‘Install infrared cameras on tracks to check axles’ overheating’

The Railway Board has issued a letter to both the Central and Western Railways asking them to install infrared cameras on the tracks/coaches in order to monitor the axles, overheating of which leads to train derailment, on selected tracks and avert accidents. Both the railways’ authorities are to send their roadmap on installing the cameras by Friday.

Once placed, officials at a central control room would monitor feeds from the cameras 24/7 and coordinate in the issuance of instructions to motormen driving trains to deal with inordinately heated-up axles. The railway plan comes following an incident of train derailment due to overheated axle in Andheri on September last year. Three rail commuters were injured in the incident.

The letter, a copy of which is in possession of The Asian Age, was issued on October 6, two days after a meeting of the railway board officials at CST. The letter sought the railways to inform the board about how and where the cameras would be fitted. Based on the roadmap to be submitted on Friday, a battery of tests would be conducted by the railways along with Research and Design Standards Organisation.

A official, on the condition of anonymity, said, “The cameras would be placed on signal posts at a few locations. When the trains pass, the temperature would be recorded and relayed to the signal and telecom control room. If the temperature exceeds 30 per cent of the ambient temperature, an alert will be sent and the train services would be halted.”