Railways Ministry Introduces Key Reforms to Enhance Train Controller Functioning and Safety
The Ministry of Railways announced significant reforms for train controllers aimed at improving operational safety and working conditions. These include mandatory minimum service in control offices, selection of experienced personnel, regular refresher courses with simulator training, and performance monitoring. Measures like yoga sessions and health check-ups will address job stress. The Traffic Control will be renamed Operations & Traffic Control to serve as an integrated command centre.
Unpacked:
Recent concerns about operational safety, potential accidents, and the need to modernize control practices likely prompted these reforms. Advances in technology and international best practices are also influencing efforts to improve safety and working conditions for train controllers.
Simulator training and refresher courses allow controllers to practice handling emergencies and complex scenarios in a risk-free environment, improving their decision-making and preparedness. Evidence from global rail systems shows such training reduces human error and enhances overall operational safety.
Train controllers face high stress, long hours, and pressure to avoid errors, which can affect concentration and health. The reforms target these issues by improving training, ensuring experienced personnel, monitoring performance, and offering health and wellness initiatives like yoga and check-ups.
Renaming signifies a shift toward a more integrated, centralized command structure, reflecting the role of modern rail control centers. This approach combines operational oversight with traffic management, aiming to improve coordination, efficiency, and safety across the rail network.