Traffic inspector is one of the important supervisory posts of Operating Department in Indian Railways, with a direct responsibility of ensuring Safe running of trains. They are required to be multifaceted, as they are to deal with Safety, Manpower management, Accidents, Accident enquiry, Inspections of various kinds, etc., which require dynamism in their approach with adequate knowledge on various inter-Departmental subjects.

Objectives of inspections:

To ensure 

 ♠ That Staff concerned are conversant in rules and procedures and they meticulously follow them.

 ♠ That No shortcut methods are adopted at any point of time.

 ♠ The availability of full complements of Safety equipment and they are in working order.

 ♠ Any lacunae in extant rules and procedures, which may jeopardize Safety.

♠ That the genuine Staff grievances are redressed in time.

There are various kinds of inspections and at various levels.  Guidelines for Traffic Supervisors / Inspection in conducting inspection at Stations and other locations, connected with train operations are explained.

METHOD OF CONDUCTING INSPECTIONS:

 STATION INSPECTIONS:

Traffic Inspectors shall strictly adhere to the inspection schedules. While going for a Station inspection (except for surprise inspection), the Traffic Inspector can advise the Stations at least the day before, so that the registers are kept updated and the Station kept neat and clean.

On arrival at the Station, the

1. Traffic Inspector shall visit the Points and Crossings location and see their condition to the effect- whether the tongue rails are in good condition and the Point zone is clean & free of debris.

2. He shall observe the cleanliness of the Points’ chairs and whether they are cleaned with the application of oil and graphite powder.

3. Then he shall see the overall cleanliness of the yard and then go the SM’s Office. While entering, he shall see that Staff on duty are alert and in neat uniform.

4. The Traffic Inspector shall observe the condition of the Block Instruments and the Panel / VDU. If they are not in use, they shall have been kept in locked condition.

5. Then he shall check the TSR to the effect that the entries are made up to date with respect to Block Instruments.

6. Then he shall peruse SM’s Dairy and ensure that HOC/TOC is made properly.

7. Then he shall check muster roll for the completion of day-specific marking and any unauthorized absenteeism

FOOT PLATE INSPECTIONS:

Traffic Inspectors shall comply with the Foot Plate inspection schedules, as prescribed. While conducting such inspections, the following shall be monitored.

 Alertness of the train Crew,  Whether adequate rest has been availed by the Crew or not & Availability of spare spectacles of Crew, if applicable.

 Whether Cell phones have been switched off or not.

 Biodata of train crew - * PME, RC (Technical & GRS), OC, Currency of LR, Handling of types of Locos,

 Last counselling by the nominated Loco Inspector, Officers etc.

 Currency of LR of the Section for LP & ALP.

 Loco No., its base depot and trip Schedule Any complaints / remarks in the repair book, FP & BP pressure in Loco & BPC details.

 Availability of essential equipment at Loco & Working of VCDs, Horn, Flasher lights,

 Conducting of brake continuity test / brake feel test, as applicable.

 Visibility of Signals any obscuring factors and Provision & condition of warning boards enroute.

 Details of Cautions in the Section and  Adherence to the permanent & Temporary  speed restrictions.

 Running at MPS, with adherence to WTT / PTT.

 Exchange of All Right Signal by train crew with Station Staff & Guard and vice versa and  Habit of looking back frequently by train crew.

 Timely clearance of Signals at Stations enroute.

 Calling out the aspect of Signals by the train crew with hand.

 Alertness of Station Staff and Gateman enroute.

 Maintenance of Rough Journal Book.

 Knowledge of train crew, especially during abnormal conditions & Enginemanship of train crew

Normally to be carried out by travelling in the BV / SLR of a train. Traffic Inspectors shall comply with the BV inspection schedules, as prescribed. While conducting such inspections, the following shall be monitored.

 Alertness of Guard & Whether adequate rest has been availed by the Guard or not & Availability of spare spectacles, if applicable.

 Whether Cell phone has been kept in silent mode or not.

 Availability of BV equipment, their currency, with provision of one-time lock, as applicable and Provision of LV board/ Tail lamp and side lamps.

 Biodata of Guard & Knowledge of Guard in working of trains during abnormal conditions and usage of Safety equipment.

 FP & BP pressure in BV / SLR and Conducting of brake continuity test, as applicable.

 Possession of requisite train papers / forms.

 Details of Cautions in the Section and  Adherence to the PSRs & TSRs and no over-speeding.

 Running at MPS/ conformity to ISRT, as given in WTT and running of train, as per PTT.

 Exchange of All Right Signal by Guard with Station Staff & train Crew and vice versa.

 Maintenance of Rough Journal Book & Whether courteous to travelling public.

To be conducted at Level Crossing Gates and by travelling in a coach, next to Train Engine.

 At Level Crossing Gates, monitor the Gateman’s working methodology, as an observer in disguise.

 To check the whistling habits of train crew in the approach of Level Crossing Gates, Curves, Cuttings etc and adherence of PSRs & TSRs, by travelling in a Coach, next to train engine.

LEVEL CROSSING GATE INSPECTIONS:

  Traffic Inspectors shall comply with the LC gates inspection schedules, as prescribed. While conducting such inspections, the following shall be monitored.

 Alertness of Gateman, Gateman’s biodata, competency and his handling of winch mechanism.

 Last census, with TVUs and O&E details & Condition of road surface in the LC portion. 

 Availability of Gate Working Rules in trilingual format, roster, protection diagram, Gate inspection book. & essential equipment, as per Gate Working Rules, 

 Entries in the Private Number exchange register & Proper HOC / TOC was done and whether current, up to the time of inspection.

 Visibility to road users and train crew & Display of Safety Posters.

 Provision / Condition of

- First warning sign boards (Double red strips) at distance of 200 m and second warning sign boards (Single red strip) at distance of 50 - 100 m for road users.

- Speed breakers,  Road warning Signals &  Approach lightings.

- Lifting barriers with frills and illuminated strips & Height of lifting barriers from road surface, when in closed condition.

- Stop boards in the lifting barriers &  Height gauges in electrified sections.

- Check rails. - Banner flags with poles and provision for fixing the same in the tracks.

- Toilet with water facility. - Exhibition of Railway Act provisions. Section 146

– Preventing Railway Staff from discharging hid duties and Section 160–

Opening or breaking a Level Crossing gate, to warn the unruly road users.

 Whistling by train crew.

 Knowledge of Gateman in normal working in the gate and in the following abnormal conditions.

- Symptoms of Hot axle, Brake binding, Flat tyre and actions to be taken thereof.

- Train Parting and follow up action.

- Protection rules.

- Failure of Gate, on account of lifting barriers, Gate Key, EKT arrangements, Gate Stop Signals (in Interlocked Engineering Level Crossing Gates), etc., and actions to be taken thereof.

- Damage to lifting barriers by road vehicle and actions to be taken thereof.

 Complaint book & General up keep of LC and its surroundings

1. ATTENDANCE REGISTER:

It is the very important register at a Station. It shall be ensured that all Staff on duty has signed the muster and roster duty is marked below the signature. Leave, sick, absent details shall have been entered by the in-charge SM in a proper manner. There shall not be any corrections, erasing and overwriting in the register.

Usage of whiteners for making corrections shall not be allowed. And if at all any corrections are required the first marking shall be encircled and the new marking shall be written over the circle legibly. The reason for such a change shall be briefly made in the remark’s column. The adequate Staff strength at the Stations and vacancy if any shall be taken note of by the Traffic Inspector. He shall ensure that Periodical Rests have been given to all Staff regularly at least once in fifteen days without fail. If any Staff is on unauthorized absence, it shall be reported to the Sr.DOM with muster roll copy immediately. It can be regularized, only with the approval of Sr.DOM, based on the explanation of the employee, on merit basis. The name of Staff shall be written in bilingual. It shall be ensured that there is no roster violation, when Staff strength is full.

 2. ABCD CATEGORIZATION and BIO DATA REGISTER:

a) ABCD CATEGORIZATION: It is a performance appraisal document at a Station. The register shall be neat and tidy and entries are required to be completed for the last period-ending. The appraisals for SS, which has to be done by the Divisional Officers, are kept blank at most of the Stations, waiting for the Officers to come to the Stations and filling it. The Traffic Inspector shall take initiative in bringing the register in his jurisdictions to the Division Office during his visit to the Stations or send it through a messenger to Office for assessment by the Officers. At most of the Stations, the gradations are just carried forward, based on the marks of previous period-ending, without doing any fresh assessment and such the assessments are also subjective and not reflecting the actual performance of the Staff. For doing objective assessment, the in-charge SM and Traffic Inspector shall maintain a personal dairy, which shall contain the individual profile of Staff concerned. The day-by-day Staff performance with respect to good work done by any Staff, such as finding out abnormal condition in running rail, alertness of the Staff during surprise checks and also negative things done by any Staff, such as regular absent from duty, late reporting for duty, not in neat and proper uniform, disobedience of orders issued by superiors, alcoholism etc., shall be entered then and there. With respect to assessment of knowledge of rules, an objective valuation shall be adapted. For this purpose, the SM /Traffic Inspector shall prepare questionnaire and give to the Staff under their control and check the knowledge objectively. 3 All the above factors shall be taken into account, while grading the Staff at the period-ending. Selection of Staff for annual awards at various levels and grading on the APAR shall be based on the marks on this register. There shall not be any nepotism in awarding marks to the Staff. Any Staff below average in any aspect shall be counseled and suitably upgraded through regular counselling. If any assistance required from Divisional level, it shall reflect in the Traffic Inspector’s monthly Inspection.

b) BIODATA: Traffic Inspectors shall ensure that all biodata details, such as Date of birth, Date of Appointment, Date of Joining at Stations, medical category, date of last PME and RC/SC etc., of a Staff, shall been entered legibly and correctly in this register. As and when any Staff attends PME or RC, the entry shall be updated immediately by the in-charge SM. After each PME, the number of the Fit certificate issued by the Railway Doctor shall also be written in the required column. The Traffic Inspector shall take note the Staff due for PME /RC in the near future and ensure that they are sent in time without fail. Assistance required from Divisional HQ shall be obtained by Traffic Inspector, without any delay or negligence and it shall be ensured that no Staff is overdue. The details of Panel/ VDU competency certificate and OHE isolator competency certificate shall also be entered in this register. These details shall be maintained by the Traffic Inspectors in their personal diary, where individual Staff profiles are maintained.

5. DECLARATION REGISTERS (SMs and Staff other than SMs): Proper declaration shall have been obtained from SMs/Staff joining newly at a Station/ resuming duty after a lapse of 15 days of absence/ leave or during any change in the complement of signals, change of yard layout, revision of SWR etc.Traffic Inspectors shall also check whether necessary certification has been made by the SS in-charge / on-duty SM, with regard to explaining the salient features of the Station. 4 The Traffic Inspectors shall reconcile entries in this register with those in the attendance register and ensure that declarations / fresh declarations have been obtained. Traffic Inspectors shall check the contents of the declaration for the correctness of SWR number, corrections etc. Page index shall be provided for the register in the front page.

6. DISCONNECTION AND RECONNECTION REGISTER: All Disconnection and Reconnection notices issued by the S&T Staff shall have progressive serial numbers and pasted in this register. Corresponding entry for each Disconnection and Reconnection shall be entered in the signal failure register on a separate page. Traffic Inspectors shall check the notices and ensure that it is properly filled in and signed by the authorized Signal Official with correct date and timings. He shall reconcile this register with Signal failure register. Details of trains suffered during the disconnection period may be entered separately in the disconnection notice page.

7. S&TNM REGISTER While receiving S&T NM, SMs shall ensure that specific gear numbers and locations, in which maintenance is going to becarried out, are clearly written by the S&T officials. The probable duration shall be mentioned in the advice. The notices are serially numbered and pasted in the register.

8. DOUBLE LOCK KEY REGISTER (BLOCK INSTRUMENT): Whenever S&T wants to open the block instrument for maintenance purpose, they shall make relevant entries in this register, kept in the SM Office in safe custody. While returning the key also after maintenance, relevant entries shall be entered in this register by S&T Official. Both S&T official and SM shall sign in this register for both entries. Traffic Inspectors shall check the entries with block failure entries and S&T NM / Disconnection & Reconnection notices for their correctness.

9. RELAY ROOM KEY REGISTER: Relay Room key is an important key, which shall be handed over to the S&T Official, only after making entries in the register and signed by on-duty SM and S&T Officials. The purpose of taking out the key shall be mentioned clearly in the relevant column. The key shall be returned to the SM within two hours and if required for more than two hours, permission of the Sr.DSTE is required. While handing over the key also, entries shall be made in the register and sign both SM and S&T officials. Traffic Inspectors shall cross check the entries of this register with S&T failure register and S&T NM register. Traffic Inspectors shall ensure that these keys are separately kept in a glass fronted box, under lock and key. 

13. JOINT INSPECTION OF POINTS & CROSSINGS: Even though it is maintained by S&T and Engineering Officials, Traffic Inspectors shall scrutinize the register with all seriousness and ensure that the deficiencies recorded in the register are attended within a reasonable time. Otherwise, it shall reflect in the inspection notes. Joint Inspection is carried out periodically and jointly signed by the Engineering and S & T Officials. 6 Traffic Inspectors shall see that it is signed by both on the same date. This register shall not be permitted to be taken away by Engineering/ S & T Staff for making Entries in their Office and returning back to the Station, since it will defeat the very purpose of the exercise. Likewise, the other Joint Inspection Registers, such as,joint inspection of track circuits, joint inspection of OHE and S&T shall be scrutinized by the Traffic Inspectors.

16. BPAC COUNTER RESETTING REGISTER Traffic Inspectors to check, whether the BPAC axle counter resetting with direction-wise details, including that of IBSs, if any, are correctly recorded in the register or not. This shall be done only after ensuring the complete arrival of the train. Also, whenever resetting is done, Traffic Inspectors shall scrutinize, whether the failure entry is made in the Signal Failure Register or not? Traffic Inspectors shall also check the occasions when the BPACs are reset and cross-check with the Signal Failure Register entries and TSR.

17. CALLING ON EMERGENCY ROUTE RELEASE (COERR) REGISTER: While checking this register, Traffic Inspectors shall analyze the reasons recorded for the “Track Down” condition and the frequency of those failures, as they directly affect the signalled movement of trains. If it is more, the matter shall be specifically highlighted in the inspection reports.

19. CAUTION ORDER / CAUTION ORDER MESSAGE REGISTER: They are very important Safety Registers, which shall be maintained correctly, as the contents are direct implications on Safe working of trains. Traffic Inspectors shall ensure that Cautions are entered promptly, as & when they are received and notified to the Stations concerned with clear acknowledgement and exchange of PNs. The cancellation of each Caution shall have been entered in red ink in the corresponding page. The Cautions in force shall be correctly brought forward on every Monday morning at all Stations and the SMs at Notice / Train Starting Stations shall ensure the correctness of Cautions with the Section Controller concerned, while bring forwarding. Traffic Inspectors shall check the existence of caution with Section Controller during his Inspection. This register shall be cross checked with Caution Order message register and see that all messages are entered there without any omission. If any caution is in force for a long period without any valid reason, it shall be brought into the Inspection notes. If any Temporary Caution is made permanent and incorporated in the WTT, it shall be advised to the authorized Engg / S&T Officials to remove the same from the list of Cautions.

20. Traffic Inspector’s INSPECTION AND STAFF COUNSELLING REGISTER: In the Inspection report, Traffic Inspectors shall not use the words “correctly maintained”, “found correct”, “no irregularities”. Only the Adverse remarks/ Irregularities/ Deficiencies shall be brought out in the Inspection notes, clearly mentioning the remedial action taken/ required. During Night and surprise Inspections, it is not required to check all the registers and the following items alone need to be checked.

  Alertness of Staff & Wearing of prescribed Uniform.

 Condition of Block Instrument and Panel / VDU.

 TSR entries corresponding to the condition of Block Instrument.

 LC gate communication Register with respect to exchange of Private Number at Non Interlocked Level Crossing gates and advice to Interlocked LC gates.

 Station Diary.

 Attendance Register.

 Block Failure Registers.

- If any stabled stock is available, it shall be inspected to see that it is properly secured and brought into the Inspection Notes.

- Exchange of All Right signal by Station Staff and train crew shall be observed, if any train is passing through the Station at the time of Inspection.

- During scheduled Inspections, cleanliness of the Station shall be mentioned in the report. Staff’s grievances, if any, can also be brought out in the report. Station improvement measures, if any, required can be brought out.

- Repetition of same signal failures at a Station, Irregularity committed by any Staff, Staff on long absence, long sick etc.,shall also be brought out in the report.

Note - The report shall not contain any statistical data, such as, number of Point Failures, Last cancellation etc., and Irregularity contained in above matters shall alone be brought in the report. Traffic Inspectors shall check the commercial viability of the Station with respect to number of Tickets sold and earnings thereof and if elimination of stoppage, if any, is required, the same shall be intimated to Sr.DOM. Detailed format for Traffic Inspector’s inspection enclosed with this handbook for reference.

21. OFFICERS’ INSPECTION REGISTER:

Traffic Inspector shall verify whether the previous inspection remarks of all Officers are complied with or not.

He shall also ensure that the remarks entered by the SM are correct and satisfactory.

If any adverse remarks are pending, due to any reasons, beyond the control of SM, Traffic Inspector shall coordinate with the Division and get it complied. There are occasions in which the Officer would have inspected the Station and inspection notes would not have been received at the Station.

Traffic Inspector shall have details of Officers, who inspected the Stations in the recent past and verify whether all the inspection notes have been pasted and compliance remarks given by SM. Instead of writing “noted”, detailed remarks shall be offered by the SS in charge in case of serious safety violation and all Staff shall acknowledge, if relevant to all.

22. MONTHLY SAFETY MEETING REGISTER: Safety Meeting shall be conducted on the 15th of every month on the topic advised by the Division. This is a very important meeting, in which all Safety issues are discussed and doubts of Staff cleared to ensure that the Staff are having adequate knowledge in Safe train working. Traffic Inspectors shall ensure that the monthly Safety meetings are conducted in the true spirit at the Station and the Staff, who have signed in the meeting Register, actually have the knowledge of the points in the agenda. Staff, who could not attend the meeting, due to unavoidable circumstances shall be explained about the topic on their arrival and then only allowed to sign in the Register. Section Traffic Inspectors shall attend Safety meeting in any Station in his jurisdiction on rotational manner and counsel the Staff on the topics given.

23. SAFETY CIRCULAR REGISTER / SAFETY DRIVE REGISTER/ OPERATING CIRCULAR REGISTER: These are to be maintained as a permanent record. A single register can be used for maintaining the Safety circular issued by Head Quarters and the Division, but on separate parts. This will eliminate double register maintenance for single purpose. Traffic Inspectors shall ensure that all the Safety circulars, received after his last inspection, are pasted in the register and acknowledgement of all the Staff working at the Station are obtained with date. Traffic Inspector shall ask a question based on the Safety circular and satisfy that the Staff are having correct knowledge of the circular. He shall furnish such details in his inspection report.

24. STATION DIARY: Traffic Inspectors shall check whether HOC/TOC is made correctly all the days and all the shifts with clear signature of the Staff concerned and the details contained in the diary are as per the requirement. He shall verify the HOC/TOC details with muster roll and ensure that only correct persons have done the HOC/TOC. The diary entry shall invariably contain the HOC/TOC timings and Staff names, details of road occupation, details of Cautions in force, details of Line Block/ Power Block programme, details of S&T disconnection in force, the details of keys handed over to the S&T/ OHE Staff, failure of Signalling gears/ OHE if any, commercial case details, if any and any other abnormalities, prevailing at the time of handing over. 

25. TRAIN SIGNAL REGISTER Traffic Inspectors shall check whether all the columns of train entries are correctly filled in without any deviation, correctness of HOC/TOC entries, last private number issued, various cancellation counter numbers, 16.00 hrs standard time marking, odd hours date line, red ink entries, such as, trains dealt during failures, exchange of failure messages, line occupation details, caution order details, line block, Power block, S&T disconnection details, all other details as per the BWM etc. He shall also cross check the PN of train entries with the other Station/ Non-Interlocked Level Crossing Gates. This will help to make the Staff realize the significance of Private Numbers.

26. WAGON STABLING AND SECURING REGISTER: Traffic Inspectors shall not only peruse this Register with the TSR, but shall ensure that securing is actually done at site as well, as per the provisions of G&SR 5.23 and the relevant Railway Board circulars. Practical difficulties shall be analyzed and remedial action to be suggested. Traffic Inspectors shall also physically verify the stabling of Stocks, whenever any stock is stabled at the time inspection and give hands on practice.

27. FOG SIGNAL (DETONATOR) REGISTER: Traffic Inspector shall check the availability of Detonators as per SWR provisions and the life of the signals is having currency. He shall also check that the Staff are having adequate knowledge about the VTO of a Station and the usage of fog signals. Time barred items shall be replaced immediately. The Staff declaration on fog signal shall be current.

28. ACCIDENT REGISTER: The details of accident happened at the Station shall be entered in the register along with the details about Staff responsibility and punishment given. If the details are not updated, Traffic Inspectors shall coordinate with the Divisional Headquarters in this regard and get it updated in the Register.

29. FIRST AID BOX: As and when any items in the First Aid box are utilized, entries shall be made in the card, given for this purpose. It is mandatory to replenish the box once in three months and it shall be in sealed condition always. Traffic Inspectors shall ensure the above aspects.

30. FIRE EXTINGUISHER: Traffic Inspectors shall check the due date of the equipment and ensure its life currency. He shall arrange for the replacement of time barred equipment well in time.

31. LINE BLOCK REGISTER: Traffic Inspectors shall check the correctness of the block requisition and corresponding block cancellation and verify the same with TSR entries. Line Block requisition, permission and Cancellation memos shall be pasted in a single page and relevant entries made in the opposite page. Traffic Inspectors shall crosscheck the correctness of the LB time and location in the Register with those in the TSR.

32. POWER BLOCK REGISTER / ISOLATOR KEY REGISTER: Traffic Inspectors shall check that the entries are complete for a given block, particularly mentioning the elementary section, involving the Roads/ Sections. There is no provision in the rules power extension of power block and hence for extension, new power block message shall be given and PN exchanged. Traffic Inspectors shall check local Power Block memos, wherever Isolation provision is available in major Yards. The OHE department shall give a list of persons who are authorized/ qualified to operate the isolator. SM shall hand over the Isolator Key only to the listed Staff. Traffic Inspectors shall ensure it during their inspections.

33. ESSENTIAL SAFETY EQUIPMENT: The list of Safety equipment, provided as per SWR, shall be displayed at all Stations for ready reference. Traffic Inspectors shall check the availability of all these equipment in good working conditions as well as adequacy of these equipment. Any shortage, due to missing / damage, shall be reported immediately by the SM and Traffic Inspector shall arrange for making good of these items immediately. Traffic Inspectors shall keep a record of the details of short supply in their personal diary.

34. STANDING ORDER BOOK: This is a permanent record. Traffic Inspectors shall check that all the circulars pasted in this register are notified to all Staff and their acknowledgement obtained with date.

35. CORRECTION MEMO REGISTER FOR GRS/BWM/ACCM A combined register is to be maintained for the above rules & manuals. Traffic Inspector shall check that all the corrections are pasted; notified to all Staff and the acknowledgement obtained with date. Traffic Inspectors shall also ensure that the rule books at the Station and of individual employee shall counsel on-duty Staff on recent correction, if any, after his last inspection and shall record the same on his inspection report.

36. WEATHER WARNING REGISTER: All weather warning messages received from control are entered in this register and advised to SSE/PW, SSE/OHE, SSE/PSI and SSE/S&T immediately to alert them about them the possible weather threat. Traffic Inspectors shall check that the weather messages are advised to all concerned by SM in time.

40. PATROL CHART: This is issued by Sr.DEN / DEN for monsoon patrolling. This chart indicates the movement of Patrolman with time from a Station to a fixed point, such as an intermediate LC gate, gang location, Halt Station etc., and the return movement of the Patrolman to the starting point, after exchanging the Patrol book with the other side Patrolman. This chart shall be legible and displayed in the SM’s room at a conspicuous place. Daily, at the end of patrolling, the on-duty SM shall secure the patrol beat book and keep it at the Station in safe custody and issue the same to the Patrolman, before commencing the patrolling at the scheduled time

41. SALIENT FEATURES BOARD:

 Block Stations at either ends with inter-distance and availability of IBS on adjacent block sections.

 CSL of individual lines.

 Steep gradients of the Station and their location on either side.

 Availability of Slip Siding/Catch Siding, if any.

 Availability of Level Crossing Gates under the control of the Station.

 Any restrictions for clearing Signals / blocking Sections, if any.

 Condonations / Special sanctions, if any.

 Availability of Common Loop line, if any.

 Availability of Routing / Inter-Starter/ Inner Distant Signals, if any.

 Availability of Signals on the Right Hand Side, if any.

 Location of SM’s Office.

 System of working / Section, viz., Single/ Double / Multiple line.

 Availability of Private/Public/ Railway sidings, if any.

 Availability of major bridge/Tunnel, if any, near the Station.

 BD/MFD/MRV location, if any.

 In motion weigh bridge location, if any.

 Diesel/ Electric Loco sheds, if any.

 Any other peculiarity in the layout.

42. LC GATE COMMUNICATION REGISTER: Traffic Inspectors shall check that interlocked LC gates are informed for passing trains and the closure of NI Level Crossing Gates, if any, in the Block Section against road traffic,are ensured by the on-duty SM, under exchange of PN for every movement. Some interlocked LC gates remains permanently closed during night hours, due to non-availability of road traffic. Such activities will lead to unsafe working practices, such as, non-observance of passing trains, allowing GKs to sleep while on duty, recording of details in a bunch etc., and may lead to unnoticed damages to lifting barriers also. This type of irregularities shall be detected, during surprise night inspections.

43. STAFF GRIEVANCE REGISTER (GENERAL/SC/ST) Traffic Inspector shall check the register for any pending grievances and if they are not redressed within a reasonable time, he can include the same in the inspection report. Timely redressal of grievances can be an effective tool of motivation for the Staff.

44. QUARTERS REGISTER: Traffic Inspectors shall check the Staff Quarters register and see how many quarters are lying vacant for a long time due to non-availability of demand, which will lead to revenue loss for Railways. If any Staff Quartersbelong to any Department is no more required for them, the same can be handed over to the needy Department, with specific approval from Office. Some Staff Quarterswill remain vacant due to major repairs, which makes it unfit for dwelling. The details of such Staff Quarters shallbe advised to Office, with a copy to SSE/W concernedfor early condemnation.

 45. PARTICULARS TO BE MAINTAINED BY Traffic Inspectors:

STATIONS

 Mini-rule diagram

 Mini RE diagram

 SWR No. and date/BIF

 System of working, Type of signal & Standard of Interlocking

 Slip /Catch siding

 Types of rails

 Individual No. of points

 Running lines with CSL

 PF capacity

 Sick line & Pit line capacity

 Shunting neck capacity

 Lay-bye capacity

 Goods shed releasing/ loading /stocking capacity

 Siding details

 Storing capacity of the siding (OIL/FCI)

 List of Level Crossing Gates and roadmap to the location.

 Terminal detention data

 Traffic facility work in progress /proposal

GENERAL

 Traffic Inspector shall have thorough knowledge about each Station of his section.

 Gradient details of Stations and sections.

 Staff details at each Station, including their Present & Permanent addresses.

 Location of SSE/PW, SSE/W, SSE/SIG, SSE/OHE, SSE/PSI, etc.

 Phone numbers of important Offices for contacting during disaster.

 Approach road map for reaching different locations during disaster.

 Divisional map.

 Traffic Inspector’s jurisdiction map with road connectivity and LC gate particulars.

 Beat map of other Departments, such as S&T, Engineering, Mechanical, Electrical (both TRD & GS), Personnel, Security & State Police (RP).

 Joint inspection programs.

 Nearest Loco sheds & their Loco holding ( AC/Diesel).

 Coaching Depots & their holding.

 Major bridge (RUB/ ROB).

 Ruling gradient & Critical block section.

 PSR, Load chart.

 Line capacity.

SPECIAL OBSERVATION AND REMARKS IN THE INSPECTION NOTE ON STAFF COUNSELLING: During Inspection Traffic Inspectors shall test the Staff on knowledge of rules by asking questions about day-to-day train working and satisfy that they are having adequate knowledge. If any Staff is found lacking behind about requisite knowledge of rules, they shall be counseled properly. The details of counseling shall be recorded separately on the pages meant for counseling in the Traffic Inspector Inspection and counseling Register. This counseling detail shall be included in the Inspection report. Grievance of Staffs also shall be recorded and reported.

These guidelines are given with an aim to specifically focus on the core areas of inspections, in the domains of Operations & Safety and are not exhaustive. If any innovations are contemplated in the interest of system improvement, the same shall be done with the approval of competent authority. In addition to extant Rules / Instructions, any other future guidelines, which are being issued from time to time, shall also be strictly adhered to. ****************