Rlys all set to roll out new tech for signalling system

The Indian Railways is set to revisit its signalling system overhaul plans by introducing the European Train Control System (ETCS) level-2 technology in a phase-wise manner on busy routes. As part of this, the national transporter is set to take up a ~20-billion project to bring in the new signaling technology in the 850-kilo meter stretch between Mathura and Vadodara.

This comes after the plan to revamp the entire signaling system for ~780 billion was red flagged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a review meeting on March 26, citing the high cost of the project. Following this, the Railways was directed to bring the new signaling system with automatic train protection system on busy routes first.

“The plan is to bring in level II of the ETCS technology in this new route. The first one that is already in place in Gatimaan involves placing balise, an electronic transponder on the rails that makes the interface possible. The level I technology requires devise on train as well as track. The next level is through automatic radio communication between train and the stations it touches,” said a government official.

Globally, companies that provide such technology include Siemens, Bombardier, Alstom, Ansaldo, STS, Memec Group and Thales. The Railways has already operationalised ETCS level 1 technology on 342 kilometers, which has technology that mitigates safety risk due to locomotive pilot’s error of signal passing at danger or over speeding.

Currently, the technology is being implemented on 200 kilo meter stretch between Delhi and Agra, 117 km in Chennai Suburban section and 25 RKMs of Metro Railway, Kolkata. Ansaldo obtained level-1 technology by getting the contract and the Railways may have to float a fresh tender if level-2 plan gets cleared. The level-2 technology will have at least 30 per cent higher cost compared to the level-1 ETCS.

The Railways at this point in time has around 35 locomotives, fixed with the same technology. In newer routes, more of such locomotives are likely to

be introduced. The Railways is set to take up the proposal with Niti Aayog soon and may approach the Cabinet after that.

The level-2 technology will have electronic devices installed along tracks that will provide train signals to a computer fitted in the locomotive.

Based on the technology, if a driver goes over the designated speed, a dashboard in front of him gives a red alert sign at first. Even after this, if the train continues its journey, the train's braking system is automatically applicable.

On March 26, Modi had directed the railways to take heavy traffic routes initially and roll-out the technology across railway systems based on the success of these pilot programmes.

The call for overhaul of the signalling system has been an issue for some time as Indian Railways continues to follow the traditional signalling system introduced in 1893, covering 23 stations between Ghaziabad and Peshawar.

“The plan is to bring in level II of the ETCS technology in this new route. The first one that is already in place in Gatimaan involves placing balise, an electronic transponder on the rails that makes the interface possible.

A GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL