Locomotives constructed three docks pits in Ishwardi

Ishwardi (Pabna) Correspondent :
Western Railway’s only Ishwardi locomotive has recently constructed three new dock pits. This dock pit with dual gauge lines was built with the funds allocated for the construction of new railways for the Rooppur nuclear project. In the Pakshi section of the railways, the broad gauge (now meter gauge) locomotives installed in 1929 during the British period are currently experiencing manpower shortage. Out of a total of 5 dock pits including three new ones, two old ones are dilapidated. The old dilapidated dockpit is vulnerable. Anytime there is a risk of a major accident.
One meter gauge engine and eight broad gauge engines can be tested simultaneously in the dockpit. The employees said that in order to run the train operations smoothly, besides solving the manpower crisis, it is necessary to modernize instead of manual working method. Recently, a senior assistant engineer named Abdullah Al Mamun lost his leg in an accident while working in the old dock pit and due to carelessness.
According to locomotive sources, a total of 109 power (engine) A locomotives are being operated on trial basis in Western Railway. Of these, 80 programs are currently active, including 19 new ones. Also 19 engines are under repair at Shopin and 10 more are waiting for repair at Ishwardi.
Daily trip (incoming and outgoing) inspection of engines, basic tests, special repairs, fueling and water management are done here in C,D,E method. CDE stands for 6, 8 and 16 hour continuous rotational engine testing. In order to reduce the pressure on Ishwardi locomotives and to run the train operations smoothly, plans have been taken to install two more new locomotives at Khulna and Parbatipur, according to departmental railway sources.
It is known that there are 270 sanctioned posts for Maintenance Staff Supervisor, Fittings and Office in Ishwardi Locomotive. Less than half are employed, only 121 people. 137 working against 224 sanctioned posts of running staff. Among them, 20 newcomers are in training.
There is only one relief train of ‘A’ Kash in Ishwardi of Pakshi division. As there is no separate manpower for relief trains, locomotives are operated by a small number of workers. Shed officials said that it is necessary to appoint separate manpower to conduct rescue operations after rail accidents.
Locomotive in-charge and senior deputy assistant engineer Shareek Iqbal said that locomotive modernization is necessary instead of the manual working method of the Mandhatva period. For modernization, replacing frog lift, overhead crane, hydraulic jack, tools and equipment will increase the speed and quality of work. He feels that it is important to increase the number of lines in SED and increase the manpower rapidly. Besides, if the two old dock pits are newly constructed, the risk of workers’ work will be reduced. He further said that if proper safety measures are strengthened in Ishwardi locomotives under KPI, work will be restored. He also mentioned the need to increase the height of the boundary wall to avoid untoward incidents.