CHENNAI: A fault in the railway safety system is occasionally making suburban trains in the Chennai-Gummidipoondi section halt suddenly even as the signals are green, regular passengers and a few pilots say.
The Train Protection Warning System (TWPS), which aims to control the speed and halt a train automatically when it crosses a red signal, is getting activated even as the signals are green, leading to frequent disruptions at least for last four months.
Regular rail passengers have alleged that frequent unscheduled stoppage of trains is increasing the travel time of every day. “A weeks ago, an EMU train stopped suddenly at least four to five occasions between Basin Bridge and Ennore after crossing the signal post. Each time, it takes nearly two to three minutes for the trains to resume operation. When I inquired with railway officials, I was told that the train stops automatically,” said R Srinivasan of Ennore, a regular commuter.
The passengers also allege that the train gave frequent jerks while travelling in the northern suburban section, compared to the EMU trains in other sections. The loco pilots, who operate the trains in the section, say the train speeds are also getting regulated automatically.
It’s learnt that EMU trains started witnessing frequent stoppages since the emergency brake system installed at the foot of signal poles gets activated due to the glitches in Train Protection Warning System (TPWS) installed in the Chennai-Gummidipoondi section.
If the motor coach of an EMU train jumps the danger signal, emergency brake will automatically get
activated at the bottom of the signal pole bringing the EMU to a halt. In addition, the automated system is enabled to reduce the speed of the trains when it exceeds the permissible speed by 5 kmph, and to stop the train completely when the speed exceeds 10 kmph.
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The emergency brake is getting activated automatically even if the train crosses the green signal. Though initially, the technology provider had maintained the system, the Southern Railway did not create any mechanism to maintain the TPWS. The TWPS has not been maintained for the past four months,” said railway sources.
With an objective of improving the safety of trains on highly busy routes and eliminating accidents, the Railways had introduced TWPS in the Chennai-Gummidipundi section in 2008.
A loco pilot told Express that they had already taken up the issue with the top officials of the railway administration. However, they are yet to get any response. When contacted, a senior official from Signalling and Telecommunication wing denied any incidents of automatic stoppage. “The TPWS is working well and we did not receive any complaints from the passengers over jerks or sound,” said an official.
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