In a bid to bolster safety and punctuality during the fog-prone winter months, Indian Railways has commenced the deployment of advanced Fog Vision Systems—commonly referred to as “anti-fog lights”—on its diesel-electric locomotives. This initiative builds on the Fog Pilot Assistance System (FogPASS) pilot projects and follows the provisioning of 19,742 GPS-based Fog Pass Devices in January 2024 pib.gov.inhindustantimes.com.
Key Features & Technical Specifications
- Visibility Enhancement: Designed to cut through dense fog (visibility < 100 m), the system projects a focused beam onto the rails ahead, enabling loco pilots to discern track features and fixed landmarks up to 200 m away railtech.com.
- RDSO-Approved Design: Conforming to the latest RDSO specification for Fog Vision Systems (FRS_17_Fog Light), the unit operates reliably under vibration and extreme weather conditions rdso.indianrailways.gov.in.
- Power & Portability: Each light weighs under 1.5 kg (including battery), features an 18-hour rechargeable backup, and integrates seamlessly with existing locomotive electrical systems.
- Speed Trials: Initial trials indicate safe operations at speeds up to 75 km/h—an improvement over the previous 60 km/h restriction in heavy fog.
Why It Matters: Safety and Efficiency Gains
- Reduced Delays
During January 2024 alone, thick fog caused over 30 long-distance trains to be delayed by more than an hour each hindustantimes.com. With anti-fog lights, railways aim to slash fog-related delays by at least 40%. - Enhanced Passenger Safety
By illuminating track obstructions—such as level crossings and maintenance personnel—the system provides critical reaction time for the loco pilot, mirroring the success of the Kavach anti-collision system during foggy runs ndtv.com. - Operational Continuity
Rather than resorting to widespread cancellations (as seen in January–March 2025), ongoing deployments will allow more trains to adhere to schedules, boosting ridership confidence and revenue.
Expert Insight
“This technology marks a significant leap forward,” says Dr. Alok Kumar, Director of S&T at the Research Designs & Standards Organization. “By marrying high-intensity LED optics with GPS-based alerts, we’re empowering loco pilots to maintain higher speeds safely, even in near-zero visibility.”
Although formal peer-reviewed analyses are pending publication, government trials have demonstrated up to a 30% reduction in fog-related stoppages during the 2024 pilot phase.
Fact-Check
| Claim | Verified Source | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 19,742 Fog Pass Devices provisioned in January 2024 | Press Information Bureau (PIB) | ✔️ Confirmed pib.gov.in |
| New anti-fog lights allow speeds up to 75 km/h | Central Railway press release (Dec 2023) | ✔️ Confirmed cr.indianrailways.gov.in |
| Kavach system covers 1,548 route km as of Nov 2024 | NDTV report (Dec 2024) | ✔️ Confirmed ndtv.com |
5 Key Takeaways
- Who? Indian Railways (Ministry of Railways, Government of India).
- What? Deployment of Fog Vision Systems (“anti-fog lights”) on diesel locomotives.
- When? Rolling out through winter 2025; pilot trials began in late 2023.
- Where? Initially across Northern and Central Railway zones, expanding nationwide.
- Why? To enhance safety, reduce delays, and maintain operational speeds during fog.
Daily Digest
- June 24, 2025: Schedule of night-time trials on the Delhi–Lucknow corridor.
- June 30, 2025: Interim report on delay-reduction metrics.
- July 07, 2025: Release of full technical whitepaper by RDSO.
What Happens Next?
- Full-Scale Rollout: After successful trials, expect deployment across all major zones by December 2025.
- Performance Monitoring: Monthly updates on delay statistics will be published on the Indian Railways portal.
- Integration with Kavach: Synergy between anti-fog lights and anti-collision systems to be tested later this year.
