LAHORE, July 15: Work on the Rs9.30 billion project has been initiated to improve signal system on Rohri-Shahdara section of railway network. The cost includes a Rs7 billion foreign exchange component.

The project has been awarded to a Chinese firm, China National Machinery Company, and an agreement in this regard has been signed.

The project will be completed at suppliers credit basis within five years and after successful commissioning the new auto-block signal system could be able to serve trains at 65 stations on a 800-km stretch of track and running at a speed of 160km per hour.

The most prominent feature of the system is that the signal will be reflected in the cabin of the locomotive driver enabling him to drive the train safely at the permissible speed even during foggy days, says chief engineer (signals) Chaudhry Muhammad Ashraf.

At present, speed of trains has to be reduced during the foggy weather to enable locomotive driver spot the signal for getting clearance to enter a railway station area which results in wastage of time.

The auto-block system, introduced between 1970 to 1997, is currently functioning at 16 railway stations.

So far non-interlock mechanical, Standard I, II, III and Relay interlock signal systems are functioning at the railway network.

The non-interlock, installed at 165 stations, can accommodate trains running at a speed of 15km per hour, the Standard I and II are functioning at 234 stations and can cater to 50km and 70km per hour speed respectively. The Standard III, in vogue at 210 stations, can serve trains running at a speed of 120km per hour.

Relay interlock system is functional at 42 stations.

Railway authorities have also included total computerization of the track signal system in the project. Some railway stations between Rohri and Mirpur Mathelo will be computerized at an experimental basis in the first phase.

Under a long-term strategy, the railway management is also planning to introduce electronic interlocking system at stations, auto-block at double line and semi auto-lock at single line sections.

To improve handling of railway traffic at Rohri, Jacobabad, Quetta, Wazirabad, Attock city and other stations, a modernization plan is also being undertaken at a cost of Rs1.769 billion.

The scheme includes laying of underground cable and installation of single line block gadgets. While auto-block will also be introduced on Shahdara-Faisalabad, Karachi-Rohri and Karachi-Kotri.

Meanwhile, the railway executive board is meeting at the railway headquarters here on Wednesday to discuss among other issues staff welfare projects.

Besides reviewing the pace of utilization of funds allocated last year for various welfare projects, it may also give approval for Rs150 million new schemes, officials said.