MTRC system to cost Railways USD 1.5 billion

MTRC will enable the locomotive pilots to talk to guards, control room supervisors and station masters from a running train. The driver can alert the control room and station master about any unsafe condition such as crack, big stone or flooding of the track so that necessary steps can be taken to prevent any untoward incident, a senior Railway Ministry official said. 

Currently, the driver communicates through a walkie talkie with the guard on a running train. He can alert the station master only after reaching the station and the station master in turn will relay the message to the control room for necessary action. As a result, precious time is lost before any corrective measures are taken. 

The MTRC system will facilitate the train driver to pass on message from a running train to any concerned authorities about the route ahead and obstacles, if any.

The MTRC system, also known as Global System for Mobile Communications - Railway (GSM-R), provides a secured means of communication between train crew and control/maintenance staff and for carrying signalling information. The railways is currently operationalising the MTRC on a 2,541 km-long route as a pilot project. It will be extended to about 20,000 km route covering all of the high-density rail network. 

The MTRC system is considered a must in semi-high-speed and highspeed train networks. The official said the MTRC is needed to enhance safety and also speed up the train.