Blame it on lack of GPS devices

Manish Sirhindi

Tribune News Service

Ambala, December 18

The failure to install GPS-enabled advanced security devices on trains are to blame for cancellations and delays in schedule.

With fog gripping the northern region, several trains are running late or have been cancelled. The plan to install the devices were mooted about three years ago but has not been implemented yet. The aim was to bring down the impact of fog on train operations.

Fog safety devices were to be installed on trains operating in the northern and the eastern areas of the country. A few trials were conducted in the winters of 2012, but as the devices failed the project was put on the back burner.

Sources in the railways stated the devices were meant to alert the driver about the approaching signal besides calculating the distance between various trains on the track. The driver could then take appropriate action as the system would issue a warning to reduce speed.

Though the devices were found to be of great use to alert the drivers, but these failed to calculate the exact distance between the train and the signal due to which the project was put on a hold. Besides, snags in the signalling system of the device were also noticed, the sources said. Initially, the devices were to be installed on express and freight trains.

The trains running behind schedule include Uchahar Express, Howrah-Chandigarh and Himalayan Queen. The Shaheed Express between Jaynagar and Amritsar was delayed by 15 hours, Delhi-Sriganganagar Intercity was running late by one hour, Amritsar-Nanded Sachkhand Express was late by 1 hour and 25 minutes. The Amritsar Mail connecting the holy city with Howrah was late by 3 hours, the Delhi Ferozepur Intercity Express was delayed by 2 hours and 15 minutes.