At the Electronic Interlocking (EI) control cabin at the Bengaluru City Railway Station, a ceremonious plaque on the wall declares that the cabin has a “solid state interlocking system” inaugurated in 2009 by the then Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee. But the Railways staff members describe the touch screen equipment as a “blunder” and a waste of money as it is not user-friendly.
The solid state interlocking system stands, switched off, with a dark, lightless panel, obviously not in use. Instead, station masters at the EI cabin, which is the nerve centre for managing trains moving in the South Western Railway’s jurisdiction find it more comfortable monitoring the screen manually.
Though the new equipment automates tasks, staff members find it difficult to operate. It has a touch screen and, according to a source, staff members find it difficult to stand continuously for long hours to operate it.
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Besides, the person operating it has to be tech-savvy and has to be trained to use it effectively. When personnel are trained in its operation, and by the time they become familiar and comfortable doing it, they are transferred.
The touch screen equipment needs an air-conditioned room, but the cabin room is not. Another factor adding to the staff members’ stress levels is the continuous and loud sound from passing trains and engines since the cabin is located on platform number 7. Though the staff members were promised a sound-proof room, nothing happened after that.
Sanjeev Agarwal, Divisional Railway Manager, Bangalore, South Western Railway, said the there was no problem except that the touch screen has become less sensitive and has to be replaced. He said, “The touch screen has become old. We will provide a different panel with video display and mouse, which will be easier for the staff members”.
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Railways personnel say touch screen ‘solid state interlocking system’ is not user-friendly