Seeking to assist loco pilots see signals and obstructions during foggy weather, railways has undertaken a successful trial of an electric locomotive- mounted specially-made camera equipped with thermo-vision.
"A trial was conducted on Prayag Raj Express, which was equipped with a fog-vision camera, on January 19, between New Delhi and Allahabad. It was a successful trial," Divisional Railway Manager of Delhi Division, Arun Arora told PTI.
The thermo-vision camera at an estimated cost of Rs 70 lakh is capable of giving visibility up to 300 m during heavy dense fog.
However, Arora said there is a need for further improvement of the camera. "Now the vision is in black and white while we want it to be in colour so that drivers can see the signals."
Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO), railways' reseach wing, will approve the necessary changes as required by drivers in order to ensure smooth train operation during the low visibility.
Dense fog causes heavy disruption in train operation affecting punctuality and causing inconvenience to passengers.
On an average about 40 to 60 trains are being cancelled and about 20 trains are delayed due to the foggy condition.
