The Ministry of Railways and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to implement the effective use of space technology in remote sensing and Graphic Information System (GIS) based Governance application in Railways on March 17 as a follow-up measure to the recent Rail budget announcement.
Aimed to implement best technologies in many areas of operations for the ultimate benefit of passengers, the MoU envisages the need to develop applications in the field of remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) to manage unmanned railway crossings.
Speaking on the occasion, Prabhu said that the signing of the agreement with the ISRO assumes great significance since it will prevent accidents to a great extent and also solve all the day to day problems of Indian Railways by using effective use of satellites to merge modes of transport.
Prabhu also disclosed that Indian Railways is facing a huge challenge to keep pace with the implementation of the latest technology and is committed to introducing technology in all areas to simplify daily activities.
Moreover, the clauses in the agreement also throw upon the need to build geospatial and customized software solutions for providing reliable, efficient and optimal solutions to Railways in its various areas of operation thereby benefiting not only rail users but also general public by averting accidents.
While the MoU was signed by Shobhan Chaudhuri, ED/Tele (Dev) on behalf of Railways, it was Dr. P.G. Diwakar, Deputy Director who put his ink on the papers on behalf of ISRO in presence of Union Minister of Railways, Shri Suresh Prabhu, MoS PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for Railways Shri Manoj Sinha, Chairman, Railway Board, A.K. Mital, Chairman ISRO, Kiran Kumar and other senior officials from both sides.
In his recent budget speech, Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu had mentioned about the usage of geospatial and enhanced use of Space technology and Satellites in various sectors of governance.
The MoS PMO, Dr. Jitendra Singh and Minister of State for Railways also spoke about the need to improve Railways to cope up with the huge traffic of both trains and people.
