Rlys to import 5 watts walkie talkiesets to meet operation requirement

 

 

 

 

Unable to get 5 watt VHF 2.1 sets for its operational requirement, Railways have secured exemption to import the walkie talkie sets for usage by its crew. The equipment plays an important role in train operations these days as time is the most critical element. But the local suppliers empanelled with Railway Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) are not in position to meet the demand putting strains on the operation. Hence, Department of Public Procurement and Internal Trade (DPPIT) under Union Ministry of Finance agreed to Indian Railways gave green signal to place orders with foreign companies for walkie talkie sets till year 2025. Previously, South Central Railway was the nodal agency to procure the walkie talkies, placed order for 23,254 sets from local vendors. Explaining the situation, G M Sharma, who has more than three decades of experience in Railways, said, these days Railways have provided walkie talkie sets to every other department. Earlier, the Very High Frequency (VHF) sets were mainly used by personnel with Operating and Running Staff.

 

The same is used to community three way between, internally between train crew sets, loco pilots and Guard, and then with Station Master externally. But now even personnel of Signal & Telecom and Carriage & Wagon Department are equipped with walkie talkies sets that has enabled faster communication, he added. As to S&T, which is used during block period when field staff facing some critical needs to consult their supervisor who might be stationed at other place. Given the short period of block due to pressure of train operations, the VHF sets enable faster decision making. Same is the case with C&W, they are with Mechanical Branch, and when train roll in at the yard, these personnel check it from either end and in case someone notices the fault he immediately relays it on walkie talkie enabling other to learn about the same, stated Sharma.

 

An old signal hand, Sharma said there are nine frequencies in VHF sets, some have signal strength of 5 km others have 15 kms, and they are deployed as per needs. Hence, the demand of VHF sets has more than quadrupled in the Railways. With such steep demand and stringent standards, local companies are not in position to supply them in required quantity. Further, over the years, the number of trains, both passenger as well as goods, have increased manifold. Several new assets have been added due to which Railways was facing hurdles in meeting the expectation as national carrier and it being categorised as lifeline of nation, high end machines and equipments play a critical role. However, at the same time, in order to promote indigenisation of critical products, Central Government has imposed restriction on unbridled import of goods. The import is allowed unless requirement of any Government organisation is not met from local vendors. Also, Railways have specified that Proof of Concept (PoC) of new walkie talkie sets should be conducted on long haul trains over Chakradharpur Division of SCR only, said Sharma.