RailEnquiry

KOLKATA :  An automated signalling system was installed on an 8-km stretch of the 25.13-km Kolkata metro rail last week to speed up services. It has, however, led to delays in its much-touted “a train in every six minute” service.Soon after the installation of the automated signalling system from Kavi Subhash (New Garia) to Tollygaunge station on trial, commuters were peeved as trains often missed schedules by 5-10 minutes, leading to a chaos. As a result, trains coming from Dum Dum, the terminus station in North, were also delayed.So far, an old block signalling system, which is still available in the over 16 km from Tollygaunge to Dum Dum, was used to maintain the 180-m distance between the trains.According to a daily commuter from Shahid Khudiram station, ever since the new signalling system came in place from Sunday, it has resulted in delays instead. “Trains that were supposed to arrive every six minutes during peak hours on weekdays never came on time,” he pointed out.Experts also feel that it is tough to sync an automated system with old rakes.A Metro Railway Kolkata official said, “Currently, the automated signalling system is on trial from Kavi Subhash to Tollygaunge. Later on, we will install it from Tollygaunge to Dum Dum. It will take few weeks to examine the new system. We will be able to comment only after that.”Such a signalling chaos came on the heels of Kolkata metro's increased services. Having a fleet of 18 non-AC and five AC rakes, Kolkata metro had increased the number of services from 236 to 270 services weekdays from March 30. It had announced the inclusion of one more AC rake to the fleet in three to four weeks.