New Delhi: The Railway Board has issued instructions to all its zones and divisions to overcome the shortage and ensure proper maintenance of VHF (very high frequency) phones, also called walkie-talkies.
It is a crucial means of communication between conductors, guards, station masters and other officials involved in the safe operation of trains.
Prior to the Board's directions, security category employees submitted several written complaints regarding the "deplorable condition" of VHF sets and their shortage to their respective department heads in various zones and divisions.
In April 2022, the Railway Board had advised its zones to procure VHF sets for crew along with other measures to overcome the shortage of quality walkie-talkies.
"However, it has been noted that some railroads are facing a shortage of VHF crew sets," the Board said in its June 26 letter.
He said VHF communication is very crucial for train operation and its non-availability is a serious safety issue.
The Board issued several instructions to ensure availability of quality VHF sets.
For proper maintenance of VHF sets, the Board said: "A JPO (Joint Procedure Order) may be signed between the departments of Science and Technology (Signals and Telecommunications) and Electrical and Operations at the SAG (Senior Administrative Grade) level. for the delivery of VHF devices to the crew. maintenance/repair of VHF devices, safekeeping of VHF devices, treatment of defective VHF devices, batteries, spare batteries and chargers."
According to the Board, 5 watt VHF sets will be considered vestibule equipment in all zonal railways.
"The crew lobby manager will issue only fully charged 5-watt VHF sets and a fully charged spare battery to crew members," the Board said.
"The battery life is one year for VHF sets used by the crew according to the Board's letter of August 19, 2010," he added.
Meanwhile, many guards and drivers in various railway areas continue to complain about the poor functioning of the VHF devices.
"The maintenance of the VHF sets is very poor and pathetic, due to which the operational staff using these equipments face problems. They often break down during train operations, causing huge difficulties to the drivers and guards," he said. Ashok Sharma, Deputy General Secretary, National Federation of Indian Railways (NFIR).
"If you see the 'Abnormality Log' in which drivers write their complaints after completing their service on the train, you will find that many of the complaints concern the poor working condition of the VHF sets," said a locomotive inspector. .
The Jhansi branch of the All India Guards Council, a railway guard body, also highlighted the malfunctioning of VHF sets to its division, saying: "The condition of walkie-talkies is pathetic as their batteries consume in a just travel."
It is a crucial means of communication between conductors, guards, station masters and other officials involved in the safe operation of trains.
Prior to the Board's directions, security category employees submitted several written complaints regarding the "deplorable condition" of VHF sets and their shortage to their respective department heads in various zones and divisions.
In April 2022, the Railway Board had advised its zones to procure VHF sets for crew along with other measures to overcome the shortage of quality walkie-talkies.
"However, it has been noted that some railroads are facing a shortage of VHF crew sets," the Board said in its June 26 letter.
He said VHF communication is very crucial for train operation and its non-availability is a serious safety issue.
The Board issued several instructions to ensure availability of quality VHF sets.
For proper maintenance of VHF sets, the Board said: "A JPO (Joint Procedure Order) may be signed between the departments of Science and Technology (Signals and Telecommunications) and Electrical and Operations at the SAG (Senior Administrative Grade) level. for the delivery of VHF devices to the crew. maintenance/repair of VHF devices, safekeeping of VHF devices, treatment of defective VHF devices, batteries, spare batteries and chargers."
According to the Board, 5 watt VHF sets will be considered vestibule equipment in all zonal railways.
"The crew lobby manager will issue only fully charged 5-watt VHF sets and a fully charged spare battery to crew members," the Board said.
"The battery life is one year for VHF sets used by the crew according to the Board's letter of August 19, 2010," he added.
Meanwhile, many guards and drivers in various railway areas continue to complain about the poor functioning of the VHF devices.
"The maintenance of the VHF sets is very poor and pathetic, due to which the operational staff using these equipments face problems. They often break down during train operations, causing huge difficulties to the drivers and guards," he said. Ashok Sharma, Deputy General Secretary, National Federation of Indian Railways (NFIR).
"If you see the 'Abnormality Log' in which drivers write their complaints after completing their service on the train, you will find that many of the complaints concern the poor working condition of the VHF sets," said a locomotive inspector. .
The Jhansi branch of the All India Guards Council, a railway guard body, also highlighted the malfunctioning of VHF sets to its division, saying: "The condition of walkie-talkies is pathetic as their batteries consume in a just travel."
