Divisional Railway Manager, Tiruchi, Balak Ram Negi conducts ambush check at a non-interlocked level crossing gate between Saliyamangalam and Nidamangalam Junction on Monday night.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
A team of officers of Tiruchi Railway Division led by Divisional Railway Manager Balak Ram Negi conducted ‘ambush’ inspections at non-interlocked level crossing gates along the Tiruchi – Thanjavur – Tiruvarur- Nagapattinam broad gauge section from Monday night (December 8, 2025) to the early hours of Tuesday (December 9, 2025).
The operation was carried out to ensure strict safety and operational discipline. The purpose of the checks was to evaluate the alertness and rule compliance of gatemen covering essential aspects such as hand-signalling, road user adherence, adequacy of safety equipment, whistling and overall preparedness to prevent any untoward incidents.
The inspection was executed simultaneously on the entire section in real time, synchronised with the movement of trains to identify any procedural lapses and unauthorised means of communication being used by gatekeepers during train operations.
The Divisional Railway Manager carried out the check at non-interlocked level crossing gate 14 between Saliyamangalam and Nidamangalam Junction. He examined the Private Number (PN) register to verify that all PN exchanges with the station masters during gate closure and opening were performed correctly for train movements.
He assessed the competency and working knowledge of the gatekeeper and offered guidance besides emphasising the critical responsibility entrusted to him in safe running of trains. He cross-verified the communication (exchange of PNs) between the gatekeeper and the station master using the voice logger at Saliyamangalam railway station.
Other officers simultaneously inspected multiple non-interlocked gates throughout the Tiruchi – Thanjavur – Tiruvarur – Nagapattinam stretch ensuring that every location received thorough attention. The inspections also reinforced discipline and accountability among frontline staff.
Concluding the surprise inspection, the Divisional Railway Manager said more such checks would be conducted across Tiruchi Division at stations and level crossing gates in all sections besides even through foot-plating inside locomotive cabs to further reinforce a culture of uncompromising safety and heightened vigilance.
He issued a stern warning that any staff found responsible for even minor lapses in train operations would be removed or dismissed from service, a press release from the Tiruchi Railway Division said.
Published – December 09, 2025 04:16 pm IST
