Mumbai: Western Railway has commissioned Electronic Interlocking System at 320 stations which ensures precise control over train movements and eliminates the potential for human error.

According to a press release issued by Western Railway’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Shri Vineet Abhishek, WR is progressively replacing all the electrical signalling installations with new computer based Electronic Interlocking system. Till now out of 513 Interlocked stations, 320 stations have been provided with Computer based Electronic Interlocking system along with Universal Fail Safe Block Instrument. The rest of the stations will also be equipped with the advanced Electronic Interlocking (EI) system in the near future. EI employs computer-based systems and electronic equipment to control signals, points and level-crossing gates. Unlike conventional electrical relay interlocking systems where innumerable wires and relays are used, EI utilises software and electronic components to manage the interlocking logic. It reads the inputs from the signalling gears in the yard and processes the commands from the operational console (VDU) in a fail-safe manner.

Shri Vineet further added that this technology has resulted in multiple benefits which has a tremendous effect o­n safety as well as has enabled in increasing the speed of trains. This system minimizes the risk of accidents caused by conflicting routes, misplaced signals, or human oversight. Electronic Interlocking can be interfaced with KAVACH technology as well as the Centralised Traffic Control system (CTC). Moreover, it has also enabled in efficient working thereby reducing the time of operation.DeshGujarat