Coordination among Stake-holder Departments
for Maintenance of S&T Systems
C Neelakanta Reddy
Senior Professor(Trg.)
1 Introduction to carry measurements in track circuited area is not al-
lowed for similar reasons.
The role of Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering,
Operating, Commercial and RPF departments is pre- 2.3 Track Maintenance Works
dominant in the maintenance of Railway Signalling and
Telecom assets. The areas of interaction with different Several track maintenances like ballast cleaning,
departments are listed below: tamping (packing), track renewal, sleeper renewal,
points and crossings renewal, switch renewal, through
formation treatment, replacement of glued joints and
2 Civil Engineering Department switch expansion joints etc are executed by Civil
Engineering department. For this purpose, track
2.1 Station Yards - Points & Crossings machines - tamping machines (involving lifting track
& sleepers and packing ballast underneath) , Unomatic,
In case of points and crossings, Permanent Way wing of
Duomatic (for plain track packing), UNIMAT (for
Civil Engineering department is responsible for correct
points and crossings packing), Multi-purpose tamper,
level and alignment, gauge , sleeper spacing, housing,
CSM (Continuous action tamping machine), 3X
opening in permissible limits, ballast packing, fixtures
(Tamping express) ; Dynamic Track Stabilizers ( for
for connecting point machine ground connections (P
ballast bed stabilization on high speed tracks) ; BCM
clamp, stretcher bar etc), squareness of tongue rails, lu-
(Ballast Cleaning Machines) involving excavation
brication of points (The responsibility of lubrication of
of fouled track ballast below sleepers and shoulders,
sleepers where interlocking gear is fixed is the responsi-
continuous collection and cleaning, transferring ballast
bility of S&T where as lubrication in respect of others is
back for plain track, points and crossings and both ;
with Civil Engg.), proper drainage, condition of tongue
SBCM (Shoulder ballast cleaning machines) ; BRM
rail, removal of burr formation on stock rail, mainte-
(Ballast regulating machine) involving ballast transfer,
nance of spring setting device in thick web switches.
spreading and profiling ; T-28 for points and crossings
Joint quarterly inspections by Supervisors of P. Way
insertion consisting of two cranes to carry assembled
and S&T departments are an important activity. The
portions ; PQRS machine for track laying in complete
deficiencies noted should be rectified at the earliest mo-
renewal - with the help of auxiliary track ; TRT (
ment possible.
Track Relaying Train ) for Automated track laying ;
RGM (Rail grinding machine ) to reprofile rail head
2.2 Track Circuits to reduce contact stress ; UTV (Utility track vehi-
cle ) for transportation of rails ; are used in a large scale.
Proper ballast condition, availability of FTC (FIT for
Track Circuit) PSC sleepers, proper drainage arrange-
Proper coordination and teamwork are important
ments, availability of glued joints, placing them in
prerequisites to ensure productivity in track machine
square fashion on both rails with staggering less than
works. Advance intimation is required to be given
minimum wheelbase, J type pandrol clips at glued Joint
by Civil Engineering department to S&T, Electrical
locations, GFN (Glass Filled Nylon) liners and use of
and Operating departments and integrated planning
insulated trolleys in track circuited portion are ensured
in the form of rolling block plan should be ensured
by Civil Engineering department. Civil Engineering
considering other department’s requirements.
department is required to closely liaison with S&T de-
partment for any track work. Dragging of rails on track
The following are the S&T activities involved in
circuited portions causes signals to fly to danger en-
track maintenance works .
dangering safety of fast-moving trains. Adequate care
should be exercised to ensure that there are no train • Issue memo for traffic block to Operating staff by
movements at such instances. Use of uninsulated tools Civil Engineering staff
• Issue of disconnection memo for S&T gears by site for tower location, approval for foundation draw-
S&T dept to Operating dept ing of tower, supervision of tower work and fixing of
RFID tags on the sleepers. S&T department also needs
• Disconnection of fixtures of S&T assets connected inputs on permanent, temporary speed restrictions and
to rails and sleepers after acceptance by Operating gradient and continuous update of this information as
staff. and when there are changes. The Engineering Depart-
ment is expected to take care of track side equipment of
– Track Circuit lead cables
Kavach during maintenance works.
– Track circuit bonds
– Track transducers of axle counters 2.7 Other Areas of Interaction
– Point machine connections
Trimming of tree branches obstructing visibility of
– Assets associated with Kavach,TPWS,ETCS signals as required by S&T department is the job of
level II Civil Engineering department. Engineering department
– Relocation of cables should highlight any deviations to Schedule of Dimen-
sions in S&T works.
• Reconnection of fixtures after completion of Civil
Engineering portion of work
3 Electrical Engineering Department
• Testing of S&T assets
3.1 Railway Electrification
• Issue of reconnection memo to operating staff for
normal working In electrified territories, the modifications to S&T as-
sets as per the norms stipulated should be carried out by
S&T department. The important activities include pro-
2.4 Level Crossing Gates vision of earthing arrangements for cables and equip-
S&T and Civil Engineering departments are closely as- ment, use of immunized relays for external circuits and
sociated in conduct of periodical census, upgradation provision of suitable block instrument. The visibility
of LC gate, manning of LC gate, training of gateman, of signals vis-a-vis location of OHE masts should be
LC gate overhauling, elimination due to meagre traffic ensured by S&T department and Electrical (TRD) de-
and/or diversion, interlocking of LC gates, construction partments. Electrical department should ensure exten-
of ROB/RUB/LHS in lieu of LC gate and LC gate di- sion of OHE supply to Signalling and Telecommunica-
versions for phase work . Relocation of cables and al- tion installations at Stations / Cabins / End goomties
terations to Signalling and Telecommunication arrange- and Interlocked LCs,IBS, Automatic Signals. Elec-
ments are important activities involved in S&T depart- trical (TRD) department provides longitudinal bond-
ment’s work. PCSTE’s sanction is required for the ing on un-insulated rail, structural bonding, transverse
work of interlocking of LC gates. bonding and shunt bonding whereas S&T department
provides longitudinal bonding on insulated rail in track
2.5 Cable Damages circuited territory in Railway Electrified areas. Elec-
trical (TRD) department should sensitize the front line
Cable cuts are potential interruptions to train traffic and personnel on use of protective measures, insulated tools
can become safety hazards while using machinery for and personal safety precautions. S&T department pro-
Civil Engineering works in the vicinity of cables. The vides facilities of Emergency Communication and Re-
short term measures to minimize cable cuts are joint mote Control communication for maintenance of Elec-
survey, prior information, supervision, prevention of trical (TRD) assets.
burning activity in the vicinity of cable path, use of ca-
ble route locators and imposition of penalties for de- 3.2 Crew Related
fault. The long term measures include proper protec-
tion of cables (provision of cable ducts), correct docu- The crew of the trains are the primary customers of
mentation of cable path and execution of cabling works S&T department using signals. S&T department pro-
after the completion of formation works in joint works. vides information on stations, cabins, interlocked LCs,
IBS, type of signalling, combined signals, system of
block working, right hand side signals and junction Ar-
2.6 Kavach
rangements for imparting road learning to the crew on
While executing Kavach (Automatic Train Protection identified sections. Proper systems should be in place
System) works, S&T department needs the assistance for rectification of defects noted by crew on run on sig-
of Civil Engineering department in the identification of nal visibility / focusing / blank / incorrect aspect, con-
veying the information to Station Master, making en- - track maintenance works, replacement of assets in sta-
tries in the concerned register in crew lobby, prompt tion yards and any infrastructure work involving signal-
rectification and feed back to the crew with close mon- ing and telecom assets. Grant of timely blocks and mo-
itoring by Power Control and S&T Control in the Divi- bilisation of adequate resources with proper planning
sional offices. Functioning of the Signal Sighting Com- hold the key for productivity of blocks and reliability
mittee (Supervisors of Signal, Electrical and Traffic of equipment.
Departments) is ensured by respective departments for
placement of new signals. The Signal Sighting Com-
mittee conducts quarterly joint foot plate inspections to 5 Commercial Department
check the visibility of signals. The signals not in use
S&T department provides various passenger ameni-
should be provided with X marks on them. S&T depart-
ties such as public address system, electronic guid-
ment should give advance information on the location
ance boards (Train Information Boards, At a Glance
of new signals to the crew. S&T department supplies
boards, Coach Indication systems), GPS clocks, elec-
walkie talkie sets with spare batteries to crew for com-
tronic reservation display systems, fare repeater boards
munication with SM. The portable control telephone to
at ticket counters at stations. These systems are used
get access to controllers through Emergency Commu-
by Commercial Department to convey information to
nication sockets is also supplied by S&T department.
passengers. S&T department provides free Wifi at sta-
In Kavach territory, the loco equipment consisting of
tions for public use. S&T department also provides op-
driver machine interface and brake interface are pro-
tic fibre cable network backbone for applications such
vided in the loco cab by S&T department.
as PRS (Passenger Reservation System), UTS (Uni-
fied Ticketing System), PMS (Parcel Management Sys-
4 Operating Department tem). At some stations, the electronic passenger guid-
ance systems are also used for generation of revenues
4.1 Operation of Station Assets through commercial advertisements.
S&T department should ensure familiarity of operating
systems to Operating department through proper train- 6 Finance Department
ing on new equipment and systems. The feedback of
SM should be given adequate attention to improve the All works proposals involving expenditure (inclusion
services provided. Operating department intimates the of work, detailed estimate, tender finalization, securi-
failures through memos and enters them in the Fail- ties in tenders and contracts, contract agreement verifi-
ure registers. S&T department issues disconnection cation, variations, subsidiary agreements, payments to
memo for undertaking repairs, fix the problems , test contractors, release of securities) and material procure-
the equipment and issues reconnection memo for re- ment plans ( stock and non stock indent vetting, tender
suming normal operations by SM. The relay room will finalization , purchase order vetting, payments to sup-
be opened with two keys (one with S&T and other with plier) are routed through Finance department. Finance
Operating) whenever required through necessary en- department liasons with Executive and Audit depart-
tries in relay room opening register. The Operating de- ments in audit mechanisms. The other areas of inter-
partment makes necessary entries of emergency opera- action are stock verification of stores depots under the
tions such as calling on initiation and cancellation, route control of S&T department and creation of posts as per
cancellation, crank handle extraction, sub route release, the extant norms.
emergency point operation, axle counter resetting etc in
the concerned registers. All the communication assets
used by Operating department are provided and main- 7 Personnel Department
tained by S&T department. They include means for
control communications as well as communication with All matters pertaining to human resources - transfers,
public networks. promotions, payments etc are processed by Personnel
department. The matters such as assessment of vacan-
cies, preparation of seniority lists, defining roster points
4.2 Traffic Blocks
for reservations , pre promotional training, prepara-
S&T department need traffic blocks for execution of tion of question banks, formation of selection commit-
various signalling works such as cable meggaring; sys- tee and empanelment of selected candidates are coor-
tem integrity test; POH requirements; upgradation of dinated by Personnel department. Personnel depart-
software on electronic systems; replacement of assets ment is the nodal agency for interaction with Railway
- cables, signals, track circuits, point machines, axle Recruitment Boards (RRBs) and Railway Recruitment
counters, block instruments, power supply; joint works Commissions (RRCs) for recruitment of manpower.
The network backbone for introduction of IT applica- send performance reports to Sr DSTE in case of unsatis-
tions in Personnel department is provided by S&T de- factory working (retentivity of battery, communication
partment. The other areas of coordination include re- range, interruption etc) for necessary corrective action.
dressal of grievances, training of manpower, recruit- Disposal of defective sets and replacement as per codal
ment through compassionate ground (CG) appoint- provisions are coordinated by S&T department with re-
ments, maintaining cordial industrial relations, dealing spective user department.
of discipline and appeal related matters and welfare ac-
tivities. 10.2 Other Areas of Interaction
S&T department provides CUG mobile connections to
8 Stores Department all eligible staff as per extant policy directions of Rail-
way Board. Railnet connectivity to offices and resi-
All activities involved in purchase of stock and non- dences and Railway and BSNL telephone facilities are
stock items (preparation of calendar of procurement, provided by S&T department. The network backbone
review of annual average consumption, placement of connectivity for all IT applications is provided by S&T
idents, finalization of tender committees, placement of department. S&T department gets associated with ten-
purchase orders, payment to suppliers) and scrap dis- der committees, selection committees and arbitral tri-
posal are coordinated by Stores department. Procure- bunals.
ment of goods and and services through Government e
Marketplace (GeM) is another important area of mutual 10.3 Coordination in Accident Restoration
coordination. The network infrastructure for IT appli-
cations in Stores department is provided by S&T de- S&T department is responsible for upkeep of essen-
partment. tial S&T equipment in Accident Relief Trains (ART)
and Medical Relief Vans (MRV) used for relief and
restoration in accudents. It also participates in peri-
9 RPF Department odical mandatory inspections at Supervisor and Officer
level and mock drills as decided by competent author-
RPF department plays an important role in control ity. The items pertaining to preservation of clues at ac-
of theft of S&T assets. S&T department extends its cident site pertaining to S&T department include posi-
support to RPF to reduce crime in Railway premises. tions of knobs, buttons and readings of counters on con-
S&T department provides CCTV surveillance systems trol panel; relay room key opening register ; data logger
and imparts training to RPF personnel in its usage. report from central monitoring location and asset main-
Both the departments closely work with each other in tenance registers. The communication facilities at the
various stages of utilization of Nirbhaya funds such site of the accident are provided by S&T department.
as identification of location of assets, control rooms, They include mega phones, walkie talkie sets, mobile
creation of paraphernalia etc. phones of different service providers, charging arrange-
ments for walkie talkies and mobile handsets, satel-
Both the departments work towards reduction of ca- lite phone, local telephone exchange and facilities for
ble cuts. S&T department provides walkie talkie sets transmission of video and data. S&T department takes
for efficient working. RPF department provides secu- care of restoration of signalling and telecom assets af-
rity of important installations such as RRIs, Control ter completion of P Way and Electrical TRD works for
centres etc. resuming normal train operations.
10 Services provided by S&T Depart-
ment for others
10.1 Walkie Talkie Sets
Walkie talkie sets are provided to crew, train examina-
tion staff and safety staff. All departments send their
consolidated requirement to Sr DSTE for procurement
through the Stores department. Programming of walkie
talkie sets as per deployment of sets, periodical test-
ing , maintenance and renewal of licence from WPC
are handled by S&T department. The user departments
