Northern Railway General Manager Inspects Srinagar-Katra Section Amidst Heavy Snowfall; Prioritizes Employee Safety in Sub-Zero Temperatures
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Northern Railway General Manager, Shri Ashok Kumar Verma, today conducted a comprehensive inspection of the Srinagar-Katra rail section. This inspection comes at a crucial time as the Kashmir Valley is experiencing challenging weather conditions due to heavy snowfall and sub-zero temperatures.
Inspection of Key Stations and Infrastructure
During his visit, the General Manager inspected several key stations, including Srinagar, Pampore, Anantnag, and Qazigund. He closely reviewed the passenger amenities available at these stations to ensure that passengers do not face any inconvenience despite the harsh winter conditions.
Shri Verma paid particular attention to reviewing the ongoing maintenance and construction work on various tunnels and bridges. To ensure the highest safety standards, he personally inspected critical track elements, including points, switches, and turnouts, to ensure their smooth functioning even in the freezing temperatures.
Focus on Employees and Safety
A key highlight of the inspection was the General Manager's interaction with the ground staff and track maintainers. Acknowledging their dedication to working in the biting cold, Shri Verma sought direct feedback from them regarding the challenges they face in maintaining the tracks during the winter months.
"The safety and well-being of our employees who are working tirelessly in sub-zero temperatures is paramount," said Shri Verma.
He instructed the accompanying officials to ensure that all necessary winter equipment and safety gear are immediately provided to the employees. He emphasized that the workforce must be fully equipped to effectively handle track maintenance given the prevailing climatic conditions.
Concluding the inspection, the General Manager reviewed other ongoing infrastructure projects in the region. He advised all officials to adhere to strict deadlines to ensure that the rail network remains robust and that development work is not hampered by weather conditions.
(Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay)
Chief Public Relations Officer