Early start, mobile connect for Metro.
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Jayanta Gupta TNN
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Kolkata: The Metro Railway, the city’s most efficient commute option, is set to get even better, with two extensions: one of timings and...
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the other of mobile connectivity.
Minister of state for railways Adhir Chowdhury announced on Tuesday that, come March 25, the first train will start from Dum Dum and Kavi Subhas at 6.45am and the last trains will roll into the two stations at 10.45pm.
“We had earlier extended Sunday services to the morning. Now, we will start
services at 6.45am and the last trains will roll into Dum Dum and Kavi Subhas at 10.45pm,” the minister said. “We are trying to extend the service further but there are several operational issues. We have to use pilot trains to stabilize tracks. Now, we have started using moped scooters to stabilize the tracks. Henceforth, we will use the pilot rakes for commercial service. We are also taking steps to bolster security at the Metro stations. I know that the growth hasn’t been satisfactory. It is sad that we couldn’t achieve as much as we had wanted,” the minister added.
Also, before long, commuters won’t have to cut short their mobile phone conversations on board a Metro. A task force has been set up to decide which mobile service providers should have access to the “leaky feeder” that has started allowing mobile communication to train crews in the tunnels as well. A control room is also being set up from where the cellular operators would monitor the links.
“SIM cards of a private operator have already been issued to motormen. They have already started using Mobile Train Radio Communication (MTRC) through Global System for Mobile Communication for Railways (GSM-R) technology that allows them to keep in touch with stations and the control room. Connectivity in the tunnels has already been achieved. The elevated stretch requires some base stations. We are working on that. Very soon, commuters on AC rakes will also get this facility,” an official said.
The GSM-R technology has made Metro travel much safer. The motormen now have three modes of communication. One is the ‘Cab Radio’ that is mounted in their cabins. They also have something known as an Operational Hand Radio that has been procured from a company in France. Apart from this, they will have their mobile phones to use in emergencies.
Metro rides are also set to become safer. On Tuesday, the minister inaugurated the Train Protection and Warning System (TPWS) for 13 AC rakes in service with the Metro. This system will prevent a motorman from overshooting a signal or exceeding the speed limit. The non-AC rakes will also be fitted with the system soon.
The minister also took on the state government for its failure to provide help in extension of the Metro network. “It was Ghani Khan Choudhury who brought the Metro to Kolkata. When it was being constructed, people suffered a lot. The plan was to extend the network and branch out the lines. We couldn’t do that because of several problems. Though 83km have been sanctioned, we have got stuck with only 27km. Mere running of services won’t help. There are other things that need to be taken care of. Safety is a major concern. The Anti Collision Device was tried out but it had problems. Before long, we shall introduce the Train Collision Avoidance System. Trials are on over 250km. We have chosen the TPWS for the Metro. We shall also instal fire extinguishers in all coaches,” Chowdhury said.
He also announced that elevators would be constructed at five stations for the elderly and people with disabilities. This is apart from 25 escalators that have been sanctioned. Automatic ticket vending and smart card recharge machines will also be installed, Chowdhury said.