CHAPTER XIII

PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING SANCTION AND CARRYING OUT WORKS AFFECTING SAFETY OF THE RUNNING LINE AND FOR OPENING

NEW WORKSGENERAL

1301. References to Rules -

(1) The safety of travelling public is governed (ensured) by the rules laid down in :

(a) Indian Railways Act of 1890(as amended from time-to-time),

(b) The General Rules of Indian Railways,

(c) The rules for opening of a Railway or a section of a Railway for the public carriage of passangers,1933(as amended from time-to-time), and

(d) The Indian Railway Schedule of Dimensions.

(2) These rules specify the authority competent to sanction and the procedure for obtaining sanction for any work which affects a running line, before the work is started or brought into use and before a new section of line is opened for public traffic.

1302. Works requiring the sanction of Commissioner of Railway Safety and Notice therefor -

(1) Under section 20 of Indian Railways Act and chapter VI of the "Rules for opening of a Railway or Section of a Railway for the public carriage of passengers,1933", the sanction of Commissioner of Railway Safety is required for the execution of any work on the open line, which will affect the running of trains carrying passengers and any temporary arrangement necessary for carrying it out, except in cases of emergency.

(2) For the commencement and opening of the following works, when they are connected with or form part of Railway already opened, the sanction of the Commissioner of Railway Safety shall be obtained:

(a) Additions, extensions or alternations to running lines.

(b) Alterations to points and crossings in running lines.

(c) New signalling and interlocking installations or alterations to existing installations.

(d) New stations, temporary or permanent.

(e) The construction (but not the removal) of an ash pit on a running line.

(f) Heavy regrading of running lines involving lowering/ raising of track in excess of 500mm.

(g) New bridges including road over and under bridges, foot over- bridges, strengthening, raising; reconstruction or extension of existing bridges, addition or replacement of existing girders, including provision of temporary girders.

(h) Provision of new level crossing, shifting of existing level crossing on running lines, demanning and downgrading of level crossing, manning of unmanned level crossings, upgrading of level crossing involving changes in the method of working or operation (such as interlocking, provision of lifting barriers in place of gates etc.) and closing down of level crossings.

(i) Permanent diversion (deviation) more than 2 kms. in length without any station in between and irrespective of length, when a new station is involved.

Note :- Permanent diversions more than 2 kms. in length, and irrespective of length when a new station is involved, are to be treated as new lines covered by the provisions of section 17 to 19 of Indian Railway Act.

(k) Temporary diversion irrespective of length, except those laid for restoration of through communication after accident.

(I) Addition or alterations to the electrical installations of tracks equipped for electrical traction.

(3) Application for any alterations, reconstruction or additions that require the sanction of Commissioner of Railway Safety should ordinarily be made 30 days in advance of the expected commencement of such work.

If for any reason a sanctioned work is not taken in hand within 12 months from the date of sanction, the Commissioner of Railway Safety should be approached for renewal of the sanction.

1303. Application for sanction of Works -

(1) Application to the Commissioner of Railway Safety, for sanction for carrying out works affecting the running lines should be submitted in the manner specified below:

(a) In the case of the Divisional Works the application should be made by Senior Divisional Engineer and/or Senior Divisional Signal and Telecommunication Engineer, for track, bridges and signalling and interlocking works as the case may be. When a Junior Administrative Grade Officer does not exist on the division in any department the Divisional Railway Manager / Additional Divisional Railway Manager should sign the application. In case of works executed by Construction Organisation whether for Civil Engineering or Signal and Interlocking, applications will be signed by the Junior Administrative Grade Officers for Chief Engineer (Construction), or Chief Signal and Telecommunication Engineer (Construction) as the case may be.

(b) For Divisional works which involve both Civil Engineering and Signal and Interlocking, application shall be signed jointly by the Junior Administrative Grade Officers of both Civil Engineering and Signal and Telecommunication Departments of the division. In the absence of a Junior Administrative Grade Officer, the application will be signed by Divisional Railway Manager/ Additional Divisional Railway Manager. In the case of works executed by Construction Organisation, application shall be signed by Junior Administrative Grade officers representing chief engineer (Construction) and Chief Signal and Telecommunication Engineer (Construction).

(2) In all cases, the name and designation of the signatory should invariably be given.

1304. Documents to accompany Applications - (1) Documents to accompany the application are detailed in Form (Annexure 13/1) and they should be complete in every respect.

(2) The officer should furnish along with his application a Track Certificate where applicable,

on Form (Annexure 13/2) signed by Deputy Chief Engineer (Track) and in his absence by Additional Chief Engineer (Track) to the effect that the track is suitable for the maximum axle loads stated therein. The certificate will be countersigned by the Chief Track Engineer/Chief Engineer.

(3) For a major bridge, or when non standard girders or designs are used, a certificate on Form (Annexure 13/3) issued by Deputy Chief Engineer (Bridges) to the effect that the bridge or bridges are designed to carry the axle loads proposed to be run, should accompany the application. The bridge certificate will be countersigned by the Chief Bridge Engineer/Chief Engineer.

(4) For purpose of Forms (Annexure 13/2 and 13/3) the Chief Operating Superintendent should be consulted in regard to the types of locomotives and rolling stock to be used, their axle loads and speeds. The rules for traffic working obtained from the Operating Department and particulars of electric block-signalling work, if any from the Signal and Telecommunication Department should accompany the application.

1305. Submission of Safety Certificate -

(1) The Commissioner of Railway Safety in according his sanction may or may not propose to inspect the works.

(2) If the Commissioner of Railway Safety decide to inspect the work prior to opening, he will, after inspection in the company of the officers concerned, communicate in writing his sanction to open the work.

(3) Should the Commissioner of Railway Safety decide not to inspect the work prior to opening, the Safety Certificate in Form (Annexure 13/5), together with the certificates referred to therein shall be completed and submitted before the work is opened, by the Engineer (s)-in-charge and a telegram despatched to Commissioner of Railway Safety. Copies of Safety Certificate should be send to the Divisional Railway Manager and Chief Engineer and/ or Chief Signal and Telecommunication Engineer.

(4) The Safety Certificate for engineering works should be signed by the Assistant Engineer concerned and countersigned by the Divisional

Engineer. If any conditional sanction is given, it should be specifically certified that the conditions as stipulated are fulfilled. If the signalling/interlocking work is involved, the Safety Certificate should be signed jointly by the officers of Signal and Telecommunication department.

(5) Safety Certificate shall be despatched to the Commissioner of Railway Safety expeditiously.

(6) When phase working is involved, separate Safety Certificate should be issued, whenever each phase of work is completed.

1306. Deviations from Plans approved by Commissioner of Railway Safety - If any deviations from the plans approved by the Commissioner of Railway Safety which affects the layout of lines or the arrangement of signals or the working rules, are found necessary, his prior approval to such deviations should be obtained with reference to his sanction.

1307. Applications for running of new types of locomotives and/or rolling stock for increase in speed - (1) Application to the Commissioner of Railway Safety for sanctioning the running of new types of locomotives or rolling stock or increasing the maximum permissible speed on a specified section or sections, or for Double Heading/Multiple Heading should ordinarily be made by the Chief Engineer one month in advance and accompanied by the following documents :

(a) Load diagram.

(b) Certificates for track-strength.

(c )Certificates for the strength of girders.

(d) Speed clearance certificate issued by the R.D.S.O.

(e) Reports of test runs/oscillation trials (to be obtained from RDSO if required by C. R. S.)

(f) Certificate on Form (Annexure 13/4) signed jointly by Chief Mechanical Engineer and Chief Engineer for steam and Diesel Locos and Chief Electrical Engineer and Chief Engineer in the case of straight electric locos and E. M. U. rolling stock. The certificate should also be signed by the Chief Operating Superintendent and Chief Signal and Telecommunication Engineer of the Railway,

where maximum permissible speed for any class or classes of trains or rolling stock is proposed to be raised.

(g) A statement in the Form XI of the "Rules for the opening of a Railway or section of a Railway for the public carriage of passengers" detailing any infringement of maximum and minimum dimensions involved in the running of the locomotive or rolling stock.

(2) On receipt of such an application, the Commissioner of Railway Safety will, if he so desires inspect and/or try out the new locomotive and/or rolling stock and the Railway Administration will afford him the necessary assistance to do so.

1308. Notification to Railway Officials when opening works - Except as described in (Para 1309), no new work affecting the running of trains or the traffic working at stations should be brought into use until staff of all departments have been notified by means of a circular notice issued by the Divisional Safety Officer/Divisional Operating Superintendent. Timely intimation of the date of opening of works should be sent to the Divisional Operating Superintendent / Divisional Safety Officer, wherever any new or revised working rules are to be brought into operation, to enable him to give the running staff due notice.

1309. Works arising out of accidents including breaches - (1) An abbreviated procedure to be adopted in the case of accidents as laid down in Section 21 of the Indian Railways Act, is reproduced below :

"When an accident has occurred resulting in a temporary suspension of traffic, and either the original line and work has been rapidly restored to their original standard, or a temporary diversion has been laid for the purpose of restoring communication, the original line and works so restored, or the temporary Diversion, as the case may be, in the absence of Commissioner of Railway Safety, be opened for the public carriage of passengers, subject to the following conditions, namely :

(a) That the Railway servant in-charge of the works undertaken by reason of the accident has certified in writing that the opening of the restored line and work or of the temporary diversion, will not, in his opinion be attended with

danger to the public using the line and works or the diversion; and

(b) That notice by the Telegraph of the opening of line and works or the diversion shall be sent, as soon as may be, to the Commissioner of Railway Safety.

(2) The certificate on Form (Annexure 13/6) which is worded in accordance with Section 21 (a) must be written out and signed by representative of Engineering Department in-charge of the work before opening it. This certificate shall be despatched by Telegram to the Officers concerned followed by confirmatory copies by letter. The Engineering representative should hand over a copy of the certificate to the representative of the Operating Department at the site of accident; the latter will not permit the passage of traffic over the restored road or the diversion until he is in possession of the certificate.

(3) Diversions should, wherever possible, be tested by running a Material train, or light engine over them, before opening for public traffic.

(4) The Certificate and Telegraph advice to Commissioner of Railway Safety need not be sent when the line is restored for through communication with. In 24 hours.

(5) Where the use of temporary diversion is likely to be extended for more than three days, the Commissioner of Railway Safety may if, he considers necessary take the earliest opportunity of inspecting it.

1310. Opening of New Lines - Whenever it is proposed to open a new line for traffic, or to initiate the use of Electic Motive Power on a line already opened, or to commission a line where guage conversion has been done - Rules and procedure contained in the relevant Chapters of "Rules for opening of the Railway or a section of the Railway for the public carriage of passengers" shall be strictly followed.PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING SANCTION AND CARRYING OUT WORKS AFFECTING SAFETY OF THE RUNNING LINE AND FOR OPENING NEW WORKS

ANNEXURE 13/1 (Sheet 1) Para 1304

.............................RAILWAY

Application for Sanction

No..............................................                                                                                   Dated................................................198

From:........................................

To

         The Commissioner of Railway Safety,

        ...............................................Circle.

Sir,

I hereby apply for your sanction to.................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................

................................................................................

...........................being

commenced and opened for the public carriage of passengers, when ready.

(2) With reference to Chapter VI of the Rules for the Opening of a Railway, I beg to enquire whether you wish to inspect the work prior to its opening for the public carriage of passengers, in which case intimation will be given of the date of completion.

(3) In the event of your deciding not to inspect the work prior to opening, the Engineer-in-charge will, on completion of the work, submit the Safety Certificate duly signed by him, prior to the opening of the work for public carriage of passengers and when required, also despatch a telegram ** to your address intimating that the work has been opened and the Safety Certificate has been signed by him.

(4) The application for the use of locomotives and rolling-stock to be drawn or propelled thereby on the proposed line, in accordance with Section 16(1) of the Indian Railways Act, 1890 (IX of 1890), in sent herewith/not required.

(5) The following documents are appended :-Temporary works -

(a) Description of proposed works.

(b) Drawing of temporary works.

(c) List of infringements to Schedule of Dimensions.

(d) List of deviations from the Manuals of Instructions for Signalling and Interlocking and Block Signalling.

(e) List of deviations from General and Subsidiary Rules.

(f) Restrictions.

(g) Rules for Traffic Working.

(h) Documents for bridges as per Chapter VII of the Rules for the Opening of a Railway. (2) Permanent works -

(a) Description of proposed works.

(b) Drawing of permanent works.

(c) List of infringements to Schedule of Dimensions.

(d) List of deviations from the Manuals of Instructions for Signalling and Interlocking and Block Signalling.

(e) List of deviations from General and Subsidiary Rules. PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING SANCTION AND CARRYING OUT WORKS AFFECTING SAFETY OF THE RUNNING LINE AND FOR OPENING NEW WORKS

ANNEXURE 13/1 (Sheet 2) Para 1304 Cont.(f) Restrictions.

(g) Rules for Traffic Working.

(h) Documents for bridges as per Chapter VII of the Rules for opening of a Railway.

(6) Certified that a detailed examination of the strength and arrangement of the materials to be used in the temporary/permanent works in above connection, have been made and that the design and the materials to be used are upto the loads, which will be required to carry and that their opening for public carriage of passengers will not be attended with any danger.

(Delete temporary or permanent work, as the case may be).

                                                                                                                                                                              Yours faithfully,

No...............................................................

Dated..........................................................

From

The Commissioner of Railway Safety,

.................................................Circle.

To,

     The............................................................

     .................................................Railway.

Sir, Your No........................................................................

Sanction is accorded to the above work being carried out.

* I do not propose to inspect the work prior to its opening for the carriage of passengers. When ready, it may be opened on a Safety Certificate (vide Paragraph 3 of your letter), which should be submitted to me direct without any delay.

* I propose to inspect the work prior to its opening for the public carriage of passengers. Advice of the date when the work will be ready for inspection should be intimated at least 14 days before it is proposed to open it.

                                                                                                                                                    Commissioner of Railway Safety. 

Note : * Strike out paragraph not applicable.

* Here enter name of work and mention whether permanent or temporary.

** Form telegram - "Reference sanction No.......................................................dated.........................................................Work opened for public traffic on...........................................First train to pass................................................................No danger to Public. Certificate signed".

+ If any of the documents are not sent," NIL' to be written against such items.

Working rules for extensive remodelling schemes may be sent in not later than one month before the date on which the work is to be brought into use and in such cases' will follow' should be written instead of' NIL'.

ANNEXURE 13/2 (Para 1304)Track Certificate

(To accompany application)I do hereby certify that the track on section.....................................(station.................................................................................to station................................................) from.........................................km. to......................................................km, the*weakest portion of which consists of............................................................kg. rails....................................................metres long each with a maximum wear of..............................................................%on.....................................sleepers of density.............................and minimum depth of...................................................................................................................ballast cushion below sleepers out of which................................................................minimum of clean ballast exists under sleepers on consolidated and stable formation is to the required strength which can safely take..........................................................................rolling stock (brief description) ** upto..............................tonnes axle load at a minimum speed

of...........................................................km.p.h. subject of the local speed restrictions noted below -

Countersigned by.......................................................                                                                                                      

               .............................................

Sl. No.

From To

KM..........to                               KM............

Nature of restriction

Brief reason for restriction

           Additional Chief Engineer (Track)/ Deputy 

Chief Engineer (Track)..............................................................Chief Track Engineer/Chief Engineer

Note - * The weakest portion on which no speed restriction has been imposed only need to be given.

** The maximum number of locomotives proposed to be coupled together for multiple operation shall be specifically mentioned. PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING SANCTION AND CARRYING OUT WORKS AFFECTING SAFETY OF THE RUNNING LINE AND FOR OPENING NEW WORKS

Annexure 13/3 (Para 1304)

Bridge Certificate(To accompany application)

1. Certified that the bridges on Section (station).....................................to............................... (station) from............................Km. to..............................Km. the minimum strength of superstructure being..........................% of RBG/M. G., M. L. standard as per Bridge Rules 1941/1964 Revised corrected upto and inclusive of............................... Correction slip No..............................dated..................................are safe  to carry ........................................ ............................. (Rolling stock) not exceeding....................................units (in the case

of locomotive) coupled together, at a maximum speed of..........................km.p.h. subject to the following restriction :

Sl . No.

Bridge No.

Location Km.

Spans and description

Nature of restriction

Brief reasons

    

         

2. Sub-structures of all the bridges are in satisfactory condition and safe to carry the above rolling stock at the speed proposed, conforming to the provisions of the I. R. S. Sub-structure (Code...................) corrected upto Correction Slip No............................ except those that are weak and distressed which will be kept under observation with adequate speed restrictions on the same as follows :-

Sl. No.

Bridge No.

Location

Km.

Spans and

description

Nature of

restriction

Brief reason

s

     

         

Countersigned............................. Dy.Chief Engineer

(Bridge Design)Chief Engineer/ Chief Bridge Engineer  PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING SANCTION AND CARRYING OUT WORKS AFFECTING SAFETY OF THE RUNNING LINE AND FOR OPENING NEW WORKS

ANNEXURE 13/4 Para 1307

Joint Safety Certificate for the use of New types of  Locomotive and/or Rolling Stock

Certified that it is safe to run.........................................................................................................................................(Particulars

of locomotives and rolling stock proposed to run) not exceeding..................................................... ................................................................................

....................units (in the case of locomotives) coupled together on the section (station)....................................to...............................................(station) from.......................Km. to.......................................Km. of the...................................................Railway at a maximum speed of.................................................km. p.h. against a maximum speed of............................................................................km. p.h. certified by R.D.S.O. subject to the following speed restrictions and conditions :

(a) Speed Restrictions 

Sl. No.

From Km..................       

To Km......................

Nature of speed

restriction

Brief reasons for restrictions

    

     

.................................................                                                                                                                  ...............................                      C.M.E.                                                                                                                                                  C.E...........................                                         ......................................                                                           .................................. C.E.E.                                                                     C.S.T.E.                                                                                  C. O. P. S.

Note —

(1) When the speed of a loco/rolling stock is to be increased or increase in speed is contemplated over the maximum sanctioned speed for that category of train (Passenger or Goods) over a particular section, the C. O. P. S. and C.S.T.E. should be associated.

(2) C.E.E. should also sign wherever electric traction is involved. PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING SANCTION AND CARRYING OUT WORKS AFFECTING SAFETY

OF THE RUNNING LINE AND FOR OPENING NEW WORKS(2) C.E.E. should  also sign wherever electric traction is involved.

ANNEXURE 13/5 (Sheet 1) Para 1305 Safety Certificate

(When the Commissioner of Railway Safety does not inspect the work prior to opening, this certificate must be signed before opening temporary or new works).

From

The Divisional Railway Manager/ Divisional Engineer/                                                                                                                   Divisional Signal & Telecommunication Engineer,                                                                                              ................................................................Division.

To

     The Commissioner of Railway Safety,             ..........................................................Circle.

     Description of work................................................................................................................................................................. .................................................................................................................................................................................................... Reference : Chief Engineer/Divisional Railway Manager............................................................................................................... Application No....................................................................................................dated.......................................sanctioned under Commissioner of Railway Safety No...................................................dated.........................................to commence and open the above work.

Following Permanent/Temporary work has been done.................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................................................................

(1) I do hereby certify that, in the work abovementioned -    (i) The Schedule of Dimensions has not been infringed* except in regard to the items sanctioned    under.................................letter No............................................dated............................................................

(ii) Engineering work has been carried out in accordance with Plan No........................................................................................... *except in regard to the alterations sanctioned under..................................................letter no...........................dated....................(iii) *The weight of rails, strength of bridges and general structural character of the works are such as have been prescribed under the rules.

(iv) The* Signalling/*lnterlocking/*Block-signalling has been carried out in accordance with Signalling Plan No...........................and the requirements laid down in the Manuals of Instructions for the installation and maintenance of Signalling, Interlocking and *Block-signalling apparatus have been fully complied with *except in regard to the items sanctioned under letter No............................................ dated.......................................... PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING SANCTION AND CARRYING OUT WORKS AFFECTING SAFETY OF THE RUNNING LINE AND FOR OPENING NEW WORKS

ANNEXURE 13/5 — (Sheet 2) Para 1305 Contd.

(b) The work has been carried out in accordance with the documents already supplied.

(2) A certificate from the Divisional Operating Superintendent/Divisional Safety Officer stating that the necessary working rules have been issued and giving reference in regard to sanction to deviation (if any) from General and Subsidiary Rules is attached/not required.

(3) I hereby certify that on the................................................19...., I have carefully inspected (and tested +) the above work and that I have satisfied myself that it has been

properly completed (and is in good working order +) and that the work can be opened for public carriage of passengers without endangering the safety of the travelling public or of the employees of the Railway, *subject to the following speed restrictions :-

Temporary.............................................................................Km.p.h...............................................................................due To.......................................................................................................................................................................................... Permanent.............................................................................Km.p.h................................................................................due To.........................................................................................................................................................................................

(4) The work is being opened on.................................................................................................................................................................................................... Assistant Engineer                                                                                                       Countersigned by.................................  .Dated ................................                                                                                                     Dated...................

                                                                                                                                                                                                   .............................................                                                                                               Countersigned by........................ Assistant Signal & Telecommunication Engineer.......................................... Assistant Bridge Engineer Dated.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. No..................................................                                                                                      Dated.........................................

Copy forwarded to...........................................................................................................................................for information.

Note - * To be scored out if not applicable.

+ Necessary in case of Signalling and Interlocking works only. PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING SANCTION AND CARRYING OUT WORKS AFFECTING SAFETY OF THE RUNNING LINE AND FOR OPENING NEW WORKS

ANNEXURE 13/6 Para 1309Telegraphic Advice in connection with

Restoration of through Running after Accidents

Commissioner of Railway Safety,................................................. Copy—Chief Engineer, Chief signal and Telecommunication Engineer, Chief Operating Superintendent, Divisional Railway Manager, Divisional Engineer, Divisional Operating Superintendent, Divisional Signal and Telecommunication Engineer, Station Masters.

Station Master's........................................................................................................................................All concerned Message No............................................................................dated.....................................................Line and works restored to working order/temporary Diversion laid. Certificate signed. Work being opened to traffic without danger to public or goods,  subject to a speed restriction of......................................................................................................................................................km. p. h.

............................................ Engineer-in-charge.