Saturday, April 23 2005 13:34 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chennai: The Southern Railways yesterday (Apr 22, 2005) signed an agreement to install for the first time in the country a 'Train protection and warning system' based on European Train Control System at a cost of Rs 46.77 crore.

Formed by the Union of International Railways, the system to be supplied by two firms based in Italy and France will fulfil the need for an aid to the driver in observing signal aspects and in acting upon it correctly.

The system, which will be installed in 18 months, has the capability of upgradation to higher level of ETCS in future, which could lead to automatic train control system from a central control centre through a radio medium, said a railway press release.

The system will be installed by Union Switch and Signals in the Chennai Beach-Gummidipoondi suburban section.