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Delhi Metro Blue Line Travel To Be Smoother Than Ever With A New Signalling System

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In spite of overcrowded coaches, and delayed trains, Delhi Metro is a blessing in disguise. Delhiites heavily rely on Metro for commuting long distances to avoid traffic jams and save time. However, Metro rides aren’t as smooth as custard now, are they? Worry not fellow Delhiites, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has something up its sleeve and will soon be put into action. 

Smoother Metro Rides | DMRC has taken a pledge to make commuting easier by putting an end to the slow-moving trains and unforeseen delays on the Blue Line linking Dwarka and Noida Electronic City. For this, the metro operators are upgrading the signalling system and will introduce the concept of ‘virtual signals’ which will identify the glitches in the 14-year old Blue Line and reduce train delays up to 80%.

The Dwarka-Noida Electronic City Corridor is the longest with a stretch of about 65.5 km with a footfall of approximately 16 lakh commuters on a daily basis. A small delay at any of the stations affects the entire corridor resulting in overcrowding especially during peak hours.

The Delhi Metro Blue Line corridor is divided between the ‘interlocking sections’. This is the portion between the metro stations where the trains can change the tracks. For example, both Laxmi Nagar and Anand Vihar stations are interlocking stations and the section on the route between them, comprising three stations, namely, Nirman Vihar, Preet Vihar and Karkardooma becomes one interlocking section. A signalling hitch at any of these interlocking sections disrupts the entire stretch. The movement is affected as the train operators need to acquire target speeds from each station manually. To ensure the safety of the passengers, the speed is restricted to 20-25 km per hour causing clumping of trains, leading to a cascading effect on the entire metro corridor. 

The virtual signalling system is an intermediate entry and exit location displayed on the signalling monitor at the control centre. The system can be used to divide the routes between any two fixed signals. However, since it is not a physical signal, it only controls trains having automatic train protection. The concept of virtual signalling aims to keep the metro trains operating at the normal speed of 35-37 kmph. The virtual signalling system will also ensure that the trains reach the nearest interlocking section at a faster pace. 

The testing and commissioning of the signalling mechanism can be achieved in a short duration of time of the non-revenue hours without affecting the existing signalling system. If everything goes as planned, the system can be introduced by the end of the year 2021. 

Smoother travel ahead, travellers!

Sourced Via Financial Express

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