Significance Of Rule Books

SIGNIFICANCE OF RULE BOOKS

There should be uniformity in the rules and regulations for smooth running of an organization. This fundamental principle also applies to Indian Railway. Railway is a business and government organization which aims at availing transportation services to the public in general and business man/ industrialists in particular. More over the basic objective of Indian Railway is to provide an accident free safe transportation service to the public. Since “SAFETY” plays an important role in this organization, rules applying to it should be very clear and particular to run this organization.
         Trains are track-bound i.e. the train can move only along the fixed path made for it and train has right of way which means other transport like road vehicle cannot come in its path except on Level Crossings. Moreover a train cannot be stopped instantly within a short distance like a road vehicle. A minor error or trivial negligence may result in a serious accident in railway. That is why safety rules have to be followed meticulously to run the trains safely.

          Provision in Indian Railway Act is that before a Railway is opened, General Rules should be prepare, sanctioned and published so as to meet this requirement the Railway Board issues the General Rules, on behalf of government of India for regulating working of trains and performing other operations. These rules cannot be violated but can be further restricted by the Zonal Railways. General rules are applicable all over Indian Railways. The object of GR is to ensure the safety of the train running.

          There are 18 chapters and IX appendices in GR. Each chapter have numbered indicating chapter no. with serial no of the rules. And a point being used between them without any prefix with the letter GR. Any correction, alteration and addition is only made by the Railway Board.

           As GR are general in nature, not considered the local conditions/geographical conditions existing in various Zonal Railways. Therefore these rules (GR) are required to be supplemented and clarified by the rules framed by various Zonal Railways which are called Subsidiary Rules. In no circumstances the Subsidiary Rules can violate the General Rules.

       SR is framed by Authorized Officer of the individual Zonal Railways considering local conditions without infringing the basic object of GR, to ensure better safety. The authorized officer to issue the SRs in Central Railway is the Principal Chief Operation Manager. Any correction, alteration and addition is only made by the Authorized Officer of the concerned Zonal Railway. Subsidiary rules are applicable for respective zone only. SR are printed in smaller letter under relevant GR with prefix SR.