CHENNAI: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur is currently engaged in the development of a cutting-edge, tamper-proof signalling system for the Indian Railways. This system, based on blockchain technology, will incorporate advanced safety features and serve as a valuable complement to the existing Data Logger, often referred to as the Black Box of rolling stock.

Responding to a request by the Union Minister of Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, researchers from the Electrical and Electronics Engineering stream at IIT Kharagpur are tirelessly working on a robust solution that ensures the utmost safety, communication, and control of train operations.

Professor Aurobinda Routray of IIT Kharagpur explains that blockchain technology is an infallible system for recording information that is impervious to tampering, hacking, or manipulation. While widely used in cryptocurrency and banking transactions, its potential extends to fool-proof signalling systems for the railways, enhancing the safety of train operations.

Prof. Routray emphasizes the importance of making real-time train movement data readily available to Station Masters, Section Controllers, Signal Engineers, and other stakeholders. In comparison to the existing Data Logger, the new system will significantly improve data integrity, transparency, and security. By leveraging smart contracts and creating tamper-evident audit trails, the blockchain-based solution will enable secure data sharing and streamline processes.

The new blockchain system is designed to address the limitations of the current centralized storage facility, which lacks tamper-evident data and sufficient access control. Through the use of distributed ledger technology and cryptography to ensure data integrity, the proposed system will provide heightened security, transparency, and efficiency.

Furthermore, Prof. Routray highlights the numerous benefits of the blockchain system, including increased accountability, safety, and efficiency. Overall, this innovative solution represents a substantial improvement over the current system, as all train and control room events will be securely recorded, preventing any tampering or circumvention.

The significance of this proposed blockchain-enabled, tamper-proof signalling system becomes even more apparent following the tragic train accident at Bahanaga Bazar railway station in the Kharagpur Division of the South Eastern Railway on June 2, 2023. This incident resulted in the loss of 291 lives and left over 900 passengers injured.

By developing this secure and reliable blockchain-based signalling system, IIT Kharagpur aims to make a lasting impact on the Indian Railways, ensuring the safety and well-being of passengers and contributing to the modernization of the country's rail infrastructure.

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