SOS buttons to be installed on trains to tackle emergencies

The motorman can press the button in cases of accidents, following which, the control room will be alerted of the situation immediately.

aroosa.ahmed@htlive.com

One of the coaches of a Thane-bound local caught fire at Dadar Railway station on February 3. The SOS button will speed up evacuation in such emergencies. (HT file photo)

In a bid to ensure the safety of passengers on board local and outstation trains, the centre for railway information system (CRIS) will install SOS buttons, which will be operated by the motorman of the train.

SOS refers to a distress signal, sent out during emergencies, which immediately directs the person towards the concerned authorities for help. 

The motorman can press the button in cases of accidents, such as the derailment of the train. Following this, the control room, along with the motormen on board the trains on the same track as the affected train, will be alerted of the situation immediately.

The move, which is expected to speed up evacuations and relief provided to passengers, is likely to take one year to get implemented.

The SOS button will be installed alongside a software, Real Time Information System (RTIS), which will facilitate the sharing of information about the train in real time. Centre for railway information system will operate at a pan-Indian level, allowing commuters to track the position of local as well as outstation trains in real time through a mobile application.

“The trial and testing of the real time update has been done and will be inducted soon. “The SOS system will be integrated with the real time system,” said Uday Bobhate, general manager, centre for railway information system.

As per the current protocol, during emergencies, the motorman or the guard of the train manually informs the station manager or a railway official at the nearest railway station. The official or manager then, in turn, informs the higher authorities.

Currently, the western railway (WR) has updated their mobile application Digital Interface of Stations for Help and Amenities (DISHA) to provide information on local trains.

Schedules of the trains are displayed in three-time intervals. Commuters wishing to travel in the next 30 minutes, 45 minutes, or one hour can check the list of available trains within that time slot.The central railway (CR) is working on a similar system to provide updates on local trains and their routes.