The West Central Railway’s Bhopal Division has taken a pioneering step in railway safety and operational efficiency with the implementation of ‘Speed Vision’, an innovative software solution developed in-house. This state-of-the-art programme is engineered to meticulously analyse locomotive speedometer data, swiftly transforming raw information into detailed operational reports. This technological advancement, launched recently by WCR’s General Manager, Shobhana Bandopadhyay, at the Guna Crew Lobby, heralds a new era of proactive safety management, enhancing transparency and reliability across the vast railway network.
The brainchild of Chief Loco Inspector Surendra Srivastava, under the expert supervision of Divisional Railway Manager Devashish Tripathi and Divisional Electrical Engineer (TRO) Sachin Sharma, ‘Speed Vision’ was conceptualised and brought to fruition in a remarkable single month. Its core functionality lies in its ability to process complex speedometer data from Excel files, yielding comprehensive graphical reports. These reports encapsulate crucial operational parameters, including date, time, speed, distance travelled, braking patterns, instances of overspeeding, and records of brake tests. This automated analysis not only eliminates the inherent potential for human error but also drastically cuts down the time traditionally required for manual data processing, thereby streamlining critical safety evaluations.
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The Bhopal division currently evaluates approximately 400 speedometer records each month, translating to 13 data floppies processed daily, to assess the performance of its loco pilots. This rigorous evaluation process is crucial for identifying any operational irregularities or instances of non-compliance. When such deviations are detected, the concerned loco pilots receive targeted counselling and additional training, ensuring continuous professional development and adherence to safety protocols. This proactive approach to skill enhancement and performance monitoring is fundamental to maintaining a high standard of operational safety across all rail movements.
A testament to the efficacy of ‘Speed Vision’ is the recent data from June 2025, which revealed that only 8 out of the 400 cases reviewed necessitated counselling for irregularities. This impressive figure underscores the high level of professionalism among the division’s 747 loco pilots and 729 assistant loco pilots, while also demonstrating the software’s precision in pinpointing areas requiring attention. By enabling immediate sharing of these analytical reports with senior officials via digital platforms, ‘Speed Vision’ significantly enhances real-time monitoring capabilities and facilitates prompt decision-making.
This internal innovation by the Bhopal division aligns seamlessly with the broader national agenda of “Digital India” and the railway sector’s commitment to sustainable, safe, and equitable public transport. By optimising operational processes and enhancing safety protocols, this technology contributes to reduced resource wastage and a more efficient use of energy, indirectly supporting zero-net-carbon objectives through smoother, less disrupted operations. Moreover, a safer and more reliable railway system ensures equitable access to public transport for all segments of society, irrespective of gender or background, fostering greater socio-economic inclusion. The successful rollout of ‘Speed Vision’ in Bhopal sets a promising precedent, with plans already underway to replicate this system across other Indian Railways divisions, marking a significant stride towards a technologically advanced and inherently safer rail network for the entire nation.
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