Latest news with #A.Sridhar
The Hindu
07-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Hindu
SCR plans to install automatic block signalling in high-density routes of 1,700 km to help increase line capacity
South Central Railway (SCR) with the plan to increase the line capacity to run more trains on existing high-density routes and grand trunk routes has decided to operationalise the indigenous Automatic Block Signalling (ABS) in around 1,700 km. The high density golden quadrilateral and golden diagonal routes include sections of Duvvada–Vijayawada–Gudur, Secunderabad–Kazipet–Balharshah, Kazipet–Vijayawada and Wadi–Renigunta, senior railway officials explained on Monday. The installation of ABS has been taken up in a phased manner in the planned sections over the last few years. The system has so far been made operational for about 520 km in the zone (till May 31, 2025) with 141.05 km taken up in the first phase and another 379.75 km installed in the second phase. Under the ABS, the movement of the trains is controlled by the automatic stop signals to ensure trains in the same direction follow each other at a safe distance without the risk of rear-end collision, they explained. The automatic system was first installed in the suburban sections of Hyderabad and Secunderabad for about 58.07 km. It was followed by 10.10 km of Vijayawada-Krishna canal, 13 km also near Vijayawada, 13.87 km of Bolarum-Medchal, 26.06 km of Moula Ali-Ghatkesar, 6.75 km of Gananvaram-Mustabada and 13.42 km of Falaknuma-Umdanagar sections. After a lull during the COVID pandemic years of 20-23, the Railway Board decided to install the ABS on the high-density corridors. The system has been completed in the following sections: About 24 km between Moulali and Sanatnagar, 221.94 km in Nidadavolu-Kovvur–Rajahmundry-Kadiyam; Gannavaram–Telaprolu; Nidadavolu–Tadepalligudem; Regupalem-Thadi– Duvvada; Nuzivid–Eluru; Kadiyam–Anaparti; Gudur–Kommarpudi sections, including third line (15.56+15.56 km); and Samalkot–Ravikampadu sections. Another 71.15 km between Makudi–Manikgarh, including the third line (30.82+30.82 km); 20.33 km between Guntakal bypass–Molagavalli and 44.33 km between Yeramaras–Marichetal; Nalwar-Yadgir sections. 'ABS reduces the costs for railways as there is no need requirement of signal boxes, instruments, tools etc., and optimises track utilisation. It helps in improving section capacity to run more trains, increases the average speed of the trains and reduces travel time for train services,' explained SCR chief public relations officer A. Sridhar. Since the system avoids human intervention, there is more safety and efficiency, he added.
The Hindu
17-06-2025
- The Hindu
102 arrested for pelting stones on trains, 33 for placing foreign materials on tracks
The Railway Protection Force (RPF) arrested 102 persons for pelting stones on trains and 33 others for placing foreign materials such as coins, iron pieces, stones and other objects on tracks. The RPF had booked 128 stone pelting cases in South Central Railway (SCR) zone from January to May this year, of which 102 offenders have been identified in 85 cases. Meanwhile, 29 cases had been registered for placing foreign material on tracks, of which 33 have been identified in 26 cases. The remaining cases in both the offences are still under investigation, said SCR General Manager Arun Kumar Jain. Stating that top priority is being given to passenger safety and protecting railway property, the GM appealed to the public not to resort to stone pelting activities and asked them to alert the railway officials by dialling 139 if they notice anyone doing the same. SCR Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) A. Sridhar said that such activities come under criminal offences and stern action would be taken against the accused under Section 153 of Railways Act, which could lead up to five years of prison time. The court gave 15 days imprisonment to one of the accused and imposed a fine of ₹30,500 on the remaining in the above cases, the CPRO said in a release on Tuesday.
The Hindu
13-05-2025
- The Hindu
SCR's civil defence unit to train staff on cyber attacks
The South Central Railway's Civil Defence Organisation (CDO) is planning to introduce advanced training modules incorporating simulations of cyber-attacks and integration of cyber defence strategies. The CDO unit, through its focus on safeguarding the railway network, wants to utilise real-time monitoring systems and data analytics for effective emergency response. For that to happen, it has sought dedicated budgets for taking up continuous training, improving equipment and infrastructure. It also wants to expand campaigns to educate passengers and leveraging digital platforms, informed senior officials on Tuesday. The railway officials have pointed out that due to the increasing digitisation of railway operations, the staff should also be up-to-date with the cyber security risks. These programmes are to be tailored for volunteers, workshop staff, frontline and onboard staff, Railway Protection Force (RPF), Accident Relief Train/Medical Relief Van (ART/MRV) personnel, and others involved in critical safety topics. 'Railways is a critical artery of the nation's economy and connectivity, hence vulnerable to disruptions from accidents, terrorist threats and natural calamities. The CDO is tasked with protecting railway infrastructure, ensuring passenger safety, and maintaining operational continuity during emergencies,' they said. The safety unit came into focus when it conducted the 45-minute mock drill while the country was preparing for 'Operation Sindoor' at Kacheguda, Raichur and Aurangabad railway stations last week. Here, the railway staff volunteers simulated hostile attack scenarios, testing air raid siren activation, passenger evacuation, fire-fighting, basic life support, etc., showcased the volunteers preparedness and training. The select volunteers were earlier trained at the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Academy in Nagpur to become instructors at various levels in fire-fighting, first aid, evacuation procedures and handling unexploded ordnance. The SCR civil defence teams have proved their capabilities in the flood affected areas of Vijayawada last year when working in challenging conditions they delivered essential supplies to distressed communities, said officials. The zonal railway network is across Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. Each of the six divisions - Secunderabad, Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Guntakal, Guntur and Nanded - have a designated Divisional Emergency Officer (DEO), and also workshop emergency officers, to oversee civil defence activities. The unit, currently led by Deputy General Manager Controller of Civil Defence Kotla Udaynath, had trained about 6,500 railway staff across various departments and institutions and has been recognised as the best performing CD Unit across the entire railways, according to chief public relations officer A. Sridhar, who was in charge of the unit before the present posting.
