Visakhapatnam: Third eye for loco shunter enhances mishap prevention mechanism

Visakhapatnam: In a move to initiate effective mishap prevention mechanism and avert derailment and collision, Waltair Division has installed the 'third eye' in locomotives for a hassle-free shunting purpose at the yard.

With high range monitoring system in place, the 'third eye' comprising two CC cameras on the front and rear side of the locomotive aims at bringing down the number of accidents during shunting.

As a part of the pilot project, as many as 10 such units have been installed in the locomotives at Waltair Division at a cost of Rs 4.50 lakh (Rs 45,000 a unit).

Proposed by Visakhapatnam Diesel Loco Shed, EcoR, the facility at the loco cabin aids in enhancing the visibility of the track ahead and get a clear picture of both long-hood and short-hood movements.

At present, the third eye is set up in 10 locomotives in Visakhapatnam. "Keeping its effective outcome in view, Divisional Railway Manager Chetan Kumar Shrivastava gave a green signal to add 10 more units to the fleet," said Santosh Kumar Patro, Senior Divisional Mechanical Engineer (Diesel), Waltair Division.

Armed with two seven-inch monitors fitted on the control stands, high resolution CC cameras with anti-pilferage arrangement and a digital video recorder with 500 GB HDD for storage of close to 20 days, among other features, the third eye helps in getting a clear vision of the track and point-setting position along with pointsman indication before proceeding.

"The main line locomotives are manned by a loco-pilot and an assistant. However, shunting is handled by a driver and hence the visibility is confined at various manual and automated points. After the installation of these units, derailments at the yards have come down because of the improved visibility," added Patro.

The technology also helps in retrieving data for taking corrective action in case of any untoward incident.