Even as the Central and Western railways are spending over Rs 5 crore on the maintenance and repair of Auxiliary Warning System (AWS) to prevent collision of trains, some officials say that the device is outdated and needs to be replaced.

“The system is outdated and results in frequent malfunctioning. This model is not being used anywhere in the world except India. Superior designs and advanced systems are now available in the world market. Also, the old design was not hundred per cent reliable,” said a senior official of WR requesting anonymity.

At present, advanced AWS has been installed in all the suburban rakes in Chennai. Trials are on in southern railway section to check the reliability of the new system.

Shyam Sunder Gupta, Chief Public Relations Officer, WR, maintained that the repairs of minor nature are carried out by the Western Railways itself. “For maintenance of other parts, WR gives contract to other firms once in two years. Its routine maintenance cost around Rs 72.80 lakh per year for WR alone,” he said.

“On CR, one case of failure is reported every day. After the Thane accident, where a Titwala-bound train crashed into the other halted at Thane station on December 13, 2006, lot of modifications have been done in the device. However, advanced technology is required now,” said an official from Central Railway.