Question : Sarathi Seva-TRI NETRA Facilities

(a) whether the Railways proposes to provide two new facilities namely Sarathi Seva and TRI-NETRA at its stations and trains respectively;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the main features of the said facilities/systems;

(c) the time by which the said facilities/systems are likely to be installed;

(d) whether some foreign companies have expressed interest in developing such systems and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the other steps taken by the Railways to check delays and accidents in operation of trains under night and foggy conditions?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2963 BY SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR, SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT, SHRI T. RADHAKRISHNAN, SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA, SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO, SHRI ANANDRAO ADSUL AND SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 03.08.2016 REGARDING SARATHI SEVA/TRI NETRA FACILITIES

(a): Yes, Madam.

(b): Instructions have been issued to Zonal Railways to invite Expression of Interest for providing the facility of Sarathi Seva (Battery Operated Cars) on payment basis initially at all A-1 category stations. This facility can be availed by passengers on ‘first come first served’ basis, however, preference shall be given to Sr. Citizens, physically challenged, pregnant women and medically sick passengers.
TRI-NETRA (Terrain Imaging for Diesel Drivers – Infrared Enhanced Optical and Radar Assisted) system is being developed for assisting the Diesel Locomotive drivers by aiding their vision of track ahead in bad weather conditions by using a system comprising of optical camera, infra-red camera and radar assisted imaging system. TRI-NETRA is envisaged to enable train drivers to (i) identify if there are any obstructions on the track ahead and (ii) identify & create an outline of the signal mast/post so as to provide indication to drivers about approaching signals.

(c): Since the system envisaged in TRI-NETRA is not readily available anywhere in the world railways and the same has to be designed and built nearly from scratch to meet the functional requirements of Indian Railways, the time by which the said system of TRI-NETRA is likely to be installed cannot be predicted at this early stage.

(d): Four foreign companies have responded to Expression of Interest, floated by Indian Railways, for development and deployment of ‘TRI-NETRA’ over Indian Railways’ network. The details of these companies are as under:-
1. M/s Star Navigation Systems Group Ltd./Canada through M/s Vincent Asia Pacific Ltd./New Delhi.
2. M/s ELBIT System Ltd./Israel.
3. M/s Progress Rail/USA.
4. M/s Avante International Technology, Inc./New Jersey through M/s Stork HKB India Pvt. Ltd./New Delhi.

(e): A Global Positioning System (GPS) based ‘FOG PASS’ device which displays the name and distance of approaching signals and other critical landmarks in advance during poor visibility condition has been developed and is on trial. This is a portable equipment issued to Loco Pilots on fog affected Zonal Railways while working trains during fog season, not fitted permanently on Locomotives.
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