No ETCS L2 for Mumbai-Delhi-Howrah 160 Km/h Upgrade, Homegrown TCAS Gets Green Signal Instead?

IR may shift strategy, planning a wider rollout of TCAS instead of adopting ETCS-L2

Plans of implementing large scale signalling upgrades on key Indian Railways routes could soon switch to another track.

IR had earlier announced plans to implement ATP (Automatic Train Protection) on major routes across the network. The European Train Control System Level 2 (ETCS L2) standard was planned for adoption.

However, V K Yadav, Chairman, Railway Board, hinted at another change in strategy last week.

We will be inviting TCAS tenders for the Mumbai-Delhi and Delhi-Howrah 160 kph project: CRB

— RailPost.in (@RailPostIN) July 17, 2020

The Mumbai-Delhi and Delhi-Howrah 160 kph upgrade project had envisioned installation of ETCS L2 signalling on both routes. Estimates were to be revised for the upgrade from TPWS (based on ETCS L1) to ETCS L2 + MTRC based on LTE wireless technology.

A pilot project involving implementation of ETCS L2 on 650 km of routes, split into four high traffic sections, was all set to get underway. Railtel subsidiary REL was to execute the project for Indian Railways. Tenders were subsequently invited last year for the approximately 1,500 crore project.

The Railway Ministry now appears to be rethinking the plan and considering a shift to the homemade Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS).

The CRB had also hinted costs were an issue:

India doesn't have an automatic train protection system. We have been planning to adopt ETCS 1 and ETCS 2. For DFC, we have already adopted ETCS 1. We couldn't finalize tenders so far due to costs.

The negotiation process is on for 650 km tender of signal upgrades: CRB

— RailPost.in (@RailPostIN) July 17, 2020

According to a news report, a railway spokesperson has justified the switch to the homegrown TCAS, citing a call by the Prime Minister for ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ last month.

However, an official from REL, the RailTel subsidiary, was quoted in the news report suggesting REL will proceed with the ETCS L2 pilot project execution as planned.

What is TCAS

The Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) is a locally developed version of an automatic train protection system. It was developed and deployed for testing in the first half of the previous decade.

Testing was conducted on the Lingampalli – Vikarabad – Wadi and Vikarabad – Bidar sections on South Central Railway. This adds up to a total of approx 250 km of route. Trials began in early 2016. By mid-2019, testing up to speeds of 160 kph was completed.

IR has also planned to roll out the homegrown train protection system on the Manmad-Secunderabad-Guntakal and Bidar-Parli sections. Rs. 100 crores were allocated for the project in the 2020-21 Pink Book.

As of now, 40 locomotives are fitted with TCAS equipment.

Indian Railways has been able to prove its own automatic train protection system TCAS. We have approved 3 Indian vendors and have invited tenders for installation on 1,300 km of route.

We want to bring TCAS at par with ETCS Level 2.

— RailPost.in (@RailPostIN) July 17, 2020

It remains to be seen if the change in the standard to be adopted will delay the rollout of an ATP system.

The effect of the change on timelines of the 160 kph Mumbai-Delhi and Delhi-Howrah projects is also unclear so far.

With the latest shift in plans, however, TCAS and its future versions look set to become the key standard for ATP systems on Indian Railways