1 Commercial Department – Augmenting the Flow of Revenue Sri K.UMA MAHESWARA RAO Sr.Divisional Commercial Manager Guntur Division has been in the forefront of adopting innovative ideas, techniques and processes in delivering quality service with a single motto of enhancing passenger satisfaction. For us “Serving customer with a smile” is not a mere goal but the means of the Division. This Division serves Guntur, Prakasam and Kurnool of Andhra Pradesh State and Nalgonda district of Telangana State. The total number of stations are 75, out of which 71 stations are opened for passenger traffic over Guntur Division. Guntur Division has one “A” class station(Guntur). 2 “B” class stations (Nandyal and Nalgonda), 13 “D” class stations, 42 “E” class stations and 13 “F” class stations ie., Halt stations. The total Earnings of Guntur Division have been showing a steadily increasing trend. Guntur is the most important station in this Division and 43.9 % of the total passenger earnings come from Guntur station alone. The population of Guntur is nearly 15 lakhs. Head 2015-16 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 (Rs.In Crores) (Upto Oct.15) Goods 245.90 298.17 372.42 326.69 276.84 145.39 Passenger 70.76 77.60 82.18 102.75 113.30 71.15 Other Chg 6.96 7.45 8.50 10.11 10.84 6.34 Sundry 3.82 4.23 5.36 5.69 6.12 4.42 Gross 327.44 387.45 468.4 445.24 407.10 227.30 Earnings Gross Earnings 500 400 300 200 100 0 Earning Rs.in CroresEarning 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 Gross Earnings: The Gross earnings had shown a downward trend due to drop in goods earnings during the period 2014-15. However, the same is expected to grow during the current year with the laying of foundation stone for the new Capital of Andhra Pradesh. 2 No.of Passengers: The number of passengers using rail transport for the past five years: Year No.of Passengers (Millions) 2010-11 24.3 2011-12 26.5 2012-13 25.9 2013-14 26.7 2014-15 23.5 2014-15 (upto the end of Oct.14 14.0 2015-16 (upto the end of Oct.15 13.9 On an average, a total number of 54 express and 62 passenger trains are being run every day. Passenger earnings: Passenger earnings account for 30% of the total earnings of the Division. An upward trend in passenger earnings has been maintained with an impressive growth of 6.97% in the current year (upto the end of October 2015) i.e., 71.15 Crores as against 66.51 crores in the corresponding period of 2014-15. Goods: Cement, Clinker, Food grains, Cotton seed husk are the main outward commodities loaded on this Division. Reddipalem goods shed enjoys a unique image for loading multi-commodities like cotton seeds, cotton seed husk, deoiled cake, maize, etc., in a single rake. There are seven private sidings of which, India Cement Siding at VNUP is the major goods loading terminal contributing 42.54% share in goods earnings (cement & clinker) to the end of October 2015. A total of 374 rakes were loaded to the end of October 2015 as against the 505 rakes loaded during the corresponding period of last year. Goods earnings registered Rs.145.39 crores to the end of October 2015 as against Rs.158.20 crores of the corresponding period of last year. Computerisation: Unreserved tickets are available through UTS at 57 stations and reserved tickets through UTS cum PRS or PRS at 32 stations. 14 ATVMs are available at 7 stations and installation of 9 more ATVMs at various stations is under process. STBAs are issuing unreserved tickets at 13 stations. Provision of UTS cum PRS facility, ATVMs and STBAs has greatly reduced crowding at major stations and resulted in quick disposal of tickets in both reserved and unreserved segment. Ticket checking performance: Intensive and sustained ticket checking drives over the Division have realized Rs.288.08 lakhs to the end of October 2015 as against Rs.278.72 lakhs of the corresponding period of last year. Commercial Publicity: The commercial publicity earnings is Rs.46.50 Lakhs to the end of October as against Rs.35.76 lakhs. 3 The Division has introduced a number of measures towards better passenger amenities in recent times. The following are some of the initiatives in this regard. 1. LED Station Name Board provided at Guntur station is the first of its kind on South Central Railway. 2. Electronic Display Reservation Chart System: A system provided at Guntur Station to display the status of the waitlisted/RAC passengers. Readability and clarity is far superior compared to conventional computer generated charts and it is first of its kind in South Central Railway 3. Video Enquiry System : Remote based VES was commissioned recently at GNT west booking office. This facility is provided for better customer care to travelling public without requirement of additional staff. 4. Touch screens: Touch screens are provided at 12 stations at NLDA, MRGA, NDKD, PGRL, SAP, GNT(E&W), MAG, NRT, MRK, GID & NDL. It provides information to the passengers on – “Spot your train”, PNR status, Reservation enquiry, train arrival & departure time etc. 5. Adarsh stations: 12 station are declared as Adarsh stations over Guntur Division viz., Nalgonda, Nandyal, Narasaraopet, Guntur, Sattenapalli, Piduguralla,Macherla, Vinukonda, Nallapadu, New Guntur, Donakonda,& Markapuram 6. Food Plaza : Food Plazas were provided at Guntur and Nalgonda stations. 4 7. ATVMS: 14 ATVMs are in operation at 7 stations. 9 more ATVMS will be commissioned shortly at ‘D’ category stations. 8. Free Emergency Medical Aid Centre: Free Emergency Medical Aid Centre is provided at Guntur station to give first- aid to the needy passengers. 9. Prepaid auto stand : Prepaid auto stand was provided at Guntur railway station. Guntur has traditionally been educational hub of Andhra Pradesh. There are numerous engineering colleges, medical colleges, coaching centres etc., which are known for imparting quality education. In view of this, Guntur has become is popular halt for educational trains like the Science Express, Mother Express and Vivekananda Express to name a few. These trains were widely patronized by the public of Guntur. Guntur Division in the coming years would continue to foster innovative methods in providing improved and desirable amenities including escalator at Guntur station, improved ambience at stations, pure drinking water, pay and use toilets, touch screen POETs, audio-video infotainment in trains, Parcel Management system etc., which would enhance the customer satisfaction to new heights. Highlights of Commercial branch for the last two years Milk stall contract was awarded at six locations (3 at Guntur, one at Narasaraopeta, one at Nandyal and Nadikude) during this period which fetched an amount of Rs.5.4 lakhs out of which two milk stalls by Vijaya Dairy (Andhra Pradesh Dairy Development Corporation) have been commissioned by DRM on platform 4&5 and platform 2&3 at Guntur station on 28.06.2014. Contract for PF branding at Guntur station has been awarded for a period of one year. This is first of its kind on S C Railway and probably on Indian Railways also. Mamdapur halt station between Valigonda and Nagireddipalli stations of NDKD-BN section was commissioned by DRM on 28.07.2014. RO plants have been commissioned at Narsaraopeta, Vinukonda, Munumaka, Savalyapuram and Donakonda stations during this period. 5 A Bi-weekly AC CC Superfast Double Decker train (No. 22117/22118 GNT-KCG-GNT) was introduced with effect from 13.05.2014. DRM has commissioned RO plants at Munumaka, Savalyapuram and Donakonda stations on 18.07.14 Two Touch Screen Systems (Multi-Functional Passenger Operated Terminals) were commissioned in the concourse near main entrance of Guntur station on 15th August. Separate display for the Arrival & Departure of trains on LED boards was commissioned on the East terminal of Guntur station near main entrance on 15th August. Unreserved Ticketing Systems were commissioned at Potlapadu & Cheekateegalapalem during the month. With this, Division achieved cent percent computerization (except Halts) of unreserved tickets over Division. Platform Branding, an innovative concept of Commercial Publicity has been commissioned at Guntur Railway station, on quotation basis, at PF-1, PF 2&3 and PF 4&5 on 26th September 2014.(License fees worth Rs. 3 Lakhs per annum) Retiring Rooms at GNT & NDL were among 18 locations across the Zone that were provided online booking with effect from 25th September 2014. Four PF stalls (two on PF-1 and one each on PF-5 & PF 6& 7) were commissioned at Guntur station on 29- 9-2014. ‘Swatch Bharat’ special cleanliness campaign was launched all over the Division. A special ‘mega Shramdan Walk’ was organized on 2nd October 2014 at Guntur where in all officers and staff en-mass participated in cleaning Railway premises, clearing derbies and planting saplings. Hon’ble Members of Parliament from Guntur & Nalgonda also participated in the special programs convened at Guntur and Nalgonda stations respectively. Help Desk provided at Guntur station between 11th & 14th October 2014 for guiding passengers when train services were affected during Hudhud Cyclone. India Post PRS of Miryalaguda town was shifted and commissioned at Post Office in Suryapet town on 8th October. Sri G Jagadiswara Reddy Honorable Minister for Education, Telangana State commissioned the same in the presence of MP/NLDA and ADRM/GNT. Science express Bio-diversity special Exhibition on train commenced at Guntur station on 31st October 2014. The show continues till 5th November. Science express Bio-diversity special Exhibition on train commenced at Guntur station on 31st October 2014.