digital locking soon for freight-package trains

NEW DELHI - The Indian Railways will soon introduce a digital locking system based on OTP to prevent thefts on board its freight and package trains, aseniorofficialsaidrecently.

The system will, according to officials, solely rely on secure OTP, which will be used to unlock and close carriages. “Over the course of the travel, the goods will not be available. Without any interference, it will be openedbyoneOTPandshutbyanother. All we do now is seal the trains and make sure the seal is intact at every station. This will significantly lessen problemswhilethetrainisrunning,”an officialdeclared.

To make sure the system functions properly, he stated that an employee of therailway willreceive theOTPateach station where loading or unloading needstobedone.

The official described the procedure, stating that an OTP is delivered to the involved personnel’s mobile number when the lock is closed. The motorist must push the lock’s button to confirm the position after arriving at the desired spot.

An additional OTP is provided to the driver’s cellphone number when the driver’s OTP is verified in order to open the lock.

Moreover, the location of the train will be tracked. An alarm message will be sent to the official’s mobile number if a door tamper or collision occurs.

This device, which is frequently used by trucks, features a smart lock that is GPS equipped and enables real-time tracking of the vehicle to lower theft and pilferage.

According to officials, at least three railway zones are actively looking for businesses that could offer the Railways this service in a cost-effective method.

The Railways reported on January 25 that the RPF had registered 6492 cases of theft of railway property in 2022 and had recovered stolen goods worth Rs 7.37 crore with the arrest of 11268 offenders as part of “Operation Rail Suraksha.”

Indian Railways to have dedicated corridors for cement sector

NEW DELHI : The Indian Railways will develop dedicated corridors to meet requirements of the cement sector, particularly passing through areas which have high concentration of such factories and raw materials such as clinker, limestoneandflyash.

Sources said the railway ministry informed the cement industry majors about this plan, which will take care of their needs. The national transporter is working on multiple plans to increase the modal share of cargo transported by the railways. Cement and its raw materials have the third highest shareinthetotalfreightmovedbythe railways.

“We are working on cement corridors in different parts of the country, keeping in mind the existing factories and the upcoming plants in the next 10 years. We will lay additional lines where there is a need to increase our traffic carrying capacity and will also lay new lines where there is no existing link,”saidarailwayministryofficial.

The national transporter is going for corridor approach to increase cargo movement by rail, which is crucial for its financial health.

Soonafterthe Union Budget was presented this month, Railway Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw had said, “For infrastructure growth, the corridor approach will be used. Energy corridor, separate corridors for hilly areas, Janjatiya Gaurav Corridor,cement corridor…it will be a combination of social and economiccorridors.”

The railways has been focusing on attracting cargo from the road sector by offering better service and attractive price.