We are exploring the idea of NFC for ticketing

Plying across the capital's heartland, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has
emerged as the new lifeline of the city. Over seven years, since the first
section of the Delhi Metro was opened in 2002, it has carried over a billion
commuters. The second underground rapid transit system in India, after Kolkata,
the Delhi Metro has a combination of elevated, at-grade, and underground lines.
Touted to be world class, the mass rapid transit system has not only eased the
snarling traffic situation in the capital state, but has revolutionized the
transport system indeed. DMRC boasts of completing phase-I of the project within
budget and almost three years ahead of its schedule. It will soon be rolling in
to the adjoining National Capital Region as well. Services have already started
in Noida. The Ghaziabad Development Authority is planning to extend Delhi Metro
lines further in Ghaziabad in five phases. Eyes are now set on the biggest
attraction-the hi-tech Airport Metro Express Link- that will enable commuters to
reach Indira Gandhi International Airport in eighteen minutes flat from the New
Delhi metro station. Set for a deadline of September, this quick link is
expected to redefine metro travel with features like city airport terminals,
where commuters can check-in directly. Proud to be a member of such a scrupulous
team, director, operations, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, Raj Kumar takes
VOICE&DATA on a journey to the corporation's telecom set-up that is one critical
link in making Delhi Metro a successful system. Excerpts

Tell us about the telecommunications network that forms the backbone of
Delhi Metro.

DMRC's telecommunication network comprises basic subsystems, including fiber
optic transmission system, telephone system, train mobile radio system, public
address system, and closed circuit television (CCTV) system.

The system provides voice, data and video signal communication among
stations, operation control center (OCC), headquarters, depots, ancillary
buildings, and all necessary designated areas and facilities. The system is
designed to facilitate normal train and station operation, management of
incidents, abnormal operations, and emergencies. We have an optical fibre based
network having a bandwidth of 256 MB. We have two central servers at Shastri
Park and Barakhamba station. These centers are manned round-the-clock by chief
controller, traffic controllers, traction power controllers, fault management
controllers, and auxiliary system controllers. The master clock is GPS based and
all the trains are computer controlled. We have deployed propriety software and
hardware for security and punctuality of the trains.

We have an independent, 380 MHz digital trunked TETRA radio communication
system from Motorola, used on all three lines to carry both voice and data
information. This is best suited for the need of a dedicated network, we could
not have relied on GSM. Any break here in the service would mean the entire
system would come to a stop. After we adopted Tetra, Delhi Police and Ambulance
services are now rolling out their network based on this technology.

Also, there is an arrangement for passengers to speak to the driver, in case
needed. Each coach has four press buttons that are connected through physical
wiring to the driver's compartment.

Metro changed the way ticketing was done in India. What new innovations
are you exploring on this front?

Right now we are using radio-frequency identification (RFID) based tokens
and smart cards for ticketing. Japan has witnessed good results by deploying
Near Field Communications for ticketing. We have been talking to NXP for past
three years and exploring how technology can be deployed for DMRC. We had seen
some interest to come up with interesting models for mobile ticketing from C-SAM
that develops Mobile Transaction Platforms. NFC may come soon, depending on
various factors. Also, we are looking at an innovative ticketing system for the
airport express line and the Gurgaon line, where the fare will be automatically
divided between Delhi and Haryana authorities.

What kind of gadgets is the metro staff equipped with?

The staff is manned with required protocol radio sets. All our departments,
including the HR and accounting have dedicating systems for ERP. We have labs
for hardware monitoring. All equipment rooms are monitored. Lifts and elevators
are always under online surveillance.

What kind of connectivity do you offer to retail outlets?

Connectivity is not an issue with DMRC. We have enough bandwidth that we can
sell to operators. We have arrangements with all operators like Airtel, MTS,
BSNL, MTNL, and arrangements on limited scale with Reliance Communications. We
have at least two ATMs running at each station. We have been selling bandwidth
to the operators, however, we have not reached a model yet where these operators
can further sell the bandwidth. As far as other shops and outlets within the
metro premises are concerned, they do not have major bandwidth requirements.

Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation (BMRC) is working to supply metro trains
with WiFi systems which will allow passengers to access the web. Are there
similar plans for Delhi Metro as well?

I personally feel for a rapid transport system like the metro, Wi-Fi
connectivity sounds very exciting. However, the distances are not very long.
Passengers may not have enough time to use their laptops while traveling. There
is little time that passengers spend within the train. There are some students
who hang around with friends for a longer time. But, that definitely does not
mean that this cannot be explored. May be, once the Airport Metro Express Link
opens, we might consider this keeping in mind the requirements of both domestic
and international passengers.

What are some of the green practices that DMRC has adopted?

The Delhi Metro has won awards for environment friendly practices from
reputed organizations, including the United Nations and the International
Organization for Standardization, becoming the first metro to be ISO 14001
certified for environment friendly construction. Most of the metro stations on
the Blue Line conduct rainwater harvesting. We also have feeder buses running on
CNG.

Once 3G and BWA spectrum auction happens, what kind of infrastructural
changes will you require to make on your network?

3G and WiMax will definitely change the way operators conduct their
businesses. The basic physical infrastructure required is in place on our
network. DMRC will not have to make any additional investment. Operators will
need to simply come and plug-in to be able to offer next generation services.

Heena Jhingan

heenaj@cybermedia.co.in