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IT on the tracks
While people travel in the air conditioned compartments of
the Delhi metro, it is IT that keeps this vast network running. From signaling
to ticketing, everything is automated and controlled by a strong IT backbone.
By Pupul Dutta
 For
the harried commuters of the national capital, the Delhi Metro has indeed been
a boon, transporting millions across congested areas in a fraction of the time
it takes on the congested roads and connecting satellite cities like Gurgaon,
Noida and Ghaziabad across a network that spans almost 187 kilometers all within
the cool clime of an air conditioned compartment.
Have you ever wondered what forms the backbone of this giant
public transport system that takes a passenger from one destination to another
in few minutes, picking up and dropping off people across 143 stations? The
answer of course is Information Technology.
The metro trains that carry about 16 lakh people every day
have all their systems computerized to avoid mishaps. However, the nomenclature
for IT within the organization is different.
For example, take signaling. The way a train communicates with the centralized
control room and each of its stations en route is based on an elaborate maze
of trunk calls, automated displays and distance calculator systems that help
a metro train speed through its stations without major hiccups.
Prashant Rao, Chief Signal and Telecom Engineer, DMRC, said, “IT forms
the backbone for the DMRC. Though the systems are slightly different from the
usual ones, they are all PC-based. However, what we specifically classify as
IT in DMRC is the office infrastructure namely the LAN, SAP system and the Internet.”
What is more fascinating and can actually serve as a case study for any organization
which wants to harness IT, is that the entire infrastructure has been built
and is maintained by the government run organization itself as it says that
it does not trust outsiders with passenger safety.
Technology basket
 The
DMRC was first conceptualized in 1984, when the Delhi Development Authority
and the Urban Arts Commission came up with a proposal for developing a multi-modal
transport system for the city. The central government and the government of
Delhi jointly set up the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) in 1995. Construction
on tracks started in 1998 and the first section opened in 2002.
DMRC is divided into three main sections—signaling,
ticketing and communication/telecom & CCTV.
A train's nervous system is the signaling department without which running a
vast network would be impossible. For efficient signaling, the PSU has laid
down optical fiber across the length and breadth of the city and all the functions
are centrally operated and controlled. “Practically all of them are automated.
The central system communicates with the station system and the trains that
are moving. There are some on-board systems on the train as well that communicate
with the ground equipment, which in turn communicates with the control center.
Signaling is a mix of electrical and IT infrastructure.”
Similarly, ticketing too is automated wherein every entry and exit gate is fitted
with a computer-like that registers and calculates the fare based on the distance
traveled.
Talking about CCTV cameras which are the most crucial part of any station keeping
the security aspect in mind, Rao explained that there were about 50 cameras
installed at every station although the number could go up or down depending
on the size of the station. “The videos captured are recorded locally at
the station and are also transferred to the control center. It can be used or
erased thereon. We also have a big video screen where you can see any video
from any station in real time,” he said.
Technical snags
 We
have often heard commuters complaining of being stranded on stations for more
than couple of minutes and at times between two stations as well. Despite the
best practices followed, Delhi metro service has been marred by numerous technical
snags that delay the movement or sometimes stop the entire service from several
minutes to hours altogether.
Explained Rao, “In DMRC we have two kinds of set ups—fixed installations
which are done externally or in a control center. There are also some installations
on the train. The failure happens or a snag occurs when a fixed installation
is disrupted due to environmental reasons or other reasons like theft. Theft
of copper wire from the cables in some areas is a common practice and this disrupts
the smooth functioning of the metro.”
Surprisingly, DMRC has trains running on elevated bridges and it is on these
lines that thefts are reported with the highest frequency. Failure of power
is another reason that can disrupt services. While there are UPS installed with
a capacity of about four hours of backup, yet the time taken to trip from one
source to another causes a delay. Dust too is a challenge for the PSU as all
electrical devices are ruined if dust settles in. Hence, regular maintenance
is required to ensure that there is no damage.
Challenges
According to Rao, the rapid changes in technology are the
biggest challenge to deal with besides, training people and then retaining them.
“The fast changing technology is a challenge for any IT-based system. All
equipment has a fixed life span and they become outdated in 5-10 years. The
problem is that during upgradation we are unable to get similar equipment/software
to that which was installed initially. Therefore, every piece of equipment has
to be replaced instead of being upgraded.”
“Getting our people trained is another challenge. These fields are different.
There is a difference in what we do and what is usually taught in the telecom
technology related courses. To address this problem, we have opened an institute
where we train our people,” Rao said.
Though retaining people has not been a challenge so far, according to Rao, with
the launch of new metros in many more cities across the country, it could soon
pose a problem. “Moreover, these metros will be operated by private companies,
which obviously would pay better and therein lies the challenge of retaining
our skilled workforce,” Rao asserted.
He said that as such there were no problems and DMRC was yet to add some 100
km more which would require adding on to the existing infrastructure.
Security
 Safety
and security are two different things in any railway network's dictionary. While
safety means preventing accidents that can occur due to negligence, security
is about protecting the network from intrusion.
Anuj Dayal, Chief PRO for DMRC, said, “IT security or
safeguarding our network has been taken care of by ourselves. Chances of a breach
are rare as everything is in-house and we do not share our network with any
other operator.”
Explained Rao, “The company follows strict rules with
regards to who is accessing what kind of data. Moreover, all of the PC-based
systems like the ones in ticketing cannot perform any function other than issuing
tickets. Most systems do not have Internet access thereby reducing any chance
of leakage.”
Network traffic is strictly monitored at all times. “Secondly,
we have multiple LANs. The critical LANs can only be accessed by some designated
people. That is how we have bifurcated the systems,” Rao said.
Also, as a rule, DMRC hires external auditors to check for
any possible leakage or weaknesses in general.
Racing ahead
When it comes to being up to date with the latest technology, DMRC is a little
skeptical given the sensitivity of its data. According to the PSU, technologies
like Cloud computing are irrelevant given that its entire staff is located in
one city and it cannot outsource anything to a third party. So far as storage,
de-duplication and archival is concerned, the organization has already made
arrangements for the same in-house.
Moving on, DMRC is planning to outsource the task of ticketing and adding value
to travel cards to retail shops and banks. Though nothing has been finalized
discussions are on as to how best this can be done.
pupul.dutta@expressindia.com
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