Eastern Railway flags CCTV, track safety at Railway Board meet
Synopsis
At the Railway Board's August safety review, Eastern Railway flagged a wide-ranging push — CCTV expansion, 54 live weighbridges tracking wagon loads, monsoon waterlogging fixes, and signalling upgrades. With freight and passenger trains sharing the same tracks, the stakes for getting these checks right are high.
Key Takeaways
Railway Board Chairman Satish Kumar chaired the monthly safety review on 14 August .
Eastern Railway is expanding CCTV coverage across passenger terminals to strengthen station security.
ER operates 54 Electronic In-Motion Weighbridges (EIMWBs) to detect overloaded wagons and protect track integrity.
Track maintenance, signalling checks, and changeover point monitoring are being intensified across the network.
Waterlogging in Limited Height Subways and Road Underbridges is being managed through drainage systems and pump deployment during the monsoon.
General Manager Gitika Pandey and Divisional Managers of Howrah, Sealdah, Asansol , and Malda attended via video conferencing.
Eastern Railway (ER) presented a comprehensive safety update at the monthly high-level review meeting chaired by Satish Kumar, Chairman and CEO of the Railway Board, on Thursday, 14 August. The session covered station security upgrades, infrastructure monitoring, and signalling improvements across ER's network in West Bengal.
Key Safety Initiatives Presented
Officials highlighted plans to expand CCTV coverage across passenger terminals to strengthen station-level security. Also reviewed was the functioning of ER's 54 Electronic In-Motion Weighbridges (EIMWBs), which monitor wagon loads in real time — a critical check, since overloaded wagons can damage tracks and trigger derailments.
Rigorous track maintenance protocols and advanced signalling safety works were also discussed. A senior official noted that since most rail tracks are shared by both freight and passenger trains, undetected faults carry serious risk to passenger safety.
What Officials Said on Tracks and Signals
'Tracks and signals are the two most important components of train operations. ER is placing significant stress on track maintenance, including renewals. The proper functioning of changeover points is also being monitored carefully. All systems connected to signalling are routinely checked to detect faults,' the official said.
The meeting was attended by Gitika Pandey, General Manager of Eastern Railway, along with Divisional Railway Managers of Howrah, Sealdah, Asansol, and Malda via video conferencing.
Infrastructure: ROBs, RUBs and Waterlogging Measures
Progress on Road Overbridges (ROBs) and Road Underbridges (RUBs) was reviewed. These structures help eliminate Level Crossing (LC) gates, reducing accident risk at road-rail intersections. Waterlogging in Limited Height Subways (LHS) and RUBs — a recurring challenge during the monsoon — was also addressed. ER said it ensures proper drainage and deploys pumps at select locations to maintain pedestrian and vehicular movement.
Crew Safety and the Road Ahead
Dedicated measures to ensure crew safety and support train operating personnel were also noted during the conference. Shibram Majhi, Chief Public Relations Officer of Eastern Railway, said: 'We remain fully dedicated to upholding the highest safety standards. Under the guidance of the Railway Board, we are continuously enhancing our track infrastructure, signalling frameworks and passenger security systems to ensure a safe, smooth and dependable travel experience for everyone.'
The review comes ahead of the Independence Day travel surge, underscoring the railway's focus on operational readiness at a high-traffic period.
Point of View
One of the heaviest travel days on Indian Railways — is notable. Eastern Railway's network carries a dense mix of freight and passenger traffic, and the emphasis on weighbridges and track renewals points to a systemic concern, not a routine checkbox exercise. The focus on monsoon waterlogging in subways also reflects a recurring infrastructure gap that engineering fixes alone have not resolved. Whether CCTV expansion and signalling upgrades translate into measurable safety outcomes will depend on maintenance staffing and response protocols that were not detailed in the meeting.
NationPress
14 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was discussed at the Eastern Railway safety review on 14 August?
The Railway Board's monthly high-level safety meeting on 14 August covered CCTV expansion at passenger terminals, the operation of 54 Electronic In-Motion Weighbridges, track maintenance, signalling upgrades, and waterlogging management in subways and underbridges. Eastern Railway's General Manager and four Divisional Railway Managers attended via video conferencing.
What are Electronic In-Motion Weighbridges and why do they matter?
Electronic In-Motion Weighbridges (EIMWBs) measure wagon loads while trains are moving, flagging overloaded wagons before they can damage tracks. Eastern Railway operates 54 such units; overloaded wagons are a known cause of track stress and, in severe cases, derailments.
How is Eastern Railway tackling monsoon waterlogging in railway subways?
ER ensures proper drainage systems in Limited Height Subways and Road Underbridges and deploys pumps at select locations during the monsoon to keep these passages open for pedestrians and vehicles. Waterlogging in these structures is a recurring seasonal problem.
Who chaired the Railway Board safety review meeting?
Satish Kumar, Chairman and CEO of the Railway Board, chaired the monthly safety review meeting on 14 August.
Why is track and signalling safety particularly critical on Eastern Railway's network?
Most tracks on the Eastern Railway network are shared by both freight and passenger trains. Undetected track faults or signalling failures in such a mixed-traffic environment can lead to derailments that put passenger lives at risk, making rigorous maintenance and real-time monitoring essential.
