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6 I JANUARY 2020 I Indian Railways January 2020 INDIAN RAILWAYS Vol. 63 No. 10 Editorial Board IN THIS ISSUE

Vinod Kumar Yadav Chairman Meeting of Parliamentary Mrs. Manjula Rangarajan Consultative Committee of MPs for the Ministry of FinancialSushant Commissioner Kumar Mishra ( Rlys.) Railways 9

RajeshSecretary Dutt Bajpai

EkalabyaExecutive DirectorChakraborty (I&P) Editor Indian Railways Organizes ‘Parivartan Sangosthi’ to Discuss Next Level of Reforms for Improving Performance and Efficiency 10

International Day of Editorial Assistance Persons With Disabilities Prashant Kumar Pattnaik Observed in Ministry of Railways 11

Editorial Correspondence EDITOR, Indian Railways, CENTRAL NEWS Room No. 411, Rail Bhawan, Four National Energy Conservation Awards Bagged by New Delhi-110001. South Central Railway 12 Tel. : 47845374, 23383540, 23385072 Chairman, National Commission for Scheduled Tribes Visits 43416, 43628 (Rly.) South East Central RailwayNew 12 Email : [email protected] Restructured Railway Board to Focus on Providing Better Services to its Customers : Shri Vinod Kumar Yadav, Chairman, Railway Board 13 FICCI India Sports Award 2019 Presented to Railway Sports Promotion Board 14 Business Communications Chairman, Railway Board Inspects Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus Station 14 Prashant Kumar Pattnaik Chairman, Railway Board Graces the Celebration of 62nd Business Manager Indian Railways, Annual Day Celebration of IRISET 15 Room No. 310, Rail Bhawan, Promoting Tourism on Nilgiri Mountain Railway - New Delhi-110001. Meeting with Stakeholders 16 Tel : 47845378, 45378 (Rly.). Heritage Special Run of World’s Oldest Working Loco Conducted 16 Email : [email protected] NEWS TELLER 18 Railways in Parliament (Lok Sabha) 20 Unless specifically mentioned, the articles and Railways in Parliament (Rajya Sabha) 35 statements published in this journal do not Railway Calender 2020 39 necessarily reflect the views and policies of the NEWS BULLETIN 42 Ministry of Railways (Railway Board) (VIEW POINT) : INA and the Railways! Titbits from my “Archives”: Annual Subscription B.M.S. Bisht 51 India (STORY) : A Rose for the Young Man ` 100 (`90 for Railwaymen) Ravindra Bhalerao 54 Foreign (TOURISM) : Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel: The Ironman of India ` 500 (Sea Mail) Anil K Saxena 55 ` 1000 (Air Mail) (REMINISCENCE) : Good Old Memories Single Copy : ` 10 Durga Dutt Sharma 58 Special Issue : ` 40 ZONAL RAILWAYS/PRODUCTION UNITS/PSUs NEWS 59 JANUARY 2020 INDIAN RAILWAYS `10

RANCHI AND DIGHA RAILWAY STATIONS OF SOUTH EASTERN RAILWAY HAVE BEEN CONFERRED WITH THE COVETED ISO 14001 CERTIFICATION Editorial [email protected]

n the bid to crack down against more than 300 kilo metres. In a major development illegal occupants of coaches/seats to boost National Rail Transport Institute as a reserved for differently abled persons centre of excellence for next generation transportion I and women passengers, Railway system, Ministry of Railways has signed MoU with Protection Force has launched University of Birmingham on 18 December, 2019. In all India special drive against an exceptional display of dedication and efficiency, unauthorized passengers. Railway Protection Force Integral Coach Factory has produced its 3000th has been instructed to ensure safer and secured coach of the year in record 215 days while similar journey for women. Indian Railways has come up feat has been achieved in less than nine months by with an energy efficient and environment friendly Chittaranjan Locomotive Works, who has turned innovative solution to address the issues of air out its 300th locomotive of this financial year, thus and noise pollution by running trains with HOG becoming world’s largest producer of locomotives. system. This cutting edge technology is basically to Modern Train Trial System will be implemented on replace diesel generators to save upto one million both the routes of Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah litres of diesel per train per annum thereby ensuring in order to raise speed upto 160 kmph for reducing significant reduction of greenhouse gases. the journey time to 12 hours. Indian Railways has organized a two-day On the eve of International Day of Persons conclave the ‘Parivartan Sangosthi’ in New Delhi, with disabilities a function was organized in Rail emphasizing on the need of transformation and Bhavan, where Shri Suresh C. Angadi has said that improvement in efficiency to transform it to the railway staff are available round the clock and world class railway. Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of providing services to about 2.5 crore on a daily basis, Railways, Commerce and Industry presided over the and Indian Railways also committed to the welfare meeting of Parliamentary Consultative Committee of disabilities. FICCI has conferred India Sports of MPs of the Ministry of Railways where he has Award 2019 to Railway Sports Promotion Board. pointed spectacular improvement in the fields of This issue also contains Cabinet’s approval on infrastructure, safety, cleanliness and punctuality of major issues on Railways, news on Railways in Lok Railways. Sabha & Rajya Sabha and also news from Zonal In order to facilitate travel of youth participants Railways. of “Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat” programme, Indian Indian Railways magazine conveys its Best Railways has decided to grant 50 per cent concession Wishes and ‘Happy New Year-2020’ to all its in basic fares of second/sleeper class for travelling readers, authors and advertisers.

8 I Indian Railways I JANUARY 2020 CENTRAL NEWS MEETING OF PARLIAMENTARY CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE OF MPS FOR THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

hri Piyush Goyal, Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry presided Sover the meeting of Parliamentary Con- sultative Committee of MPs of the Ministry of Railways on 13 December, 2019. Shri Goyal has said that any organisation to do good work must respond to the feedback from all its stakeholders. He expressed gratitude to Shri Piyush Goyal is seen addressing the meeting the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi for ensuring availability of adequate funding for new halts/stoppages of the trains. railway projects. He said that improvement Earlier, Minister of State of Railways Shri Suresh C. Angadi said in the system is a continuous process. He that Railways are the lifeline of the country’s economy. He said that the pointed out that improvements in the safety, cooperation of the State Governments is very essential in the completion cleanliness, punctuality and infrastructure of the projects. He said that there should be no compromise on matters development of Railways has been quite like safety, cleanliness and punctuality. Emphasising on the complexity of spectacular in the last five years. Work on all the railway operations, Shri Angadi said that the Indian Railways carries projects has progressed at a very fast pace, in- about 2.3 crore passengers everyday which is almost equal to the total cluding improvement in facilities for passen- population of Australia. The vision of the railways must be very clear that gers at railway stations and in the trains. Shri it has to serve the people of India. Piyush Goyal appreciated the change in the The Members of Parliament participating in the meeting highlighted mindset and reorientation of work culture in various issues like the construction of over and under bridges, doubling of the Railways and said that this drastic change railway lines, the facilities being provided to passengers at railway stations would not have been possible without the and in the trains, additional connectivity of backward areas by intro- whole-hearted contribution and involvement ducing new trains or extending the existing ones, fast-tracking of works of the railway personnel who are working with passion and compassion. Referring to the recently held two-day ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES CONVEY THE SENTIMENTS OF THE PEOPLE conference “Parivartan Sangoshthi” of senior WHO ARE MAJOR STAKEHOLDERS OF THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE railway officers, the Minister said that a large number of innovative ideas were discussed RAILWAYS: SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL with approximately 300 officers who participated in New Delhi and with more than 1000 already sanctioned, medical facilities for passengers, proper utilization who participated via video conferencing. of railway land and use of solar power for locomotives. Some members More than 2300 suggestions were received appreciated the tremendous progress made by the Railways over the last from about 430 officers which will help in five years and said that railways are next only to the defence forces in laying out a roadmap for the future devel- providing service with dedication to the people. Some other suggestions opment of Railways in India. He said that made by members included rationalization of train fares, improvement of the mission of the Railways is to increase the punctuality of goods trains and printing of price of food items. freight and passenger traffic and increase the Chairman, Railway Board Shri Vinod Kumar Yadav, all other Members revenue earnings of Railways. Expressing his of the Railway Board and Senior Officers of the railways were also present appreciation for the suggestions put forward in the meeting. A presentation titled “Indian Railways : Lifeline of the by the MPs participating in the meeting, the Nation” was made before the Members of the Consultative Committee in Minister said that the elected representatives which all relevant details like modernisation of infrastructure, railway as- convey the sentiments of the people who are sets and operations, earnings and expenditure, key issues like financing of major stakeholders of the services provided plan outlay, capital expenditure and prioritisation of projects, enhancing by the railways. Shri Piyush Goyal talked safety and digital transformation of the railways were included. about a more rational approach for creating JANUARY 2020 I Indian Railways I 9 CENTRAL NEWS INDIAN RAILWAYS ORGANIZES ‘PARIVARTAN SANGOSTHI’ TO DISCUSS NEXT LEVEL OF REFORMS FOR IMPROVING PERFORMANCE AND EFFICIENCY

ccentuating on the agenda of reform & perform, Indian Railways organised a two-day Aconclave “Parivartan Sangosthi” in New Delhi on 7 December, 2019 which aims to deliberate on the suggestions received from the officers of various Zonal Railways to take Indian Railways to the next level of reforms. On this occasion, Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of State of Railways Shri Suresh C. Angadi, Chairman, Railway Board, Shri Vinod Kumar Yadav, all Board Members, Additional Members, Railway Board, Prin- Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry cipal Executive Directors, Railway Board, All General Shri Piyush Goyal emphasized on the need for Managers/Director Generals, PHODs and DRMs from transforming and improving Indian Railways to Zonal Railways were present. make it world class and most modern In his opening remarks, Shri Goyal complimented entire Indian Railways administration for installing free Wi-Fi at 5500 stations. He said that it is a spec- Shri Piyush Goyal inaugurating the tacular achievement and has benefitted thousands of ‘Parivarthan people across the country. Referring to the progress Sangosthi’ (top) made by Indian Railways over the last 167 years of its existence, Shri Piyush Goyal said that it has been a remarkable journey of transformation and there is perceptible change everywhere in the functioning Shri Piyush Goyal of Railways including total reorientation in its work addressing the culture. ‘Parivarthan Referring to the enthusiastic response from Rail- Sangosthi’ (left) way officers in submitting suggestions for ‘Parivartan Sangosthi’, Shri Goyal said that the self-confidence, will power and capabilities of Railwaymen will definitely take Railways to the next level of development and growth and will further accelerate the pace of improvements and modernization. He said that the new stions have been shortlisted and were brainstormed by officers suggestions presented by young officers should be thor- in 12 groups headed by a General Manager. Chairman of each oughly scrutinized, discussed threadbare and should be group (General Manager) had presented the recommendations taken to logical conclusion and then implemented for on second day on 8th December, 2019 to Chairman, Railway transforming and improving railway system to make it Board and Board Members. world class and most modern. In his remarks Shri Angadi said that this kind of Awarding Heroes interaction on new ideas is a very useful initiative. He Shri Piyush Goyal, Shri V K Yadav and Board Members, said these ideas will further take Railways to next gene awarded three Employees named S/Shri Narendra Choudhary, ration of reforms. In response to the directions received Anil Kumar and Shri Tara Prasad Achary of Central Railway” from Minister of Railways, Railway officers from for showing exemplary bravery and presence of mind during Zones, Production Units, Divisions and other units the course of their duties on the occasion of “Parivartan Sang- had submitted more than 2000 suggestions to Railway hoshthi”. Board. Sixty young officers from Divisions presented Shri Narendra Choudhary Suburban Motorman, Mumbai suggestions to Shri Goyal. Division, while driving a suburban train on the Harbour line The suggestions received from officers have been from Panvel to CSMT on 29 November, 2019, noticed an iron screened and most impactful and promising sugge rod on the tracks and immediately applied emergency brakes,

10 I Indian Railways I JANUARY 2020 averted a major mishap and saved CENTRAL NEWS many lives. Shri Anil Kumar, RPF Constable, Mumbai Division, on duty at Thane station noticed one person trying to cross the railway tracks from platform no 6 to platform no 7 (Kalyan end) on 3 December, 2019, Shri Anil Kumar jumped on the tracks, lifted the person safely onto platform no 7, displaying bravery and presence of mind. Shri Tara Prasad Acharya, Commercial Inspector, Nagpur Division of Central Railway showing his Marketing and Innovative skills ensured award of 32 Non Fare Revenue contracts in the current financial year valued at` 3.32 crore. These contracts not only generated revenues for Railways but also gave a value addition to passenger Shri Piyush Goyal presenting awards to employees of Central Railway. Shri amenities. Suresh C. Angadi, Shri V.K. Yadav along with others are seen

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES OBSERVED IN MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS function was organized in Min- ian functioning of the Indian Railways, redress any genuine grievances istry of Railways on 3 December, Shri Angadi said that the railway staff are of the persons with disabilities. A2019 to mark International Day available round the clock and the railways The participants in the pro of Persons with Disabilities. Speaking on provides its services to about 2.5 crore gramme included among others, the occasion, Minister of State of Railways people on a daily basis. He said that Indian Shri S.K Rungta, General Secre- Shri Suresh C. Angadi said that the right Railways remains committed to the welfare tary of the National Federation to equal opportunities for all citizens is of Divyangjans. of the Blind. He thanked the enshrined in the Indian Constitution. Addressing the gathering, Shri Manoj railways for its positive attitude Shri Angadi praised Prime Minister Shri Pande, Member Staff, Railway Board said in ensuring full participation of Narendra Modi for coining the term that Railway authorities remain eager that disabled persons in the Indian ‘Divyangjan’ for persons with disabilities Divyangjans give their full contribution Railways as per law. He said as they are actually people having special in the functioning of the Indian Railways. the railways has done justice to abilities. Emphasising on the humanitar- He said that the railways is always ready to all categories of disabilities by undertaking the present recruitment in accordance with the statutes in a very transparent and fair manner and giving 1% reservation each to each of the four categories of disabilities. A few of the candidates having disabilities who have been selected in the present recruitment process were also present and expressed gratitude to the Indian Railways. The function was attended by about 100 persons with disabilities, in addition to senior officers and staff of the Indian Railways.

Shri Suresh C. Angadi is seen addressing the at the fuction JANUARY 2020 I Indian Railways I 11 CENTRAL NEWS

FOUR NATIONAL ENERGY CONSERVATION AWARDS BAGGED BY SOUTH CENTRAL RAILWAY Shri R. K. Singh presenting the first prize for Lekha Bhavan to Shri A. A. outh Central Railway bagged four Phadke and Shri N. S. R. Prasad National Energy Conservation SAwards from Bureau of Energy Railways, Commerce and Industry, by implementing various energy Efficiency/Ministry of Power. Shri R. Government of India complimented conservation measures as follows: K. Singh, Minister of State for Power, the team SCR for their exemplary l Use of Solar Energy Government of India presented the performance in Energy Conservation l Use of LED fittings in place of higher prestigious first prize to Lekha Bhavan sector. He advised the South Central wattage fittings. in CPWD, PHED & State PWD sector Railway to further the cause of redu cing l Use of energy efficient pumps. to Shri A.A. Phadke, Principal Chief the energy consumption to promote l Provision of Occupancy sensors. Electrical Engineer and Shri N.S.R. development of Nation. Shri Gajanan l Use of star labeled electrical Prasad, Divisional Railway Manager, Mallya, General Manager, South equipments. Hyderabad Division on 14th December, Central Railway stated that winning l BLDC fans & Inverter AC units. 2019 at a function held at Vigyan 4 prestigious awards at National level l Timers for water coolers / rolling Bhavan, New Delhi. is an achievement by the dedicated examination lights. The Other three Awards are “Certificate workforce of the Zone. Adjustment of correct temparature of Merit” to These awards are in recognition of settings of AC units & water coolers. 1. South Central Railway (Zonal its achievements in the area of energy South Central Railway has consistently Railway sector) conservation. The important factor been receiving National Energy 2. Kacheguda Station (CPWD, PHED for determining the energy efficiency Conservation Awards for energy & State PWD sector) is Specific Energy Consumption conservation from unin Ministry 3. Electric Traction Training Centre / (SEC). SCR has the lowest SEC in of Power for the last 8 years, in stiff Vijayawada (Institutes / Universities freight services, due to regenerative competition with other Ministries, PSU sector) braking used by loco pilots.These & Corporate Sector. Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of achievements have been made possible

CHAIRMAN, NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR SCHEDULED TRIBES VISITS SOUTH EAST CENTRAL RAILWAY

r. Nand Kumar Sai, Chairman, National Commission for DScheduled Tribes held meeting with Shri Goutam Banerjee, General Manager, South East Central Railway at zonal office auditorium on 7th November, 2019. In the welcome address, Shri Goutam Banerjee welcomed the Chairman, other members and explained in detail about the View of the meeting achievements of South East Central Railway. Shri Banerjee said that his well and hope that this experience the role of railways in the development Railways will continue to monitor and will continued in the future. He also of tribal areas in context of railways provide all the family oriented and inquired about filling up of vacant throughout the country for the welfare interests of Scheduled Tribe posts of Scheduled Tribes category in upliftment of scheduled tribes. On this employees. South East Central Railway. He also occasion, he also shared important In his address, Shri Nand Kumar emphasized for simplification of the topics and his experiences which came Sai appreciated the efforts of South procedure for promotion, transfer to the notice during the tenure of the East Central Railway to carry forward and recruitment of employees of ST Commission at different places. its glorious tradition and expressed category. Further, he also discussed

12 I Indian Railways I JANUARY 2020 CENTRAL NEWS

New Restructured Railway Board to Focus on Providing Better Services to its Customers

Shri Vinod Kumar Yadav is seen addressing the media

hri Vinod Kumar Yadav, Business Development and Member be posted as CEO. Secondly career Chairman Railway Board has Finance. Independent Members growth of Indian Railways officers is Ssaid restructuring of Railway will be inducted in Railway Board as assured. No officer of Indian Railways Board was a long pending reform non-executive Members who will be in shall be at disadvantage in this new suggested by many reform committees advisory role. They will not be involved restructured service. He also added constituted on Railways. The reforms in day-to-day functioning of Railways. that offering apex level to the General as suggested by various committees The modalities of restructuring the Managers is a step to empower them from time to time including Prakash Railway Board will be decided by for a better coordination with State Tandon Committee (1994) have been alternative mechanism. Exact number authorities to take decisions swiftly largely adopted. Addressing media of non-executive Members will be and independently. This will enable persons, Shri Yadav said that the decided by Government. The idea Railway Board to concentrate on idea of restructuring the Railway to unify all eight services of Indian policy framing, strategic planning and Board is to provide cohesiveness Railways into one service namely coordination of Zonal Railways. and consequently better services to Indian Railways Management Service Shri Yadav said that the priority passengers and freight customers. In is to break the departmentalism and of Indian Railways is to improve the new restructured Railway Board, make officers work in cohesion for the infrastructure and remove the there will be one CRB/CEO and four development of Railways. bottlenecks. Indian Railway is aiming members on functional basis Member Shri Yadav said that officers of to run trains at 160 kmph on Kolkata- Infrastructure, Member Rolling Stock Indian Railways only will be considered Delhi and Delhi-Mumbai corridor. We & Traction, Member Operation & for CEO post and no outsider will are hopeful that 3000 route kilometres of dedicated freight corridor will be completed by 2021. In next 10 years, Indian Railways will have independent dedicated freight corridor on all freight routes. Indian Railways aims to run trains on demand and redevelop stations under PPP mode. In last five years, Railways investment has increased 3 to 4 times and projects have been prioritized into supercritical and critical to speed up upgradation of infrastructure. Railways has set a high growth target and to achieve this nimble and cohesive decision-making is the foremost requirement.

CPROs of Zonal Railways are attending the conference through video conferencing JANUARY 2020 I Indian Railways I 13 CENTRAL NEWS

Chairman, Railway Board Inspects Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus Station

hairman, Railway Board, Ex-Officio Principal Secretary, Govt of India, Shri Vinod Kumar Yadav, Cvisited Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Mumbai on 30th November, 2019. During his visit he was accompanied by Shri A. K. Gupta, General Manager, Western Railway, Dr. R. Badri Narayan, Additional General Manager, Central Railway, Shri Shalabh Goel, Divisional Railway Manager, Mumbai Division, Central Railway IRSDCL, MRVC and other senior officials. Chairman, Railway Board, during his inspection, Shri S.K. Lohia, MD and CEO, IRSDCL explained the CSMT station redevelopment plan. Later, he Inspected CSMT Suburban Concourse, Star Chamber, Self Ticketing Zone, the concourse area of DRM’s Annexe building, FICCI India Sports Award newly developed passenger corridor from platform no.14 to 18. CRB also took review of proposed harbour line 2019 Presented to Railway landing at platform no.18 adjacent to Heritage Gully. Sports Promotion Board Chairman Railway Board also discussed with officials the future action plan for capacity augmentation to meet the he coveted FICCI India Sports Awards 2019, an increasing demands of passengers like additional trains attempt by FICCI to acknowledge and recognize from Mumbai and also early completion of Dedicated Tthe contribution of sports persons and various Freight Corridor. Shri V.K. Yadav, Chairman Railway stakeholders who deliver excellent results during the year, Board declared a cash award of ` 50,000 for cleanliness, has been awarded to Railway Sports Promotion Board sanitation and upkeep of the CSMT station. under the category of Best Company Promoting Sports (Public Sector) on 11th December, 2019 at New Delhi. The FICCI India Sports Awards 2019 have been conferred by a jury headed by Justice Mukul Mudgal, Retired Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court. The event was graced by the Minister of Sports, Government of Odisha Shri Tusharkanti Behera and senior Government and Industry representatives. Railway Sports Promotion Board has been awarded for its immense contribution in the field of providing sports eco-system within the organization for the budding sports athletes to nurture and expose themselves to their optimum limits and bring laurels to the nation. It is important for any Sports entity to bring a friendly policy for developing the sports infrastructure and give all possible support to fulfil the needs of athletes so that they may be able to compete internationally and achieve greater success and performance in sports. Indian Railways, apart from serving the nation in terms of traffic transportation, has also been contributing in the field of Indian Sports as a social initiative. It is a matter of pride for Indian Railways that Railway Sports Promotion Board is replete with 23 Padamshree, 166 Arjuna Awardees, 11 Dhyanchand, 9 Dronacharya and 6 Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Awardees which is a rare feat for any sports organisation in India. Shri V.K. Yadav inspecting CSMT station

14 I Indian Railways I JANUARY 2020 CHAIRMAN, RAILWAY BOARD GRACES with inputs from IIM & addition of Advanced Managerial training. THE CELEBRATION OF 62nd ANNUAL DAY IRISET is equipped with 17 state-of-art laboratories, and 12 lecture halls provided with modern training facilities. The Institute encourages an all-round development of the CELEBRATION OF IRISET trainees and is equipped with various sports facilities like badminton, cricket, lawn tennis, basketball, volley ball etc. ndian Railway Institute of Signal Engineering and for recreation purposes. The Institute also has one indoor Telecommunications (IRISET), a premier Railway Cen- and one outdoor auditorium to promote various cultural Itralized Training Institute at Secunderabad, is celebrated activities. 62nd Annual Day on 24th November, 2019. IRISET plays Chairman Railway Board, Shri Vinod Kumar Yadav a vital role in training the Signal and Telecommunications IRISET Building (S&T) personnel in Railway SignaLling and Telecommuni- cation Technologies. It imparts training to not only the S&T personnel of Indian Railways but also to other organizations graced the occasion as Chief Guest, Dr. Shailendra Kumar in public and private sector like NTPC, DFCCIL, RITES, Joshi, IAS, Chief Secretary to Government of Telangana & RVNL and RCIL etc. IRISET is alma mater of all S&T Ex. IRSSE Officer was the Keynote Speaker, Shri Pradeep engineers, including Officers of Group A service of Signal Kumar, Member (Signal & Telecom), Railway Board was the Engineers i.e. IRSSE who are also trained here. Chief Patron and Shri Gajanan Mallya, General Manager, This year 124 courses of SignaLling & Telecommunica- South Central Railway presided over the function. Addition- tions have been conducted and approximately 3031 S&T al Members of Railway Board, PCSTEs of Zonal Railways personnel have been trained. The training of Indian Rail- and other dignitaries from Railway Board also attended the way Service of Signal Engineers (IRSSE) has been updated occasion.

Ministry of Railways Signs MoU with Department for International Development (DFID), United Kingdom

ith a goal of transforming Indian Railways into l Renewable energy planning and deployment “Green Railways”, complete electrification of l Off shore wind and solar energy WRailway network has been approved by Cabinet l Energy storage and new energy technologies Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) which will re- l Off-grid renewable energy services duce its carbon footprint and will also improve its finances 2. Promoting energy sustainability initiatives like through reduction in fuel cost. l Adopting energy efficiency practices To reduce carbon footprints a Memorandum of Under- l Enabling Fuel efficiency standing (MoU) was signed between Ministry of Railways, 3. Electric Vehicle charging infrastructure deployment Government of India and Department for International 4. Battery operated Shunting Locomotives Development (DFID), United Kingdom on 2nd December, 5. Capacity development like training programmes, indus- 2019 for collaboration on energy and sustainability. The trial visits, field visits etc. MoU was signed in the presence of Shri Rajesh Tiwari, The collaboration will go a long way in ensuring self-suf- Member (Traction), Railway Board by Mr. Rajesh Kumar ficiency and efficiency in terms of energy and greener Indian Jain, Executive Director/Electrical Engineering (Devel- Railways. opment), Indian Railways and by Shri Gavin McGillivray, Head, DFID-India. Through Power Sector Reform (PSR) programme, the MoU with DFID envisages to include cooperation for Energy Efficiency & Energy Self Sufficiency for Indian Railways. The MoU will broadly cover: 1. Energy planning for Indian Railways in line with Govern ments’ policies and regulations as applicable from time to time including 100% greener sources of electricity supply through View after signing of MoU

JANUARY 2020 I Indian Railways I 15 CENTRAL NEWS

PROMOTING TOURISM ON NILGIRI MOUNTAIN RAILWAY - MEETING WITH STAKE HOLDERS

meeting for promoting tourism on Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR), was conducted Aat Southern Railway Head quarters. The meeting was chaired by Shri Rajesh Agarwal, Member Rolling Stock, Railway Board. Shri John Thomas, General Manager, Southern Railway, Principal Head of the Departments of Southern Railway and ICF, Divisional Railway Manager Salem, and representatives from Travel and Shri Rajesh Agarwal flagging off of Heritage Special train Tourism industry participated. Shri Chetram Principal Chief Mechanical Engineer, Southern Railway welcomed the Heritage Special Run of World’s gathering. During the presentation Shri U. Subba Rao, Divisional Railway Manager, Salem Division Oldest Working Loco Conducted said that to develop Tourism potential of Nilgiri Mountain Railway Tourists Specials are operated hri Rajesh Agarwal, Member, Rolling Stock, Railway Board, New between Mettupalayam –Ooty, Ooty–Coonoor Delhi flagged off a Steam Heritage Run from Chennai Egmore and Runnymede. In addition to the special trains Sto Kodambakkam Railway Station on 14 December, 2019, in the announced interested tour groups can also book presence of Shri John Thomas, General Manager, Southern Railway, Chartered train services from Salem Division. Principal Head of the Departments of Southern Railway, Officers Heritage Museum is developed at Mettupalayam, and Staff. About 70 Foreign Tourists traveled in the Heritage Runs and Ooty Railway Station to attracts tourists. In conducted by Southern Railway. his keynote address, Shri Rajesh Agarwal, Member World’s Oldest Working Locomotive, the Express EIR 21, which Roling Stock said that Indian Railways is the is similar to Fairy Queen in appearance, is 164 years old. The socio economic Life Line of the Nation. There locomotive was originally shipped to India from England in 1855. is overwhelming interest on Heritage Mountain After withdrawal from service in 1909, this loco was kept as an exhibit Railways among Tourists, especially those from at Jabalpur Workshops and Howrah Station for over 101 years. During this period this loco was in the sun and rain; many parts were Austria, Germany, Switzerland etc. The station in corroded, some were missing, some were broken and some were not NMR is a place of attraction blessed with natural fit for use. Loco Works, Perambur took the challenge of reviving the beauty around stations can be developed as tourist presently 164 year old steam loco ‘EXPRESS EIR 21’ in the year 2010 destinations. He appealed the participants from and so far, 8 Heritage Runs have been made on this World’s Oldest Travel and Tourism Industry to work like a partner Working Steam Locomotive. in promoting heritage tourism. Year 2020 -21 is These Steam heritage runs are operated to showcase the heritage to be dedicated to reinvent the opportunities of value of Indian Railways. So, far, the nine such Heritage runs have tourism on NMR. been organized by Southern Railway in Chennai Division. Heritage Shri John Thomas, Southern Railway thanked the special runs were also conducted in Salem, Tiruchchirappalli, Madurai participants for their interest in NMR. He advised and Thiruvananthapuram Divisions. them to keep up the enthusiasm to make NMR as 1st Heritage Run Chennai Central to Avadi on 15th August, 2010. an earning railway utilizing the facilities provided. 2nd Heritage Run Chennai Egmore to Guindy on 15th August, 2011. 3rd Heritage Run Chennai Egmore to Guindy on 26th January, 2012. 4th Heritage Run In commemoration of the 157th Anniversary from Chennai Central to Perambur on 6th February, 2012. 5th Heritage Run Chennai Egmore to Guindy on 26th January, 2013. 6th Heritage Run Chennai Egmore to Kodambakkam on 10th September 2017 7th Heritage Run Chennai Egmore to Kodambakkam on 26th January 2018 8th Heritage Run Chennai Egmore to Kodambakkam on 27th May, 2018 9th Heritage Run Chennai Egmore to Kodambakkam on 15th Shri Rajesh Agarwal delivering keynote address in August, 2019 the meeting at Southern Railway Headquarter

16 I Indian Railways I JANUARY 2020 — BORDLINE® BC Next generation compact battery charger for all rolling stock applications

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JANUARY 2020 I Indian Railways I 17 1. Shri Piyush Goyal inspected Shri Mahabir Ji Railway Station and took note of facilities given by Railways on 2nd December, 2019. 2. Wheel Production Gains New Momentum: Rail Wheel Factory has already produced its 40,000th wheelset for the year 2019-20, in less than 9 months it has produced more than the entire last year. 3. Shri Suresh Angadi addressed IRTS Probationers 2nd December, 2019, had a fruitful interaction with them on the “Accountability of the Executive to Parliament.” 4. Jaipur Railway Station : Wall paintings have been made on the walls, foot over bridge, stairs etc on the theme ‘Me for my city’, making the station even more beautiful. 5. Bapu with Charkha! Scrap based beautification at Jagadhari workshop of 1 Northern Railway. News Teller

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18 I Indian Railways I JANUARY 2020 1. CLW produces its 300th locomotive of 2019-20 in less than 9 months.

2. Hail, Storm or Snow, No Fear as Railway is Here: In peak winters when entire valleys are engulfed in snow, take a look at the Kalka- Shimla rail line which is tirelessly tended by the railway staff to keep the people moving.

3. Beautiful paintings and all ultra modern facilities at Sainagar Shirdi Railway Station.

4. The engineering marvel : Train passing over Panval viaduct of height 64 mts through lush green valleys between Ratnagiri and Nivasar station on Konkan Railway route.

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JANUARY 2020 I Indian Railways I 19 RAILWAYS IN PARLIAMENT (Lok Sabha)

ISRO Enabled GPS REVENUE FROM those on platforms in the year 2018- System in Indian 19. ` 128.40 crore were earned from ADVERTISEMENTS AND advertisement and shops including Railways PLATFORM TICKETS IN those on platforms up to September, Real-time Train Information System 2019 during 2019-20. (RTIS) project is being executed by Centre RAILWAYS As per the extant policy, contracts for Railway Information System (CRIS), for shops and advertisements are which is an Information Technology arm ` 139.20 crore were earned from the awarded after open competitive of the Ministry of Railways, in colla sale of platform tickets in the year bidding. The rates are outcome boration with Indian Space Research 2018-19. Further, ` 78.50 crore were of the competition during the Organisation (ISRO). It is primarily earned from sale of platform tickets, bid. However, in order to ensure used for acquisition of train movement up to September, 2019 during 2019- minimum revenue, the bidding data, including that of arrival, departure, 20. is done after finalizing minimum run-through timings at the stations in ` 230.47 crore were earned from licence fee and the quotes are to be route. As the RTIS devices have been advertisements and shops including submitted above the same. installed in locomotives, the trains hauled by such locomotives get tracked through this system. The zone-wise details of installation of RTIS device in the pa ssenger and goods train locomotives till AGREEMENT WITH FRENCH RAILWAYS AGENCY 20 November, 2019, are as under: Three party FEXTE (Fund for Technical Expertise and Experience Transfer) Partnership Agreement has been signed with French National Railways (SNCF), French agency AFD and Indian Railway Stations Development Zone Corporation Limited (IRSDC) on 10.06.2019. The special features of the

Number of Number of ss enger Pa Lo co motives Number of Goods Locomotives Technical assistance for this Agreement are: 103 217 1. Training and capacity building 53 140 2. Tender and bid preparation Central Railway East Central 89 76 3. Selection of a partner, Advisory Support and Service Level Bench East Coast Railway marking Study SNCF offers to bring in the Project Manager and experts in fields of 130 28 Capacity Building, TOD, Station Management, Retail and Finance. NorthRailway Central 44 71 Eastern Railway The French Agency (AFD) has agreed to make available a financial contribution of maximum amount of Seven Lacs Euro to the French National 268 61 Railways (SNCF) in kind as a technical partner to provide the assistance to SouthRailway Central 146 127 Northern Railway IRSDC in the development of Railway Stations in India. South East Central 50 14 Railway South Eastern 121 157 Railway BACKLOG OF VACANCIES 232 48 Indian Railways provide direct and indirect employment opportunities. Railway West Central 181 116 Vacancies in the organization are filled through open recruitment. Indirect Southern Railway employment opportunities occur through schemes like Station Development 177 00 Programmes that envisage private investments for construction, operation Railway Total 1594 1055 and maintenance of infrastructure, the commercial utilization of sparable WesternAdditional Railway funds for installation of Railway land and redevelopment of stations, all of which create many RTIS system in 6000 more locomotives business opportunities and boost employment generation. (both passenger and goods) have been Figures of direct recruitment during last 3 years are as under: sanctioned in 2019. The automatic acquisition of the train running data by Year Candidates Empanelled Total the RTIS system helps in improving the SC ST OBC efficiency of train control, dissemination Total 19224 6352 3247 11591 40414 UR of accurate train running information to Prescribed 15% 27% 100% the passengers and freight customers, and %age emergency messaging between locomotive %age 50.5% 7.5% 100% and control centre. 47.6% 15.7% 8.0% 28.7% 20 I Indian Railways I JANUARY 2020 RAILWAYS IN PARLIAMENT (Lok Sabha) ASSETS OF INDIAN RAILWAYS Railway land and Rolling stock are significant tangible assets of Indian Railways which are leased out for generating revenues for the Government. As on 31 March, 2019, the total land available with the Indian Railways is 4.78 lakh hectares out of which 0.51 lakh hectare (approximately) land is vacant. This vacant land is mostly in the form of narrow strips along tracks and utilized for servicing and maintenance of track, bridges and other infrastructure. The vacant land is also utilized for execution of various infrastructural projects for meeting future growth needs of RAIL DEVELOPMENT Railways which include projects like doubling/tripling and traffic facilities works, etc. The revenue earned through leasing of land for building, other purposes and AUTHORITY property development of land and air space for the year 2018-19 and 2019-20 (upto Sept - 2019) is as under: The Government has approved the (` setting up of Rail Development Year Land Leased out for Land Leased out Authority (RDA). The role/ Building Purpose for other purpose of Land/Airin space Crore) mandate of RDA, inter alia, 2018-19 Property Development includes providing expert advice 2019-20 (upto to Government to make informed 12.87 781.45 18.18 decision on :- 6.04 503.47 1.31 l Pricing of services commensurate SeptVacant - 2019) land which is not required by Railways for its immediate operational use with costs. is also utilized to generate revenue through commercial development on long term l Measures for enhancement of lease basis by Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA), wherever feasible. RLDA non-fare Revenue. has been entrusted 75 sites measuring 239.52 hectares of land for commercial l Protection of consumer interests, development as on date. During the year 2019-20 (upto Oct., 2019), RLDA has by ensuring quality of service and earned ` 845.94 Cr. cost optimization. With a view to maximize utilization of un-utilized/under-utilized parcel space l Promoting competition, in Brake Vans (SLRs) of various Mail/Express trains, scheme for leasing SLRs for efficiency and economy. parcel traffic was introduced by Ministry of Railways in November, 1991. Presently, l Encouraging market the scheme is governed by ‘Comprehesive Parcel Leasing Policy’ (CPLP). Similarly, development and participation entire parcel capacity in full rake comprising of Parcel vans are leased out to the of stakeholders in the rail sector Private operator (registered leaseholders) by inviting bids through tenders between and for ensuring a fair deal to the specific originating-destination stations. Presently, the scheme is governed by Policy stakeholders and customers. for leasing of ‘Parcel Cargo Express Trains (PCET)’. Revenue earned through leasing l Creating positive environment for of parcel space under the ‘CPLP’ and ‘PCET’ policy, during the fiscal year 2018-19 is investment. ` 645.22 Cr. l Promoting efficient allocation of resources in the Sector. l Benchmarking of service standards against international WOMEN IN RPF norms and specify and enforce standards with respect to the Presently more than 2300 women they discharge through Government quality, continuity and reliability Railway Protection Force personnel Railway Police (GRP)/District Police. of services provided by them. are deployed over Indian Railways. However, Railway Protection Force l Providing framework for non- In addition to the existing strength of (RPF) supplements the efforts of GRP discriminatory open access to women RPF personnel, 4078 women to provide better protection and security the Dedicated Freight Corridor constables and 298 Sub-Inspectors have of passenger area and passengers. In (DFC) infrastructure and others been recruited/empanelled who have addition to the train escort by GRP, in future. started their training. lady RPF personnel are also deployed l Suggesting measures to Policing on Railways being a for escorting of trains as Rakshak Dal absorb new technologies for State subject, prevention of crime, as per availability to ensure adequate achieving desired efficiency and registration of cases, their investigation security to female passengers. On performance standards. and maintenance of law & order in an average, 344 women RPF police l Suggesting measures for human Railway premises as well as on running personnel are deployed as ‘Rakshak Dal’ resource development to achieve trains are the statutory responsibility in 150 running trains for escorting duty any of its stated objectives. of the State Governments, which on daily basis.

JANUARY 2020 I Indian Railways I 21 RAILWAYS IN PARLIAMENT (Lok Sabha) Allotment of Funds for Railway Projects Uttam Rake of Indian Presently, Indian Railways have taken up 498 Railway projects of length 49,069 km, costing ` 6.75 lakh cr, which are in different stages of Railways execution/planning/sanction, out of which, commissioning of 8,979 Two Uttam rakes have been manufactured by km has been achieved and expenditure of `1.54 lakh cr incurred up to Integral Coach Factory / Chennai. One is allotted March, 2019. to Western Railway and the other to Central Above projects include:- Railway. Western Railway has introduced the • 188 New Line Projects of length 21,295 km, costing ` 3.87 lakh state-of-the-art Uttam rake unit No. 5533/5534 cr, out of which, commissioning of 2,622 km has been achieved and on 15 October, 2019 for the local trains in expenditure of ` 85,536 cr incurred up to March, 2019. Mumbai. • 55 Gauge Conversion Projects of length 7,275 km, costing ` 56,135 The salient features of Uttam rakes are as under:- crore, out of which, commissioning of 3,573 km has been achieved and l Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras expenditure of ` 19,640 crore incurred up to March, 2019. installed in every coach. • 255 Doubling Projects of length 20,500 km, costing ` 2.32 lakh l Emergency chains have been replaced with crore, out of which, commissioning of 2,784 km has been achieved and emergency push buttons. expenditure of ` 48,342 crore incurred up to March, 2019. l Fibre Reinforced Plastic (FRP) moulded interior • The average annual expenditure in New line/Gauge Conversion/ paneling with aesthetic colours. Doubling Projects in 2009-14 was ` 11527 crore, which increased to l Seats made from FRP with wood finish. ` 26,022 crore, during 2014-19, which is 126% more of average of l Equipped with FRP cladded partitions. 2009-2014. l Modular and Wider luggage rack. • Further, allocation of Budget for 2019-2020 is ` 30,198 crore, which l is, 162% more with respect to average annual budget outlay of 2009-14. Anti-dent partitions in coaches to prevent thefts. • The details of allotment of funds and expenditure project-wise are l Improved dual lock stopper with dual slot made available in public domain on Indian Railways website i.e. www. handles windows in all coaches. indianrailways.gov.in >Ministry of Railways >Railway Board >About l Wider and improved grab handles for better Indian Railways >Railway Board Directorates >Finance (Budget). grip. • Based on operational requirement, thorough review of throughput l Latest powdered coated brushless DC (BLDC) enhancement projects has been carried out and with focused approach, fans in all coaches which consumes 30% less the projects have been prioritized into Super Critical Projects (58 nos), energy than conventional fans. Critical Projects (68 nos.) and other throughput enhancement projects l Provision of modular type diffused LED lights. (130 nos.). l Electrically operated Passenger Alarm System in • Presently, the balance length of Super Critical Projects is 2347 place of traditional emergency chains. Km, 5676 Km of Critical Projects and 9703 Km for other Doubling l Provision of camouflaged aluminium moulded Projects. The throw-forward for these projects is of the order of ` 1.84 strips on floor to discourage theft. lakh cr. and all out sincere and focussed approach is being adopted by l Stainless steel protective plate near all passenger Railway for quick execution and early return to Railways. seats to avoid colour fading due to footwear • For capacity enhancement projects institutional financing has friction. been done by arranging loan of ` 1.5 lakh crore, which has increased l Red emergency buttons. Railways’ capacity for committed fund provision for essential projects.

Destruction of Railway Property Year The amount of loss incurred to and investigated by the concerned Indian Railways due to damage/loss 2016-17 No. of trains2249 delayed on GRP. Railway Protection Force (RPF) account of law and order of Railway property on account of 2017-18 2593 supplements the efforts of GRP by sabotage and other unusual happenings 2018-19 9010 deploying its staff. The number of cases due to law and order problems during registered on account of destruction the last three financial years, is as Policing on Railways being a of railway property during the years under: State subject, prevention of crime, 2016, 2017 & 2018 are 20, 30 and 32 registration of cases, their investi respectively. The States of Haryana, Year gation and maintenance of law & Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal ` order in Railway premises as well as have witnessed maximum cases of Cost of damage/loss of Railway 2016-17 on running trains are the statutory destruction of railway property and 2017-18 property ( in crore) 34.16 responsibility of the State Gov disruption of rail services due to law 2018-19 22.61 ernments, which they discharge and order situation during the last The number of trains48.56 delayed due to through Government Railway Police three years i.e. 2016, 2017 & 2018. law and order problems during the last (GRP)/District Police. Cases of Indian However, West Bengal has not provided three financial years, is as under: Penal Code (IPC) crimes are registered figures after August 2018.

22 I Indian Railways I JANUARY 2020 RAILWAYS IN PARLIAMENT (Lok Sabha) FACILITIES AT RAILWAY STATIONS Upgradation/Modernisation of Railway stations is a Railways in coordination with GRP for safety and security of continuous and on-going process undertaken from time all its passengers including poor labourers, women, children to time through various schemes. At present, under the & senior citizens in trains and at stations:- Adarsh Station Scheme, 1253 stations have been identified l On vulnerable and identified routes/sections, 2200 for development out of which 1149 stations have been trains (on an average) are escorted by Railway Protection developed so far and the remaining are to be developed by Force (RPF) daily in addition to 2200 trains escorted by 2019-20. Various passenger amenities like improvement to Government Railway Police of different States daily. facade of the station building, retiring room, waiting room l Surveillance is kept through CCTV cameras, provided at (with bathing facilities), separate waiting room for ladies, about 501 stations over Indian Railways, to ensure safety landscaping of circulating area, earmarked parking, signages, and security of passengers. Foot Over Bridge, ramps at entry to station etc. are provided l Security Help Line number 182 is operational over Indian at Railway stations under this scheme as per the respective Railways for security related assistance to passengers in category of the station. Further, upgradation works at railway distress. stations are undertaken as per requirement, subject to inter- l An Integrated Security System (ISS) consisting of se priority and availability of funds. surveillance of vulnerable stations through Close Circuit Railways undertake replacement of old and dilapidated Television (CCTV) Camera Network, Access Control, quarters in railway colonies constructed for its officers and Personal & Baggage screening etc. has been sanctioned to staff on regular basis, depending upon age and condition of improve surveillance mechanism over 202 railway stations. quarters and availability of funds. Apart from that, Indian l Drives are conducted from time to time against the entry of Railways has initiated colony redevelopment programme unauthorized persons in trains and railway premises. wherein funds generated from commercial exploitation of l Ministry of Railways, in coordination with Ministry of utilized Floor Area Ratio (FAR) to be used to redevelop old Women and Child Development and National Commission colonies at no cost to Railways. Rail Land Development for Protection of Child Rights, have issued a Standard Authority (RLDA) has been entrusted with 84 railway Operating Procedure (SOP) which includes a protocol for colonies for redevelopment. rescue of children found abandoned on railway stations or Railways are also providing specialized Soft Skills Training trafficked through trains. to sensitize railway station staff to handle persons with l Ladies Special trains running in Metropolitan cities are disability, senior citizens, women and children. being escorted by lady RPF personnel. In other trains, Policing on Railways being a State subject, prevention where escorts are provided, the train escorting parties are of crime, registration of cases, their investigation and briefed to keep extra vigil on lady passengers travelling maintenance of law & order in Railway premises as well as alone, ladies coaches en-route and at halting stations. on running trains are the statutory responsibility of the State l State Level Security Committee of Railways (SLSCR) have Governments, which they discharge through Government been constituted for all State/Union Territories under the Railway Police (GRP)/District Police. Cases of Indian Penal Chairmanship of respective Director General of Police/ Code (IPC) crimes are registered and investigated by the Commissioner of States/Union Territories for regular concerned Government Railway Police. monitoring and review of security arrangements of the However, the following steps are also being taken by the Railways.

Train-18 Production Programmes for 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021- Designs & Standards Organisation (RDSO), and thereafter, 22 include manufacture of 160, 240 and 240 coaches based on the certification and own inspection, Commissioner respectively for train sets at Integral Coach Factory (ICF). of Railway Safety (CRS) has cleared the train sets for Two rakes have already been put into service. Train 18 is a commercial operation. At present, Train 18 trains are being Semi High Speed fully air conditioned Train having quicker operated on New Delhi-Varanasi and New Delhi- Shri Mata acceleration and contemporary passenger amenities like on- Vaishno Devi Katra sectors. board infotainment and GPS based passenger information Train 18 is a Shatabdi-type train of “Semi High Speed” system, CCTV, automatic sliding doors with retractable coach genre offering additional amenities and operational footsteps and zero discharge vacuum based bio-toilets etc. advantages to the passengers. The fare of these trains has, Safety oscillation trials have been certified by Research therefore, been fixed higher than that of Shatabdi Trains.

JANUARY 2020 I Indian Railways I 23 RAILWAYS IN PARLIAMENT (Lok Sabha) MEASURES TAKEN BY INDIAN RAILWAYS FOR THE SAFETY OF WOMEN PASSENGERS

Policing on Railways being a trains, where escorts are provided, Emergency Talk Back system and State subject, prevention of crime, the train escorting parties have been CCTV in ladies compartments/ registration of cases, their inve briefed to keep extra vigil on the lady coaches of existing 12 EMU rakes and stigation and maintenance of law & passengers travelling alone, ladies 150 EMU/MEMU rakes respectively. order in Railway premises as well as coaches en-route and at halting Further, flasher lights are also being on running trains are the statutory stations. provided in ladies coaches in 15 responsibility of the State Govern l Frequent announcements are made nos. of EMU rakes in South Eastern ments, which they discharge through through Public Address System Railway. When the alarm chain of the Government Railway Police (GRP)/ to educate passengers to take coach will be pulled, these lights will District Police. However, Railway precautions against theft, snatching, start blinking and buzzer will start Protection Force (RPF) supplements drugging etc. sounding till resetting of alarm chain. the efforts of GRP to provide better l Regular coordination is made with protection and security of passenger the State Police/GRP authorities area & passengers. Cases of Indian at all levels for prevention of Redevelopment of Penal Code (IPC) crime in Railways crime, registration of cases, their Railway Stations are registered and investigated by the investigation and maintenance of law concerned Government Railway Police. & order in Railway premises as well Ministry of Railways through However, following measures are being as on running trains. various agencies is undertaking taken by the Railways in coordination l An Integrated Security System techno-economic feasibility studies with Government Railway Police to (ISS) consisting of surveillance of of Railway stations. Based on the ensure security of passengers including vulnerable stations through Close outcome of these feasibility studies, women passengers:- Circuit Television Camera Network, stations are planned to be taken up l On vulnerable and identified routes/ Access Control etc. has been for redevelopment in phases. The cost sections, 2200 trains (on an average) sanctioned to improve surveillance of station redevelopment project is are escorted by Railway Protection mechanism over 202 railway stations. to be met by leveraging commercial Force daily in addition to 2200 trains l In order to increase representation development of land and air space in escorted by Government Railway of women in RPF to the level of 10%, and around the stations. Presently, Police of different States daily. 4517 out of 9739 vacancies notified work of redevelopment is in progress l Security Help Line number 182 in the year 2018 were notified for at Gandhinagar(Gujarat) and is made operational (24X7) over women. In this recruitment, 4376 Habibganj(Bhopal) stations. Indian Railways for security related women RPF personnel have been The facilities proposed in a assistance to passengers in distress. empanelled. redeveloped station include conge l Through various social media l CCTV cameras have been installed stion free non-conflicting entry/exit platforms viz. twitter, facebook etc., at 501 Railway stations and in 2019 to the station premises, segregation Railways are in regular touch with coaches. There is a provision for of arrival/departure of passengers, passengers including women to installation of CCTV cameras at adequate concourse without enhance security of passengers and to 6124 Railway stations and in 58276 overcrowding, integration of both address their security concern. coaches. Work for installation of sides of the city wherever feasible, l Drives are conducted against entry of CCTV at 6124 stations and 7020 integration with other modes of male passengers into compa rtments coaches is targeted to be completed transport systems e.g. Bus, Metro, reserved for women passengers and by March-2021 (Phase-1). etc., user friendly international persons apprehended are prosecuted l Emergency Talk Back system and signage, well illuminated circulating under section 162 of the Railways Closed Circuit Television Surveillance area and sufficient provision for drop Act, 1989. During the years 2018 Cameras have been provided in off, pick up & parking etc. & 2019 (upto October), a total of all newly manufactured Electrical Various developers have shown 139422 & 83157 male passengers Multiple Unit (EMU), Main line interest in redevelopment of sta respectively have been prosecuted Electrical Multiple Unit (MEMU) tions on Indian Railways. All for unauthorized entry/travel in coaches and Air conditioned rakes major railway stations on Indian compartments reserved for women of Kolkata Metro. This system is Railways are planned to be taken passengers. also being provided in all newly up for redevelopment, especially l Ladies Special trains running in manufactured air-conditioned EMU the stations located in major cities, Metropolitan cities are being escorted rakes and underslung MEMU rakes. pilgrimage centres and important by lady RPF personnel. In other Railways have already provided tourist destination, including Sawai Madhopur station.

24 I Indian Railways I JANUARY 2020 RAILWAYS IN PARLIAMENT (Lok Sabha)

Non-Fare Revenue and FDI in Indian Railways

Several steps have been taken to iv. Rolling stock including train Indian Railways and cater to diverse increase non-fare revenue of Indian sets, and locomotives or coaches needs of passengers, some of the steps Railways by monetization of land and manufacturing and maintenance taken include: other assets. These include: facilities. i. Significant step-up in investment i. Policy for leveraging Mobile Assets, v. Railway Electrification. for capacity enhancement, Safety and Out of Home Advertising, Rail Display vi. Signalling systems. Modernization of Railways. Network, Unsolicited proposals and vii. Freight terminals. ii. Improvement and upgradation of Content on Demand. viii. Passenger terminals. various passenger amenities like foot ii. Commercial utilization of vacant ix. Infrastructure in industrial park over bridges, lifts, escalators, toilets, land through Rail Land Development pertaining to railway lines or sidings battery operated vehicles, wheel chairs, Authority (RLDA). including electrified railway lines and waiting rooms. Government of India has permitted connectivities to main railway line. iii. Leveraging information 100% Foreign Direct Investment x. Mass Rapid Transport Systems. technology for online ticketing and (FDI) on automatic route in the Foreign Direct Investment in these enquiry services. following activities/areas of Railway areas is subject to sectoral guidelines, iv. Introduction of various premium Infrastructure: which include necessary safety train services like Humsafar, Tejas, i. Suburban corridor projects certification from central government Antyodaya, Utkrisht Double Decker through Public Private Partnership. or its authorized entity. The FDI policy Air-conditioned Yatri (UDAY), ii. High speed train projects. is also open for U.S. businesses. Mahamana and coaches like Deen iii. Dedicated freight lines. In order to give a facelift to the Dayalu and Anubhuti.

HEIGHT OF RAILWAY PLATFORMS

Platforms of different levels viz. rail with High Level platforms. However, persons travelling on foot-board level, medium level and high level are priority will be accorded to higher and roof top of trains, boarding/ provided as per prescribed schedule category of station over lower category de-boarding running trains. Persons of dimensions at various categories of station while sanctioning and apprehended are prosecuted under the of stations. It is Railways’ endeavor executing the work of raising the height relevant provisions of the Railways Act, to provide platform of appropriate of platforms and henceforth no work 1989. height conforming to the prescribed of raising the platform to medium • Ministry of Railways had decided schedule of dimensions as per category level shall be taken up. All existing in the year 2014 to raise the height of station. Gap between platforms and sanctioned work for raising the height of passenger platforms in Mumbai coach floor would not lead to accident of platforms from rail level/ low level Suburban section from 760-840 mm to if passengers board/de-board the train shall be made to high level. In the 840-920 mm. Accordingly, the raising when it has come to halt. However, it financial year 2018-19, Ministry of of the platforms has been done. In causes inconvenience to passengers as Railways have also sanctioned umbrella order to reduce the vertical gap between when they try to board/de-board the works of ` 6200 crore for “Provision coach floor and platforms, passenger moving train. of Foot over Bridges and/or High platforms in Mumbai Suburban section The following steps have been taken level Platforms at stations” as a safety were identified for raising of the height by the Railways to minimize such measure. which include 83 platforms on Central incidents:- • Regular announcements are made Railway and 168 platforms (145 • Considering the safety aspects, through Passenger Address System at platforms on Churchgate-Virar Section Ministry of Railways in April` 2018 Railway Stations urging passengers not and 23 platforms on Virar – Dahanu have revised the norms of Minimum to board or de-board the moving trains. Road Section) on Western Railway. All Essential Amenities and decided to • Various awareness campaigns are the platforms have been raised except provide with High Level Platforms organized by Railways to sensitize for 4 platforms at Sion, Matunga and irrespective of its category of station the passengers about the dangers of Mahim Railway stations which are not on Broad Gauge which was not the boarding/de-boarding running trains to be raised as these have been planned case earlier, as only erstwhile ‘A1’, ‘A’ and foot-board/roof-top travelling etc. to be dismantled in connection with & ‘C’ category stations were provided • Drives are conducted against project of execution of 5th and 6th line.

JANUARY 2020 I Indian Railways I 25 RAILWAYS IN PARLIAMENT (Lok Sabha) Modernisation of MEASURES TO CHECK MALPRACTICES Railways In the Union Budget 2019-20, it IN RESERVATION was estimated that an investment of ` 50 lakh crores would be needed Some instances of misuse of against accommodation actually for railway infrastructure between reservation system do come to notice reserved in the name of another 2018-2030. Railway projects are during the checks conducted by passenger. not conceived/executed on State/ Indian Railways, particularly during Surveillance at reservation offices Union Territory basis. Investment peak rush period/festival seasons. Out has also been stepped up by installing in Railways is mobilised from a mix of total 2803 checks conducted by Close Circuit Television at important of sources including budgetary and the Zonal Vigilance during the period PRS locations to keep watch on any extra budgetary resources through of last three years and the current possible misuse of reservation system. institutional finance and Public year upto November, 2019, 741 touts/ Booking pattern at reservation Private Partnership (PPP). A part of agents were apprehended and 06 offices is also monitored for detecting investment in the area of completion Railway staff were taken up under unusual pattern and fraudulent of tracks, rolling stock manufacturing Disciplinary and Appeal Rules due to working of unscrupulous elements. and delivery of passenger/freight their connivance with the touts. In case of online booking of services is envisaged through PPP. Indian Railways has taken tickets, checks have been applied on Around 1250 stations have been various measures to keep a check minimum time required to enter the identified for upgradation under on the activities of unscrupulous passenger details and CAPTCHA Adarsh Railway Station Development elements involved in malpractices and no ticket can be booked before Scheme across all the states. in reservation, some of which are as 35 seconds. User IDs are checked on Steps taken to utilize various under: daily basis and those IDs found using environmental friendly technologies Instructions have been issued to malpractices like fast booking of include: ensure that tickets are not booked tickets are deactivated. l Use of Renewable Energy i.e. on abbreviated names and full name A limit of booking 6 Railway Solar Power and Wind Power – of the passenger and the surname tickets by an individual user in a At present Indian Railways (IR) wherever applicable are captured at month has been fixed in case of utilizes about 202 megawatt (MW) the time of booking reserved tickets. Indian Railway Catering and Tourism of renewable power. Carrying of prescribed identity Corporation (IRCTC) portal. This l Provision of energy efficient Light proof has been made compulsory limit has been revised to 12 Railway Emitting Diode (LED) lighting for one of the passengers while tickets in a month for those individual - 100% railway stations, service undertaking journey in reserved class. users who have linked their IRCTC buildings and about 89% of reside With a view to curb the activities user ID with their respective Aadhaar ntial quarters have been provided of unscrupulous elements involved number and ensured that at least one with LED lights. in unauthorized ticketing activities, of the passengers in the passenger list l Provision of Bio-toilets in coaches- regular checks are conducted by is verifiable through Aadhaar. Nearly 2,30,000 Bio-toilets have Commercial, Vigilance and Security The authorized reserved ticketing been installed in 64,000 passenger Departments (Railway Protection agents of Indian Railways have been coaches. Force) in mass contact areas such as restricted from booking tickets during l Blending Bio-Diesel with High Passenger Reservation System (PRS) first fifteen minutes of opening of Speed Diesel (HSD) – Blending of centres, booking offices, platforms, Advance Reservation Period (ARP) 5% Bio-Diesel in HSD for diesel trains etc. Such checks are intensified booking and Tatkal booking. locomotive was started in June, during peak rush periods like General public are also educated 2015 festivals, holidays etc. through Public Address System l Some of the steps taken to reduce Stringent action is taken against and media, not to buy tickets losses in Railways include : the railway staff under Disciplinary from unscrupulous elements and l Operational efficiencies through and Appeal Rules, if found involved in consequences of buying tickets from running longer and heavier trains. malpractices. these sources. l Formulation of policies for non-fare Checks conducted at reservation Taking measures to deter revenue generation. offices are supplemented by checks unscrupulous elements from misusing l Monetization of surplus land on the trains to detect the cases the reservation facility meant for through Rail Land Development of transferred reserved tickets i.e. genuine passengers is a continuous Authority (RLDA). persons found travelling fraudulently and an on-going process.

26 I Indian Railways I JANUARY 2020 RAILWAYS IN PARLIAMENT (Lok Sabha)

FACILITIES FOR DIFFERENTLY-ABLED PERSONS IN RAILWAYS Indian Railways is committed to The Long-Term Facilities, which are passengers and for smooth access to make its Railway stations and trains to be provided for Divyangjan at ‘NSG- platforms of major railway stations and accessible for Persons with Disabilities 1’ to ‘NSG-4’ categories of stations are for ease of movement, escalators/lifts (Divyangjan) as part of “Sugamya as follows: are being provided as part of ‘Sugamya Bharat Mission” or Accessible India Bharat Abhiyaan’. As per the revised Campaign of Government of India. Engraving on edges of platforms 1940 policy guidelines of Indian Railways, Improvement/ augme ntation of 1290 Escalators are to be provided at railway amenities at Railway stations, platform transfer stations having footfall of more than including those for differently abled Provision of facility for inter- twenty five thousand and at railway passengers, is a continuous process. Public Announcement Systems stations at state capital and millennium Provisions of facilities for Persons including Computer Announcement cities. Lifts are being provided depe with Disabilities (Divyangjan) are to System at 4367 stations, Trains nding upon the relative priority of be made at all stations over Indian Indication Boards at 1125 stations various stations and the availability of Railways. The categorization of stations and Coach Indication Systems at 644 resources and feasibility for provision is reviewed every five years. In April, stations have been provided at Railway of lifts. So far, 705 escalators at 250 2018, it has been decided to change the Stations which may also be accessed by stations and 521 lifts at 226 stations categorization of Stations from ‘A-1’, ‘A’, Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan). have been provided over Indian ‘B’, ‘C’, ‘D’, ‘E’ & ‘F’ category to NSG1, Regarding making trains Railways (till 31 October, 2019). NSG2, NSG3, NSG4, NSG5 & NSG6, Divyangjan friendly, around 3,400 Provisions of facilities for Persons SG1, SG2 & SG3 and HG1, HG2 & disabled friendly Integral Coach with Disabilities (Divyangjan) are HG3 based on passengers handled and Factory (ICF) design coaches to be provided at all stations over earnings of the stations. (Transportation Code - SLRD/SRD) Indian Railways based on the needs In order to provide better acce are available in the fleet of Indian of travelling public and availability ssibility to Persons with Disabilities Railways. These coaches have a suitably of funds. Works for all passenger (Divyangjan), Short Term Facilities and designed compartment and toilet amenities including facilities for Long Terms facilities have been planned adapted to the needs of the disabled/ Persons with Disabilities (Divya at all stations (including erstwhile B wheel chair borne passengers. In ngjan) at Railway stations are category stations), beginning with Non these coaches, wider entrance door, generally funded under Plan Head – 53 Suburban Group ‘NSG1’, ‘NSG2’, ‘NSG3’ wider berths, wider compartments, ‘Passenger Amenities’. No separate & ‘NSG 4’ category stations. The details larger lavatory and lavatory doors, accountal is made for expenditure on of Railway stations provided with etc. have been provided. Inside the amenities for Persons with Disabilities Short-Term Facilities so far for Persons toilets, additional grab rails on the (Divyangjan). However, priority will be with Disabilities (Divyangjan) under side walls for support and wash basin accorded to higher category of station all categories of stations over Indian and mirror at a lower height are also over lower category of station while Railways are as under:- available. It is endeavored to have at sanctioning and executing the works Approximate least one such coach in each Mail/ for all passenger amenities/facilities for number of Express train having ICF type coaches. Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) Facility for Persons Further, Linke Hofmann Busch at Railway stations. with Disabilities (LHB) type coaches (Transportation All General Managers of the Zonal Standard(Divyangjan) ramp for stations,3702 where facility provided Code - LSLRD/LDSLR) with facilities Railways have been instructed to for Divyangjan on similar lines as is provide Special Training Modules Earmarking at least 2055 barrier free entry available in ICF design coaches are also on Soft Skills as a part of Initial/ 2110 under manufacture at Integral Coach Refresher/Special Courses to all fromtwo parking parking lots lot to Factory/Chennai. frontline staff directly dealing with stationNon-slippery building walk-way For the assistance of the visually customers wherein greater thrust Signages of appropriate 1779 impaired travelers, Integrated Braille has been given towards customer Signages, i.e. signages superimposed satisfaction and the need to focus on At least one drinking 2843 visibility with Braille scripts, are being provided customer as the principal client. in all the newly manufactured coaches. All commercial frontline staff Disabilitieswater tap suitable for Further, retrofitment of the same in are given special training on passenger use by Persons with existing coaches has also been taken up amenities wherein training on special At least one toilet (on 3869 in a phased manner. facilities provided for Physically (Divyangjan) In order to facilitate easy movement Challenged persons and provision of 1325 the ground floor) of elderly, sick and differently abled wheelchair are given. May I help you booth JANUARY 2020 I Indian Railways I 27 RAILWAYS IN PARLIAMENT (Lok Sabha) PASSENGER TRAFFIC ON INDIAN RAILWAYS Clean Drinking Water Railways, Road and Airlines are different The steps taken by Railways to on food casseroles at 27 Kitchens. modes of transport, which are not comparable provide clean drinking water and iv) IRCTC has upgraded 46 existing in terms of their volume, connectivity and quality food and catering material at Kitchen Units during the last 02 convenience. During the Financial Year 2018- stations and in trains are as follows:- years. 19, Passenger traffic on Indian Railways has i) For ensuring supply of clean v) Provision of E-Catering services registered a growth of 1.8% as compared to drinking water at stations as well in trains through branded players last year. The year wise details of passenger as in trains, Ministry of Railways such as Dominoes, etc is being earnings on Indian Railways for the last five has issued instructions to Zonal progressively increased. years are as under: - Railways to provide clean drinking vi) Certification from Designated water at railway premises by Food Safety Officers of each Kitchen Financial Year Passenger Earnings (` in crore) adopting “Uniform Drinking Water Unit has been made mandatory. 2014-15 42189.61 Quality Monitoring Protocol” vii) Each train provided with 2015-16 44283.26 issued by Ministry of Drinking pantry car is manned by IRCTC’s 2016-17 46280.46 Water and Sanitation in February’ supervisors who monitor services 2017-18 48643.14 2013. Drinking water supplied to and take feedback from passengers 2018-19 51066.65 the railway passengers at stations and take appropriate corrective Indian Railways has kept the passenger through drinking water taps is action. In premium trains, catering fares lower, keeping in view the affordability suitably treated, as per requirement, supervisors have been provided with for common man. Last passenger fare before the exit point of supply. tablets for obtaining feedback from revision was done in 2014-15. Indian Regular tests are conducted to passengers. Railway continues to incur losses in ensure its quality. Besides this, sale viii) Food samples are randomly passenger segment under social service of Rail Neer (Packaged Drinking collected by Joint Food Safety obligations, like- on account of concessions Water) has been made mandatory Commissioners /Food Safety in passenger fares, on EMU suburban in all trains running with pantry Officers/Supervisors and are sent to services, on uneconomic branch lines, on cars and all static catering units the nominated accredited Labora strategic lines, due to pricing of fares below at 312 stations. In case of non- tories under Food Safety & Standard cost etc. Indian Railways continuously mandatory units (trains/stations), Act for analysis and testing. strives to improve passenger traffic over its Packaged Drinking Water of other ix) Food Safety Supervisors of network. With a view to ensure optimum approved brands is permitted for IRCTC have been deployed at utilisation of available accommodation sale. Presently, approximately 9.5 Kitchen Units. and enhance earnings, the utilisation lakh litres of Rail Neer (Packaged x) Third Party Audits are mandated of reservation quota is reviewed on a Drinking Water) is being supplied in the Catering Policy and are being periodical basis and necessary adjustments to passengers on Indian Railways carried out by NABCB (National made, wherever required. per day from 11 operational plants. Accreditation Board for Certification Further, various initiatives like In addition to above, 1962 Water Bodies) accredited agencies. augmentation of on-board capacity, Vending Machines (WVMs) have xi) Customer satisfaction surveys rationalisation of flexi-fare scheme, graded been installed at 685 Railway are conducted through Third Party discount in classes and sections with low stations across the country to Agencies. occupancy and offering fare of AC chair provide drinking water of prescribed xii) Regular and surprise inspections Car and Second class unreserved for AC- standards at affordable rates. are conducted by Railway officials 3tier coaches and Sleeper class coaches ii) Indian Railway Catering and including Food Safety Officers. respectively having low occupancy on Tourism Corporation Limited Penalty is being imposed in cases particular sections, extension of Alternate (IRCTC) has installed CCTV (Closed of unsatisfactory food samples and Train Accommodation Scheme known Circuit Television) cameras in the prosecutions are being launched as as VIKALP have also been undertaken. kitchens under its management. per Food Safety & Standard Rule Measures to improve passenger traffic Live streaming is available in these 2011. and enhance earnings is a continuous kitchens on IRCTC’s website and xiii) A robust system for passenger and an on-going process. New passenger Rail-Drishti portal of Railways feedback and complaints exists services like Vande Bharat Express, (https://www.raildrishti.in). This for redressal through dedicated Tejas Express, Air-conditioned Electrical enables close and live monitoring of centralized Catering Service Multiple Unit(EMU) services, Gatiman the activities in the kitchens both by Monitoring Cell (CSMC) toll free Express, Anubhuti Coaches etc. have been officials and the public. number 1800-111-321, Rail Madad, introduced. iii) IRCTC has enabled Quick Twitter handle, CPGRAMS, E-Mail Response (QR) codes to be pasted and SMS based complaints. 28 I Indian Railways I JANUARY 2020 RAILWAYS IN PARLIAMENT (Lok Sabha)

STEPS TO ENSURE COMPETITIVENESS OF RAILWAYS IN FREIGHT TRANSPORTATION

Steps taken to progressively upgrade supplementary charge from Mini Rake locomotives and higher capacity Railway’s competitive edge over other and Two Point Rake combination, wagons, improvement in maintenance modes of transport include inter-alia Discount of 25% on movement of practices of wagons and locomotives the implementation of a differential empty containers and empty flat resulting in increased availability of tariff regime for specifically addressing wagons, Round-trip haulage charge for rolling stock for traffic, improvement in situations arising out of skewed container traffic (for 0-50 km) for ultra track and signaling to carry the higher demand during different periods of short lead. Liberalization of Terminal volume of traffic, training staff and the year as well as across different Access Charges (TAC) for double officers to adopt the new technology regions of the country. The slew of (loading & unloading) operations; i.e. and management practices. freight incentives schemes that are also instead of 1.5 times the applicable rate, • Two Dedicated Freight Corridors in place for attracting traffic include one time charge is now applicable. (Western & Eastern Dedicated Freight following initiatives:- • Use of extensive computerization Corridors) have been taken up to create • Liberalised Automatic Freight in freight operation to improve adequate capacity, which is essential Rebate scheme for traffic loaded in monitoring and to improve utilization requirement to cater the traffic demand empty flow direction, Long Term of assets, deployment of higher capacity and improve quality of service. Tariff Contracts (LTTC) with key freight customers, Station to Station rates (STS), discount on loading of bagged consignment in open and AC-III Tier Coaches flat wagons, rationalisation of freight rate, rationalisation of Merry-Go- The number of AC III tier coaches Production Units of Indian Railways Round (MGR) system, reduction of in service as on 31st March, 2019 on are as follows:- minimum distance for charge from Indian Railways is 7329. The number Year No of AC III tier Coaches 125 km to 100 km, distance increased of coaches including AC-III tier 2014-15 488 for mini rake from 400 km to 600 coaches, in the composition of trains 2015-16 597 km and upto 1000 km for Intra Zonal depends, inter-alia, on factors like 2016-17 534 traffic, proliferation of Roll-on Roll- traffic pattern, schedule of train etc. 2017-18 589 off (RORO) services, de-notification further, the composition of a large of large number of commodities for number of trains such as unreserved 2018-19 885 charging at FAK rates, withdrawal trains, Antyodaya Express Train, of congestion charge for stone traffic Day time Intercity Trains, Shatabdi The production of AC-III tier transported from Eastern Railway to Express Trains does not include AC- coaches, has been scaled up in the Bangladesh via Darsana/ Benapole, III Tier Class. The number of AC-III last five years, as is evident from the withdrawal of 15% Busy Season Charge tier coaches manufactured by the above given table. from 01/10/2019, withdrawal of 5%

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JANUARY 2020 I Indian Railways I 29 RAILWAYS IN PARLIAMENT (Lok Sabha) OPTIONAL TRAVEL INSURANCE SCHEME

An Optional Travel Insurance Scheme In case of Death: `10 lakh, Permanent From 1 September to 9 December, with a cover of upto ` 10 lakh was Total Disability: `10 lakh, Permanent 2016, a premium of ` 0.92 per trip was launched w.e.f 01.09.2016 for the Partial Disability upto: `7.5 lakh, collected from the passengers. Confirmed/RAC railway passengers Hospitalization Expenses for Injury: As per Government’s decision to who book online e-ticket through `2 lakh, Transportation of mortal promote digital and cashless economy, official website of Indian Railway remains: `10,000 with effect from 10 December, 2016 Catering & Tourism Corporation The total quantum of insurance to 31 August, 2018, the insurance was (IRCTC) which is a wholly owned premium collected from travellers since made free to all passengers booking undertaking of Ministry of Railways. inception is `19.47 crores. The amount e-tickets online and the premium W.e.f 1 October, 2018, the premium of compensation paid by insurance was paid by IRCTC to the insurance for the scheme is ` 0.49 (inclusive of companies to the victims since Nov companies. From 1 September, 2018, the all taxes) per passenger per trip. Under 2017 to Nov 2019 is as follows:- insurance was again made optional to the scheme, in case of death/injury (in Crores of `) the passengers booking e-tickets online of reserved passengers due to train Compen and a reduced premium of ` 0.49 per accident/untoward incidents as defined sation paid trip is being collected from passengers. Company under Section 123 read with Sections Shriram General Insurance Presently, IRCTC is providing this 124 and 124A of the Railways Act, insurance facility through 3 Insurance 2.35 1989, the sum assured is paid to the ICICI Lombard (agreement Companies, namely :- victim/family or legal heir of the victim Co. Ltd. i) M/s Bharti Axa General Insurance as the case may be. 1.34 Co. Ltd., The insurance coverage is valid from over on Sept 2018) ii) Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Co. Royal Sundaram (agreement 1.50 the actual departure of train from the Bharti Axa General Insu Ltd., and over on Sept 2018) originating station to actual arrival rance (agreement started iii) Shriram General Insurance Co. Ltd. of train at the destination station 0.25 Awareness has been made through including ‘process of entraining’ and IRCTC’s Ticket Booking website i.e. from Oct 2018) ‘process of detraining’ the train. Insurance (agreement www.irctc.co.in under “Important The Sum assured given to the Bajaj Allianz General 0.70 Information” section which contains all victim/family or legal heir of the victim Total relevant details about optional travel is as follows:- started from Oct 2018) insurance for e-ticket passenger. 6.14 STRENGTHENING OF RAILWAY BRIDGES As on 1 April, 2019, there are 1,50,746 Railway Bridges on assigned an Overall Rating Number (ORN) and based on Indian Railways’ network. There is a well-established system the ORN of bridge Rebuilding/Strengthening is undertaken. of inspection of railway bridges in Indian Railways. All the The data are maintained Zonal Railway wise and not bridges are inspected twice a year, one before the onset of area-wise. The Zone-wise, including tribal area, a total of monsoon and one detailed inspection after the monsoon ` 809.05 crore is allocated as under: by the designated officials. After inspection, every bridge is

Central Eastern East East Coast Northern North North Northeast Central Central Eastern Frontier Zonal Railways

Fund allocated (` 83.50 70.70 71.06 40.22 67.51 31.55 24.67 69.04 in crore) Zonal North Southern South South South East South Western West Western Central Eastern Central Western Central

Railway Fund allocated (` 26.64 48.39 49.25 46.66 14.28 23.64 78.31 56.61 30 inI Indian crore) Railways I JANUARY 2020 RAILWAYS IN PARLIAMENT (Lok Sabha) BETTER SERVICES IN THE RAILWAYS Quality and Hygienic Food to Passengers in Trains Indian Railways constantly strive to provide better services It is the continuous endeavour of Indian Railways to to its vast set of customers through proper planning and provide quality and hygienic food to passengers. Whenever system improvements on a continuous and an ongoing any instance of serving of substandard quality of food is basis depending upon customer feedback, operational noticed or observed, appropriate action is taken against feasibility and financial viability. Various initiatives are the service provider. As per Catering Policy 2017, IRCTC taken from time to time by different departments of has been mandated to provide catering services on trains. Railways to improve customer convenience. Further, IRCTC has engaged 44 private service providers In order to cater to the diverse needs of passengers, for providing quality and hygienic food in trains. Following there has been a continuous expansion of various on-board mechanism has been put in place by IRCTC/Railways to and off-board services ensuring greater choice and variety monitor catering services in trains and Kitchen Units: to the customers. With respect to ticketing, the online i) To ensure centralized monitoring of the kitchen activities, and offline ticketing facilities have been continuously CCTVs have been installed in 39 Kitchen Units. Sharing of diversified, augmented and proliferated to provide services live streaming of the Kitchen Units through website of in a transparent, accountable and user –friendly manner. IRCTC has been made operational, ii) To ensure compliance Streamlining of Computerised Passenger Reservation of Food Safety Norms, Food Safety and Standards Authority System has been done to improve passenger convenience. of India (FSSAI) certification from Designated Food Safety Indian Railways have undertaken new initiatives like Officers of each catering unit has been made mandatory, introduction of Alternate Trains Accommodation Scheme iii) Food Safety Supervisors have been deployed by IRCTC called ‘VIKALP’. Initiatives like SMS based Alerts have to monitor food safety and hygienic practices. Food samples been introduced to disseminate timely information to collected by Food Safety Officers/Supervisors are sent to the passengers in the event of booking, cancellation, status up nominated accredited Laboratories under Food Safety & gradation, delay etc. Various passenger facilities/ amenities Standard Act for analysis and testing. Penalties are imposed like, lifts, escalators, toilets, battery operated vehicles, in cases of detection of unsatisfactory food samples, wheel chairs, waiting rooms, Foot over Bridge etc. are iv) Examination of quality and hygiene of food is done being extended to more and more stations. through Third Party Audit. Customer satisfaction survey is Special emphasis is being given to improve cleanliness also conducted through Third Party Agencies, v) Onboard and hygiene on stations by introduction of Mechanized supervisors have been deployed by IRCTC on the trains for regular monitoring of the catering services, vi) Regular and cleaning, awarding of Ragpicking and/or garbage disposal surprise inspections are conducted by Railway officials contracts, proliferation of pay and use toilets, use of CCTV including Food Safety Officers, vii) Monitoring and for monitoring cleanliness etc. Railways have proliferated supervision of catering services through operation of discharge-less Bio-Toilets in coaches, along with Onboard centralized Catering Service Monitoring Cell (CSMC) toll Housekeeping services at important trains. Certain free number 1800-111-321, Rail Madad, Twitter handle, initiatives like ‘Coach Mitra’ service, Clean Train Station CPGRAMS, E-Mail and SMS based complaints redressal. (CTS) scheme, mechanized laundries etc are introduced for better services in trains. New Train-set Vande Bharat and premium train Joint Venture Agreements with services like Humsafar, Tejas, Antyodaya, Utkrisht Double State Governments Decker Air-conditioned Yatri (UDAY), Mahamana and In view of the essential requirement of number of new coaches like Deen Dayalu and Anubhuti, with upgraded rail infrastructure projects in various States to serve their interiors / exteriors and improved passenger amenities, core sector industries, ports, mines, industrial corridors have been introduced in service in various trains. IR has etc., which cannot be taken up by Ministry of Railways at also launched Project Utkrisht in order to improve the present at desired pace, State specific Joint Venture (JVs) condition of ICF type coaches running in Mail / Express Companies between the Ministry of Railways and willing trains. State Governments have been incorporated. The company Simultaneously various system improvements for will undertake project development, resource mobilization freight services like computerization of Parcel service and monitoring of mutually identified rail infrastructure through Parcel Management system, Electronic projects. Each of these Companies has been set up as registration of demand (e-RD), paperless Electronic a Joint Venture Company with equity participation of Transmission of Railway Receipt (eT-RR) and digital Ministry of Railways (limited up to maximum 50%) and payments through Debit/Credit card using POS machine concerned State Government(s). States of Chhattisgarh, along with other online facilities have been implemented. Gujarat, Maharashtra, Kerala, Odisha, Haryana, However changes in system improvements for provision of Jharkhand and Karnataka have incorporated the Joint better services in the Railways is a continuous and ongoing Venture Companies for execution of mutually identified process. rail infrastructure projects.

JANUARY 2020 I Indian Railways I 31 RAILWAYS IN PARLIAMENT (Lok Sabha) trackers are being progressively provided to keyman & patrolmen to DECLINE IN TRAIN ACCIDENTS monitor their movement & to report Details of type-wise number of been provided at selected sections. any unsafe condition noticed by them consequential train accidents that took Auxiliary Warning System (AWS): An instantaneously. place during the year 2018-19 and the ATP called Auxiliary Warning System l Mechanization of Track Maintenance current year (from 1st April, 2019 to (AWS) is presently functional on 413 is being progressively carried out to 31st October, 2019) are as under:- RKMs in the Mumbai suburban section reduce human errors. of Central Railway (289 Route KMs) l 2018- 2019-20 Safety drives and inspections at 19 (Upto 31st and Western Railway (124 Route KMs). regular intervals are carried out Type of Accidents October, Vigilance Control Device (VCD): All to monitor and educate staff for the diesel and electric locomotives observance of safe practices. Collision 0 3 2019) on Indian Railways have now been Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) Derailments 46 29 provided with Vigilance Control Manned Level Crossings 3 1 Type Coaches: LHB coaches are of Devices. Unmanned Level crossings 3 0 a superior design that reduces the l A Global Positioning System (GPS) Fire 6 7 chances of derailment and reduces the based Fog Pass Device is being provided 1 1 possibility of grievous injury or death as required to loco pilots in fog affected Total 59 41 in case of accidents. Indian Railways Misc. areas which enables loco pilots to know has completely switched over to the Safety is accorded the highest the exact distance of the approaching manufacture of LHB coaches from priority by Indian Railways and all signals, LC Gate and other critical 2018-19 onwards. possible steps are undertaken on a landmarks. l Prevention of accidents by providing continuous basis to prevent accidents Simulator based training of loco pilots: Online Monitoring of Rolling Stock and to enhance safety of passengers. Simulator based training is being (OMRS) and Wheel Impact Load Following steps/measures have been imparted to loco pilots to improve their Detector(WILD). Total 7 Online taken to prevent accidents:- driving skills and reaction time. Monitoring of Rolling Stocks(OMRS) l Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh Track Renewal: During 2018-19, 4181 equipment have been installed on (RRSK) has been introduced in 2017-18 kms. track renewal had been carried Indian Railway network between 2017- for replacement/renewal/upgradation out. For the current year i.e. 2019- 2019 and 02 are under installation. 17 of critical safety assets, with a corpus 20, 2643 km track renewal has been Wheel Impact Load Detectors (WILD) of `1 lakh crore for five years, having carried out upto October, 2019. have been installed on Indian Railways, annual outlay of `20,000 crore. l In order to improve safety, modern between 2006–2018. l Electrical/Electronic Interlocking track structure consisting of Prestressed Elimination of Unmanned Level Systems with centralized operation of Concrete Sleeper (PSC), 60kg, 90 or Crossing Gates: 3,479 Unmanned points and signals are progressively higher Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS) Level Crossings (UMLCs) were provided to eliminate accident due rails, fanshaped layout turnout on PSC eliminated during the year 2018-19. All to human failure and to replace old sleepers, Steel Channel Sleepers on UMLCs on Broad Gauge have already mechanical systems. These systems girder bridges is used while carrying been eliminated through closure/ have been provided at 5,965 stations up out primary track renewals. merger/provision of Subway for safety to 30 September, 2019. l Provision of Thick Web Switches measures. l Track Circuiting of stations to (TWS) is planned for all important l Interlocking of Level Crossing Gates enhance safety for verification of routes of Indian Railways. To expe with signals to avoid accidents has been track occupancy by electrical means dite provision of TWS, procurement done at 11,474 Level Crossing Gates up instead of human element is completed of Thick Web Switches has been to 30.09.2019. at about 6,117 stations up to 30 decentralized to Zonal Railways. Provision of Fire Extinguishers: Dry September, 2019. l Long rail panels of 260 M/130M chemical powder type fire extinguishers l Axle Counter for Automatic clearance of length are manufactured at the steel are being provided in all mainline Block Section to ensure complete arrival plant to minimize number of Alumino coaches. These are portable fire of train without manual intervention Thermit joints in the track. extinguishers and are easy to use by before granting line clear to the next train l Cold weather patrolling of the railway on board staff or passengers in case of and to reduce human element have been tracks is done during the coldest part emergency. provided on 5,515 block sections up to 30 of the night in cold months of the year l Use of improved materials for September, 2019. to look out for weld/rail fractures for electrical fittings and fixtures such as Train Protection and Warning ensuring safety. Miniature Circuit Breakers(MCBs), System: Train Protection and Warning l Ultrasonic Flaw Detection (USFD) light fittings, terminal boards and System (TPWS) based on European testing of rails to detect flaws and connectors. Technology ETCS Level-1 Automatic timely removal of defective rails. Publicity Campaigns: Intensive Train Protection (ATP) System to avoid USFD Vehicular testing system has publicity campaigns to prevent train accident/collision on account been introduced and implemented the travelling public from carrying of human error of Signal Passing at successfully on Northern Railway. inflammable goods are regularly Danger (SPAD) or over speeding, has l Global Positioning System(GPS) undertaken. 32 I Indian Railways I JANUARY 2020 ......

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34 I Indian Railways I JANUARY 2020 RAILWAYS IN PARLIAMENT (Rajya Sabha) Reservation in VACANT SAFETY-RELATED POSTS Diamond Quadrilateral Bullet Train Network Employment for Total Sanctioned Strength, On-roll and Vacancy position on Zonal Railways as Project Apprentices In the Railway Budget 2014-15, Preference to Course Completed on 01.09.2019 is as under: it was announced to undertake Act Apprentices(CCAA) trained in Sanctioned On-roll planning of high speed rail Railway establishment is given, to the Strength 1436206 1153286 Vacancy282920 connectivity on Diamond extent of 20% of vacancies, in case of Quadrilateral network connecting direct recruitment from open market Sanctioned Strength, On-roll and major metros and growth centres of in Level-1, pursuant to an amendment Vacancy position on Zonal Railways in the country. Accordingly, Ministry of to Section 22, Sub-section(1) of the Safety Categories as on 1 September, Railways has undertaken feasibility Apprentices Act, 1961. 2019 is as under: studies for some routes namely After the amendment to Appre Delhi-Mumbai, Delhi-Kolkata, Zonal Sanctioned On-roll ntices Act, 1961 was made in 2016, Strength Mumbai-Chennai, Mumbai-Nagpur one direct recruitment has taken Central 55077 45921 Vacancy9156 and Chennai-Bengaluru-Mysuru. Railway place. It was notified in February, East Coast 34266 27153 7113 However, being highly capital 2018 for Level-1 (erstwhile Group East Central 55520 46355 9165 intensive, the sanction of any High ‘D’) vacancies. Course Completed Eastern 70356 54937 15419 Speed Rail Project depends on Act Apprentices who have qualified Metro 1422 1154 268 several factors such as technical and been selected for appointment North Central 48495 32777 15718 feasibility, financial viability and as on 21 November, 2019 are 1263 in North 26409 19683 6726 availability of financing options. Eastern number, Zone-wise details of which Till now, Government has Northeast 44758 35438 9320 sanctioned Mumbai-Ahmedabad are as under: Frontier High Speed Rail (MAHSR) Project Northern 82274 63667 18607 with technical and financial candidates selected North 32901 23685 9216 Zonal Railway No.for ofLevel-1 CCAA Western assistance of Government of Japan. appointment as on 21 South Central 59594 50749 8845 A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) November, 2019 South East 33726 26823 6903 namely National High Speed Rail Central 151 Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) South Eastern 56242 46356 9886 25 has been formed to implement this Central Railway Southern 58446 46672 11774 project. This project is targetted for East Central 186 Eastern Railway South 25231 21030 4201 Western completion by the year 2023. The West Central 40878 34006 6872 cost escalation compared to the cost 50 Railway Western 65879 52727 13152 indicated in Feasibility Study, if any, 115 East Coast Railway Total 791474 629133 162341 cannot be ascertained at this stage, North Central 43 Northern Railway as most of the Contract Packages are Note: Arising and filling up of vacancies still to be finalised. As of now, the North Eastern 79 is a continuous process. Sanctioned post project is progressing satisfactorily. Railway in all categories are more than the actual Northeast Frontier 64 operational requirements as they include Railway an element of Leave Reserve and Rest Giver which varies from 30% to 12.5% North Western 88 Expansion/Renovation Railway in safety categories. Railway Recruitment Boards of Ayodhya Junction 53 Railway (RRBs) and Railway Recruitment Cells Railway Station South Central 95 Southern Railway (RRCs) are regularly providing panels To improve passenger amenities at of successful candidates to Railways. Ayodhya Junction Railway Station, South East Central 49 Railway During 2017-18, Two Centralized a work has been sanctioned and is Employment Notifications (CENs) for already in progress. The scope of South Eastern 23 1,27,573 combined vacancies of various work is as under: Railway Group ‘C’ including Level-1 post (mainly � Development of double storied South Western 15 in safety categories) were notified by new station building, � Development Railway RRBs. For new and future vacancies of existing circulating area, � Wa likely to arise in two years time, another 155 iting lounges and retiring rooms, � Railway five CENs covering 1,56, 138 vacancies of Provision of 6.10 metre wide Foot West Central 72 Western Railway various Group ‘C’ including Level- 1 post Over Bridge for passengers, � Faci (mainly in safety categories) have been lities for Divyangjans in toilets, lifts Total 1263 Railway notified in 2018-19. and ramps, tactile guiding path etc.

JANUARY 2020 I Indian Railways I 35 RAILWAYS IN PARLIAMENT (Rajya Sabha)

PROVIDING HYGIENIC LINKING OF LOCOMOTIVES VIA ISRO SATELLITES FOR TRACKING TRAINS FOOD IN RAILWAYS A Real-time Train Information System (RTIS) is being installed on the locomotives for automatic acquisition of train movement data, including that of It is the continuous endeavour of arrival, departure and run-through timings at the stations en route. Indian Railways to provide quality The control chart of trains hauled by RTIS enabled locomotives gets and hygienic food to passengers plotted automatically in the Control Office Application (COA) system already along with maintaining cleanliness implemented in the control offices. in Base Kitchens and Pantry Cars. To RTIS also gives mid-section location updates, including the current speed of ensure this hygiene and cleanliness of the train, with a periodicity of 30 seconds. The Train Controllers can now track base kitchens/pantry cars, following the location and speed of RTIS enabled locomotives/trains more closely, without measures have been taken by Railways: any manual intervention, facilitating the train control functions. l IRCTC has upgraded 46 Kitchen The RTIS project is being executed by Centre for Railway Information System Units in the last two years. To ensure (CRIS), which is an Information Technology arm of Ministry of Railways, in centralized monitoring of the kitchen collaboration with Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). activities, CCTVs The installation of RTIS device in 2649 passenger and goods train have been installed in 39 Kitchen locomotives has been completed till 20 November, 2019. Units. Sharing of live streaming of the Kitchen Units through website of IRCTC has been made operational. l To ensure compliance of Food Safety REVENUE FROM PASSENGER AND PARCEL SERVICE Norms, Food Safety and Standards Revenue from passenger and parcel services for the last three years i.e 2016-17, Authority of India (FSSAI) certification 2017-18 and 2018-19 and current year up to September, 2019 is as under:- from Designated Food Safety Officers (` in Crore) of each catering unit has been made 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 mandatory. Food Safety Supervisors have been deployed at Kitchen Units to monitor food safety and hygienic Passenger (September /19) practices. Food samples collected Parcel by Food Safety Officers/Supervisors 46280.46 48643.14 51066.65 26642.73 are sent to the nominated accredited 1911.42 1749.23 1619.03 716.18 Laboratories under Food Safety & The details and routes introducing private operations of passenger services Standard Act for analysis and testing. have not been finalized, so far. However, in terms of the 100 Days Action Plan Penalties are imposed in cases of of the Ministry of Railways, it has been decided to hand over two rakes of Tejas detection of unsatisfactory food Express to Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) to samples. operate on Haulage Charge principle. Accordingly, approval has been accorded l Examination of hygiene and to IRCTC for running two Tejas Class trains namely New Delhi-Lucknow Tejas cleanliness in Pantry Cars and Kitchen Express and Ahmedabad-Mumbai Central Tejas Express. Units is done through Third Party Of these, 82501/82502 New Delhi-Lucknow Tejas Express has commenced its Audit. Customer satisfaction survey is operation wef 4 October, 2019. also conducted through Third Party As regards Parcel services, Comprehensive Parcel Leasing Policy and Policy Agencies. for leasing of Parcel Cargo Express Trains have been further liberalized by way l Regular and surprise inspections of (i) delegating powers to the zonal railways for revision of reserve price even are conducted by Railway officials downwardly, (ii) increasing duration of contracts from 3 years to 5 and 6 years, including Food Safety Officers. (iii) setting lease rates with fixed escalation @10% from 4th year onward, (iv) l Introduction of Hand Sanitizers in including Bank Guarantee as mode of Security Deposit, (v) permitting leasing of Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Duronto trains. Parcel Vans by Ordinary passenger trains,(vi) permitting PCET with a minimum l Monitoring and supervision of load of 15 parcel vans for six months, (vii) withdrawing distance restriction of catering service through operation 300 Kms for availing loading/unloading facilities at intermediate halts/stations, of centralized Catering Service etc. Monitoring Cell (CSMC) toll free Besides, a pilot project was launched to study the feasibility of using Railway’s number 1800-111-321, Rail Madad, parcel service for e-tail players under which Amazon India has been provided 2.5 Twitter handle, CPGRAMS, E-Mail tonnes space in the SLR/Break Van under Guard’s charge for loading/unloading and SMS based complaints redressal. of consignments, in nominated trains.

36 I Indian Railways I JANUARY 2020 RAILWAYS IN PARLIAMENT (Rajya Sabha)

QUANTUM OF RAILWAY REVENUE OPERATION OF GOODS AND PASSENGER TRAINS BY PRIVATE SECTOR FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES Ministry of Railways have constituted a Group of Secretaries (GoS) with a term of one year inter-alia to permit private passenger train operators to operate The number of passenger traffic during trains with world class technology over Indian Railways Network. The GoS has the last three years is given below: held three meetings, so far. In regard to Goods trains, various wagon investment Year schemes, i.e. Automobile Freight Train Operators (AFTO) Scheme, Liberalized 2016-17 812 No. of Passengers (in crore) 2017-18 829 Wagon Investment Scheme(LWIS), Special Freight Train Operator Scheme 2018-19 844 (SFTO) and General purpose Wagon Investment Scheme (GPWIS) have been introduced for participation of private entities in wagon procurement. However, Zone wise Passenger Earnings for the last three years is as under:- operation of these goods trains remains with Indian Railways. Participation of (` in crore) private sector has been allowed in construction and maintenance of Railway Zones 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 lines under various models of Participative Policy such as Non Govt. Railway, Central Joint Venture, Built Operate & Transfer, Customer Funding and Annuity. In all Eastern these schemes, responsibility of trains operation and safety certification rests 5045.29 5368.91 5732.15 East Central 2232.32 2279.63 2350.91 with Indian Railways. However, outsourcing of certain facilities like cleaning, East Coast 2334.38 2412.87 2533.77 pay and use toilets, retiring rooms, parking, etc. is done on need based manner Northern 1306.11 1411.34 1510.79 North Central to improve efficiency. In case of any deficiency, the mechanism of redressal as per 6321.10 6357.20 6512.04 North Eastern the contract is invoked. 4428.08 4755.98 4993.07 Northeast Frontier 1500.66 1542.88 1574.45 North Western 1155.74 1178.18 1349.02 Southern 1929.28 2004.03 2091.34 STATION REDEVELOPMENT PLAN South Central 4011.80 4247.05 4482.49 South Eastern Ministry of Railways through various agencies is undertaking techno-economic 4530.90 4861.18 5166.53 South East feasibility studies of Railway stations. Based on the outcome of these feasibility Central 1501.60 1568.90 1664.39 South Western 1071.28 1127.90 1158.50 studies, stations are planned to be taken up for redevelopment in phases, espe Western cially the stations located in major cities, pilgrimage centres and important 1393.22 1487.79 1555.66 West Central tourist destinations. The cost of station redevelopment project is to be met by 4327.55 4541.46 4712.72 Metro leveraging commercial development of land and air space in and around the 3004.41 3304.26 3477.38 TOTAL 186.74 193.58 201.44 stations. The Railway stations are taken up for redevelopment based on financial Revenue received46280.46 from48643.14 allocation51066.65 of viability. space for book stalls, tea stalls and Works for redevelopment of Habibganj (Madhya Pradesh) and Gandhinagar other business activities is as under: (Gujarat) stations are in progress. Ministry of Railways is redeveloping Year Amount (` Bhubaneshwar (Odisha) Station in cooperation with Govt. of Odisha. Rail Land 2018-19 in Crore) Development Authority (RLDA) has also entered into an MoU with Massouri Waiting list passengers1652.67 can cancel Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) for redevelopment of Dehradun their tickets till 30 minutes before (Uttarakhand) Railway Station. RLDA has signed an MoU with National the scheduled departure of the train Highway Authority of India in April-2019, for redevelopment of Ajni (Nagpur) and take refund as per extant refund station as a Multi-modal Hub. rules. Since the passengers can cancel the tickets on their own due to change of plan or due to non-availability of ILLEGAL OCCUPATION OF RAILWAY LAND confirmed accommodation, it is not As on 31 March, 2019, out of 4.78 lakh hectare land available with Indian practically feasible to identify the Railways, approximately 821.46 hectare land (0.17%) is under encroachment. cancellations done only on account of The Railways do not maintain market price of land as it is governed by non-confirmation of tickets. various factors and keeps on fluctuating. Railways carry out regular surveys for identifying encroachments and take action for their removal. If the Use of Renewable encroachments are of temporary nature (soft encroachments) in the shape of jhuggies, jhopris and squatters, the same are removed in consultation with and Energy in Railways the assistance of Railway Protection Force and local civil authorities. For old Indian Railways has planned to encroachments, where party is not amenable to persuasion, action is taken under source about 1000 Mega Watt Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorized Occupants) Act, 1971 (PPE Act, (MW) Solar Power and about 200 1971), as amended from time to time. Actual eviction of unauthorized occupants MW of wind power progressively is carried out with the assistance of State Government and police. The removal by 2021-22. 201 MW (98 MW of encroachments is a continuous process, as a result of which in the years solar and 103 MW wind power) has 2017-18 and 2018-19, 16.68 hectares and 24 hectares of land has been retrieved already been set up till 31 October, respectively. 2019. JANUARY 2020 I Indian Railways I 37 RAILWAYS IN PARLIAMENT (Rajya Sabha)

CLEANLINESS AND PRIVACY ISSUES IN NON-AC COACHES

Cleanliness is a continuous process has also been prescribed for limited without pantry car service do have and every endeavour is made to keep mechanized cleaning attention to legitimate access to vend in all coaches passenger carrying trains in properly identified trains including cleaning including non-AC coaches of passenger maintained and clean condition. of toilets during their scheduled trains. Other authorised onboard staff Some of the major initiatives stoppages enroute at nominated like housekeeping, maintenance and taken by Indian Railways towards stations. 39 CTS stations are staff providing other amenities also improvement of cleanliness in non-AC operational. have access to the coaches. coaches as well as AC coaches including v) Pest and rodent control of coaches is Care is taken by concerned the toilets are as follows: being done on a regular basis through authorities of Railways to verify the i) Cleaning of coaches including toilets authorised professional agencies. antecedents of these staff. However, of trains is done at both ends, including vi) Earlier, dustbins were provided in instances are reported wherein mechanized cleaning. AC Coaches only. Now, provision of unauthorised vendors and other ii) On Board Housekeeping Service dustbin is also being done in Non-AC unauthorised person like ticketless (OBHS) has been provided in nearly coaches. travellers, males travelling in ladies 1090 pairs of important Mail/Express vii) Indian Railways is proliferating coaches, able bodied person travelling trains for cleaning of coach toilets, bio-toilets on its coaching stock so that in coaches reserved for disabled doorways, aisles and passenger no human waste is discharged from persons, unreserved person travelling compartments during the run of the coaches on to the track. in reserved coaches, beggars, eunuchs trains. viii) Regular checks are conducted causing nuisance etc. are found to enter iii) ‘Coach Mitra’ service has been at officers / supervisors levels, and unauthorisedly in trains / unauthorised provided in around 1050 pairs of corrective action is taken wherever any coaches. Intensive drives under OBHS trains as a single window deficiency is noticed. different sections of Railways Act are interface to register coach related ix) Cleanliness drives and awareness undertaken regularly to apprehend and requirements of passengers such as campaigns are also carried out from prosecute such unauthorised persons cleaning, disinfestation, linen, train time to time. and fine of nearly ` 17 crore has been lighting, air conditioning and watering The authorised vendors of pantry collected from such persons in the of coaches. car in trains having pantry car and current year. iv) Clean Train Station (CTS) scheme authorised vendors in other trains

Performance of Rail Vikas Nigam Limited Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) RE as part of New Line (NL)/Gauge Development Bank (ADB) loan of 500 was incorporated as a Public Sector Conversion (GC)/Doubling (DL) and million United States Dollar (USD) in Undertaking (PSU) on 24.01.2003. 42.0 km of Metropolitan Transport various tranches. The company Board was formulated in Project (MTP). Thus, as on 31.03.2019, During 2009-14, 1213 Km length March 2005. The Board of Directors 8879.65 km project length out of a (18 Km New Line, 482 Km Gauge comprises Chief Managing Director total length of 17066.62 km of 174 Conversion and 713 Km Doubling) has (CMD), 4 Functional Directors, 2 Part sanctioned projects assigned to RVNL, been commissioned at an average of Time Official Directors from Ministry have been completed. Total 76 projects 243 Km per year. During 2014-19, 1818 of Railways and 7 other Part Time Non have been fully completed. Km length (130 Km New Line, 134 Km Official Directors. As far as resource mobilization is Gauge Conversion & 1554 Doubling) The authorized share capital of concerned, RVNL has set up 6 Special has been commissioned at an average RVNL is `3000 crore with the paid up Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) with total of 364 Km per year, which is 150% of share capital of `2085.02 crore. 12.16% investment of `7442.64 crore, out of average commissioning during 2009- stake of company has been disinvested which, RVNL contribution is only 14 (243 Km per year). through IPO in March/April 2019 `967.85 crore (13%) and balance Average annual turnover of RVNL and remaining 87.84% share lies with amount has been arranged through during 2014-19 is `6244 crore per year, Ministry of Railways. equity of other stakeholders and debt which is 332% of average turnover RVNL has completed a total of from financial institutions. Out of these during 2009-14 (`1880 crore per year). 2932.35 km of doubling, 1783.22 km 6 SPVs, three SPV projects are already Further, RVNL has been rated of gauge conversion, 360.01 km of functional and remaining three are at as “Excellent” for last 7 consecutive new lines, 3762.07 km of pure Railway various stages of progress. RVNL is years by the Department of Public Electrification (RE), 2029.41 km also executing 5 projects under Asian Enterprises (DPE).

38 I Indian Railways I JANUARY 2020 RAILWAYS IN PARLIAMENT (Rajya Sabha)

JANUARY 2020 I Indian Railways I 39 PT Communication Systems, Ptd. Ltd. Plot N0-32, Udyog Kendra, Ecotech-III, Greater Noida, UP-201308 India Phone No- +91 8800776682, Email ID:- [email protected] Website:- www.ptcomsys.com

40 I Indian Railways I JANUARY 2020 RAILWAYS IN PARLIAMENT (Rajya Sabha) PROVISION OF FREE WI-FI AT RAILWAY STATIONS

Wi-Fi services are proposed to be provided at 6471 stations Obligation Fund (USOF). (i.e. all stations other than F category halt stations) over M/s Tata Trusts and Vijyavahini Charitable Foundation Indian Railways. 5816 stations are targeted to be provided and Indian Railways. with Wi-Fi services by March, 2020. Balance 655 stations During the month of October, 2019, a total of 15145433 are targeted to be provided with Wi-Fi services by March, (1.51 crores) unique users logged into free Wi-Fi services 2021. So far this facility has been provided at 5491 stations provided at Railway Stations of Indian Railways. upto 3rd December, 2019. So far funds of ` 27.77 crores, have been sanctioned by RailTel has signed agreement/MoU for extending Wi-Fi DoT under Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) for services with the following agencies: the provision of Wi-Fi services at 200 Nos. Railway stations M/s. Mahataa Information India Pvt. Ltd. (MIIPL) (a in rural areas. Balance stations have been completed in group company of M/s. Google). collaboration with other organizations under Corporate M/s Power Grid Corporation of India Limited. Social Responsibility (CSR)/Charity funding and under Department of Telecom under Universal Service partnership with Railways.

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JANUARY 2020 I Indian Railways I 41 NEWS BULLETIN Unification of the existing eight Group A services of the Railways into Cabinet Approves Transforma tion of Organisational a Central Service called Indian Railway Management Service Restructuring of Indian Railways (IRMS) Unification of services will end The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved a ‘departmentalism, promote smooth transformational organisational restructuring of the Indian Railways. This historic working of Railways, expedite reform will go a long way in achieving Government’s vision of making Indian decision making, create a coherent Railways the growth engine of India's vikas yatra. vision for organisation and promote The reforms include: rational decision making Unification of the existing eight Group A services of the Railways into a Central Service called Indian Railway Management Service (/RMS) Railway board will no longer be Re-organisation of Railway Board on functional lines headed by CRB with four organised on departmental lines, Members and some Independent Members and replaced with a leaner structure The existing service of Indian Railway Medical Service (IRMS) to be consequently organised on functional lines renamed as Indian Railway Health Service (IRHS) Railways has an ambitious programme to modernise and provide the highest Railway Board to be headed by standards of safety, speed and services to the passengers with a proposed investment Chairman Railway Board (CRB) of Rs. 50 lakh crore over the next 12 years. This requires speed and scale, and a who will be the Chief Executive unified, agile organisation to work single-mindedly on this task and capable of Officer (CEO) with 4 Members and responding to challenges. Today's reforms are in a series of reforms that have been some Independent Members undertaken under the present Government including merger of Rail Budget with Union Budget, delegation of powers to empower GMs and field officers, allowing Unification of services has been competitive operators to run trains etc. recommended by various commit- To meet next level challenges and deal with various existing difficulties there was tees for reforming Railways a need to take this step. Unlike Railway systems the world over, which have been Reforms undertaken with over- corporatized, Indian Railways is managed by the Government directly. It is organised whelming support and consensus of into various departments such as Traffic, Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Signal & Telecom, Stores, Personnel, and Accounts etc. These departments are vertically Railway officers, at a two-day separated from top to bottom and are headed by a Secretary level officer (Member) in conference “Parivartan Sangoshthi” the Railway Board. This organization of the department runs deep down to the held on 7th & 8th December, 2019 grassroot level of the Railways. Unification of services will end this 'departmentalism', The modalities and unification of the promote smooth working of Railways, expedite decision making, create a coherent services will be worked out in vision for organisation and promote rational decision making. consultation with DoPT and the Unification of services has been recommended by various committees for approval of Alternate Mechanism reforming Railways including - the Prakash Tandon Committee (1994), Rakesh appointed by Cabinet in order to Mohan Committee (2001), Sam Pitroda Committee (2012) and Bibek Debroy Committee (2015). This reform has been undertaken with the overwhelming support ensure fairness and transparency and consensus of Railway officers, at a two-day conference "Parivartan Sangoshthi" held in Delhi on 7th and 8th December, 2019. To act on this sentiment, and create confidence in Railway officers that their suggestions are valued, Railway Board held an Extraordinary meeting of the Board during the conference on 8th December, 2019 itself, and recommended a number of reforms including the ones mentioned. It is now proposed to create a unified Group A' service called "Indian Railways Management Service" (IRMS) from the next recruitment cycle. Creation of the new service will be done in consultation with DoPT and UPSC to facilitate recruitment in the next recruitment year. It will enable Railways to recruit engineers/non-engineers as per need, and offer equality of opportunity to both categories in career progression. The modalities and unification of the services will be worked out by the Ministry of Railways in consultation with DoPT with the approval of Alternate Mechanism to be appointed by Cabinet in order to ensure fairness and transparency. The process shall be completed within a year. The newly recruited officers will come from Engineering and non-Engineering disciplines as per need and posted as per their aptitude and specialisation to allow them to specialise in one field, develop an overall perspective, and prepare them to take up general management responsibilities at senior levels. Selection for the general management positions shall be through a merit-based system. Railway Board will no longer be organised on departmental lines, and replaced with a leaner structure organised on functional lines. It will have a Chairman, who will act as 'Chief Executive Officer (CEO)' along with 4 Members responsible for Infrastructure, Operations & Business Development, Rolling Stock and Finance respectively. The Chairman shall be the cadre controlling officer responsible for Human resources (HR) with assistance from a DG (HR). 3 Apex level posts shall be surrendered from Railway Board and all the remaining posts of the Railway Board shall be open to all officers regardless of the service to which they belonged. The Board will also have some independent Members (the number to be decided by competent authority from time to time), who will be highly distinguished professionals with deep knowledge and 30 years of experience including at the top levels in industry, finance, economics and management fields. The Independent Members will help Railway Board in setting a strategic direction. The restructured Board will start functioning after approval of the Board taking due care to ensure that officers are posted in the restructured Board or adjusted in the same pay and rank till their retirement. 42 I Indian Railways I JANUARY 2020 NEWS BULLETIN

Indian Railways Starts Procurement of Power in Punjab for Northern Railway as Deemed Licensee under Open Access Indian Railways have been embarking electricity directly from any generating upon various initiatives to reduce the company by paying wheeling charges to Status of Savings 4000 36823682 cost of operations. One of the major Central and State transmission system 3500 31233123 3470 3000 28602860 initiative in this regard has been direct under open access as per The Electricity 30583058 2500 procurement of power as deemed Act, 2003. In this sequence Indian 2000 24622462 licensee instead of consumer. “Mission Railways has commenced flow of 35 1500 1000 906 41K” document targets for saving of MW power in Punjab for 11 traction 500 397 ` 41,000 Crore through integrated Rail sub-stations w.e.f. 24 November, 2019 0 0 Energy Management System by 2025. which will result into annual estimated 2014-15 2015-16 2016-172016-172017-182017-18 2018-192018-19 Railway Energy Management Company saving of ` 56 Crore per annum on Saving as per mission 41k (in ` Cr) Actual Saving (in ` Cr) Ltd. (REMCL), a JV of Ministry of recurring basis. With the addition of Railways and RITES Ltd., has been Punjab in the portfolio of open access, saving of over ` 3500 Crore per annum endeavouring to achieve this target by Indian Railways is now taking about and a total saving of over ` 12000 Crore gradual migration from Consumer to 1400 MW (70%) of power under open since commencement of power under Deemed Licensee. Deemed Licensee access as deemed licensee in 11 States. open access w.e.f. November, 2015 status enables Indian Railways to buy These efforts are resulting into annual onwards on business as usual mode. These initiatives will pave the way for reducing the financial burden of “Mission 41K” document targets for saving of ` 41,000 Cr through integrated Indian Railways. These efforts have Rail Energy Management System by 2025 Indian Railways is now taking about resulted in keeping electricity price at 1400 MW (70%) of power under open access as deemed licensee in 11 States. most economical rate on sustainable basis since 2015 on Indian Railways.

Visit of Ratan P Watal, CABINET APPROVES PACT WITH Member Secretary, EAC Shri Ratan P Watal, Member Secretary, GERMANY ON RAILWAYS Economic Advisory Council to Prime Minister of India, visited Rail Wheel The Union Cabinet chaired by the Background Factory on 2 Deember, 2019. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Ministry of Railways have signed Shri Watal addressed Senior Officers of Modi was apprised of the Joint Memorandums of Understanding/ RWF. Shri. Rajiv Kumar Vyas, GM was Declaration of Intent (JDI) between Memorandums of Cooperation/ also present. Discussion was focused on India and Germany regarding Administrative Arrangements/ policies of resource efficiency, strategic cooperation on strategic projects Joint Declarations of Intent for unit, scrap recycling & e-waste mana in the field of Railways. The Joint technical cooperation in the gement, along with strategic contribution Declaration of Intent was signed rail sector with various foreign of RWF in national economic growth. last month. Governments and National Later, Shri Watal visited the wheel & axle Railways in respect of identified production lines of Rail Wheel Factory. He Benefits areas of cooperation, which inter appreciated the working of the plant. He Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) alia, include high speed rail, also visited eco-zone & seen various energy saving and water conservation initiatives of with the Federal Ministry for speed raising of existing routes, the plant. Economic Affairs and Energy of development of world class stations, the Federal Republic of Germany heavy haul operations and moderni will provide a platform to Indian zation of rail infrastructure etc. The Railways to interact and share the MoUs/ MoCs/ AAs/ JDIs facilitate latest developments and knowledge exchange of technical experts, in the field of Railways. The Joint reports and technical documents, Declaration of Intent (JDI) will training and seminars/ workshops facilitate exchange of information focusing on specific technology expert meetings, seminars, technical areas and other interactions for visits and implementation of jointly knowledge sharing. agreed cooperation projects.

JANUARY 2020 I Indian Railways I 43 NEWS BULLETIN Ministry of Railways further Liberalizes General Purpose Wagon Investment Scheme (GPWIS) for Prospective Investors Ministry of Railways has further liberalized General Purpose As there was long term demand from Railway Freight Wagon Investment Scheme (GPWIS) for prospective Wagons Users (PSUs, Industries and other stakeholders) for investors, on the basis of feedback received from investors better and timely availability of General Purpose Wagons and end users, by incorporating the following amendments: (GPW) it was decided by Ministry of Railways in April 2018, End users (other than logistics service providers) also have to introduce a scheme for investment in General Purpose been granted permission to load third party cargo in their Wagons. rakes in empty direction. This will not only reduce the empty Since the launch of this scheme, approvals for 163 rakes run of GPWIS rakes, but will also entail additional revenue have been granted and 20 rakes have already been inducted to end user investors, in form of freight rebate. into operation. As a result of these relaxations, it is expected Design Loan charges on General Purpose wagons have that the scheme will become more attractive for prospective been reduced from 5% to 1%. This will significantly reduce investors. the initial investment required for procurement of wagons.

TECHNOLOGY: HEAD ON GENERATION (HOG) - A GIANT LEAP FORWARD THROUGH AN ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY AND ENERGY EFFICIENT TECHNOLOGY

Indian cities are struggling with air HOG system include: and noise pollution. The respiratory i. Reduction in noise- from 100dB diseases are increasing at alarming noise to noise less, rates in cities. Premium passenger ii. Significant reduction of CO2 trains fitted with Air-Conditioned (over 2500Ton) & NOX(over 10Ton) coaches and running traditionally on emissions till now, the End-on-Generation (EOG) system iii. Reduced Diesel Consumption are also contributing towards air and leading to huge savings in operational noise pollution. These trains are using costs to the tune of over ` 1100 crore 2 diesel power cars for feeding power per annum, to air-conditioning and lighting load in iv. Economical- EOG Power ` 22/ the passenger coaches which produce Over 500 trains are running unit, HOG Power ` 6/unit. an unbearable noise of around 100dB. with HOG scheme Indian Railways has travelled long Further, these power cars guzzle on an way since 2010 when Chittaranjan average 3000 liters of diesel per trip There are savings to the tune Locomotive Works (CLW) turned per train contributing to the pollution of over ` 1100 crores per out first HOG based electric loco in the cities. No.30277 (WAP7) having 2X500 KVA Indian Railways have come up with annum with conversion of Hotel Load Converter installed in the an energy efficient and environment 500 trains into HOG system locomotive,which is in regular train friendly innovative solution to address service since then. As of now more the issues of air & noise pollution than 550 Electric locomotives have and energy efficiency in running (CLW), over the years, which are HOG been provided with HOG converter of passenger trains. An improvised compliant. To harness the benefits technology and are yielding benefits of converter has been developed, which of this high-end technology, pace savings on fuel bills to Indian Railways, is fitted in Electric locomotives which of HOG conversion works of LHB besides being a noise less and emission can replace these diesel generators. It coaches has been increased from April less solution to the EOG variant. uses power from overhead catenary to 2018 onwards. During April 2018 All passenger Electric Locomotives feed auxiliaries in the coaches hauled to 5th November, 2019, 436 trains being produced in Production Units by Electric locomotives. It saves up to (cumulatively over 500 trains) have of Indian Railways namely CLW, 1 Million liters of diesel per train per been converted into HOG compliant Diesel Locomotives Works (DLW) annum. trains. It is planned to convert balance & Diesel Loco Modernization Works This requires locomotives as End-On-Generation (EOG) LHB (DMW) and all passenger coaches well as coaches to be modified for rakes into HOG system on accelerated manufactured in Integral Coach making them suitable for HOG. pace to harness the benefits of energy Factory (ICF), Rail Coach Factory Locomotives have been manufactured efficient and environment friendly (RCF) & Modern Coach Factory (MCF) by Chittaranjan Locomotive Works technology. The major advantages of are now HOG compliant.

44 I Indian Railways I JANUARY 2020 NEWS BULLETIN DECISIVE STEP OF INDIAN PASSENGER AMENITIES: RAILWAYS ‘RAILWIRE’ RAILWAYS TO ECONOMIZE WI-FI GOES LIVE IN 5500 RAILWAY STATIONS ELECTRICITY BILL AND Railways has successfully completed the work of providing free public Wi-Fi at 5500 stations across the country. Mahua Milan Railway Station REDUCE OPERATING COST of East Central Railway zone, became the 5500th station in the country to have free public Wi-Fi. This is a unique initiative as this Wi-Fi network With the goal of reducing cost of electricity is one of the largest Wi-Fi networks of the world. Along the journey, for traction, Indian Railways has RailTel has roped in partners like Google, Tata Trust, PGCIL for some commenced flow of additional 50 MW parts of the project and also got funding from Department of Telecom power (Total 100 MW) from Bhartiya USOF for 200 stations. The Wi-Fi is being provided under the brand Rail Bijli Company Limited (BRBCL) in name of RailWire. the State of Bihar w.e.f. 28 November, The month of October 2019 saw total 1.5 crores of user logins in 2019, which is expected to lead to an ‘RailWire’ Wi-Fi services across all stations consuming 10242 TB of data. annual saving of ` 110 Crores per annum Free access to high speed Wi-Fi will help in bridging the digital divide on recurring basis. Additional flow of 10 between rural and urban India. Students using their waiting time to MW power from BRBCL has also been download study materials, vendors using the service for digital payment started in the State of Rajasthan w.e.f. 20 transactions, daily passengers using their time at stations learning new November, 2019 which is expected to lead skill or surfing net- the free Wi-Fi has been a boon to these people who to an annual saving of ` 11.50 crore per otherwise suffer from poor connectivity issues. annum. Designed to offer users the best Internet experience, RailWire Wi-Fi at Indian Railways is taking about 1475 Railway stations will be available to any user who has a smartphone with MW of power under open access as deemed working mobile connection for KYC considerations. To use the Wi-Fi the licensee in 11 states and DVC area. These user has to switch on the Wi-Fi mode on the smartphone and select the efforts are resulting into annual saving of RailWire Wi-Fi network. The RailWire homepage automatically appears over ` 3600 Crores per annum and since on the smartphone. The user has to enter his or her mobile number on the commencement of power flow under this homepage. The user will get one-time password (OTP) in form of open access w.e.f. November, 2015 on SMS in the message box which has to be entered in the home page of business as usual mode, it has resulted into RailWire. After entering OTP Users will be able to access high speed a total saving of over ` 12400 Crores. internet & can start internet browsing. The Bhartiya Rail Bijli Company Limited (BRBCL) is a joint venture Mahua Milan Railway station, in East Central company of National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and Ministry of Railway, is the 5500th Station Railways to produce electricity for traction purpose to Railways at a low cost. It has an equity participation of NTPC & Railways Passenger Amenities: Mumbai Central station of at 74% and 26% respectively. Out of four units (each unit of 250 MW), power flow Indian Railways Conferred with “Eat Right Station” from three units of this plant has already Certification with 4 Stars Rating by FSSAI been started for Indian Railways. First unit started operation in January, 2017. The To help passengers to make a healthy and main beneficiary of this plant is Railways right food choice, Indian Railways launched which is getting 90% of the power a movement “Eat Right Station” which was produced and balance 10% power is given a part of the ‘Eat Right India’ movement to the state of Bihar. launched in 2018 by the FSSAI. Under this movement, Mumbai Central Railway Station is the country’s first “Eat Right Station” as certified by Food Safety and Railways will save ` 121 crore Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The per annum with additional Railway station has been conferred with “Eat Right Station” certification with 04 Stars rating by FSSAI on 29th flow of 50 MW power from November 2019. Mumbai Central station has been judged on the basis of BRBCL in State of Bihar and compliance of food safety and hygiene, availability of healthy diet, food 10 MW in State of Rajasthan handling at preparation, transhipment & retail/serving point, food waste management, promotion of local & seasonal food and creating awareness on food safety and healthy diet.

JANUARY 2020 I Indian Railways I 45 NEWS BULLETIN Passenger Amenities: Indian Railways Offers Various Facilities for Divyangjans to make its services more convenient and Accessible for differently-abled passengers

Encouraged by ‘Accessible India Campaign’ launched in these categories of persons. 2015 by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, Indian iv) A reservation quota of four sleeper class berths and two Railways have been providing facilities/services to Persons berths in 3 AC has been earmarked in all trains running on with Disabilities (Divyangjan) so as to enable them a barrier non-suburban sections for persons with disability perfo free transportation across the Railway network. To make rming their journey on concessional ticket. The person acco its services more convenient and accessible to Divyangjans mpanying the person with disability as escort is also allotted at railway stations, Indian Railways offers the following the berth out of this quota. facilities for the Divyangjans. v) Instructions have also been issued that in the tickets i) Specially designed coaches known as SLRD coaches issued through PRS, to extent feasible, one lower berth with wider entrance doors to allow a wheel chair to enter, should be allotted to person with disability and the person wider aisles, modified toilet and with 4 berths, the lower two accompanying the person with disability as escort should be for persons with disability and upper berths for attendants allotted middle/upper berth near the person with disability have been attached in almost all Mail/express trains except subject to availability of accommodation. Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Jan shatabdi Express trains and vi) After departure of train, if there are vacant lower Duranto Express trains. berths available in the train and if any person with disability ii) Instructions have been issued that in all mail/express booked on the authority of concessional ticket, who has been trains, the SLRD coaches should be treated as unreserved allotted upper/middle berth, approaches for allotment of coaches earmarked for exclusive use of persons with vacant lower berths, the Conductor/Train Ticket Examiner disability. In case of Garib Rath express trains which are (TTE) has been authorized to allot the vacant lower berth to fully reserved trains, these coaches are treated as reserved them after making necessary entries in the chart. for booking by Divyangjan on the prescribed certificate on vii) The facility to book concessional e-tickets online using payment of full fare of 3 AC class of Garib Rath Express on the photo-identity card issued by Railways has also been first come first served basis. introduced to facilitate persons with disability. iii) Separate counters are earmarked at various Passenger As per Railway rules, concession in fares is admissible to Reservation System centres for dealing with the reservation four categories of Persons with Disability. The names of these requisitions received from Persons with Disability and four categories, and the element concession admissible, are Senior Citizens, if the average demand per shift is not less as under:- than 120 tickets wherever feasible. ln case there is no justifi To make accessibility better, the following facilities are cation for earmarking of an exclusive counter for any of being served currently at stations:- these categories of persons including handicapped persons, a) Wheel chair on platforms: Around 7000 wheelchairs one or two counters depending upon the total demand are have been provided at more than 5400 railway stations. earmarked for dealing with the reservation requests for all The wheelchairs are provided by Railways and are given to

Category of person Element of Concession Season Ticket I CLASS II CLASS Single Journey Ticket zz 75% in second, Sleeper, First class, 50% 50%

1. Orhtopedically Handicapped/Paraplegic zz persons who can’t travel without escort zz 25%AC chair in car3 AC & ACand 3- ACtier. chair car of 50% in AC 2- tier and AC first classes.

zz One escort is also eligible for same Rajdhani/Shatabdi trains.

element of concession. 2. Mentally retarded persons who can’t travel without escort 3. Persons with visual impairment with total 50% in Second, Sleeper, First classOne 50% 50% absence of sight travelling alone or with escort. escort is also eligible for same element 4. Persons with Hearing and speech impairment totally (both afflictions together in the same 46 I Indianperson) Railways travelling I JANUARY alone 2020 or with escort. of concession. NEWS BULLETIN attendant of the Divyangjan absolutely ‘free of cost’ to escort following short term facilities for persons with disability them from and to the trains. However, when attendants are at stations (Comprehensive instructions for passenger not willing or available, Sahayaks can be hired on nominal amenities and user facilities at stations dated 9 April, 2018): rates to escort the Divyangjans. l Provision of standard ramp with railing for barrier free b) In addition a scheme of Yatri Mitra sewa is also available, entry. wherein a sahayak provided by IRCTC assists the person l Earmarking of at least two parking lots for vehicle used by with disability by providing wheel chair cum porter services disabled persons. at major stations. The Yatri Mitra seva service can be booked l Provision of non-slippery walkway from parking lot to on IRCTC e-ticketing website and 139 (IVRS and SMS) or building. through a mobile. l Provision of signage of appropriate visibility. c) Battery operated Vehicle (BOV) vehicles are available l Provision of at least one drinking water tap suitable for use at some stations and Powers have further been delegated by a disabled person. to Zonal Railways for provision of BOV free of charge for l Provision of at least one toilet on the ground floor. person with disability through CSR route/commercial l “May I help you” booth. publicity route and through chargeable route. e) In the long term the following facilities are being planned d) In addition to above, it has been decided to provide for persons with disability at Non-suburban Grade (NSG)1 to NSG 4 category stations: Provision of facility for inter-platform transfer. Specially designed coaches, concessional tickets Engraving on edges of platforms. and reservation quota are some of the facilities f) An Executive Director level committee is also formed to frame guidelines regarding Accessibility standards over offered Indian Railways. ED/Station development is the convenor Railway stations made more accessible by of the committee. wheelchairs, battery operated vehicles and Yatri On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Mitra Sewa Indian Railways reaffirms its commitment to the cause of empowering of Divyangjans through the ‘Accessible India Campaign’.

SECURITY: RAILWAY PROTECTION FORCE (RPF) CONDUCTS ALL INDIA SPECIAL DRIVE AGAINST PERSONS TRAVELLING IN COACHES/SEATS RESERVED FOR DIVYANGJANS AND WOMEN PASSENGERS

Railway Protection Force (RPF) is pledged to render drives were conducted over All Indian Railways against all the help/assistance to Divyangjans and women unauthorized persons travelling in Coaches/Seats reserved passengers for safer journey through Indian Railways. for Women. In a bid to crackdown against the illegal occupant of The total number of cases registered during these drives is Coaches/seats reserved for Differently abled persons and 10726. A total of 12,825 persons were arrested under Section women passengers, Special drives on the occasion of the 155 of the Railways Act with realization of fine of` 12.18 “International Day of Persons with Disabilities” on 3rd and lakhs in both the drives. 4th December, 2019 were launched all over the country by The action taken by Eastern Railway (1004 cases) was Railway Protection Force (RPF). All out efforts were made the best followed by North Central Railway (596 cases) and by RPF by deploying maximum number of staff for this Western Railway (576 cases) in the drive conducted against drive. persons travelling in Coaches/Seats reserved for Persons 2,844 number of drives were conducted over All Indian with Disabilities. The action taken by Eastern Railway Railways against persons travelling in Coaches/Seats (1,407 cases) was the best followed by North Central Railway reserved for Persons with Disabilities. 3094 number of (880 cases) and Central Railway (789 cases) in the drive conducted over All Indian Railways against unauthorized persons travelling in Coaches/Seats reserved for Women. 5938 number of drives were conducted over All the zonal units of RPF have been instructed to all Indian Railway and fine of` 12.18 lakhs continue such raids/drives in future to deter unauthorized were collected in both the drives persons travelling in Coaches/Seats reserved for Divyangjans and women to ensure their safer and secure journey across Indian Railways.

JANUARY 2020 I Indian Railways I 47 NEWS BULLETIN MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS SIGNS MoU WITH UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR NEXT GENERATION TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS The National Rail Transport Institute, a deemed to be Railways, modernizing Indian Railways signalling systems, university under the Ministry of Railways, signed an MoU rolling stock and operations. Its pedagogy would nurture with the University of Birmingham in Rail Bhawan, New creativity and entrepreneurship among NRTI students Delhi on December 18th, 2019 to set up its first Centre of providing them an opportunity to become best in class Excellence for Next Generation Transportation Systems. The professionals, influential leaders, nation-builders and value MoU was signed by Mr. Vinod Kumar Yadav, Chairman, driven citizens. Railway Board and Chancellor of NRTI, and Professor About the National Rail Transport Institute : The Clive Roberts, Head of the Birmingham Centre for Railway National Rail Transport Institute has been set up as a Research and Education (BCRRE) at the University of deemed to be university and has been operational since Birmingham. Indian Railways is a founding partner of this 2018. In addition to Schools and Departments in various centre and would provide proprietary data, professional disciplines, NRTI aims to develop interdisciplinary Centres expertise, spare equipment and other available resources of Excellence which would be collaborative constructs to directly or through its Centralised Training Institutes promote research and education to the transportation sector. and research organisations. The centre would also invite NRTI’s strategy is focussed upon sourcing the best expertise partnerships from other industry and academic organi from around the world from leading global institutions sations as it develops in the future. through institutional partnerships for collaborating on This Centre will be involved in promoting development developing curriculum, research projects and executive of the Rail and Transportation sector in India which education programs.Further details about the institution are include offering post-graduate, doctoral and post-doctoral available at www.nrti.edu.in programmes, customized training programmes for in-service About University of Birmingham: The University of professionals, undertaking joint research projects in areas Birmingham is home to the Birmingham Centre for Railway such as signalling, communication, asset maintenance, Research and Education (BCRRE) with over 150 academics, traction and safety and developing benchmarks, standards researchers and professional services staff, delivering world- and certifications for specialized skills. It will also be class research, education and leadership to the global rail involved in organising knowledge events, conferences, industry. The BCRRE is the largest university-based centre workshops to disseminate trends, latest research, global best for railway research and education in Europe, involved in practices and developments in the transportation sector, developing world-leading new technologies alongside higher accessible to industry and academia. education programmes, research and innovations in Climate The establishment of this centre is yet another step Change, Aerodynamics and International Benchmarking, towards building our capacity in the transportation sector, Power Systems and Energy Use, Railway Control and which would prepare our youth for participating in building Operations Simulation. and operation of national projects such as High-Speed

Decisive step towards capacity building in the transportation sector ANOTHER CHANCE TO ELIGIBLE MULTIPLE DISABILITY (MD) ‘DIVYANGJAN’ LEVEL-1 CANDIDATES TO RECTIFY DISABILITY OPTION FOR RAILWAY JOBS It may be recalled that Railway Recruitment Boards 2400, with around equal number reserved for the four (RRBs) had advertised through their centralized CEN Disability categories of Locomotor Disability (LD), Visually 02/18 notification for around 63000 vacant Level-1 posts in Impaired (VI), Hearing Impaired (HI), and Multiple early February,2018. Consequent to the notification of the Disability (MD). MD refers to candidates having more than revised Divyangjan Act (RPWD Act, 2016) and orders of the one Disability among the other three Categories of LD, VI Hon’ble Delhi High Court in a case filed by an organization and HI. for one of the Divyangjan categories, a corrigendum was The vacant posts notified for any Zonal Railway are issued on Feb 28, 2018. An extended one month window being filled in as per merit position among those who was provided to enable the Divyangjan categories included have opted for that zonal Railway and have secured the in the revised Act, including candidates with identified minimum qualifying threshold marks and qualified in the Multiple Disabilities (MD) to apply for the examination. Physical Efficiency Tests (PET) conducted by the Railway Around 1.17 crore candidates including around 1.54 lakh Recruitment Cells (RRC) of the respective Zonal Railways. Divyangjan appeared at the Computer based written tests. Divyangjan candidates have not only been fully exempted The number of vacancies reserved for Divyangjan is over from PET, but have been accorded 2 marks relaxation in

48 I Indian Railways I JANUARY 2020 NEWS BULLETIN minimum qualifying cut-offs as well. Their final selection, subject to Document Verification and Medical Examination, Eligible MD Divyangjan candidates who have is therefore based on their merit position in the Computer Based Tests for their Disability category and Zonal Railway filled in their Disability option incorrectly while they had opted for. applying can now represent to the RRC of the While over 1025 Divyangjan candidates have already been Zonal Railway they had opted for with proof. finally selected and several more candidates’ cases are under Option to be available from 23rd December verification/medical examination, it has been observed that 2019 on RRC websites the MD category has remained mostly unfilled in all Zonal Railways. It is a fact that this Category has been included as per the revised Act fairly recently and the CEN 02/2018 is the three single Disability categories of LD, VI and HI but among the earliest recruitment notifications to incorporate have inadvertently opted for only a single Disability Category this Disability Category. In this context, several Divyangjan in their application forms for the Level-1 CEN 02/2018 candidates & groups have represented that due to recruitment notification will now get another chance to be unfamiliarity with the revised Categorisation and application considered against unfilled MD Category vacancies of the protocol, they have filled in only Single Disability (either LD Railway zone they had originally opted for. Such eligible or VI or HI) option in the application form, instead of two Divyangjan MD candidates, who have a score of 38 or or more of the Disabilities that they are affected with. Due more in the written Computer Based Test (28 or more for to this inadvertent exercise of option, such candidates have Divyangjan of SC/ST/non-creamy layer OBC) will be able therefore been considered only against the respective single to represent to the RRC of the Zonal Railway they had Disability Category of LD or VI or HI as per option, and not opted for with proof of their belonging to MD Category. as MD to which they actually belong. The notification and format for representation is scheduled The above representation has been considered in to be available in the relevant RRC/RRB websites from the Ministry of Railways, and it has been decided to 23rd December 2019 for around a fortnight. From amo allow a window period for such candidates to represent ngst the eligible applications so received and scrutinised, for considering them against MD Category vacancies. shortlisting for further processing for filling up the unfilled Accordingly, those eligible Divyangjan MD candidates who MD vacancies will be done as per merit position. Indicative actually have more than one benchmark Disability among notice has already been published in newspapers for advance information of the eligible MD Category Divyangjan in this regard. Indian Railways continues to remain committed to Transportation of Automobiles, Steel, Bulk Fly the cause of empowerment of Divyangjan and in following ash & Cement and Special Commodities were all applicable laws and provisions in this regard in letter and the major themes of the conference spirit. The dispensation being adopted above is an illustrative example in this regard.

Ministry of Railways organises a Third Edition of Integral Coach Conference on Wagon Development for New Commodities Factory produces 3000 Coaches in Ministry of Railways organised a Third said that once the Dedicated Freight Edition of Conference on Wagon Corridors become a reality, there would record 215 days Development for New Commodities. The be substantial increase in the speed Displaying dedication and objective of the conference was to evolve of freight movement by the Railways. efficiency, Integral Coach innovative solutions for transportation He complimented RDSO for fast Factory (ICF) of Indian challenges in the automobile, steel, implementation of new designs of freight Railways has produced its cement, food-grain and other special wagons. Other Members of Railway Board, 3000th coach of the year in commodities segments and to chart out a senior officials from Railways, RDSO, less than 9 months. This would roadmap to exploit the market potential in CONCOR and Industry Representatives help in meeting the growing freight segment for the Indian Railways. were present. Based on the discussion demand for coaches. The The attempt is to find workable solutions with various stake holders in the last number of working days to to transportation challenges pertaining to conference, five designs were identified achieve the above figure has Railways by involving major stakeholders for wagon development. With a specific been reduced from 289 days in freight operations. timeline and focused approach, the in the last year to 215 days in Inaugurating the Conference, Member designing time for the wagons has reduced the current year, a reduction (Rolling Stock), Railway Board, Shri from one and half year to six months. of 25.6%. Till the year 2014, Rajesh Agrawal said the aim is that Follow up to the earlier conferences also the same amount of time was 45 percent of total freight movement facilitated meaningful interaction between being taken for the production in the country should be by rail. He Indian Railways and stakeholders. of only 1000 coaches.

JANUARY 2020 I Indian Railways I 49 — Customized Service for optimized asset lifecycle and reduced TCO

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50 I Indian Railways I JANUARY 2020 VIEWPOINT Azad Hind Fauj (INA) of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and the Railways!

B.M.S. Bisht [email protected]

zad Hind Fauj (INA) grew from Singapore where on 15 AFebruary, 1942 eighty-five thousand men of the British army in Malaya surrendered to the Japanese. with clear victory to the British. The departure of INA troops by rail with Out of these sixty thousand were Railways were therefore never used an exciting background : “Bose arrived Indians. From among these some in India as a battle effort in actual Rangoon with the key members of his twenty- five thousand Indian ranks operations by the INA. Headquarters and Cabinet on 17th in Japanese captivity including some But the INA did use the Railways January, 1944 and he discussed with officers threw off their allegiance to as a means of transport for dispatching the Japanese Commander-in-Chief the British and opted to join the INA, their troops in various campaigns in General Kwabe the coming invasion the army of “Free India” under the ‘Burma’. According to “My Memories of India, for already the Subhash presidency of Subhash Chandra Bose. of INA and Its Netaji”(1946) by Major Regiment was preparing to move As the last stages of war reached, General Shah Nawaz Khan of the INA forward. He saw his national flag the INA troops, according to Major – who later became Deputy Minister of planted at Imphal ,Kohima even on General Shah Nawaz Khan, entered Railways in Independent India: the banks of the Brahamputra and the India in early May 1944 at ‘Mowdok’ “The advance parties of Regimental people of India welcoming him with in Manipur on Burma border one Headquarters and the two battalions open arms... On January 24th.. he viz. No 2 and 3 Battalions moved to hundred miles north of Akyab in spent the whole day with the Regiment Rangoon by the train to Mandalay on Burma. But according to S.A. Ayer, reviewing, watching it at exercises and — 4th and 5th February, 1944 but on – ‘Netaji’s’ confidante and later his parade, talking to his officers, exerting the way owing to the railway bridges Minister of Publicity and Propaganda his magic on it in a way that he had in the Provisional Government of Azad being blown by enemy aircraft the men Customized Service not attempted before. These were his Hind – they crossed the border on 18 had to cover considerable distances comrades, the men by whose means he March, 1944 and planted the Indian on foot... Later the INA troops from would uphold the rights and honour of for optimized asset lifecycle Tricolour at ‘Moirang’ in ‘Manipur’. Mandalay left for Kalewa in Burma India. Shah Nawaz Khan tells us in his story near the Indian border in parties that the INA came as close as two miles of approximately of 300 men and “On 3rd February he bade farewell and reduced TCO short of Imphal though history tells us performed the journey from Mandalay arousing them by his inspiring call: that the Imphal Campaign finally failed to Yeu in Burma by train and on foot.... “Blood is calling. Arise! We have no and the INA had to retreat. Whatever From Tamu to Humine and time to lose. Take up your arms ...The the proximity of the INA to Imphal Ukhrul in Manipur and then to there was no occasion of any use of Kharsom and Kohima on arrival According to S.A. Ayer, – ‘Netaji’s’ Railways. The then Indian government our men hoisted the trilcolour confidante and later his Minister of did not prove to be so poor strategically on the lofty mountains around Publicity and Propaganda in the as to allow the INA capture the Assam Kohima....” Provisional Government of Azad Hind – Assuring the availability of your locomotive fleet is a critical part of securing your Bengal Railway whose nearest station The British former they crossed the border on 18 March, business sustainability. The customized, local rail service offerings from ABB Turbocharging was Manipur Road (later Dimapur) Intelligence Officer Hugh Toye in 1944 and planted the Indian Tricolour at increase your fleet’s reliability, performance and lifetime at lowest total cost of near Kohima where the actual fighting his well-known classic “Subhash ‘Moirang’ in ‘Manipur’. ownership. Find out more about our unit exchange concept: abb.com/turbocharging did take place between the Japanese Chandra Bose : The Springing and British Indian Army troops Tiger” (1959) prefaces the JANUARY 2020 I Indian Railways I 51 VIEWPOINT

reached Moulmein road early 25th Burma via Siam (Thailand) as the April, he moved among his people war neared its end in 1945. Bose was attending to their food, drinking water, especially, very anxious about safe camouflage, caring for the weak... He evacuation of INA’s women personnel covered last ten miles on foot to the of its unique Rani of Jhansi regiment Saltong River. He made three long .Lt Janaki Devar, who was leading a night marches before the Japanese party of her hundred women troops, found enough vehicles for the whole describes one such rail journey from party... Bose’s personal courage, Moulmein, western terminus of the determination to share common notorious railway which later came suffering, tirelessness and leadership to be known as the Death Railway. impressed all... It was on the border of Burma and Moulmein in Siam (Thailand) was Thailand. Lt Janaki notes in her diary;” reached in May. From here after a We are allottted few goods wagons pause half of the party left by train and and are packed in like sardines. Any the remaining half by road. The railway how it is better than marching in journey was a difficult and hazardous mud. Our train left Moulmein late at business as the bridges and trains were night. At one in the morning it came now tactical targets of British aircraft to a dead halt. A bridge was down, National Flag at Moirang by INA in operating from airstrips in Manipur hit by American bombers...” The Rani India basin, nearby Kabaw valley and from of Jhansi troops had to detrain, put road to Delhi is the road to freedom air strip in extreme northeast Assam. on their packs and luggage on the (DELHI CHALO!)” Railfans can even now have a dekko at alternative transport of bullock carts “The regiment left for the front the distinct remains of a small airstrip and started foot slogging in the night. during the next three days Netaji and few bunkers in Digboi Refinery Early next morning they stopped their watched their trains move and he could area in Assam. So nothing moved by march and took a camouflaged shelter not withhold his tears.”.... day. Trains could travel only by night near a railway station. There they “Further” during March as the 2nd consequently the progress was slow. observed a movement of a handling and 3rd regiments of the INA prepared Bose would of course visit his troops at of a troop train by the Japanese army. their progress to Imphal, he again halts of troop trains at stations to look Since the day had dawned and the strove by speeches, inspections and after their welfare and progress. The movements were only by night the personal contacts to foster their morale troop trains were bound for Bangkok. Japanese were busy shunting and and heighten confidence. The move Bose reached Bangkok on 15th May sorting out their train into piecemeal northwards from Rangoon began in and beside his troops also arranged wagons and scattering them on track end of March. Once more there were for the reception of Indian stragglers away over a distance trying to put farewell speeches... and the officers and (refugees) from BURMA because of the wagons (carrying their men and men joined in the leave-taking as the worsening conditions of the war there... military material) in safe places from troop trains began their long journeys The above descriptions of train air attacks as they imagined best from Rangoon to Mandalay.But there journeys of INA troops are very under the situation The train engine was less emotion ...” sketchy from the point of view of an was also decoupled and sheltered Japanese troops and the INA crossed ardent rail fan as these do not give under a bamboo” shed.” Thereafter as the Indian Frontier on 19th March.... any idea of type of trains travelled soon as the dusk came the Japanese On 7th April, 1944 the Imphal by , their compostion, marshalling, commander re-formed the train and Campaign was being launched with his locomotives used and the details of the troops climbed overboard and the own troops were either involved in it their time tables and crew particulars train wheezed off in comparative safety or moving towards the front. Bose took etc. Obviously this is because these of night’ s darkness. Thus by and by, a small headquarter to the little town narratives are by historians and not by the middle of May, 1945 saw Lt Janaki of Maymyo near Mandalay. The fall of rail historians; may be some day more Devar and her woman regiment of Imphal was expected in three weeks at descriptions of trains and the railways about hundred and a total of about the most.... Unfortunately it was never the INA used would be available to us sixteen thousand other men troops to be as both the Indian and Japanese by researchers All the same ,luckily reach Bangkok safely…. Further story troops had to retreat from Indian soil I could find somewhat better idea of of the later fate of theINA is beyond the due to very adverse weather conditions some of such troop trains in Peter scope of this article. and extremely poor logistics available Ward Jay’s comprehensive and more to them in final stages. balanced history of INA in his ’The “Blood is calling. Arise! We Later Bose and his men would cover Forgotten Army – India’s Struggle For have no time to lose. Take the weary marches from Rangoon Independence, 1942-1945”, (1994). up your arms ...The road to into Siam (Thailand)... As the little It relates to trains at the time of final cavalcade of twenty one vehicles evacuation of INA personnel from Delhi is the road to freedom (DELHI CHALO!)” 52 I Indian Railways I JANUARY 2020 Ref : HA 493

JANUARY 2020 I Indian Railways I 53 STORY

A Rose for the Young Man

was tousled, she was shabbily dressed, she had said and made a living and using a rag she was busy cleaning working for a rich old lady named Mrs a painting that lay propped against a Gresham. And he in turn said he found table. her great, that he cared for her, and Tom’s heart leaped. Wasn’t it the found her aristocratic little nose most same girl he had met at the fair a week charming, and that he would not give ago? He peered at the girl crouching her up for anything in the world. And against the table, then putting aside there, amidst the milling crowds and his case he hastily stepped out of the beneath a thousand glowing lights he carriage. With quick purposeful steps took her hand and kissed it. “Oh Tom!” he ascended the sloping bank and said Clara, overwhelmed with the stood leaning against the turnstile gate. gesture. “Tom, do you really mean it? Ravindra Bhalerao “Clara!” cried out Tom, “Clara! Isn’t I mean -- no one has said anything as Freelancer, Nagpur that you?” The young lady paused lovely as this to me before...!” [email protected] momentarily to glance at the voice A deep whistle blew and Tom turned calling over the fence and her face to leave reluctantly. “The train’s begun broke into an eager smile. She put away to move! See you again, dear!” he cried om Russell toyed with his case her rag impatiently and gathering her moving away swiftly. Clara looked at as he gazed out of the window skirt around her hurried out to meet him longingly. Then quickly picking Tof the train. The twenty minute the man. a rose she ran up to him and hastily ride from his hometown to London “Oh Tom!” cried Clara as she flew pinned it to his coat. where he had joined newly as a into outstretched arms. “Tom, I am “Meet you tomorrow at Walton’s telegrapher had been uneventful. He sorry. I didn’t turn up at the cafe that cafe!” she cried, but Tom was busy was familiar with the sights along the day -- I’m sorry. Mrs Gresham has been clambering on to the train. The girl way – rolling green countryside dotted so mean lately, doesn’t let me off even stood watching the moving train. A with farmhouses here and there soon for a second.” moment later a face leaned out of the gave way to the smoke and grime of She looked up at him wistfully. window waving to her. She stood still, London’s suburbs. Towering chimneys “Tom, did you miss me?” watching the receding figure till it slowly came into view spouting The young man gazed down at the vanished in the distance. smoke into the morning air, followed girl and squeezed her hand. “Isn’t it The hours flew by like minutes as by dismal looking warehouses with good to be with each other again? I the young telegrapher sat at his desk hoardings which said, “Use Bovril” or feared I would never get to see you that day tapping away the Morse he “Ashton’s, Trafalgar Square”, and plump again, dear,” he said, hot tears spilling knew so well. Dot-dot-dash, dot-dash... women dressed in aprons hanging up on to her rosy cheeks. and on he went, his fingers showing no clothes in the balconies of cheerless He had met her a week ago in a fair signs of aching. Tom glanced at the rose apartments. in the northern part of the city. Bailey’s pinned to his pocket, still fresh as ever, The train takes a sudden turn at annual fair, it is called. He was sipping still fragrant as the dew of the morning. this spot and passing under a road- hot chocolate when a fair young girl It was a gift from the loveliest girl he bridge makes it way gallantly through came up and took a seat beside him. had known. How charming it looked, a cutting. And then a dash of green “Have a cuppa with me?” he offered how brave and handsome! How deeply again, not unlike the countryside left and she had said yes. She was poorly she must care for him ! It made him far behind, dotted with neat little dressed, and she was hungry he could feel as though Clara were sitting next to houses at intervals. see, so he took her over to a stall. They him, attentive to every word he spoke, The train slowed and screeched to a shared hamburgers from the same every gesture he made. halt beside a signal. Tom glanced out of plate, they drank chocolate, and danced The weather cleared towards the window and found himself staring together in a musical stall called ‘The evening and when Tom left the office straight into a lineside bungalow, a Jukebox’ where for a few shillings you the sky had turned a pinkish blue hue. lovely old-style home with chimneys could dance to music of your choice. London Central station was crowded and gabled roof, with a Ford occupying How they laughed when they rose as always and the young man made a place within the compound. And together high up in the sky on the ferris his way through the bustling swarms then he caught sight of something that wheel and London below glittered like of people finding a place for himself made him start. There in the midst stars on a cloudless night! in the carriage beside a window. In a of the portico stood a young lady. She At the end of it all they strolled little while from now it would grow must be twenty something, her hair around together. She was an orphan dark and stars would begin to peep out. continued on page 57

54 I Indian Railways I JANUARY 2020 TOURISM Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel: The Ironman of India

and meadows, winding roads, tranquil lakes, water cascades and thick forest areas. Basically, an ‘all in one nature experience’ for the urban traveller. There has been numerous sightings of animals native to the region like leopards, sloth bears, crocodiles, etc. If visiting the statue site makes the pulse race, staying back to sample the beauty of its natural environs is sure to soothe the nerves. Besides the statue, there are Anil K Saxena interesting excursions around the site. Freelancer The best way to experience all this is an array of exquisite tents nestling in GAYA, 823001 BIHAR the valleys - Tent City Narmada. Tent email:[email protected] City Narmada consists of tents that are luxurious and well-appointed, offering ith the opening of the Statue a close-to nature experience with hills, of Unity, dedicated to the lakes, wooded areas and pollution-free W‘Iron Man of India’, Sardar air. Five-star food complements the Vallabhbhai Patel, India just made its five-star accommodation. There are entry into the club of the tallest statues a choice of packages, starting from in the world. quick one-day getaways to lazy two- day escapes from the city. For week Feel Pride ends, bunched holidays, occasions, Finally, a fitting tribute to the ‘Iron educational trips, or corporate outings Man of India’, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel - The Statue of Unity. The world’s tallest statue is truly a must-visit. Standing head and shoulders above the PRIDE OF THE WORLD’S rest at a jaw-dropping 182 metres, it TALLEST STATUE is nearly twice the height of the Statue PEACE OF THE ALL IN ONE of Liberty. Standing in front of this NATURE EXPERIENCE marvel of imagineering is sure to evoke feelings of awe and pride. Two lifts that go up to the Viewing Gallery at this is the perfect nature retreat. the statue’s chest level yield an awe- Narendra Modi Dt 01/09/2019 Must-See the World’s Tallest inspiring panoramic view of the statue Prime Minister Narendra Modi Statue site. The site has been conceived of today expressed his happiness The Statue of Unity is a colossal statue as a memorial to one of the greatest over the listing of the Statue of Indian statesman and independence nation-builders, Sardar Patel. It was of Unity in Gujarat in TIME activist Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel his charismatic leadership that was magazine’s ‘’World’s 100 Greatest (1875–1950), who was the first Home able to knit together the diverse parts Places of 2019’’. He said the minister of independent India and of the nation into one unified whole. 182-metre statue of Sardar the chief adherent of Mahatma Attractions like the Museum, Audio- Vallabhbhai Patel attracted Gandhi during the non-violent Indian Visual Gallery, Sound and Light Show, 34,000 visitors in a single day Independence movement. He was Exhibition Centre, Earth Wall, Valley recently. highly respected for his leadership in of Flowers Garden, among others, play “Excellent news vis-a-vis the uniting the 552 princely states of India on the theme of Unity in Diversity to ‘’Statue of Unity’’- it finds a spot in to form the single Union of India. It is honour the legacy of this tall stalwart the @TIME 100 greatest places located in the state of Gujarat, India. Providing a stunning backdrop to 2019 list. And, a few days back, a It is the world’s tallest statue with this wonder of the world is another record 34,000 people visited the a height of 182 metres. It is located marvel of engineering, the world’s 2nd site in a single day. Glad that it on a river island facing the Sardar largest dam - Sardar Sarovar Dam, and is emerging as a popular tourist Sarovar Dam on river Narmada in its surrounding landscape. It is filled spot,” PM Modi tweeted. Kevadiya colony, 100 kilometres (62 with natural riches like rolling hills mi) southeast of the city of Vadodara

JANUARY 2020 I Indian Railways I 55 TOURISM

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE STATUE OF UNITY

Statue of Unity, India Spring Temple Buddha, China Ushiku Daibutsu, Japan 182 Metres 153 Metres 120 Metres

Christ The Redeemer Statue of Liberty, USA The Motherland Calls, Russia 38 Metres 93 Metres 85 Metres and 150km from Surat. The project seen within a 7 km (4.3 mi) radius. the statue. was first announced in 2010 and the The monument is constructed on a construction of the statue started in river island named Sadhu Bet, 3.2 Must-Visit the World’s Second October 2013 by Larsen & Toubro, who km (2.0 mi) away from and facing Largest Dam received the contract for `2,989 crore the Narmada Dam downstream. The Sardar Sarovar Dam, located on the (US$420 million) from Government statue and its surroundings occupy Narmada River in Gujarat, is the of Gujarat. It was designed by Indian more than 2 hectares (4.9 acres),] world’s second largest dam in terms sculptor Ram V. Sutar, and was and are surrounded by a 12 km (7.5 of size and volume < It has the largest inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister mi) long artificial lake formed by the water carrying capacity of 40,000 Narendra Modi on 31 October 2018, Garudeshwar weir downstream on the cusecs < Rising to a height of 138 the 143rd anniversary of Patel’s birth. Narmada river. The statue is divided meters, the Dam has the longest canal into five zones of which only three network in the world < Hydroelectricity Features are accessible to the public. From its generation capacity of 1450 mega The Statue of Unity is the world’s base to the level of Patel’s shins is the watts < Key attraction for tourists and tallest statue at 182 metres (597 ft). first zone which has three levels and engineers for its marvellous viewpoints It rises 54 metres (177 ft) higher than includes an exhibition area, mezzanine and engineering technology the previous record holder, the Spring and roof. Zone 1 contains a memorial Temple Buddha in China’s Henan garden and a museum. The second Must-Stay Tent City Narmada province. The previous tallest statue zone reaches up to Patel’s thighs, while Accommodation in Premium / Deluxe in India was the 41 m (135 ft) statue the third extends up to the viewing AC Tents and Standard Non-AC Tents of Hanuman at the Paritala Anjaneya gallery at 153 metres. Zone 4 is the < Visit to Statue of Unity and Sardar Temple near Vijayawada in the state maintenance area while the final zone Sarovar Dam < Sightseeing Tour to of Andhra Pradesh. The statue can be comprises the head and shoulders of historic Shoolpaneshwar Temple and

56 I Indian Railways I JANUARY 2020 TOURISM

# The height of the tallest statue is 182 metres to match the majestic Rajvant Palace, Rajpipla. Shopping and number of seats, 182, in Gujarat Legislative Assembly. cultural evenings < Selfie Point for perfect photos with Statue of Unity Delicious regional, Indian and # The outer structure uses 1700 tonnes bronze plates, 1850 continental cuisines by Courtyard by Marriott < tonnes bronze cladding which comprises 565 macro and 6000 Hiking tour to explore ecotourism sites. micro panels. #The Statue of Unity is equipped to withstand winds of 130 How to reach Statue of unity kilometre per hour velocity and earthquake measuring 6.5 on It is located far from the major city, due to that it Richter scale. does not have direct Rail and Air connectivity. Still # The concrete towers that make up the statue’s legs have two you can reach there by following options elevators each that can carry 26 people at once to the viewing gallery in all of 30 seconds. Option 1 – By Government Buses Recently GSRTC (Gujarat State Road Transport # The viewing gallery at 153 metres can accommodate up to Services) operated buses To and From Statue of 200 people in one go offering great sweeping views of the dam and its surroundings. Unity from Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Dabhoi, Surat, Rajpipla and Ankleshwar. # The complex has a separate selfie zone for the lovers of social Other Option is – Nearest towns are Kevadiya media. Colony (2 kms), Rajpipla (25 kms) so take bus to # About 5700 metric ton of structural steel and reinforcement Kevadiya or Rajpipla (as it has more frequency). bars of 18500 metric ton were used in the construction of Stat- From Rajpipla, you can hire rickshaw/car on sharing ue of Unity. basis or you can get bus to Kevadiya colony every 1.5 # The Statue of Unity is billed to generate over 15,000 direct hrs. jobs for the local tribal folks every year. 25 km from Rajpipla, 93 km from Bharuch, 90 km from Vadodara, 197 km from Ahmedabad, 154 # Larsen & Tubro has a 25-year contract to handle daily opera- km from Surat. tions and Maintenance of the structure. I personally suggest to use personal vehicle or hire Statue of Unity cost of construction, :Funded partly by the State cab because it has many things to see around so it’s and the Central government through the Sardar Vallabhbhai comfortable to have hired or owned vehicle. Patel Rashtriya Ekta Trust, the Sardar Patel statue cost a stag- gering INR 2,989 crore (407 million US dollars).

continued from page 54 A Rose for the Young Man It reminded him of that starry night Desmond considered the rose pulled out of the station. His mind when he and his newfound friend had carefully. “That’s the girl you met at felt empty, he didn’t know how to soared high up in the sky on the giant the fair, didn’t you? Did you meet her piece things together. And yet he wheel. What should he get for her as lately?” knew the words he saw on the printed a present? A teddy bear, or maybe a Tom recounted the morning’s page must be true. He looked out straw hat? occurrence with a feeling of elation. of the window sullenly. Towering Tom reclined on his seat looking “She’s as sweet as a lark,” he finished. buildings and offices came into view, forward to the arrival of a new day “And she’s lovelier than this rose. I and passed by as they always did. when a gentle pat on his shoulder could spend a lifetime gazing at her.” Tiresome warehouses and factory aroused him. It was Desmond, an old A whistle blew and the train began chimneys shot out of nowhere and friend, standing beside the window. to glide. Desmond walked alongside soon slipped by. But there was a row A short, stockily built man, Desmond beaming happily. “That’s great !” he of neat little houses by the lineside possessed an ever smiling face, a said. “I should like to meet your friend that was hastening on to meet the balding head and enormous whiskers. some day. Where does she live, by the young man seated in the train. Ah, He was quick to notice the rose on way?” there it was, the house with a pink Tom’s pocket. But Tom wasn’t listening, for across gabled roof and a Ford parked beside. “That’s a fine rose, Tom. But what’s the seat sat a man reading the evening Tom peered at the home and caught a it doing up there?” newspaper, and in the corner of the glimpse of a painting propped against “Oh well...” the young man flushed page was a bit of news which read : a table, but there was no one in sight with pleasure as he spoke. “Girl Run Over... In a ghastly incident this time. Would the train halt again “Yes?” a young housemaid, Clara Williams by for him? Tom stole a glance at the “Oh, it was given to me by a friend name, working at Gresham Lodge in pretty turnstile gate before it passed -- by Clara.” north London was run over by a motor out of view, then clutched at the rose There was a brief pause as a lorry this afternoon...” longingly as the train hurtled on. wheelbarrow rumbled by. Tom was in a daze as the train JANUARY 2020 I Indian Railways I 57 REMINISCENCE

Good Old Memories

Durga Dutt Sharma Free Lance Journalist Gurugram, Haryana email : [email protected]

hen I go back to my old True to its name it holds in it a lot of Gradually, the horse would start memories at this 80 years of my memories and I am convinced that trotting and a little whack on its bums Wage, I am really strange to all of you who have used a holdall, would impel it to move faster still. the changes during the last few years. the very thought of it would inspire The tangewala was a man of great I would like to share my experience nostalgia too. The present genera magnitude and always in control which were commonly used in those tion even have not heard the name of of himself. His temper, mood and days while travelling, one of them, the holdall. composure manifested in his language. “Good Old Holdall” which you don’t The second thing which has His deportments and stances changed see it today. 50 years back, it was a vanished is ‘Tanga’ Vkaxk. During the with proximity, but his assertiveness necessary and every family had one. sixtees & seventees, the tanga was a remained unchanged. A little before An overnight journey, particularly common sight in Delhi & even major any person or rikshaw ahead, he would in winter months was incomplete, if cities of India. In Bombay it was called yell rather stridently, “gV tk .... gV tk”. the holdallwas not there, we could “Victoria” (having four wheels) and As he neared, he would calm down carry our xn~nk, jtkbZ, rfd;k and had a hand pulled rikshaws in Calcutta, and and say loudly, gV tkvks .... gV tkvks- good night sleep. Your bedding for the in those days many films have also been And if he came close to them and was journey apart the holdall could really picturized on them. It was a popular not given the right of way, he would hold all. The man who coined the word mode of conveyance because of the fun implore, HkS;k] gV tkb;s] ckcwth tkb;s he holdall was a great. You could carry that it offered and also because it was knew exactly what he sought. It was shoes, chappals & heavy clothings & relatively cheap & outside the Railway indeed an impressive sight to see a what all in the hold all. Coolis carrying Station, they were to be seen in large tanga move on the road, and the thrill a trunk with a holdall on top of it was a numbers. that you got sitting on it particularly common sight at the Railway Stations. A typical part of the tanga was if you happened to be accommodated The holdall made by convas with straps a place below the rear seat where next to the tangawala. of crome plated metallic buckels were invariably some lay or grass was The tanga and the tangewala were available in wholesale shops in Azad stacked for the horse. Those days most a culture and institution by itself in Market. people carried a sanduk or baksa while the history of India’s cities. Today, you It is only when AC Coaches were going on a train journey. The space was don’t get to see a tanga outside the introduced in trains & my folks realized used to place the trunks, if the trunk railway station or elsewhere. Instead the need to travel light that the holdalls was big & could not fit the space it was taxis, tempos, autos and e-rikshaws lost significance for us like I suppose placed in the little space of your feet & have taken its place. But for those who in respect of most of you. With a you had to enjoy your ride on the tanga have experienced the pleasure of sitting space of time how & when they were legs up resting on the trunks. on a tanga, they will remember the disappeared I done recollect now. After striking a deal, when you majestic two-wheeled, horse – drawn I air holdall at least twice in a year, boarded a tanga, it would move carriage for the most fascinating rides while going on camps, like St. John slowly. The tangewala would mano of their lives. Gone are the days to Ambulance camps, NCC camps once euvre it intelligently through the where we the most of us remember in a year & again on pleasure trip on crowd with continuous “,gd---,gd--- even today. my privilege pass. The holdall gave me ,gd--- ” (Sorry, the way you pronounce yeoman’s service wherever I travelled. it cannot be reduced to writing). 58 I Indian Railways I JANUARY 2020 ZONAL RAILWAYS NEWS CENTRAL RAILWAY: RS 3.5 LAKH COLLECTED DURING ’OPERATION SURUCHI’ DRIVE AGAINST UNAUTHORISED HAWKING AND VENDING ON CR Central Railways Crime Investigation At Divisional level separate teams To prevent and control the menace Branch of Railway Protection Force were deployed and these drives of unauthorised vending, Passengers launched a special relentless drive will continue till the menace of were appealed to inform TTEs, AC “Operation Suruchi” from 3.12.2019 unauthorised hawking/vending is attendants, pantry staff, stall owners/ against unauthorised hawking and eliminated from the railways. Frequent operators etc. whenever they notice any vending in trains and at stations. announcements were made through unauthorised hawker/vendor. Other During the drive in all 835 cases were PA (Public Address) system to make Railway staff also advised to bring to registered arresting 835 persons till aware the passengers about the harms the notice of Commercial / RPF staff 10.12.2019. A fine of` 3,51,035/- was and consuming unhygienic food about any unauthorised hawking / collected from these unauthorised items purchased from unauthorised vending in trains and at stations for vendors and 2 persons were sent to jail. hawkers/vendors. immediate action.

General Manager Awards Winners of All India Inter-Railway Cultural Competition-Music 2019

Shri Sanjeev Mittal, General Manager, Central Railway and Smt Relly Mittal, President, Central Railway Women’s Welfare Organisation (CRWWO) gave away awards to winners of the All India Inter Railway Cultural Competition -Music 2019 at the concluding function held at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus auditorium on 12 December, 2019. As many as 160 artistes from all Zones and Production Units of Indian Railways participated in the 3-day event. There were 4 different categories of events namely Vocal Competition first prize in the Light Vocal category. won the trophy for Best Overall - Classical and Light & Instrumental South East Central Railway bagged the performance. A special award was given competition - Classical and Light. first prize in Classical Instrumental and to Southern Railway and East Coast Chittaranjan Locomotive Works Diesel Locomotive Works bagged the Railway for excellent performance in bagged the first prize in Classical Vocal first prize in the Light Instrumental Carnatic Classical Vocal and Classical and Rail Coach Factory bagged the category. South East Central Railway Instrumental respectively.

Writers and Contributors Writers are invited to contribute original general articles on subjects like SHORT STORIES, TOURISM, HEALTH, YOGA, CINEMA, GARDENING, MEDITATION, COOKING, SPORTS, FAMOUS PLACES IN ABROAD, TREKKING etc. in 800-1000 words/poems/quiz/ puzzles. Relevant pictures along with article may be sent only on Email ID [email protected]. A suitable remuneration shall be paid after its publication. –Editor

JANUARY 2020 I Indian Railways I 59 ZONAL RAILWAYS NEWS 121st ZRUCC MEETING OF CENTRAL RAILWAY

Shri Sanjeev Mittal, General Manager, Central Railway chaired the 121st Zonal Railways Users’ Consultative Committee (ZRUCC) Meeting at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Mumbai, along with other principal heads of departments of Central Railway were present on the occasion. Members of the ZRUCC discussed various rail related issues in this meeting. EASTERN RAILWAY: EASTERN RAILWAY ORGANISED SEMINAR ON OPEN ACCESS AND CAPACITY BUILDING MEASURES DURING ENERGY CONSERVATION WEEK Eastern Railway organized a seminar on Open Access and Capacity Building Measures on Power with the help of Railway Energy Management Company Ltd (REMCL) and Power Trading Corporation India Ltd on 13 December, 2019. This seminar was organized to improve the knowledge of field officials and understanding the intricacies of various processes and procedure of open access. Shri Suneet Sharma, General Manager, Eastern & Metro Railway; Shri S. S. Gehlot, Additional General Manager, Eastern Railway; Shri C S Jeengar, Principal Chief Electrical Engineer (PCEE), establishment expenditure to its quarters, use of 5% Bio-diesel with Eastern Railway; Shri RajanSaxena, employees. Diesel in Locos, Energy audits at OSD, BRBCL; Shri Vasudev Panda, Indian Railways has an ambitious consumption points, etc. PCEE, E.Co. Railway; Shri Ram Mission of saving Rs. 41,000 Crores Eastern Railway signed a Power Prakash, PCEE, CLW; Shri Alok in its energy expenses for the period Purchase Agreement of 16 Million Mathur, GGM, REMCL addressed the 2015-2025 through Integrated Rail Watts (16 MW) Rooftop Solar power Seminar. Senior officials from Eastern, Energy Management System, through plants on its unused rooftops at Station South Eastern, East Central, South setting up of 1000 megawatt Solar platforms and service buildings with East Central, North Eastern, North plants, 200 megawatts wind energy M/s Sherisha Solar, Chennai on Frontier, East Coast, CLW, Metro plants, 100% Railway Electrification RESCO model without any Capital and Railway participated in the seminar. of its track, introducing Regenerative Operation and Maintenance expenses Railway is the largest single user features in its Three Phase Electric for next 25 years to Railways. Besides of energy in India. At present, Indian Locos and EMU/MEMU trains, Head green, clean & Renewable energy, it Railways energy expenses, both on on Generation (HOG) in Electric locos will effect saving of nearly Rs. 7 Crores Diesel and Electricity is Rs. 33,000 to feed lighting and air-conditioning per year and about Rs. 200 Crores Crores per year, which is 22% of its system in trains, 100% LED lights at in revenue expenditure to Eastern running expenses i.e. highest after Stations/Service buildings and staff Railway.

60 I Indian Railways I JANUARY 2020 ZONAL RAILWAYS NEWS

ECOR ORGANISED ZONAL RAIL USERS’ CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE (ZRUCC) MEETING

The members of ZRUCC along with General Manager, E.Co. Railway and other officers

The meeting of Zonal Rail Users’ groups attended this meeting and A.S.R.K.Ravi Babji, Raja Mishra, Consultative Committee (ZRUCC) presented their valuable opinions and Wipin Kumar Bhatia, Rashid Aslam, was held on 20th December, 2019 suggestions. Durga Dutta Das, Prasant Patra, Anil at Rail Sadan, Chandrasekharpur, Issues related to Passenger Kumar Jain and Shri Govind Agarwal. Bhubaneswar under the Chairmanship Amenities & services, public demands Principal heads of the Departments of Shri Vidya Bhushan, General and other developmental activities, of East Coast Railway including Addl. Manager, East Coast Railway. Many installation of Passenger Reservation General Manager Shri Sudhir Kumar distinguished members of ZRUCC System, Extension of trains, etc. were and Sr. DGM Shri H. K. Dutta were including representatives of different discussed during the meeting. ZRUCC present in the meeting. Shri Ashoka Chambers of Commerce & Industry, members present in the meeting are Kumar Mishra, Secretary, ZRUCC PSUs, representatives of Passenger – MLA/Odisha Shri Ananta Narayan and Dy. General Manager, ECoR co- Associations, Consumer Asso Jena, Shri P. K. Lingeswar Rao, N. ordinated the meeting. ciations, State Governments and other Gajapathi Rao, G. Bhakta Sairam,

UNRESERVED TRAIN TICKET BOOKING THROUGH MOBILE PHONE Apart from booking of reserved train more than the last year. Up to 31st in Khurda Road Division was 1, 63, tickets in online process, Railways December, 2018; the unreserved ticket 994 numbers; Waltair Division 1, have provided digital platform to book booking through mobile phone was 24, 955 numbers and in Sambalpur unreserved tickets through mobile App only 3 lakhs 5 thousand and 510. Till Division was 16, 561 passengers. “UTS on Mobile” since last year. UTS 17th December of this year, unreserved UTS on Mobile App is officially on Mobile App provided to enable ticket booking through mobile phone owned by Indian Railways. If we paperless ticketing of Unreserved in Khurda Road Division is 5, 26, 377 look at the above figure, number of Tickets for the passengers. numbers of passengers; in Waltair passengers are booking unreserved Now passengers prefer to book Division is 3, 68, 713 passengers and train tickets through UTS Mobile App unreserved train tickets through their in Sambalpur Division is 67,230 and this figure is still growing due to Mobile Phone by using Unreserved number of passengers. In 2018, UTS continuous awareness by Railways Ticketing System (UTS) App for Tickets booked through Mobile Phone through different media. UTS train their journey without standing at the tickets can be booked between 20 Booking Counter in a queue. After meters and 5 Kms radius from the implementation of this App, the Boarding Station and passengers can Unreserved Ticket Booking in East Booking of UTS tickets book tickets from the originating Coast Railway jurisdiction has set a from Mobile Phone Stations to any destination Station margin. increased 315 % in ECoR over Indian Railways except Konkan During the year up to 17th December, Railway. East Coast Railway urges 2019 of the calendar year, the More than 9 lakhs 60 passengers to book unreserved train unreserved ticket booking through thousand tickets booked till tickets through their mobile phone to mobile phone in East Coast Railway mid December of this year avoid rush and long queue in Booking jurisdiction has gone up to 9 lakhs Counters. 62 thousands and 319 which is 315%

JANUARY 2020 I Indian Railways I 61 ZONAL RAILWAYS NEWS NORTHERN RAILWAY: INAUGURATION OF IP BASED VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM AT GURGAON RAILWAY STATION

Shri T.P Singh, GM/Northern Railway, inaugurated the Internet Protocol (IP) based Video Surveillance System (VSS) at Gurgaon Railway station provided by RailTel on 13th December, 2019. IP based close circuit television cameras (“CCTV cameras”) have been installed in the railway station premises for keeping tab of all the activities at station premises 24X7. Gurgaon is a class ‘A’ station of Delhi Division in Northern Railway. The VSS system installed here comprises of 30 Full HD Cameras. Out of these, 26 are bullet types of which 4nos. are of 4K resolution used at entry and exit of the station. VSS at Railway stations. Currently, in the first phase, we 3 cameras are of dome type for platforms, FOBs etc. The are working on 200 stations out of which 30 stations have last one is PTZ (Pan Tilt and Zoom) type which has been already been completed. The service will be expanded to installed at the parking area. other stations soon.’ CCTV camera live feeds are displayed on multiple screen th at the Railway Protection Force (RPF) control room for Northern Railway Bags 78 All India Railway Hockey monitoring. Soon, all CCTV cameras provided in this railway Championship for Men 2019-20 station premises will be networked on optical fiber cable and the video feed of the CCTV cameras will be brought to a centralized CCTV control room from where the video feeds will be viewed on multiple LCD monitors by RPF personnel, enhancing the security and safety of the passengers treme ndously. Apart from this, the station also has a state of art Wi-Fi facility with 12 access points provided by RailTel. Railway Board has entrusted RailTel with the work of providing IP based VSS with video analytics and facial recognition system at all the railway stations, premium and EMU coaches. RailTel will provide Video Surveillance System to stations of A1, A, B, C, D and E category, coaches of premium trains and suburban EMU coaches. Talking about the project of providing Video Surveillance System, Shri Puneet Chawla, Chairman and Managing Director, RailTel said ‘We have started the work of providing The winning Northern Rilway Team NORTH CENTRAL RAILWAY: RAILWAYMEN FELICITATED FOR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE TOWARDS On 3rd December, 2019 Shri Rajiv Chaudhry, General Manager, North Central Railway awarded 24 railway staff outstanding contribution to safety in train operations. The awardees are - Shri Rao Virendra Singh, Loco Pilot/Allahabad. Shri Ajeet Kumar, Asst.Loco Pilot/Allahabad. Shri Ajay Pal, Station Master/Sikandarpur. Shri Nagendra Prasad, Technician/Chheoki. Shri Shiv Lal, Pointsman/Prempur. Shri Rajiv Chaudhary rewarded the railwaymen who made significant Shri Sharda Prasad, Pointsman/ contributions for safety in train operation Kanpur Central. Shri Kapil Katiyar,

62 I Indian Railways I JANUARY 2020 ZONAL RAILWAYS NEWS

Guard/Kanpur. Shri Kamlesh Kumar, Mohd Hashim Husain, Asst. Loco Singh, Sr. Section Engineer/Carriage Pointsman/Aung. Shri Rajendra Pilot/Kanpur. Shri Aslam Khan & Vegan/Jhansi. Shri R.N. Anuragi, Kumar Nirkhupa, Station Master/ Abbasi, Station Master/Makhanpur. Loco Pilot Maalgadi. Shri Neeraj Jha, Hathras. Shri Nibhay Kumar, Station Shri Hari Om, Pointsman/Daud Assitt. Loco Pilot. Shri Chhotey Lal, Master/Phaphund. Shri A.K. Goyal, Khan. Shri Sanjay Kumar Bharti, Track maintenor-III. Shri Arjun Singh, Chief Loco Inspector/Kanpur. Shri Station Master/Phaphund. Shri Ram Trackmaintenor-IV. Shri Chhotak, Ajay Jha, Loco Pilot/Kanpur. Shri Sajeevan, Keeman/Naini. Shri Bharat Technician-I (C & W) /Agra NORTH CENTRAL RAILWAY INVITED IDEAS FROM ADVERTISERS AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM INDUSTRIES TO INCREASE NON-FARE REVENUE An interactive session to increase earning from non-fare sources chaired by Shri Rajiv Chaudhary, General Manager, North Central Railway was held on 28 November, 2019 at Subedarganj. A Power Point presentation was made by CCMPS Shri S.P. Verma. Besides popular non-fare revenue sources like commercial publicity, parking, catering/ vending, STD/PCO etc. following new schemes for NFR are launched by Indian Shri Rajiv Chaudhary addressing the interactive session Railways in recent times. l Out of home : Non-fare revenue l Unsolicited proposal : Any non-fare being faced by advertisers etc. shall be source which allows monetization of revenue concept which is not covered resolved on priority basis. PCCM Shri railway assets outside station area for under existing guidelines can be M.N. Ojha assured that commercial advertising or other commercial uses. examined and considered under this branch at divisional and headquarter l RDN : Use of digital media platform concept. level is single touch point for our for running commercials besides This detailed presentation was partners from advertising & industry sharing important information related aimed to tap full potential of NFR to resolve all issues on real time basis. to railways as well as other those of which is tapped at ` 18,000 crores During the discussion, advertisers also public interest. for entire Indian Railways. Post requested for provision of platform l New innovative NFR idea scheme : presentation open discussion was on NCR website where industries This concept allows divisions to award held with representatives of various can lodge their request for product or work to the party coming with unique firms wherein many new ideas and service advertising with railways, GM and innovative idea to encourage futures prospects came up while it was Shri Chaudhry assured that it will be development of new concepts. also decided that practical difficulties done on priority basis. NORTH EASTERN RAILWAY: “THREE PHASE VIDYUT LOCO DOSH NIVARAN NIRDESHIKA” RELEASED Shri Rajiv Agrawal, General Manager, helpful in guiding the concerned staff North Eastern Railway, during a for diagnosis of electric loco defects. It meeting organized on 3rd December, is worth- mentioning that this booklet 2019 in G.M.’s conference hall, deals with, in detail, three phase Gorakhpur regarding punctuality of electrical loco defects, latest technical trains released the newly published information, location of equipments in booklet titled “Three Phase Vidyut bogies, undeframes and brake system. Loco Dosh Nivaran Nirdeshika” This hand-book also indicates the brought out by Electrical department. tremendous increase in the movement ways to handle the defects and take Shri Rajiv Agrawal said that owing to of passenger and goods trains on remedial measures. All the Heads of electrification at a large scale on North electric traction. In the changed the departments were present on the Eastern Railway, there has been a scenario this booklet would be very occasion.

JANUARY 2020 I Indian Railways I 63 ZONAL RAILWAYS NEWS NORTH EASTERN RAILWAY CLINCHES THE TITLE OF “51ST ALL INDIAN RAILWAYS WOMEN CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP”

The team of North Eastern Railway coach and Shri Vinod bagged the title of “51st All Indian Kumar Singh & Shri Railways Women Cross Country Jawahar Prasad were Championship” held in Udaipur, coach of this team. Rajsthan on December 7, 2019. This Shri Rajiv Agrawal, glorious achievement became a reality Patron of North on account of superb performance of Eastern Railway Sports sprinters Dimple Singh, Manju Yadav, Association (NERSA) Monika Yadav and Rekha Patel. About and General Manager, 200 players of different zonal railways North Eastern Railway, and production units of Indian Shri Amit Kumar Railways participated in the event. Agrawal, Additional Central Railway, Mumbai and South General Manager, Shri Sudhanshu Athletics Secreatary, Shri Amit Kumar Western Railway, Hubali secured Sharma, President NERSA, Shri Shrivastava, Cross Country Secretary, second and third place respectively. Sanjay Kumar Mishra, Vice President, Shri Chandra Vijay Singh, Assistant It is for the first time in its history of Shri P.K.Agrawal, General Secretary, Sports Officer and other office forty years that team of women racers Shri Sanjay Yadav, Joint General bearers of NERSA and Sports person has brought laurels for North Eastern Secretary, Shri Pankaj Kumar Singh, have hailed this achievement and Railway by securing first place. Shri Kabbadi Secretary, Shri J.P.Singh, congratulated the participants for their Vinod Kumar Pokharial was the chief Wrestling Secretary, Shri V.K.Singh, exemplary performance.

PLAYERS OF NORTH EASTERN RAILWAY OUTSHINE AT SOUTH ASIAN GAMES

The players of North Eastern Railway The sports persons from North Four players of North Eastern Railway out- performed at South Asian Games Eastern Railway, a part of team India, Manjula Pathak, Jyoti Shukla, (formerly known as South Asian performed exceedingly well and bagged Babita and Neena Shil represented Federation Games (SAIF) held in numerous medals. North Eastern Handball(women) team which Kathmandu and Pokhara in Nepal Railway Sports Association (NERSA) bagged gold medal. Like-wise Sunil from December 1 to 10,2019. Indian is proud of its athletes who have not and Pravesh represented Kabaddi teams in various disciplines ended its only represented the railways, but the (Men) team which also clinched gold campaign with bestever medal tally. nation as well in South Asian Games medal. Similarly Ajay saroj of North India continued its dominance by and earned laurels. In events like Eastern Railway won gold medal in finishing at the top for the thirteenth Hand Ball (Women), Hand Ball(Men), 1500 metres race. In weight lifting time in a row. This is biennial multi- Kabbadi (Men), Weight lifting (Women) Shristi Singh got gold medal. sports event wherein teams from (Women) and 1500 meters race players Sonbir, Naveen Singh, Happy and eight South Asian (SAARC) countries of North Eastern Railway performed Naveen Malik were part of Handball participated. superbly. team(Men) which bagged silver medal.

64 I Indian Railways I JANUARY 2020 ZONAL RAILWAYS NEWS

NORTHEAST FRONTIER RAILWAY : REVIEW MEETING ON DHR HELD BETWEEN NFR AND UNESCO

A review meeting on the various activities that are going on in DHR to preserve its heritage status was held at Maligaon on 9 December, 2019. The meeting was attended by UNESCO officials Dr. Michael Pearson, expert from International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), Australia and Mrs. Nao Hayashi from UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Paris. While from NFR Shri Sanjive Roy, GM/NFR, Shri R.K. Verma, Divisional Railway Manager / Katihar / N.F. Railway, and held on illegal construction alongside going on for heritage preservation, others senior officials were present. railway track. It may be mentioned restoration and conservation of the Before the meeting the officials from here that total 6 eviction drives were DHR property. It may be mentioned UNESCO visited the DHR on 7th and launched since January, 2017. Eviction here that various preservation & conse 8th December and held discussion with was done against unauthorised rvation works worth more than ` 15 crs various stake holders there to assess construction after surveillance of the are being done by NFR in DHR. and assist in managing the Heritage property.Discussion was also held on Management of DHR. Review was also various ongoing projects which are FOUR RAILWAY STAFFS AWARDED BY GM/NFR FOR EXCEPTIONAL ALERTNESS DURING DUTY

Four Railway staffs from Maintainer/Rangapara various divisions of N.F. and Shri Dipak Ch. Nath, Railway, who showed Pointsman/Kendukona exceptional devotion & under Rangiya Division; Shri alertness, while performing Mriganka Shekhar Saikia, Sr. their duties during the Section Engineer (P-Way) month of October, 2019 Naojan under Lumding were awarded during a Division and Shri Nandjee function held at Maligaon Kumar, Driver / Goods / on 29th November, 2019. Shri Radhe Raman, AGM/NFR felicitating the staffs during Mariani under Tinsukia The recipients of the award award distribution function held at Maligaon on 29th Division. were Shri Pranab Das, Track November, 2019

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JANUARY 2020 I Indian Railways I 65 ZONAL RAILWAYS NEWS

NORTH WESTERN RAILWAY : ENERGY CONSERVATION WEEK WAS CELEBRATED OVER NWR Energy Conservation Week Conservation Awards have been was celebrated by Electrical presented to NWR, the details Department of North Western of these are as follows: Jodhpur Railway (NWR) from 09 to 14 station got first prize in station December 2019, during which building category and second exhibitions, seminars, essays prize was given to Gandhi Nagar and drawing competitions Jaipur station and NWR HQ were organized on energy building received first prize in conservation at NWR HQ office the office building category. The and Divisions & Workshops. A Ajmer and Bikaner workshops seminar on energy conservation have been awarded appreciation was also organized at NWR NWR receives 5 Rajasthan Energy Conservation Awards letter in the workshops category. headquarters on 16.12.19, which These awards were given by was chaired by General Manager / service buildings. He appreciated State of Rajasthan to North Western Shri Anand Prakash. Principal Chief North Western Railway for the Railway on 14.12.2019. At present, Electrical Engineer Shri Brajesh awards given on Rajasthan Energy 6814 kWp capacity solar power plants Gupta, PHODs and other officers and Conservation and hoped that in future have been installed on North Western employees were present. NWR Officers the North Western Railway will Railway and works for installing solar in-charge from electrical department of perform even better. power plants of 8680 kWp capacity divisions and workshops participated Principal Chief Electrical Engineer Shri are in progress by March 2020. At with their presentation. Brajesh Gupta gave details of the works the end of the week, a seminar on On this occasion, General Manager being done under energy conservation energy conservation was organized at Shri Anand Prakash laid emphasis on over North Western Railway NWR HQ wherein PHODs of other adopting new technology in energy and requested everyone to make departments also expressed their views. conservation and installing more meaningful efforts for it. He informed and more Solar panels at all stations that this year 05 Rajasthan Energy MEGA HEALTH CHECK-UP CAMP ORGANIZED ON NORTH WESTERN RAILWAY The Mega Health Check-up Camp was railwaymen working at NWR organized on 29 November, 2019 at the headquarter were benefitted North Western Railway Headquarters with health check-ups. Various and Divisions, in which the Railway tests related to Blood, ECG, Officers / Employees got health check- sugar, weight, height and bone ups done. density were checked in the The camp, organised by Medical camp and railway workers department of NWR, was inaugurated were also consulted for other by Shri Anand Prakash, General health related issues. Manager/ North Western Railway. In addition to the medical staff On the occasion of mega medical of the Central Hospital/NWR, check-up camp organized for the hospitals empanelled with railway employees working at NWR N.W. Railway viz Heart and General participated in the medical camp and headquarters, Shri Anand Prakash Hospital, Metro Mas Heart Care and their Medical staffs rendered their said that all railwaymen should remain Multispeciality Hospital Limited, services in conducting health check- alert to their health. Everyone should Manipal Hospitals, Apex Hospitals ups and medical advice. Apart from do regular exercise and yoga to stay Pvt. Limited and S.R. Kalla Memorial this, the health of 1200 railwaymen healthy and should be relaxed and Gastro and General Hospital also were also checked at the Ajmer happy. He also suggested Medical team division, 785 at the Jodhpur division, to convey health tips to railwaymen to More than 5100 Railway 1421 at the Bikaner division and stay fit. officers / employees got 1020 at the Jaipur Division of North In this camp, more than 764 health check-up done Western Railway

66 I Indian Railways I JANUARY 2020 ZONAL RAILWAYS NEWS SOUTHERN RAILWAY : GENERAL MANAGER FELICITATES STAFF FOR RAIL MINISTRY-LEVEL AWARDS

dedication and devotion to duty. Shri P. Saravana Kumar showcased exemplary sincerity and hard work in completing record through Fitting Renewals (TFR) and through Rail Renewals (TRR) at Salem yard. He devised novel methods for protection of welds during weld failure substantially reducing restoration time. Besides, he had put in concerted efforts in reducing precious block time at Points and Crossings at Magnesite Junction in Salem. Shri Shlok Singh, Junior Engineer, Permanent Way, Chennai displayed remarkable dedication and agility in Shri John Thomas, General Manager, P. Saravana Kumar, Senior Section Jolarpet Yard remodeling works. He Southern Railway congratulated Engineer/Permanent Way, Salem and actively involved in calculation survey two Southern Railway Staff for their Shri Shlok Singh, Junior Engineer, of Bridges and track measurements. He outstanding feat that bagged them Permanent Way, Chennai received enabled deep screening of Points and awards from Shri Piyush Goyal. Shri General Manager’s accolades for their Crossings at 16 locations. SOUTH CENTRAL RAILWAY : NINE RAILWAY STATIONS OF SCR GET ISO-14001:2015 CERTIFICATION

Nine stations of South-Central Railway – Secunderabad, Hyderabad, Kacheguda, Vijayawada, Nizamabad, Kurnool city, Basar, Vikarabad and Parli Vaijnath – have been awarded with the prestigious Environmental Standard ISO 14001:2015 Certification for implementing Environmental Management System. ISO 14001 Certification is issued to Kacheguda Railway Station Hyderabad Railway Station the stations which fulfil the laid down standards in provision of services aspects which have a significant impact prestigious recognition to 9 stations and amenities for transportation on the environment. This includes over the zone. He advised them to of passengers and maintenance of Maintaining cleanliness, Disposal of further improve the standards of cleanliness of railway station premises Solid Waste, Pet bottle Shredders, Environment Management System and timely disposal of garbage to Anti Littering, Water conservation, for getting certification for some more Municipal authority. The standards Energy conservation, installation of stations. which are laid down are mainly aimed solar energy, developing green belt and Railway stations are mass contact areas at minimising consumable resources implementing zero waste management and maintaining environment friendly and developing environment friendly among others. atmosphere enables comfortable atmosphere. Shri Gajanan Mallya, General and convenient flow of passengers ISO 14001 Certification to Railway Manager, SCR complimented Principal in all aspects. By obtaining ISO stations will be issued based on the Chief Mechanical Engineer, concerned 14001 Certification it is once again Environmental Management System Divisional Railway Managers and reaffirmed that South-Central Railway being adopted and managing the Team of Officials for achieving the is continuously striving hard towards

JANUARY 2020 I Indian Railways I 67 ZONAL RAILWAYS NEWS betterment of environment and zone — Secunderabad, Kacheguda constantly aware of all environmental and Vijayawada. The NGT has laid obligations and striving towards down certain norms for achieving negating the environmental impact. environment standard certification. Having an ISO 14001 Certification One among them is getting ISO 14001 gives immediate reassurance to certification from BIS. Accordingly, potential customers that steps are all the three identified railway stations being taken from organisational to be developed as Eco-Smart stations side to minimize its impact on the Nizamabad Railway Station viz., Secunderabad, Kacheguda and environment. Eco-Smart stations by achieving green Vijayawada are now in receipt of ISO Recently, the National Green Tribunal environment standards. Accordingly, 14001:2015 certification complying the (NGT) directed Indian Railways to the South-Central Railway (SCR) NGT norms. identify 36 stations to be developed as identified three stations from its “MAN OF THE MONTH” SAFETY AWARDS PRESENTED BY GENERAL MANAGER, SCR Man of the Month Awardees Secunderabad Division: Shri Anup Kumar, Loco Pilot, Shri Virendra Kumar, Trackman, Shri Shrimannarayana, Guard, Shri G.Rajesh, Guard, Shri Md.Nabi Sharief, Loco Pilot, Shri D.Rajeswar, Loco Pilot, Shri P. Rama Mohan, Shri Gajanan Mallya presented Man of Month Safety Awards Loco Pilot, Vijayawada Division: Shri P.Chaitanya, Technician, C&W, Shri Shri Gajanan Mallya, General Hyderabad and Nanded Divisions pa T.V.Ramana Murthy, Guard, Shri V. Manager, South Central Railway rticipated through video conference. Shrinivasulu, Station Master, Shri presented ‘Man of the Month’ safety The General Manger also reviewed Sujith Das, Station Superintendent, awards to 19 employees for showing the loading performance of the zone Nanded Division: Shri Shivaji alertness in the duty and taking timely and instructed the officials to make Warman, Keyman, Guntur Division: action to prevent unsafe conditions. He scientific study to improve further. Shri Venkateswarlu, Gateman, Shri presented the awards during the safety He also instructed to focus on early Ranadhir Kumar, Assistant Loco Pilot, meeting held on 2nd December, 2019 rereleasing of loaded wagons and take Guntakal Division: Shri K.Sekhar, at Rail Nilayam, Secunderabad along measures to prevent damage of wagons Loco Pilot, Shri SMD. Saheb, with Principle Heads of Departments. during unloading. He instructed the Pointsman, Shri K.M. Shaikshavali, Divisional Railway Managers of all officials to make an action plans in Tech, C&W, Shri S.Shrinivasulu, the six divisions viz., Vijayawada, advance to improve cement, food Loco Pilot, Hyderabad Division: Shri Guntakal, Guntur, Secunderabad, grains and fertilizers loading etc. R.Shrinivas, Tech, C&W. VIJAYAWADA RAILWAY STATION AWARDED WITH ISO-14001:2015 CERTIFICATION Vijayawada Railway Station has been Team of Officials for the legal requirements awarded with the prestigious Envi achieving the prestigious are well adequate with ronmental Standard ISO 14001:2015 recognition. mere follow up of the Certification on 2nd December, Two stage audits prestigious/ challenging 2019 for implementing Enviro have been conducted officers in delivering their nmental Management System at best at Vijayawada station best efforts to their teams. and unique standards. ISO 14001 in the month of Vijayawada Railway Station Environmental Management System November, 2019. It is has been certified earlier is a way of managing the aspects at surprisingly happy to as “Green Railway Station” Vijayawada Railway station which declare that there were with “Gold Rating” from have a significant impact on the no Non-Conformities CII-IGBC recently i.e., in environment. at all in either audits the current month, March Shri Gajanan Mallya, General which signifies that 2019. It stood in 4th rank Manager, SCR complimented the procedures being followed at consecutively for 3 years in Swachhatha Divisional Railway Manager and the Railway station in meeting all Survey conducted by QCI from 2017.

68 I Indian Railways I JANUARY 2020 ZONAL RAILWAYS NEWS “ATMOSPHERIC WATER GENERATOR” (WATER FROM AIR) KIOSK INSTALLED AT SECUNDERABAD RAILWAY STATION

As a “First-of-its-kind”initiative fulfils the norms of World Health over Indian Railways, South Central Organisation (WHO) and also Indian Railway has installed “Atmospheric standards for consumption. It is also Water Generator” Kiosk on Platform approved by Ministry of Jal Shakti as no.1 at Secunderabad Railway Station a safe and healthy drinking water. on 12th December, 2019. This Kiosk The Kiosk installed at Secunderabad is installed as part of Green Initiatives station produces around 1,000 litres & Water Conservation measures per day. It is proposed to charge ` 8 being adopted by South Central per litre along with bottle and ` 5 per Railway. This innovative technology litre if passenger brings their own is developed under “Make in India” container. Coin Vending machine concept by ‘Maithri Aquatech’ and facility is also available wherein named as “MEGHDOOT”. passengers can directly fill their water In this system, instead of taking source bottles by dropping ` 5 coin. The water for filtration and consumption, storage tank is of food grade material the water is directly harvested from (Stainless steel) and the freshness of the air through a series of steps. Under filtration which removes odour and water is maintained for several days. this, air flows into the machine through any other impurities and then it passes The machine produces very less noise a filtration system duly filtering out the through Ultra Violet (UV) system. The and temperature and humidity levels contaminants present in the moisture filtered water is dosed with essential arealso displayed. laden air. Then the filtered air passes minerals which are beneficial before The Kiosks are environment-friendly through cooling chamber where in the it can be dispensed for consumption. as there is no dependency on any air will be condensed. The condensed The water produced under this system water resource. Further there is no air is converted into water and drops generation of any waste in this system into a storage tank provided for the First of its kind over and works on all weather conditions. purpose. The dropped water from the Indian Railways Plans are on hand to install similar tank passes through multiple level kiosks in other railway stations also. SCR WON RUNNERS UP CUP IN ALL INDIA BALL DEDICATED WORK FORCE IS THE BADMINTON CHAMPIONSHIP-2019 CORE STRENGTH OF RAILWAYS

The Zonal Railway Training Institute(ZRTI), Moula-Ali celebrated its 47th Annual Day on 19th December, 2019 at Open Air Auditorium. Shri Gajanan Mallya, General Manager, SCR was the Chief Guest on the occasion. Shri B.B. Singh, Additional General Manager, Shri John Prasad, Principal Chief Commercial Manager participated. Shri K.Siva Prasad, Principal Chief Operations Manager presided over the function. Speaking on the occasion, Shri Gajanan Mallya stated that the dedicated work force is the core strength of Railways. Indian Railways has “Shri Gajanan Mallya, General Manager, South Central Railway always valued its relationship with rail users congratulated SCR Ball Badminton Team on 20th December, 2019 at and maintained loyalty towards them. The Rail Nilayam, Secunderabad for secured Second Place in the All India positive public image of the organization is very Railway Ball Badminton Championship which was held at Perambur, important to the growth of the organization and Chennai from 16th to 18th December, 2019. Shri A. K. Singh, General continuous efforts by front line staff will enhance Secretary/ SCR Sports Association and other SCR Sports Association the customer satisfaction. He expressed that Zonal Officials were also present on the occasion. Railway Training Institute plays a critical role in

JANUARY 2020 I Indian Railways I 69 ZONAL RAILWAYS NEWS shaping the approach of the front line Railway employees like Station Masters and Commercial Staff etc. He stated that the present day challenges and priority for Indian Railways rests on the pillars of Safety, Punctuality and Mobility. It should be the endeavor of the entire Railway workforce to tune themselves to these goals and succeed. Later the General Manager presented the meritorious awards to the trainees who topped in the various courses during the year 2018-19. 223 Courses as against 206 courses Chief Electrical Engineer, Shri Earlier, Shri A.L.N.Reddy, Principal, and 7439 trainees, thus improved by N.S.R.Prasad, Divisional Railway ZRTI narrated the annual report of 35% in candidates and 8% in number Manager, Hyderabad Division the Institute. He stated that During of courses with capacity utilization of and several other officials, faculty the year 2018-19, totally 10039 75%. members, instructors and trainees candidates were trained consisting Shri A.A. Phadke, Principal participated.

SOUTH EASTERN RAILWAY : MORE FIVE STATIONS OF S E RAILWAY ACQUIRE COVETED ISO 14001:2015 CERTIFICATION

Adra Bankura Bishanpur Bokaro Railway Purulia Railway Railway Station Railway Station Railway Station Station Station

Five stations of South Eastern Railway Waste. zz Polluter Pays Principle is being adopted viz Adra, Bankura, Bishnupur, zz Programme has been taken to Install to maintain cleanliness at these stations. Purulia and Bokaro Steel City have Effluent Treatment Plant and Sewage zz Apart from, Adra, Bankura, Bishnupur, been conferred with the coveted ISO Treatment Plant (STP) at all the Eco Purulia, Bokaro Steel City, Ranchi and 14001:2015 certification for providing Friendly Stations for zero discharge of Digha which have been conferred with passenger amenities in clean and green untreated waste water. ISO Certification, as a recognition of environment including sanitation throu zz Conversion of conventional toilets to Eco Smart station, South Eastern ghout the railway station premises. Eco-friendly or Green Toilets. Railway is also developing 14 other Prior to this, Ranchi and Digha stations zz Measures to prevent open defecation stations in its jurisdiction as Eco Smart have already acquired this prestigious near railway track and surrounding Station. The 14 other stations which are certification. Various actions have been areas which includes formation of task being developed as Eco Smart stations initiated to develop the above stations as force in divisional level. are Kharagpur, Mecheda, Santragachi, Eco Friendly stations:- zz Afforestation and plantation of trees Bagnan, Panskura, Shalimar, Jhargram, zz To avoid reuse of plastic bottle and in collaboration with Forest Department Midnapur, Balasore, Hatia, Tatanagar, minimize waste generation, installation of State Governments. Jharsuguda, Rourkela and of Bottle Crushing Machines. zz To control misuse of water and Chakradharpur. zz Collection and Segregation of energy, Third Party Audit has been Biodegradable and Non-Biodegradable arranged. 70 I Indian Railways I JANUARY 2020 PRODUCTION UNIT NEWS CHITTARANJAN LOCOMOTIVE WORKS : TRAINING PROGRAMME ON PUBLIC PROCUREMENT IN CLW Prasad, ED/IRILMM & ex-PCMM/ NW Railway conducted the training. The training covered various facets of stores functioning in Indian Railways including work related problems. The feedback from participants is quite positive and participants suggest that the training programme will A three day long training on by 30 staff. It was organised by CLW help them, in day to day work and "Public procurement" for Group C in Association with Indian Railway in understanding their role in the staff of CLW stores department in Institute of Logistics and Material department. This was the first training Chittaranjan Locomotive Works management (I R I L MM), New programme, of this type, organised concluded on 16th November, 2019. Delhi. Shri Bhaskar Narang, Director by CLW for upgradation of skill and The programme, commenced on 14th General, IRILMM and ex-PED RS(P) knowledge of its employees of the store November, 2019, and was attended /Railway Board and Shri Gajanan department. CLW PRODUCES 300TH LOCOMOTIVE Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW) has turned out 300th loco of the FY 2019-20 on 21st December, 2019 evening, in less than 9 months in 216 working days of current FY. The working days to achieve this 300th loco figure has reduced from 292 days in year 2017-18 to 216 days in the current FY 2019-20. Thus a reduction of 28% . Shri Praveen Kumar Mishra, General Manager flagged off the 300 th loco, WAG-9 HC (32692) from CLW on the efforts of all the dedicated team trend in production, CLW will be able 21st December, 2019 evening amidst of officers and staff in production of to even surpass the target of this FY the presence of Sr. officers and staff. 300th electric locomotive from CLW. 2019-20 and will be all set for creating General Manager has appreciated He also expressed hope that with this a new record.

JANUARY 2020 I Indian Railways I 71 PRODUCTION UNIT/PSU NEWS RAIL COACH FACTORY : Implementation of IIoT in Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala Shri Ravinder Gupta, General Manager/ RCF 12 December, 2019 inaugurated Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) in Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala. This is a state-of-the-art System for monitoring & improving utilization of vital Machinery & Plant assets. By further interconnecting all Sub-Systems, the System can be upgraded to Industry 4.0 - the 4th Generation of Revolution of Industrial Technology. This System provides real time planning Predictive maintenance, M/s Fox Solutions, Nasik indigenously information of the working of machines. hence improving maintainability & and hence supports “Make in India” Various reports generated by this reliability of the vital assets. Programme initiative of the Govt. of System enable improving the Last mile connectivity has been India productivity, flexibility, quality & speed achieved by Wi-fi System thereby Implementation of this System The error logs generated by the enabling seamless working. brings new era of Industrial revolution System provide valuable input for This System has been developed by in Indian Railways. NABL Accreditation for Metallurgical Laboratory of RWF RWF reached yet another milestone 22/11/2019. The reports of Lab in its journey, as Metallurgical accredited by NABL are accepted Laboratory of Rail Wheel Factory, internationally. Yelahanka, Bangalore, was accredited RWF is the only production unit by National Accreditation Board for of Indian Railways to be certified Testing and Calibration Laboratories for ISO/TS 22163, AAR QA 5000 (NABL) in accordance with ISO/IEC: & ISO/IEC 17025/2017 for its 17025/2017 in the disciplines of Quality Management Systems. Chemical and Mechanical testing, on

DFCCIL : HI-Tech Pavilion of Indian Railways Draws Large Crowds in GES - 2019

domestic and global religion popularly known as “Buddhist sphere on the inaugural Circuit". Visitors showcased a virtual day i.e. 26 November, experience of simulated freight 2019. train run as well as audio visual Inaugurated by Minister narration. of Railways, Commerce There was a display about global and Industry Shri Piyush presence of RITES as well as IRCON’s Goyal in presence of strong and extensive foothold as a Karnataka Large and construction giantboth nationally and Medium Industries internationally. Minister Shri Jagdish The prospect of an Indian version of Shettar on 26 November, “Bullet Train " kept visitors engaged on 2019, the Indian the screen of. The magnificent pavilion Railways pavilion in the showcasing Indian Railways – the exhibition drew a large lifeline to the nation. number of visitors. GES 2019 is spread across 19,000 The state of art stall square meters. Over 400 exhibitors and The Hi-tech pavilion of Indian Railways effectively displayed comprehensive over 3000 delegates including 400 at the Global Exhibition on Services – information about Rail travel facilities overseas delegates from 74 countries are 2019 attracted large visitors from on places of Buddhism culture and participated in this exhibition.

72 I Indian Railways I JANUARY 2020 INDIAN RAILWAYS CALL FOR ADVERTISEMENT

No. 2020/PR/14/9 New Delhi, 1.1.2020

Dear Madam/Sir, Sub. : Advertisement in Special Annual April-2020 issue of Indian Railways magazine Ministry of Railways is going to bring out a Special Edition of the monthly magazine Indian Railways in English in April 2020. This special edition will be enriched with valuable articles furnished by Ministers of Railways, Chairman and Members of Railway Board alongwith General Managers of Zonal Railways, Production Units, Railway PSUs and Heads of other units. These specialized write-ups with immense literary and technical values will be very much useful not only to readers but also to officials and decision makers. This issue will be a treasure for future users. Indian Railways is the largest Railway system in the world under a single management and buys stores worth more than thousands crores per month. It will be our privilege to incorporate an advertisement of your products/services in this magazine which would attract attention of Store Procurement Management of the Railways, Industrial Houses and State Governments. Lot of pages of Special Position, Full and Half pages; spread over two adjacent pages (ordinary and special position) are available for your advertisements. The details of data and tariff are given below. We are very much hopeful that you will release your valued advertisement in our Special Focus Issue. The advertisement in the form of an Art pull or CD along with payment through DD/Cash may be sent to reach the undersigned on or before 10th March, 2020. For further queries you may kindly contact the undersigned or call on 011-47845380. Thanking you assuring you our best services always. Yours sincerely,

Sd/- (Prashant Kumar Pattnaik) Business Manager, Indian Railways (M) 9717647367, e-mail: [email protected]

CHOICES Tariff Casual Rates Contract Rates (In Four Colours) (April Issue 2020) Regular Issues MECHANICAL DATA: Overall size: Full Page (Special Position Rs. 9500 Rs. 8550 Rs. 7600 28 cm x 20.5 cm; i.e. before/after text pages) Print Area: Full Page Rs.8550 Rs. 7600 Rs. 6650 23 cm x 16.5 cm. Half Page Rs.6650 Rs. 5130 Rs. 4180

Spread over two adjacent Rs. 17,000 Rs. 15,000 Rs. 13,300 pages Advertisement Material: Art pull/Soft copy Spread over two adjacent Rs. 18,500 Rs. 16,500 Rs. 14,700 through Mail only pages (Special Position)

MODE OF PAYMENT: Demand Draft in favour of “Business Manager, Indian Railways” payable at New Delhi or Cash may be deposited in Room No.310, Rail Bhawan, New Delhi – 110 001. EN50121-4 compliant

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74 I Indian Railways I JANUARY 2020