Now GPS devices in trains to monitor their punctuality

The Indian Railways has decided to install global positioning system (GPS) devices in all locomotives to monitor their punctuality as the national transporter grapples with running trains on time.

The national transporter is hoping to install GPS system in all trains by March next year as the railway ministry claimed it is taking a number of steps to improve the punctuality of trains.

The ministry claimed that punctuality has improved in the last two months. The railways also started automatic recording of punctuality data with the help of data loggers in some of the major stations.

The data logger is an electronic device which records data over time by sensing status of relays. Prior to data loggers, data of actual train running timings were entered manually and complaints of wrong entry were common.

After the introduction of the data loggers, accurate data of train running timing were being recorded and there is no human interference in the system, said Railway Minister Piyush Goyal.

Though railways had low punctuality in May this year with just 59.55 %, it was 63.3 % in June, 70 % in July and 73 % in August so far.

Currently, data loggers system have been set up in 55 stations including Bengaluru City and it will be extended to other stations in a phased manner, Goyal said.

Installation of the GPS system would give more accurate running of trains and there would not be any chance to fudging of data, he added.

In April-May this year, punctuality of trains suffered mostly due to maintenance work was taken up in most of the zones as part of the passenger safety measure.

Earlier, the Railway Minister had warned zonal railway managers that their promotion will depend on how punctual trains were in their respective zones.

The Minister also said that the railways wanted to improve its punctuality without compromising on safety.