The TMS, estimated to cost Rs 28 crore, will cover all 28 stations from Churchgate to Virar, said Preben Elnef, director of information technology at Adtranz, a German firm which is undertaking the project on Tuesday. The entire railway network, spanning around 60 kms, will be monitored from a central control at Mumbai Central.

The central control will have an 8-mtr-long display monitor showing real-time movement of trains. Each train will be identified through a unique numbering system and the traffic controller will be able to assess the exact nature of the problem when it occurs.

The Compaq systems on which the TMS runs will offer three possible solutions whenever a problem occurs. The operator can choose eitheror opt for a totally new solution. For instance, when a track gets flooded the system will suggest possible alternative routes and estimate the likely delay period due to the problem.

This information will be conveyed to commuters through indicators which display the actual arrival time of the next two trains on platforms, rather than the just the scheduled arrival time.

The first phase of the project -- from Churchgate to Bandra -- will be ready by July next year. By March 2000 the TMS extending up to Virar will be fully functional.

The TMS was specially designed and supplied for the WR by CustomSystems group of Compaq India, which has also executed the passenger reservation system for the railways.