Velu asks co to devp anti-fog technology for trains

New Delhi, Oct 6: Singling out movement of trains in foggy conditions and spurt in accidents at unmanned levelling crossings as two major problems confronting the Indian Railways, Minister of State for Railways R Velu today asked signalling and telecommunication companies to deal with the twin challenges on a priority basis.

Inaugurating the two-day 2nd International Seminar on ''Cost-effective Solutions for Line Capacity Enhancement'' here, Mr Velu said there were 18,000 unmanned railway level crossings, which were a potential source of train accidents.

Movement of trains in foggy conditions had emerged as another major challenge, which needed a solution at the earliest, he said.

The minister pointed out that the Railway Ministry, the IIT, Kanour and the Human Resource Development Ministry, as part of the 12-point Technology Mission, were collaborating in devising anti-fog technologies that could be used in trains.

''In eight-ten months, we expect it to be fully developed for trial runs,'' he said. ''But global signalling and telecommunication companies can also devise technologies for adaptation in the Indian railway system.'' Arguing that safety was a major concern not only for the Indian Railways but also for the entire global railway systems, Mr Velu asked the companies to avoid cut-throat competition in the industry and develop cost-effective solutions for the benefit of consumers.

He said the ministry had accorded top priority to safety aspects of the railway system by warmarking Rs 17,000 crore for the purpose.

The Minister was effusive in praise of the Chinese Railways.

''Only three per cent of Indian Railways has the automatic signalling facility as compared to 70 per cent in China. Even in terms of freight movement, China carries four times more than India.

To top it all, they have built the highest train system in Tibet, which is amazing.'' Around 500 delegates from Indian and foreign railways are participating in the Second International Railway Signalling and Telecommunication Systems seminar-cum-exhibition, which has cost-effective solutions and line capacity augmentation as its theme.

The seminar has been organised by the Institution of Railway Signal and Telecommunication Engineers (IRSTE) ''The exhibition will showcase train protection and warning systems, digital excel counters, incremental train control system, train actuated warning device and other latest similar technologies,'' RailTel Managing Director K K Bajpayee said.

The participating members include the European Commission, Switzerland, Sweden, Japan, the US, Russia and Spain.

''The focus of the event is not to find ways to augment the speed of Indian trains but to increase the line capacity which will allow more trains to move on a section through better signalling and telecommunication facility,'' he said.

Mr Bajpayee pointed out the maximun speed limit of Indian trains cannot exceed more than 160 km in view of the existing infrastructure facility.

The fastest Indian train at present is Delhi-Agra Shatabdi train, which runs at a speed of 140 km.

''But even a train running at a speed of 160 km is not considered a high-speed train in the railway parlance. It should be over 2503-300 km per hour,'' he said.

''In India, such a situation cannot be visualised in the forseeable future. But we can definitely augment the capacity of trains runing on a particular section by improving signalling and telecommunication facilities,'' he said.

Mr Bajpayee said the conference would serve an opportunity for the Indian Railways to learn about the latest technology in the area and its possible adaptation.

Mr Ramesh Chandra, Member (Electrical), Railway Board, Mr B.

Shankar, Additional Member (Signals), Mr Mahabir Prasad, Additional Member (Telecommunications) and Mr Kundan Chaudhary , General Secretary, IRSTE were among those who spoke on the occasion.

UNI