NF Railway launches intensive safety drive to strengthen track infrastructure

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 9, 2025

In a focused push to boost railway safety and infrastructure reliability, Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) conducted a 10-day intensive safety drive from May 29 to June 7. The initiative aimed at identifying and fixing vulnerabilities in track systems across multiple divisions, with particular emphasis on points and crossings.

The drive saw active participation from senior leadership, including NFR General Manager Chetan Kumar Shrivastava, who personally conducted surprise inspections at key locations such as Kamakhya railway station and depot. Accompanied by top officials, the GM closely reviewed the condition of track components, especially the toe load of Elastic Rail Clips (ERCs), which play a critical role in securing rails to sleepers.

Joint teams from the Engineering and Signal & Telecommunication (S&T) departments carried out detailed inspections at randomly selected sites. These locations were chosen based on findings from previous safety audits, ensuring a data-driven approach. The goal: is to detect and correct any irregularities or deficiencies before they pose operational risks.

A major focus of the drive was toe load monitoring of ERCs — a key factor in maintaining track geometry and preventing rail movement. Ensuring proper toe load is vital to minimize the risk of derailments, especially under dynamic loads and during the vulnerable monsoon season. The GM urged field teams to adopt special maintenance protocols during this period to guarantee safe and seamless train operations.

To ensure accountability and timely resolution of issues, all findings are being logged into a centralized digital platform. This not only boosts transparency but also allows real-time tracking of follow-up actions.

The safety drive reflects NFR’s strong commitment to preventive maintenance and operational excellence — a proactive step to ensure safer journeys for both passengers and freight services across the region.