Lok Sabha Question No. 2963 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-03
Subject: Sarathi Seva/TRI NETRA Facilities
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: GAJANAN CHANDRAKANT KIRTIKAR, VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT, T. RADHAKRISHNAN, SUDHEER GUPTA, BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO, ANANDRAO  ADSUL, DHARMENDRA YADAV

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2963 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.08.2016

## SARATHI SEVA/TRI NETRA FACILITIES

2963.

SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR:

SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT:

SHRI T. RADHAKRISHNAN:

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

SHRI ANANDRAO ADSUL:

SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Railways  proposes  to  provide  two  new  facilities namely  Sarathi  Seva  and  TRI-NETRA  at  its  stations  and  trains respectively;
- (b)    if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  main  features  of  the  said facilities/systems;
- (c)    the  time  by  which  the  said  facilities/systems  are  likely  to  be installed;
- (d) whether  some  foreign  companies  have  expressed  interest  in developing such systems and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the  other  steps  taken  by  the  Railways  to  check  delays  and accidents  in operation of trains under night and foggy conditions?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.  2963  BY  SHRI  GAJANAN  KIRTIKAR,  SHRI VINAYAK  BHAURAO  RAUT,  SHRI  T.  RADHAKRISHNAN,  SHRI  SUDHEER GUPTA,  SHRI  BIDYUT  BARAN  MAHATO,  SHRI  ANANDRAO  ADSUL  AND SHRI  DHARMENDRA  YADAV  TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON 03.08.2016 REGARDING SARATHI SEVA/TRI NETRA FACILITIES

- (a):   Yes, Madam.

(b): Instructions have been issued to Zonal Railways to invite Expression of Interest for providing the facility of Sarathi Seva (Battery Operated  Cars)  on  payment  basis  initially  at  all  A-1  category  stations. This  facility  can  be  availed  by  passengers  on  'first  come  first  served' basis,  however,  preference  shall  be  given  to  Sr.  Citizens,  physically challenged, pregnant women and medically sick passengers.

TRI-NETRA  (Terrain Imaging  for Diesel Drivers -Infrared Enhanced Optical and Radar Assisted) system is being developed for assisting  the  Diesel  Locomotive  drivers  by  aiding  their  vision  of  track ahead in bad weather conditions by using a system comprising of optical camera, infra-red camera and radar assisted imaging system. TRI-NETRA is  envisaged  to  enable  train  drivers  to  (i)  identify  if  there  are  any obstructions on the track ahead and (ii) identify & create an outline of the  signal  mast/post  so  as  to  provide  indication  to  drivers  about approaching signals.

(c): Since the system envisaged in TRI-NETRA is not readily available anywhere in the world  railways  and  the  same  has  to  be  designed  and built nearly from scratch to meet the functional requirements of Indian Railways, the time by which the said system of TRI-NETRA is likely to be installed cannot be predicted at this early stage.

(d): Four foreign companies have responded to Expression of Interest, floated by Indian Railways, for development and deployment of

'TRI-NETRA' over Indian Railways' network. The details of these companies are as under:-

1. M/s Star Navigation Systems  Group Ltd./Canada through M/s Vincent Asia Pacific Ltd./New Delhi.
2. M/s ELBIT System Ltd./Israel.
3. M/s Progress Rail/USA.
4. M/s Avante International Technology, Inc./New Jersey through M/s Stork HKB India Pvt. Ltd./New Delhi.

(e):  A  Global  Positioning System (GPS) based 'FOG PASS' device which displays the name and distance of approaching signals and other critical landmarks in advance during poor visibility condition has been developed and is on trial. This is a  portable equipment issued to Loco Pilots  on  fog  affected  Zonal  Railways  while  working  trains  during  fog season, not fitted permanently on Locomotives.

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