish bolts, faults in points and crossings, damaged fittings on girder bridges and culverts, broken or burnt sleepers, and damaged plates and tie bars. In bad weather, they also watch water levels near railway structures.
When a patrolman finds a broken rail, a damaged weld, ballast washed away or stolen fittings, safety rules require him to protect the track at once, make temporary repairs where he can, and alert the nearest station master, the permanent way inspector and his supervisor. The trackers are meant to make sure every stretch is actually walked, and that a patrolman in trouble can be found quickly.