Detonators used to aid loco pilots

Hyderabad: With the ongoing cyclone in Andhra Pradesh, the fog at once has demystified and has been causing apprehension to the loco pilots. Apart from having its terrific impact on the agrarian people, the cyclone has become a cause of concern even for the railways.

As no signal light could be identified by the loco pilots due to heavy smog, now a need has arisen for using the detonators for indicating the locations of signal poles to the trains. All stations have been not only alerted but instructions have been issued for the storage of detonators in sufficient quantities in every railway station.

In case of the dense fog, the loco pilots fail to recognize the signals. In order to alert them for a nearby signal, the detonators are fired. On hearing such sounds, the loco pilots get alerted and reduce the speed of the train drastically and look for the signals to proceed further.

In such a manner the detonators are effectively used by the railways. With the ongoing cyclone, at mornings and evenings, a heavy fog is seen around the main junctions of Andhra Pradesh.

To avoid any mishap the railways have taken up the task of using detonators. South Central Railway authorities have taken up all preventive measures, sources added.