CHATTOGRAM: Bangladesh Railway (BR) is going to start the digital system for signalling at 85 railway stations under its Eastern Zone.
The digital system has been introduced at 12 stations of BR Eastern Zone experimentally from the current month.
Sources said the BR already set up the digital signal system at 85 railway stations under its Eastern Zone. Only two persons can control and monitor the total signal system digitally.
The BR Eastern Zone has set up the Central Traffic Control (CTC) at Pahartoli in Chattogram. The CTC completed experimental operation last month. The experimental operation at 12 stations will start from the current month.
The Railway Inspection Department's Rail Inspector Ashim Kumar Talukdar visited the CTC and Dhaka-Chattogram railway stations and lines last month.
He expressed his satisfaction over the experimental operation of CTC. He also held a meeting with the top officials of CTC during his visit.
He said in the meeting that BR would start the system on an experimental basis in the current month for the next four months. After four months, the BR will upgrade the system by observing the experimental operation of CTC and start the digital system at all stations.
Sources said presently the CTC can detect the train running, the situation of station yards and level-crossings. The CTC can also show the movement of trains on lines.
The CTC can control and monitor the signal for trains centrally while if necessary, the station masters also can control the signals which will be showed by CTC.
In the first four months, the CTC will control the experimental operation at 12 stations including Chattogram, Kalidoha, Hasanpur, Chinikia Astana, Feni, Langolkoat, Muhurigonj, Shorshodi, Naoti, Fazilpur, Gunaboti and Laksham. Later, the CTC will expand its monitoring and activities at all 85 stations of the eastern zone of BR.
There are 85 Station Masters at all 85 stations of BR eastern zone. Besides, there are also the same number of Assistant Station Masters in the stations. Moreover, Cabin Station Master, Point Man, Gate Man and Shunting Man are also working at all stations to control the movement of trains. The CTC system will help them control the movement of trains digitally.
Sardar Shahadat Ali, General Manager (Additional Charge) of BR Eastern Zone, said, "I hope we can make CTC a success which will help upgrade the service of BR. The digital signal system is a part of the Prime Minister's Digital Bangladesh plan. The CTC system will make the BR more modern. After completing all preparation and getting directives from the higher authorities, we will start the experimental CTC operation in the current month."
