Lok Sabha Question No. 648 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-06
Subject: Signalling and Telecom Mechanisms
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: DHARMENDRA YADAV, Shrirang Appa Barne

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.648 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.02.2019

## SIGNALLING AND TELECOM MECHANISMS

- † 648.   SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV: SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether strengthening of signalling and telecom mechanism is the only way to control the increasing traffic on rail tracks; and
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  efforts  made  in  this direction so far?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a) and (b) : A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  AND  (b)  OF UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.648  BY  SHRI  DHARMENDRA  YADAV  AND SHRI  SHRIRANG  APPA  BARNE  TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON 06.02.2019 REGARDING SIGNALLING AND TELECOM MECHANISMS

- (a) and (b) : Strengthening Signal & Telecommunication System is one of the  ways  to  increase  the  throughput  on  existing  rail  tracks.    This  is  a techno-economic solution which can be implemented at a faster pace. Signaling System controls increase in traffic on rail tracks in following ways:-

## 1. Signaling:

- i) Automatic Signaling: By providing Automatic Signaling throughput can be increased, as multiple trains can be handled simultaneously in one  block  section.    The  train  operation  in  suburban  sections  is  the best  example  of  automatic  signaling.    Upto  31.12.2018,  3009  Route Kilometers (RKMs) of Indian Railways has been provided with automatic signaling.
2. ii) Provision  of  modern  signaling  also  improves  throughput  and  line capacity.  By quicker operation of signaling gears, the operation time is reduced  and  trains  can  be  dealt one  after another  quickly. Centralized Electronic/Electrical Interlocking Systems,  centralized operation  of  points  and  signals  are  being  provided  by  replacing  old mechanical lever frame systems.  These systems have been provided at 5866 stations upto 31.12.2018.

Hitherto, complete train arrival was informed by Guard to the Station staff  after  which  only  line  clear  for  the  next  train  could  be  granted. This loses significant time in the train operation.  In order to reduce this time loss, Axle Counters for automatic clearance of block section (BPAC) are being provided for ensuring complete arrival of train before granting of line clearance for next train.  BPAC has been provided at 5813 block sections up to 31.12.2018.

iii) Centralized  Traffic  Control:  Another  important  landmark  in  the history  of  Indian  Railways'  Signaling  is  introduction  of  'Centralized Traffic  Control'  (CTC).  CTC  system  enables  controlling  of  signals, points etc centrally without  any  limitation of distance. CTC  is effective  in  regulating  trains  by  monitoring  their  movements,  taking timely decision for diversion of trains, induction / withdrawal / reversal of rakes and Emergencies.

Presently, CTC  is being implemented  at Tundla for controlling Ghaziabad  -  Kanpur  section  (47  stations)  wherein  the  movement  of trains of entire section shall be controlled centrally by CTC Operator rather  than  Station  masters  individually  at  all  stations.    This  shall improve train control efficiency and thus the line capacity.

- iv)  Train  Management  System  (TMS)  :  Train  Management  System, commissioned  on  Churchgate-Virar  and  Chatrapati  Shivaji  -  Kalyan and Harbour line sections of Mumbai Suburban Section in 2003 and 2013 respectively, provides live train movements of the entire 60 KM Churchgate-Virar  Section,  in  the  Control  Centre  at  Mumbai  Central. Eastern  Railway  also  has  commissioned  TMS  at  Howrah  divisional control  office  for  managing  its  Howrah-Bandel  suburban  sections. This is an efficient tool to control train movements.

Announcements  at  stations  are  triggered  automatically  from  the central  servers.    The  advantages  of  online  train  information  were appreciated by the commuters.

Railways is planning to provide Train Management System for all the suburban  sections  of  metro  cities.    The  work  is  sanctioned  for provision of TMS on East Coast Railway, suburban section of Chennai, Southern Railway, Howrah-Kharagpur Section, South Eastern Railway and Sealdah Division, Eastern Railway.

- v) Automatic Train Protection:  Automatic signaling features can also be achieved by providing Automatic Train Protection (ATP) equivalent to ECTS level II.  Railways have implemented ATP System like ETCS LI  in  selected sections.   This system provides assistance to the loco pilot in knowing the aspect of signal ahead so that loco pilot can run the train confidently at maximum permissive speed.

Further,  Indian  Railways  has  decided  to  modernize  the  signaling system.  Now,  4  works  of  modernization  of  signaling  system  on  640

RKMs including European Train Control system (ETCS L-2) has been sanctioned  in  the  Supplementary  Works  Programme  2018-19.    The new  signaling system  is planned to be installed for extensive evaluation  on  Nagpur-Badnera,  Jhansi-Bina,  Yerraguntla-Renigunta and  Vizianagram  -  Palasa  sections  on  Golden  Quadrilateral  and Diagonal routes. This will also increase time capacity of the sections concerned.

## 2. Telecommunication :

By providing communication between driver, guard and Station staff, trains are not unnecessarily delayed in case of any unusual incidence. Trains can be better regulated if timely communication and information is available with the Control Office as well as Station staff in case of any unusual happening. Walkie-Talkie sets as an intermediate  measure,  has  been  provided  with  driver  &  guard  of  all the trains.  Mobile Train Radio Communication System (MTRC) is also under  consideration as a part of modernization  of Signaling  & Telecommunication System based on LTE (4G) to cover all routes over Indian  Railways.    As  on  date,  MTRC  based  on  GSM-R  has  been provided  at  2541  RKMs  and  work  is  sanctioned  for  additional  3408 Kms.  As a part of modernization plan under Phase I, Railways have planned to extend MTRC based on LTE in 4 sections (Total 635 RKMs) i.e.  Renigunta-Yerraguntla  (165  RKMs)  of  South  Central  Railway, Nagpur-Badnera (175 Kms) of Central Railway, Jhasni-Bina (153 Kms) of  North  Central  Railway  &  Vizianagram-Palasa  (142  Kms)  of  East Coast Railway.

*****