Webinar on latest development in the field of signalling for faster, safer and efficient train operations

Jhansi-Bina is among the 4 sections of Indian Railways identified for pilot implementation of ETCS level-2 modern signalling system before rollout in New Delhi-Howrah and New Delhi-Mumbai trunk routes

In wake of Covid-19 related lockdown, Indian Railways has started use of online platforms regularly for organising trainings, seminars, meetings, conferences etc. Web Based seminars organised by different departments have been particularly popular among employees as this interactive session also provides them opportunity to learn from experts in respective fields.

Signal & Telecom department of North Central Railway has been leading the way in organising such web-based seminars and 9^th web-based seminar has been organised on European Train Control System (ETCS) Level-2 which is modern signalling system aimed towards safe, efficient and faster train operations.

In this webinar Chaired by GM North Central and Northern Railway Rajiv Chaudhry, about 100 officials from NCR participated along with experts from RailTel and Europe based OEM of this modern signalling system.

Mr Thomas Jansson, expert from industry from Sweden gave presentation on the latest technology of train control system and also about the pilot project of this modern signalling i.e. ETCS Level-2 being implemented in Jhansi-Bina section of North Central Railway.

Jhansi-Bina section is one of the four routes identified for implementation of this signalling system on pilot basis besides Nagpur-Badnera (CR), Renigunta-Yerragunta (SCR) and Vijaynagram-Palasa (ECoR) on golden quadrilateral routes.

This will help in gaining experience and incorporating required improvements before implementing this latest signalling system i.e. ETCS L-2 in New Delhi-Howrah and New Delhi-Mumbai trunk routes.

This modern signalling called ETCS L-2 is basically a radio based, continuous automatic train protection system which mitigate any chances of collision by eliminating cases of Signal passing at danger, over speeding etc.

ETCS L-2 system also aims to improve the line capacity of the congested trunk routes through centralised traffic control and automatic train controlling system . Thereby increasing throughput capacity i.e. running of more trains in same section.

With ETCS-L-2, advance LTE based (4G) communication will be available on train which can be used for monitoring of onboard CCTV camera provided in coaches remotely from control rooms for enhanced security of the passengers.

This modern signalling system will include on-board equipment fitted in locomotives & trainsets, trackside equipment and Radio Block centre which communicate continuously with trains through mobile train radio communication.

Radio Block centre works as brain of this system which are planned 200 kms apart and will have all interlocking data of wayside stations allowing it to maintain safe distance between the two trains through continuous communication based on capacity of each section & station automatically.

At the outset Arun Kumar PCSTE/NCR welcomed Rajiv Chaudhry GM/NCR-NR in this webinar. Niraj yadav, Chief Signal Engineer NCR briefed participants on the seminars organised by NCR. Arun Kumar Saksena, Advisor Signal Railtel and Sandeep Mathur  DRM/Jhansi also participated in this webinar.

In his address to participants, GM Rajiv Chaudhry said that such seminars will help in better understanding of this modern signalling system by our employee. He stressed upon the need to train our workforce on latest technological advancements being made in Railways to make our staff self-reliance to meet day to day maintenance needs.

Shri Chaudhry also added that proper customisation of this modern signalling system according to Indian conditions must be done to suit our requirement as well as to get the desired output from this system.