As per Action Plan of Vision 2020 and recommendation of the High Level Safety Review Committee, all ‘A’, ‘B’ & ‘C’ routes of Indian Railway totalling 20,000 Route Kilometres (RKMs) out of 65000 Route Kilometres (RKMs) of Indian Railway Network is to be provided with Mobile Train Radio Communication (MTRC) system.
As on 31.03.2013, around 2074 Route Kilometres (RKMs) has been provided with Mobile Train Radio Communication System and the work is in progress in 2426 RKMs which is likely to be completed in few years subject to the availability of funds. Total expenditure incurred so far on Mobile Train Radio Communication (MTRC) projects is Rs. 205.94 crore and further funds to the tune of Rs. 1100 crore (approximate) is required to cover balance ‘A’, ‘B’ & ‘C’ routes.
Safety is accorded the highest priority and all possible steps are undertaken on a continual basis to prevent accidents. These include timely replacement of over-aged assets, adoption of suitable technologies for upgradation and maintenance of track, rolling stock, signalling and interlocking systems, safety drives, and inspections at regular intervals to monitor and educate staff for observance of safe practices. Safety devices/systems being introduced to prevent accidents include provision of Block Proving Axle Counters (BPAC), Auxiliary Warning System (AWS), and Vigilance Control Device (VCD) Train Protection Warning System (TPWS) Train Collision Avoidance System/Anti Collision Device (ACD) etc.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha.