CONTROL ORGANIZATION
The Control Organization of
Indian Railways is the nerve centre of train operations. It controls the asset
management of the Railways, in a dynamic situation, round the clock incessantly
moving trains on its entire network. It has come a long way from being an
exclusively telephone-based system emerging in the form of an Information
Technology enabled organization.
This basic structure of
Operating Control on Indian Railways exists at the Divisional Level, which has
also been extended to Area Control levels. In addition, Central Control Office
is situated in the headquarters office and one at Railway Board.
The area spread of a division
is divided into control sections, each section having a given number of
stations. The two-way telephone system, also called an omnibus circuit which
permits all stations to have direct communication with Section Controller, who
is responsible for train regulation in his area. The section Controller can
speak to all stations at the same time or to one station selectively, using
individual numbers/ buttons.
Movement of trains is plotted
on a time distance graph to record their actual progress, these records, called
control charts, can be analysed later. To guide and assist the section
controller, there are shift Deputy Controllers. All technical disciplines
involved in train movement have a representative in the Control office to
provide the required support from his department. These would include
1. Motive Power Controller
2. Traction Power Controller
3. Signalling and Tele-Communication Controller
4. Commercial Controller
5. Security Controller
6. C& W Control
7. Engineering Control
The entire organization works
round the clock, all days of the year without any interruption to monitor
actual movement of trains on the entire rail network.
The detailed organization of
the control selected and duties assigned to employees depends on the demands of
the transport task appropriate to each grade of employee or to diversity in the
transport task. The Chief Controller is the head of Divisional Control
Organization.
Objectives of the control organization:
1. To ensure Punctuality of the mail / express and passenger trains.
2. To ensure maximum utilization of the rolling stock
3. To ensure maximum utilization of the section capacity
4. To increase the speed of goods trains.
5. Maximum utilization of the train crew.
Control organization at Railway Board level
Control organization at Zonal level
Note -
CFTM: Chief Freight Transportation Manager,
CPTM: Chief Passenger Transportation Manager,
CTPM: Chief Transport Planning Manager,
CTM: Chief Transportation Manager (POL – Petroleum, Oil and Lubricants),
CNM: Chief Network Manager;
STM: Senior Transportation Manager.
Traffic control is divided into two units at the HQ level for easing up its objectives:
a. Central control, and
b. Emergency control
Responsibility of traffic operation through out the zonal Railway lies with COM assisted by CPTM, CFTM. The COM advices all divisions regarding traffic and ensure that the objectives are fulfilled as per policy guidelines and planning.
Central Control:
Chief controller is the head of the central control. All the functions are done on his direct supervision. He is responsible to the COM. Dy.Chief Controller (Coaching, Goods, and Stock) assists the Chief Controller.
The following are the functions performed by the central control:
1. Wagons available in divisions, received and forwarding wagons, yard balance at ZERO hour and figures of wagons at 24:00 hours i.e. clearance.
2. Data is made in case of accident and concerned department’s officer is informed.
3. Keeps a close watch on the relief trains.
4. Collection of figures of received tank wagons in excess, and for transshipment.
5. Collection of figures of stabled wagons with description of vehicle / train.
6. Analysis of detention to trains.
7. Running of goods trains to their best possible paths.
8. Elimination of avoidable detention to goods stock at loading and unloading and Transshipment sheds.
9. Allotment and distribution of goods stock to the Stations.
10. Arrangement of line blocks and to provide maximum time possible for the working of material trains.
11. Arrange relief for crew.
12. Ensure optimum utilization of the locomotives.
13. Issue proper instructions for train working during abnormal working.
14. Arrange speedy relief in case of accident.
15. Help connecting the unconnected wagons.
16. Ensure correct marshalling of trains.
17. Assist in the preparation of timetable in coordination with neighboring divisions, and Railways.
18. Advice stations and permanent way staff regarding weather warning to take necessary precautions.
19. Arrange periodic census.
B. Emergency Control:
1. The Chief of Emergency Control Office is CHC assisted by Dy. CHC in shifts.
2. Dy. CHC prepares figures of passenger trains run shift wise and as per the directives of CHC.
3. In emergency control, advance diary is prepared in which special instructions are mentioned. This diary is made date wise in different pages.
4. Maintain punctuality of all passengers, M/E trains run in CR.
5. Inform the running position of trains to foreign Railway along with late running and also the description of late running trains and departure time of trains.
6. Observe loss of punctuality percentage, its causes, and position of coaching stock, current situation of wagons, parcel vans etc and collection of data.
7. Record of operation of special trains, bogies is kept in this office.
8. Concerned divisions are informed of passenger trains and other coaching trains.
9. All the data regarding coaching such as Fair Special, Summer Special, Relief Special etc is collected.
Control organization at the Divisional level
The Control Organisation is one of the Principal Means by which the essential Coordination is obtained in Railway Operation. It is from where, the planning activities of day to day working are done and the orders are issued to the stations and yards for execution.
It can be compared to the brain of human. Normally the Divisional Control Office is located in the Divisional Head Quarters and connected to the station and yards through various communication systems. If the size of the division is large and controlling becomes difficult a sub control office may also be provided at a convenient location.
The area spread of a division is divided into control sections having a given number of stations. A section is generally of the range of 50 to 150 km stretch and the trains are controlled in the section by the Section Controller. The two-way telephone system, also called an omnibus circuit which permits all stations to have
direct communication with section controller, who is responsible for train regulation in his area. The section controller can speak to all stations at the same time or to one station selectively, using individual numbers/buttons. Movement of train is plotted on time distance graph to record their actual progress, these records, called control charts, can be analyzed later.
Sr.DOM has the administrative control of the Divisional Control Office. CHC is the head of the control organisation. For easy and effective controlling, the entire division is divided into various sections and a well knit communication is provided for monitoring minute to minute activities at stations and yards. CHC (In-charge) is assisted by –
Dy. Chief Controller Goods/Mainline
Dy. Chief Controller Coaching
Dy. Chief Controller Stock
The Chief controller being the head of the control organisation is assisted byDy.Chief controller in Freight and Passenger train operations. Dy. CHC looks after the Traffic Control who will guide and assist the SCORs. All technical disciplines involved in train movement have are representative in the control office to provide the required support from his department. These would include-
Chief Diesel Power Controller
Chief Traction Loco Controller
Chief Traction Power Controller
T X R Controller
Commercial Controller
Engineering Controller
Signal & Telecommunication Controller
Security Controller
Crew Controller
ETL Controller
F O I S In-charge
The entire organization works round the clock, all days of the year without any interruption to monitor actual movement of trains on the entire rail network. The detailed organization of the control selected and duties assigned to employees depends on the demands of the transport task appropriate to each grade of employee or to diversity in the transport task. The Chief Controller is the head of Divisional Control Organization.
