Railways to adjust its clocks to maintain the right time

• Present system of manual time-keeping does not sync with various Railways applications, creating difficulties in investigations of rail accidents;

Main Point

• A fatal train collision in 2019, attributed to discrepancies in timings across different railway departments, prompted a comprehensive review of safety protocols.

Technology and Safety

• Indian Railways will replace analog clocks with GPS clocks for enhanced precision and reliability.
• GPS clocks will be installed in control offices, stations, and with railway staff to ensure time uniformity.
• This technological upgrade is a direct response to a fatal train collision caused by time discrepancies.

Rule Changes and Implementation

• The Railway Board has amended rules to accommodate GPS clock technology.
• Southern Railway is leading the implementation with a target completion of one month.
• All railway departments must adhere to the new GPS clock standard.

Impact and Benefits

• Accurate timekeeping will significantly improve train operations safety.
• Iconic analog clocks will be preserved through a design update incorporating GPS technology.
• The shift to GPS clocks is a proactive measure to prevent future accidents.

Prelims takeaway:

• GPS clocks