ITI Trainee from Malanpada Develops Innovative Pantograph Free Electric Train Model to Enhance Railway Safety and Efficiency
The Industrial Training Institutes across India have long been the backbone of vocational education, providing the youth with practical skills that lead to immediate employment and self-reliance. A stellar example of this success has emerged from the small village of Bhensdhara in the Dharampur taluka of Valsad district. Jaydeep S. Patel, a dedicated trainee who completed his Electrician course at the Malanpada ITI, has gained widespread recognition for developing a groundbreaking prototype of an electric train that functions without a traditional pantograph. His innovation addresses one of the most persistent safety concerns in the railway sector—accidental electrocution from high-voltage overhead lines. Today, Jaydeep is utilizing his skills at the Dharampur Science Centre, where his journey from a student to an innovator is inspiring a new generation of technical trainees.
Jaydeep’s journey began with a clear vision to support his family financially after completing his 10th-grade education. Recognizing the potential of technical trades, he applied for the Electrician course at Malanpada ITI. Upon selection and successful completion of his training, he secured a stipend-based employment opportunity at the Dharampur District Science Centre. Over the past two years, this professional environment has provided him with the necessary tools and mentorship to translate his theoretical knowledge into practical inventions. His story highlights how the ITI ecosystem, combined with professional exposure at science institutions, can foster a culture of innovation even in rural pockets of Gujarat.
The core of Jaydeep’s innovation lies in re-imagining how electric trains receive power. In standard railway systems, a device called a pantograph is mounted on the roof of the train to collect power through contact with an overhead catenary wire. These wires carry high-voltage electricity, which poses a severe risk of fatal electric shocks to anyone who might accidentally climb onto the roof of a train. To eliminate this hazard, Jaydeep conceptualized a system where the power is delivered through the tracks themselves rather than from above. By removing the overhead wires, the risk of rooftop accidents is completely neutralized, making the entire railway infrastructure significantly safer for maintenance staff and the general public.
To bring this idea to life, Jaydeep combined his electrical expertise with modern computing skills. He utilized specialized software to write custom code that manages the power distribution through the rails. In his working model, the electricity is safely channeled into the train’s propulsion system directly from the track bed. Furthermore, Jaydeep integrated advanced sensors into the model to enhance operational monitoring. These sensors are programmed to detect any obstructions or mechanical failures in real-time. If the train stops unexpectedly at any point along the track, the system immediately alerts the control station, allowing for rapid response and troubleshooting.
District Science Officer Pragneshbhai Rathod, who oversees the activities at the Dharampur Science Centre, has lauded Jaydeep’s contribution. He explained that the Science Centre actively recruits ITI graduates for two-year terms, providing them with a substantial monthly stipend of 22,000 rupees. This initiative is designed to give trainees hands-on experience in creating and maintaining sophisticated working models for the center’s various exhibition galleries. Jaydeep’s role involves not just routine maintenance but also the conceptualization of new exhibits that can explain complex scientific principles to the visiting public. His pantograph-free train model has now become a highlight of the center’s technology gallery.
The success of this project underscores the evolving role of ITIs in India’s “Skill India” mission. Jaydeep Patel’s transition from a village youth to a technical innovator demonstrates that vocational training is not just about learning a trade but about developing a mindset for problem-solving. As the Indian Railways explores new technologies for safer and more aesthetic urban transport systems, such as ground-level power supply (APS) used in modern trams, Jaydeep’s prototype serves as a localized proof of concept. The administration at Malanpada ITI and the Dharampur Science Centre view this achievement as a milestone that proves rural youth are capable of driving national technological advancements when provided with the right training and platform.
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