Monitoring system to put trains on track

The Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) will launch a new train tracking and monitoring system for the Ceylon Government Railway (CGR) using advanced IT and communication technology. The comprehensive train control system will enable the CGR control room to monitor the operation of trains. The information system consists of satellite phones installed in every train which will provide information to the CGR control room regularly.

The position and the movement of each train will be monitored by the information provided by each train and the position of the trains will appear in a digital map. The system will help to improve the efficiency of the train service, a spokesman for ICTA told the Sunday Observer . He said this will help to minimise train delays as well as avoid accidents and improve the safety of the passengers. ICTA has also provided technology to disseminate train information, bus schedules between Colombo and main towns and market price of farm products via IPTV from the next week. Train schedules can also be obtained via SMS from all mobile and land phones except mobitel phones.