Foggy Weather: Indian Railways Gears Up With Over 19,000 'Fog Pass Devices' To Ensure Smooth Train Operations

Battling against foggy weather, the Indian Railways has provisioned 19,742 fog-pass devices to ensure smooth train operations during the winter season.

All north-bound trains get badly affected during the foggy weather due to low visibility.

This initiative marks a crucial step in improving the reliability of train services, reducing delays, and enhancing overall passenger safety.

Every year, during foggy weather in the winter months, a large number of trains are affected especially in the northern parts of the country.

A fog pass device is a GPS-based navigation device that helps the loco pilot to navigate during dense fog conditions.

It provides on-board real-time information (display as well as voice guidance) to loco pilots regarding location of fixed landmarks such as signal, level crossing gate (manned & unmanned), permanent speed restrictions, neutral sections etc.

It displays approach indications of the next three approaching fixed landmarks in geographical order accompanied by a voice message approximately 500m on approach.

Since Northern Railway is the worst affected during the dense fog, 4491 fog pass devices have been provisioned in the zone followed by 1891 for East Central Railway, 1762 for North Eastern Railway, and 1289 for North Central Railway.

Fog pass device is suitable for all types of sections like single line, double line, electrified as well as non-electrified sections.

The device is also suitable for all types of electric and diesel locomotives, EMUs/MEMUs/ DEMUs, and compatible with train speeds up to 160 kmph.

It has a built-in rechargeable battery back-up for 18 hrs.

It is portable, compact in size, light in weight (not more than 1.5 kg including battery), and of robust design.

The loco pilot can carry the device easily with him to the locomotive on resuming his duty and it can be easily placed on the cab desk of locomotive.

The Railways maintains that it is a standalone system and unaffected by weather conditions like fog, rain or sunshine.