(a) whether the Railways have sanctioned a pilot project namely Satellite Imaging for
Rail Navigation (SIMRAN) to check minute details of train movements for the convenience of
the passengers;
(b) if so, the outcome and the present status of the pilot project;
(c) the details of the trains selected for installation of the system; and
(d) the progress made in the installation of such system in the trains?
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS (SHRI LALU PRASAD)
(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the Sabha.
STATEMENT REFFERED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF STARRED QUESTION NO. 116 BY SHRI SURESH
ANGADI TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 22.11.2007 REGARDING SATELLITE IMAGING FOR RAIL
NAVIGATION (SIMRAN).
(a) Yes, Sir. Railway has sanctioned a pilot project namely Satellite Imaging for Rail
Navigation (SIMRAN) for Real Time Passenger Information System. This project is being developed
by utilizing Global Positioning System (GPS). This project is being carried out jointly by
Research Designs & Standards Organisation (RDSO), Lucknow and Indian Institute of Technology
(IIT), Kanpur. The pilot project is sanctioned for development for hardware and software for
providing Real Time Train Running Information to the passengers.
The objectives of SIMRAN project are:
# To develop technology for continuously tracking of every train for its location, speed
and direction of movement.
# To develop techniques to disseminate information on Real Time basis about train running to
the passengers and the general public through display boards of stations, Interactive Voice
Response Systems (IVRS), Short Message Service (SMS) and Internet.
(b) The hardware and software technology under this project have been developed. Field
trial for the project is being conducted since 25.5.2007. The objectives of this project have
been achieved and verified through field trial.
(c) The following trains have been selected for field trial under this pilot project.
# All the rakes of Rajdhani Expresses.
# All the rakes of Shatabdi Express originating from New Delhi.
# Electric Multiple Units (EMUs) running between Lucknow and Kanpur.
(d) As on 16.11.2007, 26 rakes of Rajdhani Express, 6 rakes of Shatabdi Express and 7 rakes
of EMUs have been equipped with SIMRAN Train Equipment. These trains are being monitored
through Internet and SMS services.