The
Railway in exercise of powers conferred on them under section 47 of
I. R. Act 1890, the Railway Board has issued
G.Rs for operation of trains.
Each Zonal Railway is also empowered to issue
rules to suit local conditions existing in that Railway.
Classification
of Safety Rules
There are six Safety rules given by different authorities to ensure safe
and efficient train operation.
1.
General Rules
2.
Subsidiary Rules
3.
Special Instructions
4.
Approved Special Instructions
5.
Station Working Rules
6.
Miscellaneous Instructions.
General Rules
Ø Framed by the Railway Board on behalf of the Government of India.
Ø First it was issued in 1907 and
revised in 1929 and re-revised in 1976, and was brought in force from July
1983.
Ø They are applicable to the entire Indian railways.
Ø Only Railway Board can revise, alter, and modify the General Rules.
Ø They lay down basic principles of train operation, regulation of traffic
and safety in train operation.
Ø They are printed in bold letters having 344 rules and 18 chapters.
Ø They are numbered in such a way that the digits to the left of the point
indicate the chapter number and those to the right of the point indicate the
rule number.
Ø These rules shall not be violated.
Subsidiary
Rules
Ø They are framed by authorized officer on behalf of GM. COM is the
authorized officer for South Western Railway.
Ø They are applicable to particular Zonal Railway and are necessitated by
the needs and prevalent conditions viz, geography, traffic etc., of the zone.
Ø Subsidiary Rules are for amplifying, simplifying or clarifying the
General Rules without deviating from the purpose of GRs.
Ø Subsidiary Rules are printed in smaller letter than the GR`s.
Ø They are printed below the relevant G.R to which they apply.
Ø They are given the same number as General Rules with prefix `S.R`.
Ø They shall be read in conjunction with the General Rule and are binding
on the staff.
Ø Only authorized officer can revise the subsidiary rules.
Special Instructions
Ø The authorized officer in respect to particular cases or special
circumstances issues them from time to time.
Ø They may apply to a particular station or train, or section or division
or whole of the Zonal Railway.
Ø The Block Working Manual, Working Time Table and Electric Traction Manual
are some of the examples for special instructions.
Approved Special Instructions
Ø Approved special instructions are special instructions approved of or
prescribed by the Commissioner of Railway safety (CRS).
Ø CRS prescribes instructions in some cases where permitted by General
Rules.
Ø In certain cases CRS approves instructions submitted by the Railway
eg: Reduction of adequate distance, approval of SWR of Special class
stations.
Ø Approved special instructions are also issued in the following cases.
o To allow alterations in fixed signals and interlocking.
o To give sanction for opening new sections etc.
Station Working Rules (SWR)
Ø These are
instructions containing a set of detailed rules for working of traffic at
stations and between stations.
Ø
The
SWR of all stations shall be prepared
and issued by the office of the DRM.
Ø
Each
page of the SWR shall be signed by the Operating officer, DSTE (Construction)
and DSTE (General).
Ø
The
SM in-charge shall see that a copy of SWR with Rule Diagram and permanent way
layout diagram is kept in each SM office, YM’s office and cabins where Block
Instruments are installed.
Ø
A
copy of SWR relating to working of level crossing shall be kept in the gate
lodge.
Ø
The
SWR of a Special class station where
passenger trains run shall have the
approval of CRS.
Ø
In
electrified area a separate SWR for working in 25 KV traction is issued, signed
by the Operating officer and DEE/TRD.
Ø
The
SWR shall be revised after 05 corrections or after 05 years whichever is
earlier.
Miscellaneous
Instructions
Ø These are issued for
the guidance of staff in the form of weekly Gazettes, Divisional Safety
Circulars, Safety magazines, posters etc.
