Kalam’s vision for Rlys ahead of Lalu’s

For one, Kalam has suggested that the Railways and ISRO should jointly launch a project to introduce the S-DMB system on trains. “Introduction of S-DMB system will also pave the way for monitoring, tracking, alerting, TV news and announcement system in a modern way. Introduction of this system will make the passenger feel he is not cut off from the world,” he said.

Underlining the need to have multi-layered railway stations, having multi-level entry and exit mechanisms with electronic entry and exit controls, Kalam has said the most crowded metropolis stations should be selected for introduction of this system with ticket bar-coding system for scrutiny and platform ticketing through cell phones. “The platform of 2030 should look like a large mall and invite the passenger to the stations. Also there is a need to have a passenger-friendly communication system in the platform, so that passengers board the right train and reach the destination safely,” said the former President.

Kalam also talked about introducing mobile chilling plants in conventional passenger trains and the long distance express trains to enable small farmers to transfer their produce to markets across the country in the shortest possible time. Further, he suggested the introduction of medical coaches in trains equipped with full-fledged medical teams to cater to any emergencies while on the move.

On the safety front, Kalam said, “Synthetic vision by millimetre wave or sub-millimetre wave imaging can provide all weather day-night visibility through fog, smoke and duststorms, helping drivers to visualise real life situations. In addition to GPS-based systems, space technology can be used for real time tracking, observing, surveillance and monitoring of trains, tracks, railway stations and the related infrastructure and neighbourhood by using high resolution remote sensing satellites, which are now capable of providing resolutions of fraction of a metre.”

Stressing on the need to increase the railway network to the Northeastern states, Kalam said such a move would “enable faster development of the region and also act as a national integration mission”.

Kalam said the Railway Vision 2030 must aim at increasing the total route length by 25,000 kilometres, including the dedicated freight corridors. He also said that all the existing metre-gauge lines should be converted into broad-gauge lines through BOOT (Build, Operate, Own and Transfer) system.

Another interesting idea from the former President relates to Railways developing power plants using hydrogen through the hydrogen economy project. Kalam has also suggested tapping of solar energy during the day for providing energy for heating air-conditioning and lighting of the trains.

Vision 2030

•Total route length: 90,000 kilometres

• Passengers carried per day: 20 million

• Average speed of passenger trains: 200 kmph

• Average speed of freight trains: 150 kmph

• Accident rate: less than 0.1 per million-train kilometre

• Production of 70,000 tonnes of bio-diesel

• Cooperation with SAARC countries for a common railway system