OREANDA-NEWS. April 27, 2012. Chairman, Railway Board, Shri Vinay Mittal inaugurating two-day International Convention on “Modern train control for capacity and safety enhancement” said that in a breakthrough in dissemination of train movement related information, Indian Railways has successfully launched SIMRAN (Satellite Imaging for Rail Navigation) as a pilot project for 18 pairs of important trains which provide the precise location of the trains through interactive mode on mobile phones/laptops etc., thereby eliminating the need for face to face telephonic enquiry. This is proposed to be rolled out on all trains over the next 18 months.

 Referring to Train Protection Warning System (TPWS), Shri Vinay Mittal said that with the approval of this system on a stretch of 3300 kilometres to cover the entire high density stations, a major step has been taken towards train’s safety. He further pointed out that provision of internet in running trains, extension of Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) over the entire Indian Railways route, IP based train control communication and replacement of overhead alignment with underground cables/OFCs, are the measures being taken to improve services to passengers, improve reliability of the communication system and improve safety and capability of the transport system.

 Shri Vinay Mittal expressed his hope that the discussions during the Convention would throw up interesting technological options and the educated conglomeration of professionals would use every such opportunity to make Indian Railways more reliable, safer, grander Railways for the world to see. He also inaugurated an Exhibition on the sidelines of the convention devoted to the emerging advanced Signaling & Telecommunication technologies. A souvenir on “Safe Train Control” was released by him on the occasion.

 Speaking on the occasion, Member Electrical, Railway Board, Shri Kul Bhushan said that to enhance safety by reducing human dependence for verification of clearance of track, track circuiting at more than 850 locations has been provided during the last year and about 1500 additional locations are targeted for completion within next two years. He said that for metropolitan cities such as Mumbai, Indian Railways are considering provisions of Communication Based Trains Control (CBTC) system for running trains at close headways of approximately two minutes to meet the increased commuter traffic requirements. He further said that this Convention will deliberate on various issues concerning Indian Railways so as to reap benefits from collective experience and practices of Railway Signal & Telecom Engineering global fraternity. He emphasized that Indian Railway is also working towards providing broadband based Internet and multimedia facilities and high quality train information displays and information boards at stations to improve the quality of passenger service. He pointed out the need to expedite that integrated IP based security system cum surveillance system covering major railway stations being implemented by S&T department.

 In his welcome address Shri A.K.Misra Additional Member Railway Board and President IRSTE(India) said that Signaling and telecommunication Engineering in its entirety provides for a whole range of technologies to provide cost effective solutions in enhancing safety, increasing the line capacity and proving such useful information aids to passengers so as to make their journey rom start to finish a safe, comfortable and convenient one.

 This International Convention is being jointly organised by The Institution Railway of Signal & Telecommunication Engineers (India) (IRSTE) and Institution of Railway Signal Engineers (London) (IRSE). More than 600 Delegates from India, US, Europe, Asia Pacific would be participating in the event. More than 40 Companies like Invensysy, , Thales, GE Transportation, Siemens, Ansaldo, Cisco, Hitachi, Motorola, GG Tronics, Efftronics, Sterlite amongst many from all across the world as well as from India would be exhibiting latest technologies in Railways. Experiences from World Railways like- Japanese Railways, SBB AG Swiss Railways, Banwerket Borlenge from Sweden, Canadian Railways, Australian Railways etc shall be discussed during the convention.

 During the course of two days International Convention, deliberations are being held on various areas and topics pertaining to modern technologies available across the world, user perspective and their expectations. IRSTE(India), is a technical body set up under the auspices of Ministry of Railways for Sharing knowledge and experiences of various Railway Engineers connected with Signaling & Telecommunication. The Institution recognized by Railway Board came into existence in the year 1976. The aim of the Institution is to provide dissemination and sharing of technical knowledge relating to design, construction and maintenance of Signal & Telecommunication Engineering Systems amongst the persons associated with it. The institution promotes and encourages conferences, discussions; exhibitions for information and benefit of the members of the institution and also publish and circulates technical information to facilitate interchange and sharing of ideas. IRSTE(India), works closely with IRSE (London) which is a 100 year old international Organisation for railway Signal Engineers across the world, headquartered at London.