Prayagraj: North Central Railway (NCR) has stepped up track inspections, cold-weather patrolling and fog-safety measures across its Prayagraj, Jhansi and Agra divisions to prevent rail fractures and ensure smooth train movement in fog during winters.The preparedness exercise is being carried out under the leadership of GM NCR Naresh Pal Singh.According to CPRO, NCR, Dr Shivam Sharma, the measures have been introduced in line with Railway Board and NCR headquarters directives, with engineering and operational teams focusing on track safety, timely detection of defects and quick response to emergencies during the winters.Daily monitoring is being carried out to ensure that overdue Ultrasonic Stress Flaw Detection (USFD) testing of rails, welds, switch expansion joints (SEJs), points and crossings is completed on time, particularly on mainline sections.Cold-weather patrolling will be intensified when rail temperatures fall below prescribed limits. Patrolmen will cover designated beats with GPS trackers, SAATHI safety gear, tricolour hand signal lamps, detonators and other protective equipment to identify rail or weld fractures and excessive gaps at an early stage.Their movements will be monitored in real time through GPS. Mini-controls at ADEN offices, divisional engineering control rooms and NCR headquarters control room will track patrol reports, conduct random checks and verify the locations of patrolmen, said Dr Sharma.Emergency repair material, including pre-painted white joggled fish plates, clamps, wooden blocks and spare rails, has been stocked at regular intervals at gang huts, level crossings and stations to enable quick restoration in case of a track emergency.NCR is also conducting safety counselling, specialised training and field demonstrations for its staff and contractual workers. Night footplate inspections and surprise checks by sectional engineers, ADENs and senior divisional officers are being carried out to verify compliance with safety protocols.Special attention is also being given to fog preparedness. ‘Fog Safe’ GPS-based devices, which provide loco pilots with audio-visual warnings about approaching signals and level crossings, are being made available at required locations in adequate numbers. Line staff are also being regularly trained and counselled on precautions to be followed during dense fog, said the official.