Railways plan communication on the move

The Indian Railways has decided to introduce a mobile radio communication facility in its trains to ensure security.

"It has been decided to provide mobile train radio communication between the driver and the guard of a running train, besides the station master, field maintenance staff and control office of category 'A', 'B' and 'C' routes of the Indian Railways," railway ministry sources told PTI.

Such a mobile communication, they said, would not only enhance safety but also improve utilisation of costly rolling stock assets such as locomotives, coaches and wagons by effecting real-time control on their movements.

There have been cases in the past where on a double-line section, a derailed part of a train damaged a running line and a train moving on that line ran into the debris causing a serious accident.

"Provision of train radio communication for the driver and the guard will prevent such accidents as all trains near the obstruction on the track can be forewarned," the sources said.

Under the proposed MTRC system, managers would be required to monitor liaison with field staff for efficient execution of the works entrusted to them.

Presently, they said, time is lost only for want of quick decisions for which the field staff are required to proceed to the nearest location for communicating with their superior officials.

Do you want to discuss stock tips? Do you know a hot one? Join the Stock Market Investments Discussion Group