New Delhi, 24 October (H.S.): Northern Railway’s Electrical Department has launched a capacity-building programme for Traction Power Controllers (TPCs) to enhance the safety and reliability of train operations by strengthening employees’ technical expertise, operational capabilities and safety-related competencies.

The first three-day training session was conducted from October 12 to 14 at the Electric Training Centre in Ghaziabad. The programme will be delivered in six phases, covering employees from all six divisions of Northern Railway by the end of November.

Northern Railway Chief Public Relations Officer Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay said that 14 employees from the Jammu, Firozpur, Ambala, Delhi, Moradabad and Lucknow divisions participated in the inaugural training session.

On the first day, participants received instruction on the responsibilities of Traction Power Controllers, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, safety arrangements at traction substations, and coordination with field staff and control centres.

The programme also included field visits to the SCADA and Railway Control Centre (RCC) facilities of the Delhi Division, as well as the 25-kilovolt (25 kV) traction substation at Chanakyapuri. These visits provided participants with practical exposure to the equipment, operational procedures and safety systems used in railway electrification.

Traction Power Controllers play a crucial role in monitoring and regulating the 25 kV electricity supply that powers electric trains. Their responsibilities include coordinating with field personnel and operational control centres, as well as responding to disruptions in the power supply. Given the critical nature of these duties, the programme combines classroom instruction, hands-on simulator exercises and field-based training.

On the second day, participants undertook practical exercises using a SCADA training simulator, where they practised handling routine operational situations as well as emergency scenarios. The exercises were designed to strengthen their ability to respond effectively to operational challenges and power-supply disruptions.

The final day featured a visit to the traction substation at Chanakyapuri, where participants were familiarised with equipment operation and safety protocols. The programme concluded with an assessment of participants’ knowledge, feedback sessions and the distribution of certificates.

According to the railway authorities, the initiative is expected to improve employees’ technical proficiency and operational efficiency, foster better coordination among different units, and contribute to the safe and reliable operation of trains powered by electric traction.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar