Indian Railways has introduced Mobile Train Radio Communication (MTRC) system over its network. The aim and objective for implementing MTRC is to establish direct voice communication between Loco Pilot, Station Master, Controller and also to use it for Modern Train Control System. The system has been provided over 3460 Route KM. Details of MTRC provided are appended as under:-
Status of MTRC System based on GSM-R and TETRA over Indian Railways:
| Zonal Railway | Section | Technology | Route KM |
| Eastern | Howrah-Dhanbad | GSM(R) | 270 |
| East Central | Dhanbad-Mughalsarai | GSM(R) | 400 |
| North Central | Palwal -Jhansi | GSM(R) | 353 |
| North Central | Ghaziabad-Aligarh-Kanpur- ALD-DDU | GSM(R) | 760 |
| Northern | New Delhi-Ambala-Ludhiana Including New Delhi – Palwal and Delhi area | GSM(R) | 372 |
| Northern | Ludhiana-Pathankot-Jammu Tawi-Amritsar | GSM(R) | 455 |
| Northern | Lucknow – Kanpur | GSM(R) | 75 |
| Northeast Frontier | New Jalpaiguri – Bongaigaon-Guwahati | GSM(R) | 410 |
| Northeast Frontier | New Jalpaiguri-Barsoi-Malda Town & Barasoi-Katihar | GSM(R) | 270 |
| Metro Railway, Kolkata | North-South Coridor – Kabi Subhas to Dakshineswar | GSM(R) | 28 |
| Metro Railway, Kolkata | East-West Corridor- Phoolbagan to Sector-V | TETRA | 7.5 |
| Western | Churchgate – Virar | TETRA | 60 |
Total | 3460.5 |
- GSM(R) = Global System for Mobile Communication-Railway.
- TETRA = Terrestrial Trunk Radio
Further, new works for Long Term Evolution based MTRC System over 34304 Route KM have been approved at a cost of ₹ 6861 crore.
The total amount for MTRC allocated till Financial Year 2020-21 is ₹ 232.54 crore which has been fully utilized.
Other steps taken to develop state-of-the-art and high tech method of monitoring, inspection and maintenance of rail tracks to avoid train accidents are as under:-
- Periodical inspection and monitoring of tracks is done by contactless sensor based Track Recording Cars (TRCs). Inspection of track is also performed by Zonal Railways using Oscillation Monitoring system (OMS).
- Besides this, Automatic Track Geometry-cum-Video Inspection System, Self-Propelled Turn-out Geometry Measurement System and Ground Penetration Radar (GPR) are also in the procurement stage for further strengthening the monitoring and inspection of rail tracks.
- Indian Railways is using state-of-the-art track maintenance machines like High Output Rail Grinding Machine, High Output Ballast Cleaning Machine. High Output Integrated 3X-Dynamic Tamper etc for maintenance of the rail tracks.
- Improvements in Alumino Thermic welding: Mechanised preheating, Three piece prefabricated mould, Auto Tapping Thimble, Single shot crucible has been provided for improved quality of welding.
- Improvement in Ultrasonic Flaw Detection (USFD) Testing Machines: Analogue USFD testing machines have been replaced by digital USFD testing machines capable of data logging, saving and transferring testing results to on-line application Track Management System (TMS) and PCs. USFD testing machines have been introduced having features for location tagging, time stamping of recording and improved scan (B-scan) capability. Self-propelled Ultrasonic Rail Testing (SPURT) Cars has been introduced on Indian Railways for faster ultrasonic testing of rails.
- Introduction of Thick Web Switches & Weldable CMS Crossing (WCMSC): Thick web Switches & Weldable CMS Crossings have been introduced in Indian Railways. This will help in better Track maintenance and safety.
This information was given by the Minister of Railways, Commerce & Industry and Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Shri Piyush Goyal in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha on 24th March 2021.
Source: PIB-Press Release | Image Credit (representational): MoR
