Lok Sabha Question No. 4516 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-30
Subject: Technology Improvement/Development of Railways
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Manoj Kishorbhai Kotak, Raksha Nikhil Khadse

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4516 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.03.2022

## TECHNOLOGY IMPROVEMENT/DEVELOPMENT OF RAILWAYS

4516.   SHRI MANOJ KOTAK: SHRIMATI RAKSHA NIKHIL KHADSE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)whether the Government is working on technology improvement/development for modernization of Indian Railways;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Government    is  making  a  policy  to  enable  involvement  of private sector for research and development in Railways; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) & (b): Yes, Sir.  Technology improvement/development  for modernization of  Indian  Railways  is  a  continuous  process.  The  various  steps  taken  by Indian Railways in this regard are as under:
- (1)  Track:  (i)  Modern  track  structure  consisting  of  Pre-stressed  Concrete Sleeper (PSC) Normal/Wide base sleepers with elastic fastening, 60 kg, 90 or higher Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS) rails, fan shaped layout turnout on PSC  sleepers,  Steel  Channel  Sleepers  on  girder  bridges  is  used  while carrying out primary track renewals.
- (ii)  Long  rail  panels  of  260  M/130M  length  are  being  manufactured    at  the steel plant to minimize number of Alumino Thermit Joints in the track.

(iii) Provision of Thick Web Switches (TWS), (iv)  Weldable Cast Manganese Steel (CMS) crossings, (v)  Using of improved fittings, (vi)  Maintenance of track with the help of track machines, (vii) Ultrasonic testing of rails to detect flaws, etc. (2) Bridge:  (i)  Bridge  Management  System  (BMS),  a  web  based  IT application has been developed  to facilitate 24x7 availability of information such  as  bridge  drawings/design  details,  inspection  details,  photographs, videos, etc. for meaningful analysis, assessment of progressive deterioration and capacity to carry increased loads. (ii) New  and  Modern  Technologies  introduced to upgrade inspection techniques  of  Bridges  such  as  continuous  water  level  measurement  and monitoring  system;  inspection    of  bridges  using  Drones,  3D  scanning  of riverbeds. (iii) Trials of continuous scour monitoring system are in progress. (iv)  Trials  for  under  water  inspection  by  deploying  Remote  Operated Vehicles (ROV) are in progress. (3) Rolling Stock: (i) Advanced/improved technologies like Online Monitoring of  Rolling  Stock  System  (OMRS)  and  Wheel  Impact  Load  Detector  (WILD) have been adopted for predictive maintenance of rolling stock. (ii)    Radio  Frequency  Identification  (RFID)  tags  are  being  fitted  on  rolling stock to automatically track and trace the rolling asset moving over Indian Railways network. (iii)    In  addition,  other  technological  systems  like  Hot  Box  Detector  (BBD) and Machine Vision Inspection System (MVIS) are also under development for implementation over Indian Railways. (4) EMU/MEMU:  (i)  Newly manufactured Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) trains, Mainline Electrical Multiple Unit (MEMU)  trains, Kolkata Metro and Electric Train  sets  have  been  introduced  with  common technical features such as

- Introduction of IGBT based 3-Phase propulsion system with energy efficient regenerative braking features.
- (ii)  Microprocessor  based  Train  Control  and  Management  System  (TCMS), Corrosion less Stainless car body,
- (iii)  Installation  of  GPS  based  Passenger  Announcement  cum  Passenger Information System,
- (iv) Touch-screen Driver's Display Unit provides live status of healthiness of major equipments of all basic units such as lights or fans, etc.
- (v) To ensure security  of passengers, Close Circuit Tele Vision Cameras in Coaches  as well as in Driver's cabs have been provided which would be visible on Display in Driver's/Guard's cabs.
- (vi)  Front  view  CCTV  Cameras  to  record  Signal  aspects  and  Rear  view cameras on both sides of Drivers Cab for recording platform status.
- (vii) Emergency  Talk Back system/Panic Buttons, for passengers to communicate with Guard/Driver in case of emergency.
- (viii)  Aesthetic  plush  interiors  for  comfort    of  passengers,    Aerodynamic Nose Cone and Ergonomically designed Driver's desk.
- (ix) Energy efficient LED lights in coaches for better illumination.
- (x)  Under-slung Fully Air conditioned, Kolkata Metro rakes with Automatic doors,  end  to  end  vestibules,  fitted  with  Train  Protection  and  warning system  and fully suspended Traction Motors.
- (5)  Main  Line  Trains:    (i)  In  Main  Line  Trains,  EOG  trains  have  been converted into HOG trains to reduce noise and air pollution at stations and in trains.  All LHB EOG trains have been converted into HOG compliant.
- (ii) Energy efficient LED lights provided in coaches for better illumination.
- (6) Signalling System: (i)  Electronic Interlocking (EI) is being adopted on a large scale to derive benefits of digital technologies in train operation and to enhance safety,

(ii)  In  order  to  increase  line  capacity  to  run  more  trains  on  existing  High Density  Routes  of  Indian  Railways,    Automatic  Block  Signalling    is  being provided, (iii)  Automatic Train Protection (ATP System called Kavach,   indigenously developed by Indian Railways, has been adopted in South Central Railway for enhancing safety of running trains. (7)    Coach:  (i)  With  indigenous  developed  technology,  Indian  Railway  has manufactured Vande-Bharat Trains (Train-18). (ii)  Indian  Railway  has  already  awarded  contract  for  design,  development, manufacture, supply, integration, testing and commissioning of IGBT based 3-Phase propulsion, control and other equipment (including Bogie assemblies)  for  manufacture  of  44  Vande  Bharat  trains  with  improved suspension technology and energecy efficiency. (iii)  Indian  Railway  also  plans  to  acquire/manufacture  400  new  generation energy  efficient  Vande  Bharat  trains  with  better  energy  efficiency  and passenger riding experience. (iv)    Modern  Coach  Factory  (MCF)/Rae  Bareli  has  signed  a  Transfer  of Technology  (ToT)    contract  with  M/s  Dawonsys,  South  Korea  for  Design, Development,  Manufacturing  and  Testing  of  Aluminium  Body  passenger coaches. (c)  &  (d):  Indian  Railways  is  making  efforts  to  leverage  the  expertise  and technical knowledge  available  with  various sectors, including private sector, in the country for improving operational efficiency of Indian Railways.

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