NFR installs radar-based system in bridge to track water level in Brahmaputra river

GUWAHATI: Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has installed a radar technology-based system in Saraighat Rail-cum-Road Bridge to send alert after abnormal rise in water level of Brahmaputra river.

According to NFR, the system will automatically and continuously monitor the water level in Brahmaputra river and send SMS to pre-determined cell phones at regular intervals.

“This automated system is an improvement over manual mode of recording being adopted so far. Soon, it will be integrated with the railways Track Management System (TMS). Similar system will be installed in total 10 bridges within NFR Railways very soon. Railwaymen looking after the system will get alert signals as soon as the water level in the river crosses danger level, so that train services can be suitably regulated to obviate any danger.,” stated NFR in a statement.


NFR detailed that in this system, electro-magnetic waves generated in the instrument pass through the air and reach water surface and come back to the sensor.

“Distance between the instrument and water surface is calculated from travel time of waves. Thus, a very accurate and reliable level of water is found. From site, the data goes directly to the Master System through GPRS. Alert signals are automatically sent to cell phones and TMS through an internet-based system.”