RailTel, a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of Railways, has secured a Rs 668.3 million contract for the provision, installation, testing, and commissioning of an Integrated Tunnel Communication system, Emergency Call Arrangements in tunnels, and an Integrated Passenger Information System (IPIS) at stations in the Bhairabi-Sairang new single line section of the Lumding Division of the North East Frontier Railway.

The PSU highlighted that inadequate signal coverage disrupts communication within tunnels, posing a potential threat to train operations and maintenance activities. The Integrated Tunnel Communication system has been specifically designed to ensure seamless radio communication between handheld radios within the tunnel, the base station at tunnel control rooms, and station masters at adjacent stations.

Emphasising the importance of the project, RailTel stated that the primary goal is to establish continuous coverage throughout the entire length of the tunnel, guaranteeing clear audio transmission without interference. The system is engineered to operate reliably in the challenging environmental conditions within the tunnel, providing trunked radio channels across various bands. Additionally, the user-friendly operation and maintenance of the system contribute to creating a streamlined and efficient communication infrastructure within the tunnels.

The Bhairabi-Sairang new line project is acknowledged as one of the most challenging sections due to issues such as road accessibility, material shortages, high transportation costs, and difficult terrain. The project encompasses the supply and installation of IT data networking infrastructure, Public Address (PA) systems, Emergency/SOS Call Points, and an IP-based CCTV Surveillance System. Furthermore, the scope of work includes the design, supply, installation, wiring, testing, and commissioning of an integrated communication system VHF (Simplex) and backbone network for smart facilities, along with an Emergency Communication System.