TCDD spent 123 million TL for the safe travel of all trains and locked the door of the newly established high-tech control center with a sudden decision. The frightening claim behind the incomprehensible decision was brought to the judiciary by the Spanish state firm that established the system.
SözcüAccording to the news of Yusuf Demir from The command center, which ensures the safe operation of trains in Turkey, was closed with a sudden decision. The high-end software called Da Vinci in the EU standard has been blacked out. The door of the command center in Ankara, which was established by spending 123.9 million TL of public resources, was locked. The navigational safety of trains has been tried to be done with the old-fashioned groping since 28 August.
TCDD did not publicly explain the reason for this decision, which is directly related to passenger safety. The reason for this incomprehensible decision emerged from the 4 case files that the Spanish state institution that established the system filed against TCDD in a row.
According to the information in the case file, TCDD argues that it has terminated the contract because some deficiencies in the system it has been using for 3 years have not been eliminated. The company that installed the system flatly denies this. According to the company, the only issue is an unacceptable non-contractual request of TCDD management.
TERRIBLE CLAIM: “THEY REQUESTED INSTANT INTERVENTION AUTHORITY”
The claim that the company made openly in the file it brought to the judiciary is frightening:
- TCDD demanded such a thing from us that this demand is extremely irrational and contradicts the most basic principles of ordinary rail transport.
- Requesting instantaneous change of infrastructure data by TCDD is an extremely dangerous request that can lead to multiple train accidents.
- Demanding demand does nothing but cause a train accident. We did not accept this, we could not. They terminated our contract. They asked for the code of the da Vinci system, we did not give it because human life would be at risk. They completely blacked out the system.
TENDER PROHIBITION TO SPAIN'S ASELSAN IN TURKEY
INDRA Sistemas SA, which established the system, is a Spanish institution with the nature of a semi-public institution whose major shareholder is the Spanish State. A structure similar to ASELSAN in Turkey…
It provides services with more than 135 thousand employees in 48 countries, especially in areas that require intensive technology such as transportation, defense industry and energy.
INDRA has been doing business for the government in Turkey for 15 years. Submarines of the Presidency of Defense Industries, Blackhawk/Seahawk Helicopters of HAVELSAN, radar systems of DHMI are just a few of them.
INDRA, which has been developing at least 36 projects for years with Turkey's very strategic institutions, was also declared a tender ban by TCDD on 31 October. The company's 11.5 million TL receivables were also not paid.
The door of the command center in Ankara was locked.
ARBITRATION CAN GIVE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DAMAGES
The company is preparing to take the issue to international arbitration in New York, with the demand to protect its brand value and reputation, as well as the collection of receivables, in addition to 4 different lawsuits it has filed in Turkey. This means hundreds of millions of compensation. Turkey had previously lost two arbitration cases brought against it and paid a large amount of compensation. The issue of arbitration had recently come to the fore regarding the Kanal Istanbul project. Kılıçdaroğlu told investors, "Don't bid, we won't pay," and President Erdogan, pointing to arbitration, said, "They will take it in Soke."
WHAT DOES INSTANT INTERVENTION MEAN?
In simple terms, TCDD's request is explained in the petition as follows:
“In the da Vinci system, all trains, all stations, railway tracks, slopes of roads and all data related to railway transportation in Turkey are processed into the system. These are all fixed data. When there is a new development, it is added to the system after being tested in a separate program. However, the TCDD administration wants this system to be authorized to define a new train, a new slope, and a new route instantly before entering that program.”
In its petition, INDRA states that it rejected this request, clearly emphasizing that it puts human life at risk. He makes it clear with an example:
“Adding a new station to the live system instantly on the route where a high-speed train is traveling at 250 kilometers per hour and forcing the train to stop at this station without any testing may lead to inevitable train accidents. Likewise, changing slopes and curves in the live system without any testing can lead to very serious train accidents.”
AGREEMENT SIGNED IN 2014
The adventure, which is understood to bring TCDD and INDRA together in international arbitration in New York, started in 2014.
Turkey, which has 12 thousand kilometers of railway lines, has taken action to establish a security system and control center as in all civilized countries.
INDRA won the open tender, which allows competition. A contract was signed in 123.9 for the 2014 million lira project.
The Spanish company established a control center reminiscent of a space base in the building where the historical Ankara Station is located. The software was called "Da Vinci".
Temporary acceptance was made in 2018, the system was activated. Like all European countries, Turkey could now manage its trains from a single center and ensure its safety.
The smallest possible problem was noticed immediately, the system could intervene automatically. In this way, any negative situation that could occur was prevented. The system has been used for about 3 years without any problems. All maintenance and improvements were made within the 2-year warranty period. TCDD did not have any complaints.
THEY DID NOT GIVE DA VINCI'S PASSWORD
But whatever happened happened in 2020. Allegedly, TCDD wanted something from INDRA that everything started to turn around. What TCDD managers wanted was to instantly intervene in infrastructure data in the live system. INDRA denied this request.
In his petition of INDRA, he argued that TCDD also abstained from signing a letter of assuming responsibility due to possible negativities. The final acceptance of the almost 100 percent completed project has not been made. After this stage, the company's 11.5 million lira receivables were not paid. The contract was terminated by TCDD on March 29, 2021, but the system continued to be used.
TCDD asked for Da Vinci's password. However, INDRA did not give the passwords, as it could have dangerous consequences. He even reported the situation in writing to the Ministry of Transport.
INDRA's petition clearly states that this is an extremely dangerous request that can lead to multiple train accidents.
After this writing, TCDD completely shut down the system on 28 August.
Be the first to comment