Lok Sabha Question No. 4554 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-14
Subject: Smooth Running of Trains in Foggy Weather
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: VIJAY KUMAR S.R., GAJANAN CHANDRAKANT KIRTIKAR, SUNIL BALIRAM GAIKWAD, T. RADHAKRISHNAN, DUSHYANT SINGH, BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4554

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.12.2016

## SMOOTH RUNNING OF TRAINS IN FOGGY WEATHER

4554. SHRI S.R. VIJAYA KUMAR:

SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR:

DR. SUNIL BALIRAM GAIKWAD:

SHRI T. RADHAKRISHNAN:

SHRI DUSHYANT SINGH:

SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

## Will the Minister of RAILWAYS   be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  details  of  trains  that  have  been  reported  late  or  cancelled  in the  country  due  to  fog  during  the  current  year  and  the  quantum  of revenue loss occurred to the Railways as a result thereof;
- (b) whether the Railways has come up with a strategy to combat rail delays due to fog and if so, the details of the same;
- (c) whether new technological development are in trial or in operational phase to reduce delays and accident risk due to fog;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e)  the  further  steps taken/being taken by the Government for timely running of trains during the current winter season?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## ( SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN

## )

- (a) to (e): Yes,  Madam.  During the  current  year,  Indian  Railways has

reported late running and cancellation of trains due to fog. From 1 st November to 7 th  December 2016, 2678 trains were late and 148 trains were cancelled to ease out congestion during foggy weather.

As of now, there is no permanent solution for avoiding delay due to fog  in  winters.    However,  some  temporary  measures  are  taken  to minimize  the  traffic  congestion  caused  by  reduced  visibility  during fog  which  include  cancellation,  partial  cancellation,  diversion  and frequency  reduction  of  less  patronized  trains,  inducting  scratch rakes to avoid rescheduling etc.

RDSO has taken up a pilot project for indigenous development of a cost effective safety system called Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS). TCAS is a radio communication based system with continuous update of movement authority.  The system is aimed at providing  capability  of  preventing  train  accidents  caused  due  to Signal  Passing  at  Danger  (SPAD)  or  non  observance  of  speed restrictions by train drivers.  Signal aspect is also displayed on DMI (Driver  Machine  Interface)  screen  inside  the  Locomotive  in  train system.

In  addition,  Fog  Safe  Devices  (FSD)  are  being  provided  in  locos  on trial  basis.  Terrain  Imaging  for  Diesel  Drivers  Infrared  Enhanced Optical  and  Radar  Assisted  (TRI-NETRA)  System  a  night  vision camera based technology is also being tested.

Fog  safe  device  (FSD)  is  a  portable  global  positioning  system  (GPS) based  device  carried  by  loco  pilot  which  aids  the  loco  pilot  by displaying    the    name    and    distance    of  approaching    signals  and other

critical  landmark  like  Unmanned  Level  Crossing  (UMLC)  etc.,  in advance  during  poor  visibility  condition.    These  devices  are  being provided  over  fog  affected  region  of  Northern  India  and  about  1860 such  devices  are  working  over  Northern,  North  Eastern  and  North Western  Railways.  Further  5000  nos.  fog  safe  devices  are  under procurement.

Railways  have  initiated  a  proposal  to  install  TRI-NETRA  System  on locomotives  for  enhancing  vision  of  loco  pilot  in  inclement  weather. The system shall be made up of high resolution optical video camera, high sensitivity infra red video camera system and additionally radar based mapping system.  These three components of the system shall act as three eyes (TRI-NETRA) of the locomotive pilot. Initial trials of the  device  are  underway  and  after  successful  field  trials  the  device would be made available for commercial use.

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