Bhubaneswar: In order to inspect, monitor and repair railway tracks, the Indian Railways has introduced an innovative ‘Rail Bicycle’ which will help railway staff in daily monitoring of tracks.
The rail bicycles are prepared by Permenant Way (P-Way) units of Khurda Road division by using damaged Rail dolly wheels for balancing the cycle. These will be used for mobile patrolling.
There are 18 P-Way units over Khurda Road division out of which eight units – Brahmapur, Sompeta, Khurda Road, Gorakanath, Cuttack, Bhadrak, jajpur Keonjhar Road and Dhenkanal have prepared these Rail Bicycles.
The safety of Railway tracks primarily inspected/monitored and attended to, by Track men round the clock. Their movement was also insecure and mostly by walk. Now with the rail bicycle, capable of moving at an average speed of 10 kmph, their work has become easier and faster.
The Rail bicycle will help the railway workers in all seasons, especially during monsoon when movement is difficult on tracks. “After a heavy shower, bridge approach locations and other vulnerable locations can be easily inspected by the staff in a short span of time with Rail Bicycle,” the ECoR stated.
These Rail bicycles can run at an average speed 10 kmph and maximum of 15 kmph. It weighs around 30 kgs, can be easily lifted, assembled and dismantled by one person.
“Due to the on-going COVID19 pandemic, some of the sections over the division are currently closed for the traffic. In these sections, Rail Bicycle can be used for patrolling, thereby ensuring safety and security,” the ECoR stated.
