For real-time arrival, departure

As part of his ‘Digital Railway’ initiative, railway minister Suresh Prabhu is planning to set up the world’s largest ‘digital display network’ in India. The network seeks to provide realtime information on train arrivals and departures. The centrally-connected digital screens will also beam infotainment videos as the railways eyes to boost its non-ticket revenues.

While inaugurating various services, including a mechanised laundry at Lokmanya Tilak Terminus on Saturday, Prabhu flagged off the first Made-in-india suburban train, Medha. He inaugurated a couple of long distance trains starting from Mumbai.

He said the work on digital display network would start within a few months.

Underlining the railway ministry’s stress on clean energy, Prabhu unveiled the solar power system at Churchgate station and Wi-fi facility at five stations outside Mumbai.

Highlighting the railways has provided Wi-fi on 115 railway stations, including Mumbai Central station, across the nation, Prabhu said that his ministry will try to link the ‘Digital Railway’ initiative with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Digital India campaign.

He said the railways has undertaken projects worth 1.36 lakh crores in Maharashtra, of which 51,000 crore is dedicated for Mumbai. Projects in Mumbai include MUTP-III which covers Cst-panvel and Bandrachurchgate elevated corridors, etc.

Speaking on the occasion, Shiv Sena MP Rahul Shewale demanded to introduce advance signalling system — Communications Based Train Control (CBTC) — that will increase frequency of in suburban trains. He suggested a local service on Kurla-trombay line, which is being used for freight services, to give relief to suburban commuters.