Date:12/02/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/02/12/stories/2005021204980500.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Czech Deputy PM launches railway safety system

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, FEB. 11. The Deputy Prime Minister of the Czech Republic and Minister for Transport, Milan Simonovsky, inaugurated the working replica of the electronic interlocking system used by the railways, which has already been installed at the Uppalvai station.

The computer-controlled system has been manufactured by the Kushaiguda-based Hytronics Enterprises and a Czech firm, AZD Praha S.R.O., which is a leading signalling equipment manufacturer.

The system, which enhances safety, is being installed for the first time in Asia and will be used in 10 other stations of South Central Railway. The cost of 11 such systems works out to Rs.7 crores.

Offers expertise

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Simonovsky said his country was determined to take part in the development of Indian Railways as "we have the expertise." He lauded the "world class" system, which has been working in hundreds of stations in the Czech Republic and several other countries.

Thanks to its installation, more than 1,000 km of modern track has been laid in the country with trains achieving speeds of 160 km to 200 km an hour. It helped in achieving "extraordinary safety," he pointed out. He expressed confidence that the system "hich has a great future" would spread out in the railways.

The replica enables training of railway officials. The SCR Additional GM, Rajkamal Rao, launched the interlocking simulator, which facilitates testing/development of software. Raja Goundan, Chief Signal and Telecom Engineer, SCR, released the user manual.

The Czech Ambassador, A. Novotny, Director of AZD Praha, Zdenek Chrdle, spoke. Earlier, M.Anil Kishore of Hytronics welcomed the gathering.