SCR, IIT Bombay sign MoU to develop rail yard congestion analysis tools

South Central Railway (SCR) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay to develop frameworks and analytical models for assessing junction and yard capacity and addressing congestion issues.

IIT Bombay has been working on the project for the past two years using inputs such as yard diagrams, train speeds over points, train lengths, acceleration characteristics, interlocking systems and historical data logger records. The MoU formalises the collaboration between the two organisations, said an official release on Thursday.

As part of the pilot project, IIT Bombay is developing a software platform capable of analysing large volumes of signalling data generated by railway data loggers and converting them into easily understandable information on train movements and operational detentions.

The analytical tool will reconstruct train movements from signalling records and generate visual representations of railway operations, including through movements, crossings, shunting activities and train detentions. The insights generated will help railway officials identify operational bottlenecks, analyse detention patterns and improve train-handling efficiency while strengthening safety monitoring.

General Manager Sanjay Kumar Srivastava said the project will be implemented in phases, beginning with data validation, movement analysis, visualisation tools and the development of safety and efficiency metrics. Based on the outcomes, the collaboration may be expanded to cover larger station layouts, advanced analytics dashboards and eventual integration with railway signalling systems for real-time train movement analysis and operational support.

Even minor changes in yard remodelling and interlocking patterns could significantly influence train movements, impacts that are often difficult to visualise in advance, he noted. SCR Principal Chief Engineer D. Anjaneyulu, Secunderabad Divisional Railway Manager R. Gopalakrishnan and other senior officials were present on the occasion. IIT Bombay professor Milind Sohoni and his team participated through video conference.

Secunderabad division detects 606 littering cases in special drive

A total of 606 cases of littering and spitting were detected at railway stations and at trains during a special anti-littering drive conducted across the Secunderabad division from July 17 to August 5. The drive was carried out by ticket-checking staff and Commercial Department officials at Secunderabad, Hyderabad, Begumpet, Lingampalli, Charlapalli, Kazipet, Warangal and Khammam railway stations.