Kolkata-Howrah Suburban, Kolkata Circular, West Bengal Railways [Archive] - Page 5

studdmanster

March 14th, 2012, 02:51 PM

cc: ToI

Unfazed by the attack on him by his own party for raising rail fares, Railway minister Dinesh Trivedi today justified the move saying it was a "conscious decision" in the best interest of the Railways.

Talking to Times Now, Trivedi said that nation comes first, family second and party third. When asked whether he would quit as railway minister, he said, "No comments." His party Trinamool Congress was upset with the fare hike proposal and demanded a rollback.

Earlier, in a press conference after the presenting the Railway Budget, he said the party leadership was not aware of the provisions made in the Railway Budget.

"It is a very big misconception that the Railways is run from the Writer's Building (headquarters of West Bengal government). She (Banerjee) did not know anything at all and there was no interference by her in any aspect of the budget," Trivedi said in reply to a volley of questions after he presented his maiden Railway Budget in Parliament.

Asked about Trinamool Congress leader Sudip Bandopadhyay's demand for a rollback of the fare hike, he said, "Political parties have a right to their philosophy. There is nothing wrong in it."

"Whatever decisions we have taken are conscious decisions, which we have taken with full responsibility in the interests of the Indian Railways and the country." He said Mamata Banerjee only spoke as chief minister of a state about projects relating to Bengal, like any other chief minister.

Trivedi dodged when asked whether he agreed with his party's policies. He said, "I don't want to get into politics. This press conference is only about the railway budget". Asked whether the hike was "necessary", he said, "You also know whether it was necessary ... without raising resources, no modernisation or safety or other works could be carried out."

Rajarshi77

March 14th, 2012, 03:23 PM

The latest railway budget has planned for component factory at Shyamnagar (West Bengal) and new coaching terminal at Naihati. Factory at Shyamnagar in West Bengal will be setup on PPP basis for manufacture of next generation technology 22 Propulsion System for use in high power electric locomotive, which will enable enhancing of production capacity of CLW.

ayan92

March 14th, 2012, 05:01 PM

deleted

ayan92

March 14th, 2012, 05:05 PM

Appreciable railway budget, on entire national point of view, but unfortunately not very encouraging on West Bengal's point of view.

1. After having established automatic signalling system in Kolkata's suburban routes, you expect much more than just 44 services, where most of them don't touch the city at all. No focus again on the highly deprived Sealdah south region.

Also, Mr. Trivedi was also heard applauding MRVC, what's the progress with KRVC?

2. Apart from HWH-NJP Shatabdi, very disappointing announcements in long distance services sector. Bunch of worthless 'weekly' services on worthless routes. When was the last time WB got a daily train?

Couple of hopeless 'weekly' trains to Bihar, where as no news of morning services to Patna, Bhagalpur on regular basis. (Shatabdi/Janshatabdi/Intercity)

Dibrugarh-KOAA shouldn't have been another 'weekly'. Services from Kolkata to Assam is very poor. The city needs second daily train to Dibrugarh-Tinsukia side, which also would be serving Guwahati.

Yet another 'weekly' to Ajmer. Why don't they just regularise the existing weekly/biweekly service? I was infact expecting an AC express to Jaipur-Jodhpur (biweekly atleast)

Asansol-Chennai is a big waste. They could have rather extended Villupuram-Purulia to Asansol. Instead a 'weekly' superfast from NJP to Ernakulam/Kochuveli would have done the trick. Speaking of which, Kolkata/WB's service to Kerala still remains in deep s***.

NJP-Bandra/BCT via Malda, ASN, Surat would have done better than Malda-Surat.

What in the world happened to the Durontos? And what are these Shalimar-SC AC 'weekly', Shalimar-MAS 'weekly'(again)...Are you f****** kidding with me? These routes are extremely busy, and we seriously needed at least biweekly AC Durontos in these routes. Durontos were also expected to Ahmedabad and Guwahati...

Also, not many increases in frequencies/extensions. Highly disappointing, when there were expectations of increases in frequency of services to Mumbai (Duronto), Yesvantpur(Duronto), and other places such as Trivandrum, Indore, Tiruchi, Dehradun, Vasco etc.

Services to Durgapur/Asansol, Bokaro, Ranchi, Lucknow, Chattisgarh, Assam, Chandigarh, continue to remain poor.

So, although entire India is celebrating a healthy rail-budget for the first time in several years together, there are not too many reasons for people of Kolkata/WB to be happy about.

studdmanster

March 14th, 2012, 06:21 PM

Mukul Roy to be the next Rail Minister -- Star Ananda

studdmanster

March 14th, 2012, 07:41 PM

Dinesh Trivedi Interview after Rail Budget controversy

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studdmanster

March 15th, 2012, 07:03 AM

http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/9436/ar0040001.png (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/703/ar0040001.png/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

studdmanster

March 15th, 2012, 09:45 AM

Dinesh Trivedi says he has not resigned yet

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studdmanster

March 15th, 2012, 10:05 AM

The moment Mamata Banerjee asks me, I will resign, says Trivedi

cuEBRis3O_k

shubhendu1975

March 15th, 2012, 01:27 PM

Again,the lady tyrant has pounced upon a quality Minister-Mr.Dinesh Trivedi....she forced him to resign!!!
WHAT A DICTATORSHIP THE COUNTRY WILL SEE,MOREVER PASHIMBANGO???

shubhendu1975

March 15th, 2012, 01:31 PM

Mamta Banerjee will provide funding to Indian Railway from her party-TMC(b'cos,in her party nobody can rise above it & think for the country as a whole)..otherwise how could Rly earn revenue without increasing fare -either passenger or freight.....

shubhendu1975

March 15th, 2012, 01:32 PM

TMC men will work as extortionist to fund Rly

shubhendu1975

March 15th, 2012, 01:36 PM

After a long dictatorship rule of 34 years by Red brigade,Pashimbango will see the same under Mamta Banerjee - the tyrant, lady Phoolan Devi.

Ashis Mitra

March 15th, 2012, 02:41 PM

New line projects

~Kulpi-Diamond Harbour
~Tarakeshwar-Furfura Sharif
~Nandigram-Kandiamari (Nayachar)
~Mukutmonipur-Jhilimili

Gauge Conversion Projects

~Krishnanagar City-Amghata

Railway Electrification Projects

~Andal-Sitarampur via Jamuria-Ikhra

Also Burdwan-Katwa new line and Rampurhat-Mandarhill via Dumka with new MM for Rampurhat-Murarai-3rd line with state co-operation.

Also Electrification of Pakur to Kumedpur, which means full electric train service from Khana to New Alipurduar. Work has started from Khana & Newjalpaiogurhi, seen on my own eyes.

ArijitChowdhury

March 15th, 2012, 04:39 PM

saurav_68

March 15th, 2012, 09:20 PM

After 9 years of misrule in Indian Railways this time railways is under a Minister who is the best among his predecessor ministers,only he can do the best for IR.The person is Mr. Dinesh Trivedi who is going to be replaced by a puppet of Miss.Mamata Banerjee.The puppet is most probably Mr.Mukul Roy,who will be as much as worst Railway Ministers as MB or Lalu or Paswan.

Suncity

March 16th, 2012, 01:42 AM

Ladies Special Trams and Buses to run during peak hours

AFzf2IWHrw0

Looks like more men were present at the inauguration than women.

anamitra

March 16th, 2012, 05:20 PM

Also Electrification of Pakur to Kumedpur, which means full electric train service from Khana to New Alipurduar. Work has started from Khana & Newjalpaiogurhi, seen on my own eyes.

Ashis, has there been any progress from Khana side at all? Early this year I heard of foot over bridges being raised.

fred_the_cute_guy

March 19th, 2012, 08:35 AM

Let me answer from what I have seen - I was in Rampurhat for the past week. Traveled SDAH-RPH on 11th March Sunday and traveled RPH-HWH on 18th March Sunday.

FOBs are being raised, yes. That has been going for a long time. RPH, for example, had the FOBs raised in early 2011 - which is more than a year back.

As far as electric poles are concerned in the Khana-Rampurhat stretch, there are almost none erected. RPH platform no 2-3 and its northern outer seems to have a few, and I could not spot any more. If there are more poles erected north of RPH then I don't know about that.

Interestingly, there are 4-5 patches between Khana-RPH that are witnessing what seems to be work for setting up the third track. Work is actively going on for this. Many bridges are being worked on - could not make out whether that's only for repair (the trains were going slow on those bridges) or whether they are also working for widening.

So in spite of what people along this stretch believes (that, Rampurhat-Khana will be electrified by end of 2012), it didn't seem to me that the work is going so well - just my perception. I still heard voices around me from people claiming Khana-RPH electrification will be done in the next 6-odd months.

Ashis, has there been any progress from Khana side at all? Early this year I heard of foot over bridges being raised.

Ashis Mitra

March 19th, 2012, 09:54 AM

Mamata is mad, hypocrite and arrogant. She promised a lot of railway projects for West Bengal and didn't even cared to complete them. The sole purpose was to get vote. She is nothing but a mad power hungry politician.

1. Andal - Barabani - Sitarampur reopening
2. Aluabarhi Road - Naxalbarhi - Shiligurhi conversion
3. Shantipur - Krishnanagar conversion
4. New Kochbihar - Golakganj new line

all these completed in 2011 & 2012.

Ashis Mitra

March 19th, 2012, 09:56 AM

Ashis, has there been any progress from Khana side at all? Early this year I heard of foot over bridges being raised.

Installing iron net on over-bridges, and digging holes for masts from Khana to Sainthia has completed.

soumalya747

March 19th, 2012, 01:27 PM

1. Andal - Barabani - Sitarampur reopening
2. Aluabarhi Road - Naxalbarhi - Shiligurhi conversion
3. Shantipur - Krishnanagar conversion
4. New Kochbihar - Golakganj new line

all these completed in 2011 & 2012.

:cheers: Thanks 4 d updates Ashis.

anamitra

March 19th, 2012, 10:29 PM

Thanks. Little money has been sanctioned for this project. Before Khana - Rampurhat, Sainthia - Pakur might get electrified for freight trains.

Also, with the losing steam of economics, railways might go slow in the overall progress of electrifiecation next year.

Warm regards,
Anamitra

Let me answer from what I have seen - I was in Rampurhat for the past week. Traveled SDAH-RPH on 11th March Sunday and traveled RPH-HWH on 18th March Sunday.

FOBs are being raised, yes. That has been going for a long time. RPH, for example, had the FOBs raised in early 2011 - which is more than a year back.

As far as electric poles are concerned in the Khana-Rampurhat stretch, there are almost none erected. RPH platform no 2-3 and its northern outer seems to have a few, and I could not spot any more. If there are more poles erected north of RPH then I don't know about that.

Interestingly, there are 4-5 patches between Khana-RPH that are witnessing what seems to be work for setting up the third track. Work is actively going on for this. Many bridges are being worked on - could not make out whether that's only for repair (the trains were going slow on those bridges) or whether they are also working for widening.

So in spite of what people along this stretch believes (that, Rampurhat-Khana will be electrified by end of 2012), it didn't seem to me that the work is going so well - just my perception. I still heard voices around me from people claiming Khana-RPH electrification will be done in the next 6-odd months.

Suncity

March 20th, 2012, 04:52 AM

Kalyani Local overtakes Habra Local

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Suncity

March 20th, 2012, 04:55 AM

Howrah Tarakeswar local and Howrah Burdwan local

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krishnenduray

March 20th, 2012, 04:59 AM

Please Replace trams with trolley bus. It would be more convenient in kolkata roads and also it could be extended further with less cost.Joka can covered by trolley bus also salt lake. It is also Eco-friendly like trams and faster than trams

Another option may be metrail. For more information about metrail you can visit their website: http://www.metrail.com/

fred_the_cute_guy

March 21st, 2012, 02:38 PM

This makes sense. Pakur to Andal electrification would take care of a lot of freight trains for sure. Also, the heavy freight getting pulled by electric would save fuel cost (plus the high wait time of freight trains would save more fuel cost with electric replacing diesel).

Thanks. Little money has been sanctioned for this project. Before Khana - Rampurhat, Sainthia - Pakur might get electrified for freight trains.

By the way, I remembered something - since we had discussed this before. In my recent tour to WB, I tried to peep into a few MEMUs and could not spot toilets inside the compartments. This includes the Lalgola MEMU rake that I saw at SDAH during my SDAH-RPH journey. So while they have started installing toilets in MEMUs, seems most coaches operating in ER would require overhaul before they can start plying on multi-hour long routes.

Ashis Mitra

March 21st, 2012, 03:05 PM

The Khana-New Alipurduar electrification has started from 3 places. Phase 1 from Khana, 2 from Katihar & 3 from New Jalpaigurhi. I went Shiligurhi in Februrary, and I saw digging for mast has completed from Khana to Bolpur & New Jalpaigurhi to Kishanganj. CORE’s office has constructed near New Jalpaigurhi rail station. The work will be completed part py part, as –
1. Khana – Bolpur
2. Bolpur – Rampurhat
3. Rampurhat – Pakurh
4. Pakurh – New Farrakka with Barharwa
5. New Farakka - Maldaha
6. Maldaha – Kishanganj with Katihar
7. Kishanganj – New Jalpaigurhi
8. New Jalpaigurhi - New Kochbihar
9. New Kochbihar - New Alipurduar

The full stretch is planned to open in 2020, if work will go smooth. However, it is not sure, because Renigunta – Guntakal section’s electrification started since 1992, which is still not complete, but Shakurbasti – Rohtak section’s electrification started since 2007, which is now running EMU trains from Delhi/New Delhi. So there is no specified trend.

Andal – Sainthia & Tamluk – Kanthi section’s electrification has now completed. Electric train will run soon.

fred_the_cute_guy

March 22nd, 2012, 04:09 PM

No, the Khana onwards work is third line, or at least that's what it seemed to me. I hope I am wrong on this.

Andal-Sainthia is simply not completed. There's absolutely no trace of electric in the Sainthia side, not a single pole that I could spot on the 3-odd km overlap of Khana-Rampurhat and Sainthia-Andal track when I last saw it (March). Surely I didn't miss that big a thing!!

The Khana-New Alipurduar electrification has started from 3 places. Phase 1 from Khana, 2 from Katihar & 3 from New Jalpaigurhi. I went Shiligurhi in Februrary, and I saw digging for mast has completed from Khana to Bolpur & New Jalpaigurhi to Kishanganj. CORE’s office has constructed near New Jalpaigurhi rail station. The work will be completed part py part, as –
1. Khana – Bolpur
2. Bolpur – Rampurhat
3. Rampurhat – Pakurh
4. Pakurh – New Farrakka with Barharwa
5. New Farakka - Maldaha
6. Maldaha – Kishanganj with Katihar
7. Kishanganj – New Jalpaigurhi
8. New Jalpaigurhi - New Kochbihar
9. New Kochbihar - New Alipurduar

The full stretch is planned to open in 2020, if work will go smooth. However, it is not sure, because Renigunta – Guntakal section’s electrification started since 1992, which is still not complete, but Shakurbasti – Rohtak section’s electrification started since 2007, which is now running EMU trains from Delhi/New Delhi. So there is no specified trend.

Andal – Sainthia & Tamluk – Kanthi section’s electrification has now completed. Electric train will run soon.

anamitra

March 22nd, 2012, 06:58 PM

By the way, I remembered something - since we had discussed this before. In my recent tour to WB, I tried to peep into a few MEMUs and could not spot toilets inside the compartments. This includes the Lalgola MEMU rake that I saw at SDAH during my SDAH-RPH journey. So while they have started installing toilets in MEMUs, seems most coaches operating in ER would require overhaul before they can start plying on multi-hour long routes.

Not all coaches of Lalgola MEMU have toilets. You are truly unfortunate not to spot one. However, barring the power cars, I believe all coaches of LGL MEMU have toilets. I shall be happy to stand corrected.

The older MEMUs plying between BWN and ASN do not have toilets at all.

fred_the_cute_guy

March 23rd, 2012, 08:42 AM

I see, I must have looked into the wrong coaches in the Lalgola MEMU, I didn't look into all. :bash:

So great that at least the other coaches do have toilets. We need these. :cheers:

Wish they could make the power coaches with toilets also, maybe on one side or one corner or something. It makes a massive difference, in fact it makes a yes/no kind of difference.

Not all coaches of Lalgola MEMU have toilets. You are truly unfortunate not to spot one. However, barring the power cars, I believe all coaches of LGL MEMU have toilets. I shall be happy to stand corrected.

The older MEMUs plying between BWN and ASN do not have toilets at all.

Same for BWN-ASN - I didn't look into all, I just saw whatever I could. In this case, I was usually in the "next train" standing on the station, so the chance of error was even higher.

soumyajyoti

March 27th, 2012, 06:44 AM

“Regarding the Circular Railway doubling project between Prinsep Ghat and Majherhat, the minister was informed that 3.6 hectares of KoPT land was needed at the initial stage and some additional sanctions from the Ministry of Defence. He said, rather than the GOC-in-C Bengal Area, he would take up the matter with the Defence minister,” officials said.
Eastern Railway officials said, Mr Roy has asked the zonal officials for construction of an additional line between Naihati and Ranaghat, further smoothening suburban traffic.
“New bypass lines in Naihati and Bandel for hassle-free train movements from Sealdah to Howrah via Naihati and Garifa and from Burdwan to Ranagaht, bypassing Naihati, has also been proposed by the minister. Mr Roy stressed on the immediate completion of the Tarakeshwar-Bishnupur new line,” an ER official said. SER officials said, Mr Roy would review six projects of the zone very soon, including the coach mid-life rehabilitation centre in Anara and DMU manufacturing unit in Haldia.

shubhendu1975

March 27th, 2012, 12:59 PM

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/many-big-projects-never-gottrack/440156/

Many big projects never got on track

Several of the do-it-now chief minister’s proposals as railway minister haven’t progressed beyond the foundation-laying stage

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has lived up to her electoral pledge to return 400 acres to the “unwilling” farmers at Singur. However, many of her promises as the railway minister remain unfulfilled.

Though Banerjee had focused on her “excellent performance” as railway minister in the run-up to the Assembly elections, her achievements were largely restricted to flagging off trains every weekend. Duronto, Yuva and Ladies’ Special were her “gifts” to the people, as mentioned in the party’s manifesto, but much remains to be done as far as rail projects are concerned.

"She (Mamata Banerjee) has kept most of her promises in introducing new trains and internal infrastructure development works like renovation of stations. But progress has not been satisfactory on bigger projects, for various reasons,” a railway official said, adding, “There were over 100 railway functions inaugurating new projects or flagging off new trains in West Bengal in the last six months of her tenure as railway minister. It’s another matter that most of “gifts” were for her home state.”

A major site for railway projects in West Bengal is Dankuni, where the former railway minister laid the foundation stone for factories for the manufacture of electric and diesel engine components in December 2009. The initial deadline for the Rs 262-crore project was January 2011. But Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL), which is executing the projects, does not seem to have a clue about when the projects will be completed.(Click here for table (http://www.business-standard.com/content/general_pdf/062311_02.pdf))

“All the sites have not been made available yet. We are just the agency that is meant to execute the projects on behalf of the railways. A lot of major decisions to be taken by the railways are still pending,” an official of RVNL said.

Another project that aroused a lot of initial interest was the Kanchrapara-Halisahar railway complex near Kolkata for the manufacture of 500 coaches per year at an estimated cost of Rs 860 crore.

The project evoked interest from international players. Bombardier, Alstom, Siemens, Kawasaki, CAF Spain, Stadler, Hitachi and Rotem were shortlisted for setting up the rail coach factory.

The project was announced in the 2009-10 railway budget, but no major progress has taken place apart from land measurement and forest department approval for felling of trees at the factory site. The developmental work at the factory site is yet to be completed. The bidding process was scheduled to be completed by January this year, but the bidding papers have yet to get clearances from the Union finance ministry.

“The bidding papers for the Kanchrapara project are still with the finance ministry. The papers go to the ministries of finance and law as they will ensure that the government's interests are secured in the bidding procedure,” officials close to the development said.

The railway ministry also has plans to come up with five wagon factories, to be set up in public private partnership (PPP) or joint venture (JV) mode, including one at Kulti in the Bardhaman district of West Bengal, since Indian Railways is planning to acquire 18,000 wagons.

The Rs 120 crore project, to be executed by Bengal Wagon Industry Ltd, a joint venture company of RITES and SAIL, plans to manufacture 1,200 wagons and rehabilitate 300 wagons annually. The manufacturing unit, scheduled to be commissioned by 2012, is also likely to miss this target. According to officials, it will take “at least another two years from now” to commission the plant.

There are many other projects pending in the West Bengal – a refrigerated container factory at Budge Budge, a metro coach rehabilitation factory at Noapara, a railway electronic components factory in New Cooch Behar, and a Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) and coach factory at Haldia. But very few of them have progressed beyond the foundation stone laying stage.

Moreover, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) manifesto also mentions a metro coach factory in Singur that the party supremo had proposed in her last Railway Budget speech. However, nothing on this proposal has been heard since the announcement, and when asked about the proposal, a railway official also seemed clueless.

In her last budget, Banerjee announced an annual plan outlay of Rs 57,630 crore for 2011-12, that would have involved market borrowings of Rs 20,000 crore, compared to an annual plan outlay of Rs 40,000 crore in the previous financial year. However, there were specific fund allocations for large-sized rail projects.

According to analysts, funding is not a problem for these projects, but Indian Railways has failed to attract private players to invest in its projects.

“Money is not the problem. Many of the big projects will be done through private sector participation. But when you invite the private sector, you have to treat them as equal partners and see how to make it attractive for them. We find that both of these things are not really happening. No one is interested to come and invest in the railway sector. Either you have to empower organisations like RVNL, outside the railways, so that they can execute the projects, or internally you should have a dedicated department to look after all these projects,” said Vishwas Udgirkar, senior director at Deloitte India.

Several big railway projects in Rae Bareli (in Uttar Pradesh), Chhapra, Muzaffarpur and Mokama (in Bihar) and Kanchrapara (in West Bengal) were pending when Banerjee rose to deliver her budget speech in February this year, leaving a long list of things to be done by her successor.

Newly appointed Minister of State for Railways Mukul Roy, who recently met general managers of three divisional railways in West Bengal – Eastern, South Eastern and Metro – and senior railway officials to review ongoing projects across the state, said, “All the projects announced by Mamata Banerjee as railway minister in her railway budgets in 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11 financial years are being successfully implemented. All the projects will be completed well before time.”

Roy is in charge of railway public sector undertakings, including IRCTC, RVNL, RITES and IRCON.

Banerjee may have been found wanting as the railway minister, but as chief minister she is in a do-it-immediately mood. She has addressed several major issues in the state – be it a new agreement to restore peace in the Hills, returning land to the unwilling farmers at Singur, or revoking an agreement with Tata Motors on grounds of non-performance. But, will her performance as the railway minister be assessed as well?

Has Mamta Banerjee,Mukul Roy etc forgotten these promises?
Can they recall these dream projects?
MAY GOD HELP THESE KID

anamitra

March 27th, 2012, 11:24 PM

Naihati - Kalyani tripling would be easy. There is enough land on west side of the track from Naihati towards HLR. HLR-KPA is already equipped with a third track presently used by the workshop. Again, between Kanchrapara and Kalyani there is no dearth of space. If it really happens, the freight trains bound for Bangladesh or Tripura can get a lot of relief.

Naihati and Bandel bypass lines have not got much allocation in this budget. Let us see if the new minister can divert funds.

Also, it is important to complete the new Jubilee Bridge between Garifa and Hooghly Ghat. Since the railway capital of India is Kanchrapara now, things might move faster than the past.

Honestly, as Indian, Trivedi's budget was good. However as a Bengalee I expected more from him.

“Regarding the Circular Railway doubling project between Prinsep Ghat and Majherhat, the minister was informed that 3.6 hectares of KoPT land was needed at the initial stage and some additional sanctions from the Ministry of Defence. He said, rather than the GOC-in-C Bengal Area, he would take up the matter with the Defence minister,” officials said.
Eastern Railway officials said, Mr Roy has asked the zonal officials for construction of an additional line between Naihati and Ranaghat, further smoothening suburban traffic.
“New bypass lines in Naihati and Bandel for hassle-free train movements from Sealdah to Howrah via Naihati and Garifa and from Burdwan to Ranagaht, bypassing Naihati, has also been proposed by the minister. Mr Roy stressed on the immediate completion of the Tarakeshwar-Bishnupur new line,” an ER official said. SER officials said, Mr Roy would review six projects of the zone very soon, including the coach mid-life rehabilitation centre in Anara and DMU manufacturing unit in Haldia.

orkutmama

April 1st, 2012, 06:35 PM

The trial run of "rolling engine" between Mathnashipur and Mustafachak via Berugram, Dadpur and Habaspur, a stretch on seven km of the Mathnashipur -Masagram new line project of South Eastern Railway has been successfully completed.

The trial engine also crossed two major bridges - a 510-metre long over Damodar between Dadpur and Berugram and another near Habaspur, during a review in presence of SER general manager A K Verma on Sunday, the SER said today.

Mr Verma said after the completion of the Rs 40 crore project, it would serve as a link (10.4 km) between the district headquarters of Bankura and Bardhaman of West Bengal.

This project is a part of the original Bankura-Rainagar -Mathnashipur-Masagram Railway Project.

Presently, trains are running from Bankura to Mathnashipur via Sonamukhi, Patrasayar Bowaichandi and Rainagar

AbhishekDatta

April 1st, 2012, 08:28 PM

construction of DMU factory at haldia will be completed this year
Gr1oSfH9bI0

anamitra

April 2nd, 2012, 03:44 AM

The trial run of "rolling engine" between Mathnashipur and Mustafachak via Berugram, Dadpur and Habaspur, a stretch on seven km of the Mathnashipur -Masagram new line project of South Eastern Railway has been successfully completed.

Boss, it still looks like Mustafachak to Masagram is yet to be completed. Good thing is, Damodar bridge has been commissioned and ready for railway operations.

A lot of bus/road traffic exists today between Barddhaman and Berugram, Seharabazar, Sonamukhi, Patrasayar and Bankura. I have seen those overcrowded private "express" and "superfast" buses this winter.

A good hint was to establish connection between Barddhaman and Bankura via this line. I guess instead of Bankura-Masagram shuttle DEMUs, it makes sense to run them as Bankura-Barddhaman DEMU shuttles. The distance would definitely be longer than roadways when calculated end to end but looking at the comfort and monthly fare options, this route would be a superhit if BWN-BQA DEMUs start rolling with reversal at Masagram. Since it is a DEMU, reversal would be a cakewalk. Also, Barddhaman has a diesel shed and a few DEMU rakes are already maintained in BWN. If the existing trainsets of BDR line are transferred to ER's BWN shed, it would be easier to stick to maintenance schedules. An all stop DEMU covering BQA to BWN in 3 hours is what the commuters are looking for. Also, it would be fun if the BQA-BWN DEMUs connect to MSAE-HWH EMU locals.

anamitra

April 2nd, 2012, 03:48 AM

LOL!! They are actually planning to assemble the DEMU powerpacks in HLZ. The coach bodies will still be made in ICF Chennai with worst possible quality that ICF is known for. It would be better if HLZ starts building coach shells of LHB design for itself.

construction of DMU factory at haldia will be completed this year
Gr1oSfH9bI0

orkutmama

April 5th, 2012, 06:59 PM

anamitra

April 6th, 2012, 02:14 AM

not bad idea..but bankura-bardhaman DEMU train will take too much time because there are many way to go bankura via road.the easiest way is via durgapur beliatore.if there will go bankura-howrah any demu passenger at morning from bankura site and reverse at evening,then it will be a great communication and other demu passenger between bankura-masagram.

Well, not sure if a Bankura Howrah DEMU is being planned, since Howrah does not have any DEMU maintenance facilities. However, since Sealdah has experimented (and already failed) with Jiaganj DEMU, such a possibility cannot be ruled out. Best option is to electrify MSAE-BQA and divert one of the expresses or a MEMU through this route. From BQA-BWN service perspective, people will prefer the train since its cheaper and more comfortable. Also, monthly tickets are non-existent in buses; making it a winner for the railways.

NiladriG

April 7th, 2012, 07:13 AM

http://www.anandabazar.com/6uttar1.html

ক্ষতিপূরণ না দিয়ে উর্বর কৃষিজমি অধিগ্রহণের প্রক্রিয়া শুরু করেছে রেল, এই অভিযোগে চাষিরা আন্দোলনে নামায় থমকে গিয়েছে নতুন রেলপথ তৈরির প্রক্রিয়া। উত্তর দিনাজপুরের কালিয়াগঞ্জের ঘটনা। ‘কালিয়াগঞ্জ নাগরিক অধিকার রক্ষা কমিটি’র নেতৃত্বে ওই আন্দোলনে সামিল হয়েছেন অন্তত ৭০০ চাষি।
শুধুই ক্ষতিপূরণের দাবিতে যে আন্দোলন হচ্ছে, তা অবশ্য নয়। রেলের একটি বিজ্ঞপ্তিকে ঘিরে স্থানীয় চাষিদের মধ্যে ক্ষোভ আরও বেড়েছে। রেল সূত্রের খবর, ২০১১ সালের রেল বাজেটে কালিয়াগঞ্জ-বুনিয়াদপুর ৩৪ কিলোমিটার দীর্ঘ রেলপথ তৈরির কথা ঘোষণা হয়। প্রায় ২৫ কোটি টাকা বরাদ্দ হয়। রেলপথ তৈরির জন্য প্রায় ১০০০ একর ব্যক্তি মালিকানার জমি অধিগ্রহণ করার কথা। ওই জমিতে রেল খুঁটিও বসিয়েছে।
কিন্তু বিভ্রান্তি বাড়ে এ বছর ১৭ ও ১৯ মার্চ কয়েকটি দৈনিকে জমি অধিগ্রহণ সংক্রান্ত রেলের বিজ্ঞপ্তি প্রকাশকে কেন্দ্র করে। কমিটির অভিযোগ, মার্চে প্রকাশিত হলেও ২২ ফেব্রুয়ারি রেলের পক্ষ থেকে ওই বিজ্ঞপ্তি জারি করা হয়েছে বলে বিজ্ঞাপনে লেখা ছিল। ওই তারিখ থেকে এক মাসের মধ্যে জমি সংক্রান্ত দাবি-দাওয়া পেশের কথাও বিজ্ঞাপনে লেখা ছিল। এতেই ক্ষোভ বাড়ে। কারণ সে ক্ষেত্রে জমি অধিগ্রহণ সংক্রান্ত আপত্তি বা বক্তব্য থাকলে তা জানানোর জন্য খুবই কম সময় পাচ্ছেন চাষিরা। কমিটির সভাপতি প্রদীপ সরকার বলেন, “এ ভাবে জমির মালিকদের অন্ধকারে রেখে উপযুক্ত সরকারি ক্ষতিপূরণ দেওয়ার কথা ঘোষণা না করে রেল কার্যত বেআইনি কাজ করেছে।” অবিলম্বে জমির উপযুক্ত দাম, পরিবারের এক জন সদস্যকে চাকরি এবং ভূমিহীন খেতমজুরদের পৃথক আর্থিক প্যাকেজ দেওয়ার কথা লিখিতভাবে ঘোষণা না করলে অধিগ্রহণ প্রক্রিয়া আটকে দেওয়া এবং দরকারে রেল অবরোধের হুঁশিয়ারি দিয়েছেন প্রদীপবাবু।
প্রশাসনিক সূত্রের খবর, উত্তর দিনাজপুরের জেলাশাসক পাসাং নরবু ভুটিয়াকে বৃহস্পতিবার স্মারকলিপিও দেয় কমিটি। অধিগ্রহণ প্রক্রিয়ায় অনিয়মের অভিযোগ তুলে তা শুধরে ক্ষতিপূরণ নির্ধারণ করা না পর্যন্ত জমিতে খুঁটি পুঁততে দেওয়া হবে না বলেও কমিটির পক্ষ থেকে প্রশাসনকে জানিয়ে দেওয়া হয়। জেলাশাসক বলেন, “কমিটির সদস্যদের জমি অধিগ্রহণ প্রক্রিয়ায় বাধা না দেওয়ার অনুরোধ করেছিলাম। রেল নিযুক্ত এক ইঞ্জিনিয়ারের সঙ্গে আমার ও কমিটির সদস্যদের কথা হয়েছে। শুনেছি, তিনি কমিটির সদস্যদের বলেছেন, যতদিন না কালিয়াগঞ্জের কমিটির সদস্যদের সঙ্গে রেল কর্তাদের বৈঠক হচ্ছে ততদিন ওই জমিতে খুঁটি পোতার কাজ আপাতত বন্ধ থাকবে।” ১৫ এপ্রিলের মধ্যে কমিটি ও চাষিদের সঙ্গে আলোচনায় বসে সমাধানসূত্র বার করার চেষ্টা করবে রেল।
বস্তুত, উর্বর ওই ওই জমিতে বছরের দু’দফায় শস্য চাষ করেন অনেকেই। বাকি সময়ে শাক-সবজি ফলান তাঁরা। কৃষিজীবী খুলাসু সরকার, রাজেন মালাকার, রবি বর্মনদের বক্তব্য, “আমরা ওই জমিতে চাষ করে সংসার চালাই। রেল দফতর ক্ষতিপূরণের কথা ঘোষণা না করেই জমি অধিগ্রহণের বিজ্ঞপ্তি জারি করেছে। উপযুক্ত ক্ষতিপূরণ, পরিবারের একজনের চাকরি ও খেতমজুরদের ব্যবস্থা না করলে জমি অধিগ্রহণ করতে দেব না।”
এই উদ্বিগ্ন রেল কর্তৃপক্ষ। উত্তর-পূর্ব সীমান্ত রেলের কাটিহারের ডিআরএম ভূষণ পটেল বলেন, “জমির মালিকদের অভিযোগ হাতে এলে অবশ্যই খতিয়ে দেখে উপযুক্ত ব্যবস্থা নেওয়া হবে। এটুকু বলতে পারি, যাঁদের জমি অধিগ্রহণ করা হবে, তাঁরা রেলের নিয়ম অনুসারে জমির দাম ও প্রয়োজনে উপযুক্ত ক্ষতিপূরণ পাবেন।”
‘নাগরিক অধিকার রক্ষা কমিটি’র আন্দোলনকে সমর্থন করেছে সিপিএম। কালিয়াগঞ্জের কংগ্রেস বিধায়ক তথা রাজ্যের উন্নয়ন ও পরিকল্পনা দফতরের প্রতিমন্ত্রী প্রমথনাথ রায়ও ক্ষতিপূরণের বিষয়ে চেষ্টা করার আশ্বাস দিয়েছেন আন্দোলনকারীদের। জেলা তৃণমূলের প্রবীণ নেতা, দলের অন্যতম রাজ্য সম্পাদক অসীম ঘোষ জানিয়েছেন, বিষয়টি নিয়ে তিনি রেলমন্ত্রীর সঙ্গে সবিস্তারে কথা বলেছেন।
কমিটির অবশ্য দাবি, তাদের সঙ্গে কোনও রাজনৈতিক দলের যোগাযোগ নেই। কমিটির সভাপতি বলেন, “১৯৯৮ সালে এই কমিটি গঠন হয়। কমিটির সদস্যদের কোনও রাজনৈতিক রং নেই। বিভিন্ন আন্দোলনে আমরা সব রাজনৈতিক দলেরই সহযোগিতা চাই।”[/SIZE]

Bombay2Calcutta

April 8th, 2012, 09:08 AM

^^ translation please

Suncity

April 9th, 2012, 12:00 AM

The two emu's are 30053 Majerhat - Bimanbandar local going to Bimanbandar and 30086 Bimanbandar - DumDum Cantonment local going to DumDum Cantonment.

IZGhS4d56Do

anamitra

April 12th, 2012, 02:47 PM

soumyajyoti

April 13th, 2012, 06:58 AM

A light locomotive (diesel shunter) has traveled from Talpur to Arambagh on newly laid section of Tarakeswar Bishnupur project.

From the pictures published by a friend in facebook, it looks like the overhead wires and signalling systems have not been installed yet.

The platform and station name boards have been built. If work is done quickly, we can see Arambagh locals running before Durga Puja.

Yes I have seen the line myself. Some locals in Arambag told me that they saw a Goods train parked on the lines. Initially I could not believe that the whole line has been laid, as just three months back the bridge at Harinkhola (between Talpur and Arambag) was only 60% complete.

On the Arambag to Bishnupur part, the bridge on river Darakeshwar, is 100% complete. However nothing has been done on the 1.5 km between Arambag and the bridge.

anamitra

April 14th, 2012, 05:28 AM

This year's railway budget claimed to start service upto Goghat. Without completing the bridge and track work between Arambagh and Goghat it is not going to be possible. From Bishnupur side, track work is complete upto Maynapur. If the current Railway minister really pushes for it, by 2014 the entire Tarakeswar Bishnupur line will be operational.

This line has a significant implication to the fate of Hooghly, Bankura and Purulia districts. Not sure if ER is geared up for the pressure it is going to create on its network. So far, little progress has been seen on connecting HB chord line with TKD line at Kamarkundu.

Possibly Purulia express can be diverted thought this line once commissioned.

Bombay2Calcutta

April 14th, 2012, 03:46 PM

Source (http://news.indiamart.com/story/eastern-railway-run-special-trains-ipl-match-days-kolkata-158372.html)
Eastern Railway to run special trains on IPL match days from Kolkata
SME News, Wednesday, Apr 11, 2012 17:53:20 PM IST

KOLKATA: Eastern Railway will be operating special trains on IPL match days from Howrah and Sealdah stations.

These trains will be available on April 13, 24, 28 and May 14 when Kolkata Knight Riders are slated to play at the Eden Gardens against Rajasthan Royals, Deccan Chargers, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings, respectively.

A special train is scheduled to depart Howrah station at 1.50 am in the midnight to reach Barddhaman at 4 am through chord line. Another train of Sealdah Division will be leaving Prinsep Ghat at 12.15 am to reach Naihati at 1.30 am.

orkutmama

April 14th, 2012, 07:09 PM

today i saw rail crossing work is being undergoing in bowaichandi in bankura-mathnasipur line.it's look to see good.another crossing work also going in patrasayer.i think mathnasipur-masagram line will be open within durgapuja.

anamitra

April 15th, 2012, 12:47 AM

orkutmama

April 16th, 2012, 07:01 PM

yes..another station is made for this demu train in masagram and work is continuously going.rest of the work is progress from masagram to musthafa chak.hopefully it will be start very soon.

Bombay2Calcutta

April 17th, 2012, 05:28 AM

TELEGRAPH (http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120417/jsp/calcutta/story_15382042.jsp#.T4ziVdWKmQ8)
Station unveil deferred
A STAFF REPORTER

The inauguration of a suburban railway station in New Garia, which is likely to add substantially to the Metro passenger load, has been deferred as the authorities are yet to declare it safe for use.

The Eastern Railway had planned to throw open Pranabananda Halt station, off New Garia Metro station and linked to it with two subways, on April 14. But the office of the commissioner of railway safety is yet to give its nod for the inauguration.

The station in the Sealdah (South) section has been set up to facilitate the introduction of the multi-modal transport system that will enable passengers of the suburban and Metro networks to switch lines.

“The station is ready for operation but it cannot be thrown open till a representative of the safety commissioner’s office inspects the premises and allows the inauguration,” said an Eastern Railway official.

“We have written to the commissioner but there is no response yet. The station is unlikely to be operational at least till the middle of next month.”

An official in the safety commissioner’s office, however, cannot recall having received any such letter from the Eastern Railway. “Since there is only one representative for the entire Eastern Railway, it will take some time to inspect Pranabananda Halt station,” the official said.

A section, however, attributes the delay to the lack of keenness of the Metro authorities in starting the link.

“The station will result in an additional load of 40,000 passengers on Metro, which is struggling with its fleet of 23 rakes to ferry around 5.5 lakh people on a weekday on an average,” said a railway official.

A Metro official admitted that the infrastructure had been stretched to the limit following the introduction of six-minute frequency for 12 hours a day and the extra load could result in a collapse in service.

Deputy general manager Protyush Ghosh, however, said Metro was ready to take on the challenge. “Keeping in mind the surge in passenger count, we are running two trains from Tollygunge, instead of Kavi Subhas (New Garia), in the morning. We are ready to ferry the additional passengers,” said Ghosh.

Bombay2Calcutta

April 17th, 2012, 05:42 AM

Toy train jumps rails in Darjeeling Rabin Rai
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Darjeeling: A joyride in a Darjeeling toy train had turned into a nightmare on Monday after it derailed soon after leaving Darjeeling station.
Though, no one was injured after the down Darjeeling to Ghoom train — under Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) — rammed into one of the shops along the tracks near Kakjhora.
Soon after the incident, the rail officials trained the guns on the shop owners for illegal encroachment along the tracks. “The train jumped the track as a tin plain sheet, kept very close to the tracks, got entangled in the wheels after the engine hit it. Luckily, no one was injured,” said Suman Pradhan, the station manager. The tin sheet got mired in the wheels of the second coach, which eventually derailed, giving 30 odd passengers some jitters.
The incident took place at around 10.50am . Railway workers and officials rushed to the spot after being informed by the locals. It took an hour to get the train back on track, after which the onward journey was completed. “It was really scary as there was jerking when the train derailed. But due to its slow pace, no one was injured,” said Sumanta Sen, a Kolkata tourist, who was on his first ride on the DHR train.
Railway officials said that a complaint would be lodged with the Darjeeling Sadar police station against owners of some shops which block the tracks at different stretches.

anamitra

April 18th, 2012, 03:49 AM

yes..another station is made for this demu train in masagram and work is continuously going.rest of the work is progress from masagram to musthafa chak.hopefully it will be start very soon.

Do you mean another platform in Masagram station for Bankura DEMU? Please clarify.

orkutmama

April 18th, 2012, 06:47 PM

Do you mean another platform in Masagram station for Bankura DEMU? Please clarify.
yes.it's look like.

Bombay2Calcutta

April 26th, 2012, 05:08 AM

Sabotage whiff after log found on tracks
Jayanta Gupta TNN

Kolkata: Has a conspiracy been hatched to cause a major train derailment in the Sealdah division of Eastern Railway and blame it on the railways? On the evening of April 9, a local train bound for the Biman Bandar (airport) station survived a major scare after the motorman spotted a thick log on the tracks.
A squall had lashed the city and the surroundings and a tree branch on the tracks would not have aroused any suspicion had the stretch where it was found not been an elevated one, higher than the treeline.
“It was just outside the Biman Bandar station where the viaduct is quite high. Fortunately, the motorman was proceeding at a slow speed and got sufficient time to apply the brakes after he spotted the log. We checked the site and were shocked to find that there were no trees taller than the viaduct. This was a clear attempt of sabotage. Had the train been moving at top speed and struck the log, it may have got derailed,” a source in the Sealdah division said.
On the same day, logs were found on the tracks near the Garia station. These were also detected by motormen on time but there was some disruption in services while the ‘obstructions’ were being removed. “Senior officers inspected the site once again. The logs were quite thick and the nearest trees were at a distance of 20-25 feet from the tracks. On closer inspection, we found that the trees closest to the tracks had no broken branches. The logs were clearly brought from somewhere else and placed on the tracks,” the source added.
In the past, such incidents have taken place during bandhs. After storms, branches have broken off trees and damaged overhead wires. “We are used to leaves and branches on the overhead equipment and keep tower wagons ready after every storm. Even on April 9, there were leaves on the overhead wires that we removed. What concerned us were the logs on the tracks,”
another source said.
The matter was brought to the notice of senior officials in the Eastern Railway headquarters. Those in charge of security got in touch with the state police and reported the incidents.
Sources in the state police said that efforts are on to find out if there was a conspiracy to cause a derailment. What is of concern is that such attempts could have cost innocent commuters their lives or they could have sustained serious injuries.
“We are aware of the situation and have taken necessary steps. The Railway Protection Force (RPF) has been asked to maintain greater vigil and thwart any sabotage attempt,” said Samir Goswami, CPRO, Eastern Railway.

anamitra

April 26th, 2012, 06:48 PM

Any updates on Tamluk Digha electrification? Last time I heard from my friend that the poles and wires have beebn installed and it is in an advanced stage of completion.

Bombay2Calcutta

April 27th, 2012, 07:52 PM

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOIKM/2012/04/24/11/Img/Ad0110901.png

Suncity

April 27th, 2012, 10:53 PM

^^

Didi's photo is bigger than Railway Minister's. Even the font size is bigger.

Also notice the new favourite colour - blue and white.

:)

Also South Eastern Railway says "We Serve With a Smile". Why cannot they get a smiling photo of Didi? These railway ads look so unprofessional.

Suncity

April 27th, 2012, 10:56 PM

Circular Railway

photo copyright Bartaman

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/9569/kolkatahooghlybartaman.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/9/kolkatahooghlybartaman.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

The local trains definitely need a blue and white colour combination. The green yellow doesn't look good.

Bombay2Calcutta

April 28th, 2012, 02:08 AM

nice pic.... I agree with your point.

Bombay2Calcutta

April 29th, 2012, 03:26 AM

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOIKM/2012/04/29/7/Img/Ad0070803.png

Kunal Gupta

May 7th, 2012, 12:04 PM

Last Friday came back to Kolkata from Mumbai - by the time I was out of the airport it was already 1025pm. Just got into the waiting car and was driving towards the city - all of a sudden heard a noise that is quite known to me for ages - and to my surpise saw the last EMU train for the day making a journey from the terminal station towards Jessore Road - could not spot even a single passenger in the entire train - what a waste of tax payer's money!

fred_the_cute_guy

May 8th, 2012, 11:03 AM

Traveled from Rampurhat to Howrah yesterday on Malda Town - Howrah Intercity Express.

The electrification work over the last 45-odd days has moved significantly forward.

Most of the groundwork is in an advanced stage now - contrary to what it was then. Bolpur-Khana stretch in particular has done well.

Some of the electric poles have been erected starting 1 km north of Sainthia to around 2-3 km north of Sainthia along the up line, did not get a chance to look at the down line in this stretch. Extending the few electric poles that were there then on Rampurhat platform number 2, it has gone around 1.5 km down south also, along the down line, and some along the up line also - could not make out how much. I didn't go north from Rampurhat, but standing on the platform I could see some poles up north along the up line. Plus, the poles required for platform number 3 (same platform as 2, but on the platform-3 side) have also been erected. Platform number 1 is still barren.

The construction of the new footbridge on Rampurhat platform has moved forward. From what I hear, this will be the one with an escalator - the first one in West Bengal outside Howrah is what people say (not sure whether that's correct though).

So all the above is positive news. :cheers:

The third line work has also moved forward, although not a massive change yet. It is moving slowly but steadily, as it seemed to me.

anamitra

May 10th, 2012, 12:06 AM

The CRS inspection of Barddhaman Balgona section is over. EMU trains might start plying soon after the safety certification is issued.

Also, GM inspection has been conducted in Tarakeshwar - Arambag route. CRS inspection to take place soon.

Siddhartha

May 10th, 2012, 07:41 PM

Kunal Gupta

May 11th, 2012, 01:22 PM

With the dedicated goods line between DKAE/Rajchandrapur & SRC/Andul thrown open to passenger traffic albeit in a very very restricted manner is it possible to route some of the trains originating from GHY/Muzzafurpur/Bhagalpur to South India by diverting them through this line? That way HWH load will come down.

Moreover, are there any plans to introduce more express trains towards Andul & Onwards from SDAH/KOAA? I personally feel a SDAH Digha ICE would have been great.

ayan92

May 11th, 2012, 07:46 PM

With the dedicated goods line between DKAE/Rajchandrapur & SRC/Andul thrown open to passenger traffic albeit in a very very restricted manner is it possible to route some of the trains originating from GHY/Muzzafurpur/Bhagalpur to South India by diverting them through this line? That way HWH load will come down.

That doesn't seem probable. Coz those trains mainly cater to HWH(Kolkata). GHY-B'lore, GHY-ERS, GHY-TVC, Muzaffarpur/BGP-YPR etc trains get majotity passengers from HWH/WB. :)

NiladriG

May 12th, 2012, 05:08 PM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com//city/kolkata-/Close-shave-for-Duronto-passengers/articleshow/13101976.cms

Passengers on 12260 New Delhi - Sealdah Duronto Express had a narrow escape after the train ran into a herd of cattle near the Ranigunj station on Friday afternoon. Though the train didn't derail and there was no injury to passengers, the locomotive suffered some damage and had to be replaced before the train resumed its journey towards Sealdah. The train, which was already running behind schedule by over three and half hours when it reached Ranigunj, was further delayed by nearly two hours while the locomotive was replaced and necessary checks carried out.

Sources in the railways claimed that the train might have derailed had it been moving even close to its top speed of 120 km per hour. Passengers were served sandwiches, fruit juice and bottled water at Durgapur after they complained of the delay. Some passengers also complained that the toilets had run out of water by the time the train started from Ranigunj.

"The incident happened just outside the Ranigunj station after the train ran over a cow at 1.40 pm. The cow-catcher of the locomotive was damaged and had to be removed. The train started from the spot at 2.35 pm after all the coaches were checked for any damage. It reached Ranigunj station at 2.42 pm where the locomotive was replaced. It finally left Ranigunj at 3.25 pm. As there are no facilities on board the train to serve lunch to passengers, arrangements were made at Durgapur. Passengers were served meals there," an Eastern Railway spokesperson said.

According to experts, immediate steps need to be taken to prevent the movement of cattle on tracks used by high-speed trains like the Durontos and Rajdhanis. The Duronto runs non-stop between New Delhi and Sealdah (save for four technical stops for crew change).

Unprotected tracks are a major problem due to which the railways are unable to run trains at top-speed. The Rajdhani and Duronto coaches can move at speeds of up to 140-150 km per hour but they are not allowed to do so as the tracks are unfenced. Even if the train had run into a herd of cattle at 120 km per hour, there could have been a derailment due to the impact," one of them said. :ohno:

Rajarshi77

May 13th, 2012, 04:38 PM

All the pictures are taken from NH 34. Construction company- GPT Infrastructure. Location some where between Krishnanagar & Bethuadahari

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/916/058tic.jpg

http://img546.imageshack.us/img546/3752/063oo.jpg

Bridge under construction
http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/9599/060ya.jpg

http://img594.imageshack.us/img594/9801/061mzh.jpg

anamitra

May 14th, 2012, 03:35 AM

Coz those trains mainly cater to HWH(Kolkata). GHY-B'lore, GHY-ERS, GHY-TVC, Muzaffarpur/BGP-YPR etc trains get majotity passengers from HWH/WB. :)

Are you kindding? These trains do not get even 10% of their passengers from HWH. Going-by Kunalda's logic, they can easily bypass Howrah through Dankuni - Andul chord without affecting the patronage. Only the loco and staff change need to happen at KGP instead of Howrah.

Bombay2Calcutta

May 14th, 2012, 06:34 AM

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOIKM/2012/05/12/13/Img/Ad0130703.png

anamitra

May 15th, 2012, 12:20 AM

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOIKM/2012/05/12/13/Img/Ad0130703.png

They are doubling the Canning line, which is good. However, the entire stretch from Sonarpur to Sealdah should have been 3/4 tracked to accommodate extra trains.

Kunal Gupta

May 15th, 2012, 06:11 AM

That doesn't seem probable. Coz those trains mainly cater to HWH(Kolkata). GHY-B'lore, GHY-ERS, GHY-TVC, Muzaffarpur/BGP-YPR etc trains get majotity passengers from HWH/WB. :)

That is news to me - not sure of the source!

ayan92

May 15th, 2012, 12:39 PM

Are you kindding? These trains do not get even 10% of their passengers from HWH. Going-by Kunalda's logic, they can easily bypass Howrah through Dankuni - Andul chord without affecting the patronage. Only the loco and staff change need to happen at KGP instead of Howrah.

Are you sure? Coz GHY-TVC/ERS trains are some of the prominent trains connecting Kolkata to Kerala (also Coimbatore), owing to the existing 'very poor service' b/w the two places. As usual, HWH-YPR/SBC traffic is ever-increasing, even existing HWH-YPR Exp and Duronto are falling insufficient (Trust me, I'm a regular passenger on this route:)) Expected the Duronto to become daily this rail-budget, but :ohno:. Many of my Kolkata-bound friends do take the Guwahati train, due to its convenient timings as well as 'don't have to travel all the way till Yeshvantpur' factor. Hence my opinion...

Kunal Gupta

May 15th, 2012, 02:11 PM

Are you sure? Coz GHY-TVC/ERS trains are some of the prominent trains connecting Kolkata to Kerala (also Coimbatore), owing to the existing 'very poor service' b/w the two places. As usual, HWH-YPR/SBC traffic is ever-increasing, even existing HWH-YPR Exp and Duronto are falling insufficient (Trust me, I'm a regular passenger on this route:)) Expected the Duronto to become daily this rail-budget, but :ohno:. Many of my Kolkata-bound friends do take the Guwahati train, due to its convenient timings as well as 'don't have to travel all the way till Yeshvantpur' factor. Hence my opinion...

Well YPR Duranto will sooner or later be daily and considering the exodus of skilled/unskilled labor traffic to parts of TN & Kerala from WB it is also likely that connectivity from Kolkata will improve for down south. I also do foresee HWH SSPN Exp as well as the Tirupati SFE getting extended in due course to Bangalore.

However, trains originating from NE have sufficient & significant originating traffic bound for South and they run choc o bloc. The trains originating from Bihar bound for YPR have again captive load for Bangalore.

As far as your friends taking GHY trains from SBC is possibly due to station of origin(more convenient for South Bangalore crowd) and departure timings(To catch YPR HWH they need to leave office/home earlier.

anamitra

May 16th, 2012, 02:28 AM

Are you sure? Coz GHY-TVC/ERS trains are some of the prominent trains connecting Kolkata to Kerala (also Coimbatore), owing to the existing 'very poor service' b/w the two places. As usual, HWH-YPR/SBC traffic is ever-increasing, even existing HWH-YPR Exp and Duronto are falling insufficient (Trust me, I'm a regular passenger on this route:)) Expected the Duronto to become daily this rail-budget, but :ohno:. Many of my Kolkata-bound friends do take the Guwahati train, due to its convenient timings as well as 'don't have to travel all the way till Yeshvantpur' factor. Hence my opinion...

Well well, hold your horses my friend. Let us get it straight. First of all, Howrah passengers get roadside quota of reservation in GHY-SBC direction, which makes it practically impossible for Howrah passengers to get more than a few berths in these trains. Secondly, these trains travel in the wee hours of very early morning. Thirdly, while traveling from Assam they run in inordinate delays at times; making them sit at the bottom of preference list.

While coming from Bangalore, Guwahati express usually gets HWH passengers due to its departure on Friday night and no restriction on reservation. That's pretty much it. Almost no sane passenger prefers this train from HWH towards SBC. For those who want to avoid YPR, would still prefer Coromandel/ Bangalore-Chennai Mail combination, as they have been the traditional choice for decades and the arrival time is always adhered to.

Ashis Mitra

May 17th, 2012, 08:59 PM

Recently, CRS has inspected the NG to BG converted line from Barddhaman to Balgona. This portion has electrified also. I hope EMU train service may be start from July or August. The Balgona to Katwa is still NG line, which will be started conversion ofter opening the Barddhaman – Balgona stretch.

Another line’s constriction is going fast, i.e. – Tarakeshwar-Bishnupur connecting line. Train is now already running from Tarakeshwar to Talpur & from Bishnupur to Gokulnagar-jaypur. Recently, the stretch between Gokulnagar-jaypur and Maynapur has been completed with electrification. On the other side extension from Talpur to Arambag has also been completed, but electrification has not been completed. It may be completed soon, and train service between Haorha & Arambag and between Bankurha & Mainapur may be started in 2012.

Ashis Mitra

May 17th, 2012, 09:07 PM

Before July 2012, another new line will be opened, which will be non suburban line. It will run from Rampurhat to Pinargarhia. This line was awaited since 20 years. It is a part of original Rampurhat – Dumka (Jharkhand) line. The line was almost completed, but pseudo anti land acquisition revolution stopped the work before, at Kusumba, which is the maternal uncle’s house of our Chief Minister.

Note:- Dumka is now already served by train from Jashidihi.

Bombay2Calcutta

May 18th, 2012, 04:50 AM

CM appeals for help in rly project
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Furfura Sharif (Hooghly): Chief minister Mamata Banerjee was aware of the huge expectations from her and the even bigger challenges facing her government as she spoke to a huge crowd under a scorching mid-May sun in Furfura Sharif. In the same breath that she promised minority development projects, the CM appealed to land owners to help complete a railway scheme.
“I urge all of you to come forward for development,” the CM said. Referring to the problems plaguing the completion of 18-km railway line from Furfura Sharif — a Muslim pilgrimage — to Dankuni, she said: “The government can only offer the tender rates while procuring land. This is the norm.” Some land owners have refused to part with their plots for the project, demanding a better price from the government.
After laying the foundation stone for an Industrial Training Institute (ITI), Mamata pointed out that the freight corridor and locomotive manufacturing plant in Dankuni were progressing rapidly.
“After 8-10 days, I will inaugurate the loco unit. Dankuni isn’t very far from here. The freight corridor is tipped to be among the best in the country. The ITI here can provide youths with the right skills to apply for jobs there,” said the chief minister.

anamitra

May 20th, 2012, 04:30 AM

Talpur - Arambagh line will be inaugurated by MB on June 4 most probably. Per railway sources, electrification work has been completed and now the signaling work is in progress. Existing Howrah Talpur locals and a few more Tarakeswar locals will be extended to Arambagh gradually.

The doubling work between Seoraphuli Jn and Tarakeswar is in advanced stage of completion. If doubling is extended to Arambagh, it will help introducing more traffic in this section. As Ashis already mentioned, from Bishnupur side, the work has been completed upto Maynapur.

In the west side of Arambagh village there is Dwarakeshwar river, on which ER is building a major bridge. Once that is complete along with remaining land issues resolved, it would be a cakewalk to connect Maynapur with Arambagh making Joyrambati, Kamarpukur and Goghat as intermediate stations. This project will change the economy of this entire region that was so far dependent on an ill managed road traffic.

anamitra

May 20th, 2012, 05:24 AM

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOIKM/2012/05/20/16/Img/Ad0161400.png

fred_the_cute_guy

May 20th, 2012, 11:06 AM

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOIKM/2012/05/20/16/Img/Ad0161400.png

This is awesome news.

Bombay2Calcutta

May 22nd, 2012, 02:46 AM

TWO-DAY PROJECT
Weekend trains cancelled for bridge repair
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Kolkata: A number of South Eastern Railway (SER) trains, including the Puri Duronto and Howrah-Bhubaneswar Jan Shatabdi Express, will remain cancelled between Friday and Sunday due to replacement of girders on a 116-year-old early steel bridge in the Jaleswar-Amarda Road section between Kharagpur and Bhubaneswar. SER has planned a 58-hour mega block in the Up line to replace three of the girders, each of which is 150feet long. Two more similar blocks will be taken at a later stage for completion of work.
“After inspection, it was realized that the condition of the girders wouldn’t allow trains to move at speeds of over 20 kmph across the bridge. For nearly two-and-ahalf years now, mail and express trains have been losing four minutes while crossing this bridge. Once the girders
are replaced, trains will be able to move at a speed of 100kmph,” an SER spokesperson said.
The other trains that will remain cancelled are the Visakhapatnam-Digha Weekly Express, Puri-Howrah Weekly Express, Howrah-Sri Satya Sai Prashanti Nilayam Weekly Express, Shalimar-Secunderabad Weekly Express and Shalimar-Baripada Weekly Express. Several other trains will run along diverted routes and some like the Sri Jagannath Express and Dhauli Express will stop at all stations for the benefit of passengers.
According to officials, a lot of planning has been done to ensure quick replacement of the girders. Nothing of this sort has been tried out earlier, they claimed. The block will start from 5am on Friday and continue till 3pm on Sunday.

Ashis Mitra

May 23rd, 2012, 11:54 PM

Bombay2Calcutta

May 24th, 2012, 12:06 AM

^^ Does this means that the Demu service from santragachi to Digha will be stopped ?

Ashis Mitra

May 24th, 2012, 12:08 AM

Partly true, because, it might be converted to MEMU service.

Bombay2Calcutta

May 24th, 2012, 12:10 AM

Thanks for the update Ashis ..

soumyajyoti

May 24th, 2012, 07:32 AM

On the next part, track will be opened from Arambag to Goghat, and then upto Jayrambati, and finally from Jayrambati to Maynapur. Work is on full pace.

Also the MEMU service upto Digha & EMU service upto Kanthi may be opened in July 2012.

Will the Arambag Tarakeshwar line be single line or double line?

Ashis Mitra

May 24th, 2012, 06:23 PM

now single, but in future will be double

anamitra

May 26th, 2012, 01:00 AM

It would have been great to have a service from Sealdah to Digha. Presently it is a pain for people living in Sealdah Divn area to reach Howrah/Santragachi for catching Digha bound trains.

ayan92

May 28th, 2012, 10:36 PM

Bombay2Calcutta

May 29th, 2012, 07:21 PM

TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/West-Bengal-CM-reiterates-Singur-coach-unit-promise/articleshow/13621866.cms)
West Bengal CM reiterates Singur coach unit promise

DANKUNI: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee, on Monday, reiterated that a Metro coach factory will come up on 600 acres at Singur and the remaining land - part of the nearly 1,000 acres earmarked for a Tata Motors small car factory - will be returned to unwilling farmers. She was speaking at the inauguration of a diesel locomotive component factory in Dankuni. She also announced the commencement of work for an electric locomotive component factory on the same premises.

The Metro coach factory will be set up with SAIL, Mamata said. On Friday, SAIL signed an MoU for a wagon manufacturing unit at Jellingham in East Midnapore.

"I had announced 16 railway factories for the state. Once these factories start production, there will be industrialization in West Bengal. When we had announced the factory in Dankuni, the former government lodged cases against senior railway officials. All the cases were baseless. They should now come and see the progress that has been made. The Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor will come to Dankuni from Sonnagar. Once this happens, a large number of jobs will be created, leading to a change in the socioeconomic scenario in the area," Mamata said.

Without naming Tata Motors or the farmers who had lodged cases against the state government when it decided to take back the Singur land, Mamata hinted that these were attempts to thwart her efforts to provide more jobs to people.

"After I took over, I paid attention to jobs. I also maintained that part of the land in Singur will be returned to unwilling farmers. The government took back the land for this purpose only. Now that the cases are pending, we can't do anything till the matter is sorted out by the court. If the court rules in our favour, a Metro coach factory will be set up on 600 acres and the remaining land will be returned to unwilling farmers. There may be some who are saying that I am doing nothing for the people of Singur, but in May, we had announced a scheme through which unwilling farmers will receive Rs 1,000 and two kgs of rice per month. The previous government did nothing save laying foundation stones. Between 2001 and 2009, the state got only five trains. In one year, I got the state nearly 200 trains," Mamata said.

Both the chief minister and railway minister Mukul Roy were clearly on a mission to woo the rural voter before the Panchayat polls in the state.

"Could you imagine that Arambagh will get connected to Tarakeswar by rail so soon? After I left the railways ministry in 2001, nobody paid attention to the Tarakeswar-Bishnupur project that will connect Bankura and Purulia to Hooghly and Howrah (by a shorter route). We plan to start services up to Arambagh from June 4. I have also asked Mukul (railway minister) to consider connectivity between Tarakeswar and Mogra. I have urged concerned persons to ensure that local youths get jobs," she added

anamitra

May 29th, 2012, 07:24 PM

^^ +1... And besides, people usually prefer going to Digha either by cars or by few luxury/volvo buses and several ordinary buses plying b/w Kolkata and Digha. Not many people prefer train-ride to Digha, just as not too many people prefer train-ride to Goa...

Howrah station is still difficult to access for many people of Murahidabad, Nadia and 24 pgs. Sealdah Puri Duronto is a success and so will be any other train operating from Sealdah to SER. Sealdah is the center of Kolkata that gives it a tremendous locational advantage against any other terminal.

anamitra

May 31st, 2012, 03:02 AM

CRS inspection of Talpur - Arambagh section is taking place. After getting CRS certified, Howrah Arambagh locals will be introduced by extending Howrah Talpur and Howrah Tarakeswar locals.
http://epratidin.in/epaperimages/3152012/3152012-md-hr-6/152330406.JPG

Also, from the following picture, it looks like little progress has been made in electrification of this track till about 20 days ago. In all probability, Ms. Banerjee will have to inaugurate a DMU/ordinary WDM-2 hauled train from Arambagh on June 4 (the target date for inauguration) unless a superlative job is done by ER construction team. For the moment, a diesel train can shuttle between Arambagh/Talpur to connect to Howrah bound trains. Let's see what the CRS inspection report says.
http://www.railsamacharenglish.com/userfiles/image/ER%20GM%20inspecting%20construction%20of%20new%20line1.jpg

anamitra

June 4th, 2012, 03:11 AM

From the advertisement in a vernacular daily, it seems the electrification has not been completed in Talpur - Arambagh section and in a haste this line is getting inaugurated by a DEMU rake that would shuttle between Tarakeswar and Arambagh. I was expecting direct EMU service from Howrah to Arambagh, but that can start only when electrification is complete upto Arambagh.

Strangely, this DEMU train is not connecting to any peak hour EMU Tarakeswar local. So, the patronage will be an issue along with the very long idling time of this DEMU rake that would most probably be maintained at Barddhaman or Beliaghata diesel shed; quite far from its operating territory. It surely is a temporary makeshift arrangement. Anyway, good to throw the track open for passengers at least.
http://epratidin.in/epaperimages/462012/462012-md-hr-5/15024625.JPG

Bombay2Calcutta

June 4th, 2012, 05:07 AM

http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/2651/ad0090012.png

Bombay2Calcutta

June 4th, 2012, 05:16 AM

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOIKM/2012/06/04/13/Img/Ad0130302.png

Bombay2Calcutta

June 7th, 2012, 02:26 AM

How Arambag link was completed in record time
Jayanta Gupta TNN

Kolkata: In ‘The Bridge on the River Kwai’, Colonel Saito was set an impossible deadline to bridge the river and lay railway tracks to connect Burma. Something similar occurred in real life recently when Eastern Railway engineers were asked to complete a project four months in advance. It was a record that they succeeded to complete a 20 km stretch between Talpur and Arambag in Hooghly in time for its inauguration on Monday.
Work on the project started nearly a year and a half ago and the completion date was set for the Pujas this year. The screws were tightened for the first time in February when ER was told by the Railway Board to bring the deadline forward. After careful scrutiny, it was evaluated that the project could be completed by the end of June but without electrification. This wasn’t acceptable and the project (without electrification) had to be ready by June 4, senior officials insisted.
“It was a major challenge, no doubt, but it had to be accomplished. The heat was the biggest hurdle. Labourers weren’t keen to work and many had to leave to tend to their crops. We needed men and material. This we got from other divisions and zones. We went in for dayand-night work. The progress of everyday was charted. Our supervisors didn’t go home for a month. We had ‘saddled’ three sleeper class coaches at Tarakeswar where they spent the nights for nearly a month. It was due to their hard work that the deadline could be met,” said G C Agarwal, general manager, Eastern Railway.
Additional equipment was also brought in. “We had started with a single flash butt welding plant. This plant lifts the ends of the rails, brings them together and welds them. After the deadline was brought forward, we requisitioned two more welding plants. We also brought in two track-tamping machines. The ballast was unloaded during the night to save time,” the general manager said.

Bombay2Calcutta

June 7th, 2012, 02:29 AM

^^ this is indeed amazing :cheers:

anamitra

June 7th, 2012, 04:05 PM

The reason why many projects get delayed is the immense summer heat followed by intense monsoon, prevalent to south Asian tropical region.

Hats off to those who braved the killing sun of this summer.

I believe the electrification will take its own time, but ultimately the CM would like to throw-open the section for EMUs by October. Even if two pairs of peak time Arambag locals are run, it will be a boon for the people of Hooghly.

anamitra

June 9th, 2012, 12:11 AM

http://epratidin.in/epaperimages/962012/962012-md-hr-9/1311531.JPG

Ashis Mitra

June 13th, 2012, 06:29 PM

At last, train service towards Arambag has started. Currently, there are no direct service from Haorha, because Talpur-Arambag section is still not electrified, so DMU trains are running between Tarakeshwar & Arambag (because Talpur is very small station for coach maintenance, so Tarakeshwar has selcted as a termini. But electrification is on full pace. I saw masts already erected, and catenaries have started installing. I think if all going right, EMU train service from Haorha to Arambag is not impossible before 31/12/12. But I don’t know if train service has started from Gokulnagar to Maynapur, because this section has already electrified.

Proposed timeline for completing this line –

2013 – Arambag to Goghat
2014 – Goghat to Jayrambati
2015 – Jayrambati to Maynapur, and starting of EMU train running from Haorha to Bishnupur via Tarakeshwar.

But before this, the Masagram – Mathnasipur link line will be opened and starting of train running from Shialdaha/Kolkata/Haorha to Bankurha via Masagram & Raynagar will happened, this may be in 2013.

In 2012, train service between Barddhaman & Balgona and between Rampurhat & Pinargaria is also expected to open.

anamitra

June 14th, 2012, 03:27 AM

Ashis, why do you think electrification between Talpur and Arambagh will take six more months? It should be done before the Pujas. It is a small stretch with only single track.

Also, after CRS inspection of Tamluk Digha section, when will electric trains start plying between Howrah/Santragachi/Sealdah and Digha? Is SER thinking about introducing EMU or MEMU trains anytime soon?

Ashis Mitra

June 22nd, 2012, 09:00 PM

Yes, you are right. The electrification is on full pace, and I think, EMU trains probably run upto Arambag & upto Maynapur around Durgapujo.

anamitra

June 23rd, 2012, 01:26 AM

Tamluk Digha electrification will be inaugurated this Sunday. With this, SER is introducing an EMU service between Mecheda and Digha.

Beside the expresses slowly switching to electric locomotives, Digha Santragachi DEMU serviced might be replaced by EMU services. Hope SER introduces some more shuttle trains between Mecheda and Digha to give the locals a break from those horrible private buses. Thanks to Didi for this.

My next focus would be on Rainagar Masagram line.

Bombay2Calcutta

June 23rd, 2012, 03:45 AM

http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/4295/ad0090506.png

Bombay2Calcutta

June 27th, 2012, 02:35 AM

anamitra

June 27th, 2012, 05:15 PM

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120627/images/27train.jpg

Two trains — the Howrah-bound Bhadrak passenger and a local heading to Kharagpur — came face to face on Tuesday morning. The trains raised the spectre of a collision but halted 100 metres apart. The incident took place between Kharagpur and Jakpur stations. The Kharagpur local then moved backwards towards Jakpur and the Bhadrak passenger was allowed to proceed. A senior South Eastern Railway official said on Tuesday evening: “We have not heard about this incident today.”Picture by Samir Mondal

Between KGP and Jakpur, there are only two tracks, one Up and one Down. It is highly improbable that one train was running on the wrong track and was going for a head on collision; since the signals face opposite direction and train drivers never cruise through the wrong line unless they have a special written permission to do so for a specific emergency.

This report is false and quite misleading from passenger confidence perspective. Poor journalism!

Bombay2Calcutta

June 28th, 2012, 04:56 PM

http://www.thestatesman.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=414850&catid=73
New Garia halt station awaits clearance
27 June 2012

bappaditya paul

KOLKATA, 27 JUNE: Eastern Railway is awaiting a clearance from the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) for opening the New Garia halt station, which will facilitate connectivity to the Metro Railway network. But senior railway officials are not sure when the clearance will come.

This despite the construction of the halt station being completed around four months ago and people living in the southern parts of the city as well as the adjoining localities eagerly waiting for the facility to start functioning.

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee had announced establishing the New Garia halt station on 7 October 2010, when she was the railway minister.

The halt station was conceived to facilitate sub-urban railway commuters hailing from areas such as Sonarpur, Laxmikantapur, Baruipur etcetera an easy access to the Metro Railway services through the Kavi Subhash terminal station and vice-versa.

Following Miss Banerjee's announcement, Metro Railway began constructing the New Garia halt station in April 2011 and the work was completed late in February this year. It has cost the Metro a whopping Rs 12-crore to construct the station.

“The work was completed in a record time and this is probably the best sub-urban railway station that Eastern Railway is going to have. We have handed over the facility to Eastern Railway and it is now up to them when to throw open the station for use,” said Protyush Ghosh, Metro Railway spokesperson.

The two platforms at the newly-constructed halt station are about eight-metre in breadth and around 300-metre in length ~ enough for catering a 12-coach EMU train. There are six dispersals ~ two on the Up platform, two on the Down platform and two at the front opening up towards the Panchasayer area.

One escalator each has been installed at the dispersals on the Up and Down platforms and there is a large sub-way linking the halt with the Kavi Subhash Metro station. Metro Railway has also installed separate booking counters on the subway for issuance of Metro and sub-urban railway tickets and has posted eight additional staff to man counters belonging to the tube railway.

Contacted over the delay in putting the halt station to use; Sealdah divisional railway manager (DRM) Suchitto Kumar Das said, they were awaiting for the CRS clearance.

“We had applied for the clearance sometime in March, after which the CRS wrote back to us seeking clarifications about some changes made in the original design of the construction. We have complied with the CRS' requirements and are now awaiting a final go ahead. This being the case, it is beyond me to specify when can the halt station start functioning,” the DRM said.

According to a rough estimation, about one-lakh commuters are likely to use the new facility for accessing the Metro Railway services. At present, the Kavi Subhash Metro station handles about 45,000 commuters a day.

anamitra

June 29th, 2012, 01:33 AM

Eastern Railway can think of shuttling a few trains from Kavi Shubhash to southern destinations by constructing a new platform. Otherwise, commuters will face the same problem as faced by North section from Dum Dum. There will be no space in the trains in evening rush hours, making people clog Sealdah station as usual.

But going by the history of Sarkari Babus and their political Prabhus, I am sure nobody has thought about or taken actions to solve this problem.

Bombay2Calcutta

June 30th, 2012, 06:23 AM

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOIKM/2012/06/30/10/Img/Ad0100807.png

Bombay2Calcutta

June 30th, 2012, 06:25 AM

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOIKM/2012/06/30/12/Img/Ad0120404.png

anamitra

July 2nd, 2012, 05:42 PM

Can anyone in touch with the realities update on Masagram - Rainagar connection? A new DEMU has been announced by SER between MASE and MSAE as part of this year's timetable.

Bombay2Calcutta

July 7th, 2012, 04:14 AM

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOIKM/2012/07/07/6/Img/Ad0060627.png

Cosmicbliss

July 8th, 2012, 05:58 PM

From what has been posted in the last few pages, the TMC govt/railways genuinely seems to working to accelerate railway projects in WB. Going through this as well as other WB forums, the TMC govt seems to be doing more work than I thought from media coverage. The railway projects definitely seem to be getting a boost in West Bengal. :)

Bombay2Calcutta

July 8th, 2012, 07:39 PM

Local train derails, no casualty in Kolkata
Scores of passengers had a narrow escape when compartments of a local train derailed at Ballygunge station here, disrupting suburban rail services.
The train was moving at a very slow speed as it was crossing lines and entering the station, thus reducing the chance of casualty.
Eastern Railway officials, could not be contacted.
Services from Sealdah South station in several routes to Canning, Budge Budge, Laxmikantapur, Namkhana and Diamond Harbour were affected due to the incident.

Bombay2Calcutta

July 8th, 2012, 11:06 PM

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/states/article3616731.ece
Kolkata, July 8:

A total of 146 local trains running via Dum Dum route will remain suspended between Sunday evening and Monday early morning for track conversion. This is likely to impact the movement of a large number of suburban passengers commuting to and from Sealdah station. Usually, 413 local trains run via this route on a Sunday. According to a Eastern Railway release, there will be a 20-hour traffic and power block at the Dum Dum station due to the conversion of existing point and crossing on line No. 4 to accommodate 12-coach electric trains. The cancelled trains include: Barrackpore Local, Naihati Local, Kalyani Simanta Local, Dankuni Local, Hasnabad Local, Habra Local, Up and Down Barasat Local, Duttapukur Local, Up and Down Bongaon Local, Gobordanga Local, Thakurnagar Local and a few trains running through the Circular Railway

Bombay2Calcutta

July 10th, 2012, 04:59 AM

Board Shatabdi, reach N Bengal in eight hours
TNN | Jul 10, 2012, 03.30AM IST

KOLKATA: Those who frequently travel from the city to North Bengal or vice versa, now have a reason to cheer. Frequent travellers from North Bengal to Kolkata and tourists from the city have reason to cheer.

Come Thursday, Howrah and New Jalpaiguri will be connected by a Shatabdi Express from Thursday. This will be the fastest train till date between the two important locations in the state, covering the 570-odd km in only eight hours. Both the Darjeeling Mail and the Padatik Express - the two most popular trains between Sealdah and New Jalpaiguri - take over 10 hours to cover the distance. More importantly, it won't be an overnight journey.

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who will visiting during her trip to North Bengal on Wednesday, will flag-off the train from Siliguri. This train will run at 'open fast timing'. Scheduled services for the 12041 Howrah-New Jalpaiguri Shatabdi Express will start from Howrah on Thursday. The train will start from Howrah at 2.15pm and reach New Jalpaiguri at 10.20pm. The 12042 New Jalpaiguri-Howrah Shatabdi Express will start from NJP at 5.35am to reach Howrah at 1.35 pm. The trains, in both directions will have seven AC chair car coaches and one executive car, apart from a generator car and an SLR bogie. On both directions, the trains will stop at Kishanganj, Malda Town and Bolpur and will run six days a week barring Sunday. The train will run six days a week (except Sunday).

"There was a long-standing demand for a Shatabdi Express between North Bengal and Kolkata. There is a huge rush of traders from North Bengal who travel to Kolkata on business

. Most of them are not keen to waste a couple of nights for a few hours work in the city.

Till now, they preferred to travel by the Darjeeling Mail or Padatik Express which starts from NJP in the evenings and reaches Sealdah early in the morning. They would be forced to spend the whole day and part of the evening in Kolkata before taking the Darjeeling Mail or Padatik Express back to NJP. These traders can now start from NJP early in the morning, reach Kolkata in the afternoon, finish their work in a few hours and take the overnight train back home. In this way, they need to spend barely 24 hours," an Eastern Railway official said.

There are also many tourists from Kolkata - particularly those with children -who find it difficult to travel to places like Darjeeling or Sikkim immediately after reaching NJP early in the morning. In most cases, they reach their final destinations late in the afternoon, too tired to go sightseeing. With Shatabdi Express reaching NJP at 10.20pm, the tourists could spend the night at a hotel and start for Darjeeling or Sikkim early in the morning, reaching their destinations by noon.

"There is always a huge rush in trains between Kolkata and NJP. This train will help to ease the situation, particularly during vacations," the official said.

sidney_jec

July 10th, 2012, 05:58 AM

average speed of more than 70 km an hour? Not bad, not bad at all.

Cosmicbliss

July 10th, 2012, 10:30 AM

average speed of more than 70 km an hour? Not bad, not bad at all.

Can easily be 100 km an hour. :ohno:

Ashis Mitra

July 10th, 2012, 02:47 PM

PRESENT STATUS OF NEW LINES IN JULY 2012 –

1) Shantipur – Krishnanagar: - This is the only new suburban line (actually converted from NG) which has opened recently, and is a substitute route between Kalinarayanpur & Krishnanagar. Currently 2 local trains are going via this line, one between Shantipur & Krishnanagar, another between Ranaghat & Krishnanagar. I’ll visit this line on August. A new Krishnanagar local was planned to run from Shialdaha after opening this line, but I don’t know why this train has finally cancelled. I hope more train will serve this line in future, because in NG era there were 3 NG DMU trains on this line.
2) Krishnanagar – Nabadwip Ghat: - In greater sence this is an extendied programme of Shantipur – Krishnanagar GC. I heard in last December that it will open in July 2012, but it has now postponed. When the totally independent running Shantipur – Krishnanagar GC has lated one year, it is natural that remaining branch will be more lated, because this section is just like a roadside reserved track tram line, often encroached by illegal parking and inhibitants. So land acquisition was a problem because it was not possible to relay BG tracks on the exact place of former NG tracks just simply like Shantipur branch, it will require new lands, away from former alignment. So it is delaying. Earlier it was planned to open in 2012, but now it is planned to open in 2014, after that it will be extended to connect with Bandel – Katwa line at Nabadwip Dham.
3) Barddhaman – Katwa: - This line is also under guage conversion, and is an important link line. I went to Barddhaman recenty and saw the work has completed. Former NG platform was dismantled, and a new BG platform was constructed. Electrification has completed recently up to Balgona, and CRS officers also checked this line, but I don’t know why this line still has not opened for EMU service. There is a plan to open this section before 31/12/12, but I’m not sure, also not sure when the entire line will be converted from NG to BG.
4) Mashagram – Roynagar: - This line is very important for linking between ER & SER. I went to Shaktigarh recently and saw the earth work was going on. The remaining section between Mathnasipur & Mashagram is now under construction. I heard work is going on full pace and it is planned to open in 2013. A Bankurha – Mathnasipur DMU passenger has already planned to extend towards Mashagram. At first it will be served by DMU trains, but finally it will be served by EMU trains upto Roynagar after future electrification.
5) Tarakeshwar – Bishnupur: - This will be another important line for linking between ER & SER. Construction had started from both ends due to work fast. The first section was opened between Tarakeshwar & Talpur at one end, and between Bishnupur & Gokulnagar-Jaypur at another end. I travelled upto Talpur from Haorha in August 2010. Recently 2 DMU trains has started running upto Arambag from Tarakeshwar, but after electrification, I think those will be cancelled, and presently running 4 Talpur locals will be extended upto Arambag. On the other side, electrification upto Maynapur has completed, but I don’t know why the presently running Bankurha – Gokulnagar MEMU passenger has not extended upto Maynapur. However, I heard work is going on full pace and the entire line is planned to open in 2015.
6) Deshapran – Nandigram:- This line was a gift of former Rail Minister to the martyrs & strugglers of Nandigram. It was one of the priority lines of SER, but later construction became slower due to political unrest. I heard land acquisition has completed, and work is going on. The entire line is planned to open in 2013.
7) Murshidabad – Azimganj (NON SUBURBAN):- This line will be a very important link line, but the current status is mysterious. In 2010, this line got most importance. The main obstacle was the large bridge on River Bhagirathi, which has completed almost one year ago. A DMU passenger train between Krishnanagar & New Farakka via Azimganj was also planned for strart running. I went to Azimganj in last August and saw work is going very slow. 2 new platforms has constructed at Azimganj, the bridge on river Bhagirathi has completed, earth work has finished, but now the track laying is very slow and casual. The future is unknown. This link is urgently needed.There was a plan to open this line before 31/3/12, but now it has targeted in 2013, which is not sure.
8) Rampurhat – Dumka (JHARHKHAND) (NON SUBURBAN):- This line is under construction. I heard this line between Rampurhat & Pinargarhia has completed, and CRS officers also checked this line, but I don’t know why this line still has not opened for public. The entire line is planned to open in 2015.
9) New Mal – Chyangrhabandha (NON SUBURBAN):- This was actually an MG line, which was reopened after a long gap of 30 years since heavy flood in seventies. Now it is under BG conversion. Work is going on in full pace, many stations has completed reconstruction. The entire line is planned to open in 2013.
10) New Mainagurhi – New Chyangrhabandha – New Kochbihar (NON SUBURBAN):- This line will be a substitute route between New Mainagurhi & New Kochbihar avoiding Falakata. A small link between Chyangrhabandha & New Chyangrhabandha is also a part of this project for further bypassing. Work is going on and this line is planned to open in 2014.
11) New Kochbihar – Golakganj (ASSAM) (NON SUBURBAN):- - This is the only new non-suburban line which has opened recently. And is a substitute route between New Kochbihar & Golakganj avoiding Shamuktala Road & Fakiragram. New Jalpaigurhi – Alipurduar Jn. Express has now extended to Dhubrhi, via this line, but surprisingly, there is not a single ordinary passenger train. I’ve never heard about subh a line which has no passenger train, but has express train!!! Really amazing. Due to this I have cancelled to travel this line, until it’ll get any passenger train, or direct train from Kolkata area.

Cosmicbliss

July 10th, 2012, 07:09 PM

Bombay2Calcutta

July 11th, 2012, 03:23 AM

Driver spots rail fracture and stops train
TNN (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Driver-spots-rail-fracture-and-stops-train/articleshow/14813657.cms?prtpage=1)| Jul 11, 2012, 03.12AM IST

KOLKATA: A day after a Budge Budge-Sealdah local derailed near the Ballygunge station on Sunday, passengers on the Sealdah-Rampurhat Maa Tara Express had a narrow shave on Tuesday morning after the driver applied emergency brakes on spotting a fracture on the track between the Bidhannagar Road and Dum Dum Junction stations. The train was detained at the spot for nearly 30 minutes while repairs were carried out. Several local trains were also detained.

The incident occurred soon after the express train left Sealdah at 7.25am. It was yet to gather speed, when the alert driver spotted the rail fracture near the Dakshindari level crossing. He immediately brought the train to a stop and alerted the control room around 7.40am.

"Our engineers and trackmen reached the spot within minutes and began repairs. Track fractures are quite common during temperature variations. There was no foul play or negligence involved. The steel rails contract in the night due to a dip in temperature. As the sun rises and it gets warmer, the metal expands and cracks develop wherever there is any weak spot. Such weak spots can't be spotted with the naked eye. Loco pilots and their assistants are asked to maintain a lookout for such cracks, particularly during seasonal variations," an Eastern Railway official said. The repairs were completed at 8.10am.

Some people, however, claimed that track fractures do lead to accidents. In May this year, eight coaches of the Mumbai-bound Punjab Mail derailed near Rohtak in Haryana, injuring 29 passengers. According to an official, if all vacancies for the post of trackmen are filled up, rail fractures can be detected before the trains pass.

anamitra

July 13th, 2012, 05:55 AM

PRESENT STATUS OF NEW LINES IN JULY 2012 –

3) Barddhaman – Katwa: - This line is also under guage conversion, and is an important link line. I went to Barddhaman recenty and saw the work has completed. Former NG platform was dismantled, and a new BG platform was constructed. Electrification has completed recently up to Balgona, and CRS officers also checked this line, but I don’t know why this line still has not opened for EMU service. There is a plan to open this section before 31/12/12, but I’m not sure, also not sure when the entire line will be converted from NG to BG.

The gauge conversion and electrification will definitely be extended since a new Thermal Power Plant is being planned at Katwa. This plant will need 2-3 coal rakes daily, plied behind electric locomotives. As a freebie, EMU locals will also be introduced.

4) Mashagram – Roynagar: - This line is very important for linking between ER & SER. I went to Shaktigarh recently and saw the earth work was going on. The remaining section between Mathnasipur & Mashagram is now under construction. I heard work is going on full pace and it is planned to open in 2013. A Bankurha – Mathnasipur DMU passenger has already planned to extend towards Mashagram. At first it will be served by DMU trains, but finally it will be served by EMU trains upto Roynagar after future electrification.

The proposal of electrification has been sent to the railway board but it has not been approved yet. This route has every possibility of getting electrified as a missing link, but seems it is going to take time. Let them complete the section and introduce DEMUs first.

7) Murshidabad – Azimganj (NON SUBURBAN):- This line will be a very important link line, but the current status is mysterious. In 2010, this line got most importance. The main obstacle was the large bridge on River Bhagirathi, which has completed almost one year ago. A DMU passenger train between Krishnanagar & New Farakka via Azimganj was also planned for strart running. I went to Azimganj in last August and saw work is going very slow. 2 new platforms has constructed at Azimganj, the bridge on river Bhagirathi has completed, earth work has finished, but now the track laying is very slow and casual. The future is unknown. This link is urgently needed.There was a plan to open this line before 31/3/12, but now it has targeted in 2013, which is not sure.

That area falls right in the heart land of Pranab Mukherjee and Adhir Chaudhury's constituencies. Until the political issues are ironed out between Congress and Trinamool, it does not look like this line is ever going to see the daylight. Unfortunately, people's interest is being held as ransom for cheap political ego plays!

NiladriG

July 14th, 2012, 04:10 PM

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/eastern-railway-records-growth-in-freight-passenger-traffic/974355/

Eastern Railway witnessed growth in its freight and passenger traffic and earnings during the period from April to June 2012.
Freight loading of Eastern Railway in the first quarter was 15.739 million tonne against the proportionate target of 14.63 million tonne, registering a growth of 16.34 per cent on a year-on-year basis. Freight earning was Rs 1153.69 crore compared to Rs 861.89 crore on year-on-year basis.

Among the total loading in the same period, coal loading alone amounted to 10.779 million tonne, surpassing the proportionate target of 9.660 million tonne. General goods loaded by Eastern Railway amounted to 4.960 million tonne this year as against 4.645 million tonne last year.

In case of passenger traffic, Eastern Railway carried 29.31 crore passengers in this period, earning Rs 412.71 crore as against 28.23 crore passengers carried during the period from April to June 2011, generating revenue of Rs 372.24 crore. :cheers:

Ashis Mitra

July 15th, 2012, 11:05 AM

In the current suburban timetable, the following new trains have added:-

31713 Naihati – Ranaghat local
31571 Ranaghat – Krishnanagar local (actually it will be the extension of the 31713)
31783 Ranaghat - Shantipur local
31631 Shialdaha – Ranaghat local
33367 Barasat – Bangaon local
33323 Shialdaha – Hasnabad local
31755 Ranaghat – Gede local
33737 Ranaghat – Bangaon local
37785 Bandel - Barddhaman local (now have started running)
37291 Haorha – Bandel local (now have started running)
37411 Haorha – Tarakeshwar local
37413 Haorha – Tarakeshwar local
37857 Bandel – Naihati local (now have started running)
38305 Santragachhi – Mecheda local (now have started running, actually is the extension of the 68685)
68685 Mecheda – Digha local (first time, EMU trains started running outside suburban area, beyond Kanthi)
68691 Haorha – Haldia local (now have started running, will go directly towards Raghunathbarhi)
68633 Haorha – Kharhgapur local (now have started running)
38255 Santragachhi – Bagnan local (going to reintroducing after many years)
68607 Santragachhi – Amta local

** This year, Introduction of new EMU trains is comparatively lower than previous year. Not a single train has introduced/planned for Shialdaha South Section. Significantly, on SER there are much new trains comparing previous years, also note; like Damdam, Baliganj and Bali, Santragachhi is now also in intermediate terminus of suburban train.

Ashis Mitra

July 15th, 2012, 11:08 AM

Ashish, is it fair to say that railway projects are gathering pace in WB since TMC took charge at both centre and state? :):cheers:

Not very much, but better than before 2009, and after applying own land acquisition act of IR to acquire land for faster construction of new lines.

Ashis Mitra

July 15th, 2012, 11:50 AM

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1404966

This international thread was created by me. All can post as much as possible about Kolkata’s rail transport, for informing the world about our great systems, and for improving & surviving. THIS IS A GREAT CHANCE.

anamitra

July 17th, 2012, 04:30 AM

There was a proposal of extending 13103/13104 Sealdah Asansol Intercity Express (via Naihati, Bandel) to Purulia. Has anyone heard of any progress on that front?

The original plan was to extend the service upto PRR by creating an early morning departure from PRR at about 5:00 AM and on return, reaching PRR by 22:30 PM by sticking to the existing time slot between Sealdah and Asansol.

This could help people from Purulia/Anara/Burnpur area to head to Durgapur/Barddhaman/Bandel/Naihati/Barrackpore/Sealdah without making a change. Also, this extension will not need another rake or locomotive. The present rake can very well take care of this extra need.

Warm regards,
Anamitra

Ashis Mitra

July 19th, 2012, 10:54 PM

Never heard about it

Ashis Mitra

July 19th, 2012, 10:56 PM

Kalyani Station
photo copyright Debasis

http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/990/kolkatsuburbandebasisnf5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

This is Kalyani Jn. The middle two tracks are for express & goods train, tracks towards Kalyani Simanta, turns left, are out of the photo.

Ashis Mitra

July 19th, 2012, 11:01 PM

Kolkata International Station(Chitpur)-the sparkling clean white station

Entry(very environmental friendly-welcome to Modern Kolkata....love it)
http://i687.photobucket.com/albums/vv233/kolkatawb/3424193715_13d4dd7950_b.jpg

http://i687.photobucket.com/albums/vv233/kolkatawb/3424194143_e78af6cf3f_b.jpg

http://i687.photobucket.com/albums/vv233/kolkatawb/3425007146_422a7ca524_b.jpg

http://i687.photobucket.com/albums/vv233/kolkatawb/3424195525_277113f41f_b.jpg

from flickr

These area, now turned to approach road, were goods rail line before the station made.

Suncity

July 21st, 2012, 03:11 PM

8th July..

Crowds!

Due to derailment of up Budge Budge local at Ballygunge,EMU service of Sealdah south section has been completely collapsed,since there's no overhead current in between Ballygunge and Sonarpur about that accident,this oldy BGA shunter playing the role of crisis manager.

GzmQQPXUdsU

Video of derailed EMU

J_91aRkqkl0

Suncity

July 21st, 2012, 03:22 PM

Not suburban - but this is the FIRST LHB Shatabdi Express from Howrah. It is the NJP Howrah Shatabdi.

suDHWO3FNes

anamitra

July 27th, 2012, 04:43 AM

http://epratidin.in/epaperimages/2772012/2772012-md-hr-8/16493859.JPG

anamitra

July 27th, 2012, 04:44 AM

Ahmedpur Katwa is up for Gauge Conversion:
http://epratidin.in/epaperimages/2772012/2772012-md-hr-10/163552593.JPG

NiladriG

August 4th, 2012, 05:35 PM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Satabdi-locomotive-runs-250mts-sans-coaches/articleshow/15346921.cms?

Passengers of the newly introduced Howrah-New Jalpaiguri Satabdi Express survived a major scare on Friday after the train's engine got detached near Jaugram station in Burdwan.

The train had left Howrah Station at 2.15 pm. Around 3.40 pm, the coupling between the engine and the first coach broke. Passengers felt a sudden jerk after which the train stopped. "We got down and to our horror saw the detached engine some distance away," said Mehboob Alam, a passenger on coach S1.

Eastern Railway officials confirmed that the locomotive travelled nearly 250 metres before the driver stopped and reversed it. They, however, denied that the passengers were at any risk. :wtf::omg:

Bombay2Calcutta

August 6th, 2012, 05:27 AM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Siliguri-Darjeeling-toy-train-run-to-resume-soon/articleshow/15370043.cms
Siliguri-Darjeeling toy train run to resume soon

DARJEELING: Direct toy train services between Siliguri and Darjeeling are likely to resume by the end of 2013. Coming under fire from the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) MLAs over the lack of infrastructure in the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), railway ministerMukul Roy announced this at Darjeeling on Sunday. The GJM leaders also demanded that the Darjeeling Mail be extended up to Gulma, which falls within the territory of the Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA). They also demanded that the Gulma station be renamed Darjeeling Road.
It was the first official programme for Bimal Gurung, chief executive of the GTA and its other members. During the oath-taking ceremony on Saturday, the GJM leaders had received a number of sermons on how to behave in a responsible manner. A day after, it was their turn to remind the railway minister how the DHR - a Unesco World Heritage Site - has been neglected.

"During our childhood days, there used to be a large number of services of the toy train. Today, there are only a few services. Infrastructure has not been developed. The Darjeeling station has no mention that it is home to a World Heritage Site. Even the plaque at the New Jalpaiguri (NJP) station has disappeared. The DHR requires a lot of care. It was the first industrial site in Asia to have been inscribed as a World Heritage Site, but the Indian Railways haven't come up with plans for its conservation. A director has been appointed to the DHR, but he has to commute to Darjeeling every day from Siliguri, said Rohit Sharma, MLA, Kurseong.

Gurung pointed to how the Tindharia workshop and the tracks there were devastated during the last major earthquake in the area.

"Ever since we began our agitation, we have been demanding that the Gulma station be renamed Darjeeling Road and trains like the Darjeeling Mail, Mahananda Express and Kanchanjungha Express start from there. I would also urge the railway minister to level the DHR tracks that cross National Highway-55 for the benefit of motorists and reserve more quotas in trains from this area," Gurung said.

According to Darjeeling MLA Trilok Dewan, development of the Gulma station will lead to socio-economic development of the area.

"In the GTA Agreement, there was a clause to extend the broad-gauge line up to Sukna. This isn't possible due to the non-availability of space. We want the Gulma station to be developed instead, so that people don't have to travel all the way to NJP from Darjeeling," he said.

Roy said that the proposal to rename Gulma station has been sent to the ministry of home affairs. The general manager of Northeast Frontier Railway will decide the operational feasibility of running long-distance trains from there.

"We are trying to connect the hills of Darjeeling by rail. Several surveys, including the one between Sevoke and Mirik are already over while others are underway. All these projects will lead to development. We are also working on a budget hotel and a functional centre at the Darjeeling station. Several development projects are also on in Kurseong. The ministry of road transport has already cleared Rs 55 crore for the repair of the stretch of NH-55 near Tindharia. I also promise that we will resume services between Darjeeling and Siliguri by the end of 2013," Roy said.

During the day, Roy flagged off two toy train services between Darjeeling and Ghum and Darjeeling and Kurseong.

sidney_jec

August 6th, 2012, 05:33 AM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Satabdi-locomotive-runs-250mts-sans-coaches/articleshow/15346921.cms?

"We got down and to our horror saw the detached engine some distance away," said Mehboob Alam, a passenger on coach S1.

:lol:

sorry but couldnt control my laugh on this one.

anyways S1? arent chaircars CC1 etc? or has the terminology changed or the reporter was high on weed?

rupakd

August 8th, 2012, 07:38 AM

SER Suburban trains change colours

The rakes of South-Eastern Railway’s suburban trains will change colour from the present Gulf red and pale cream in a bid to make the rakes brighter and more attractive while ensuring the paint lasts longer.

All suburban trains — 32 Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) rakes and 16 Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) rakes — will gradually be converted to the new colour scheme. A rake is sent for a periodic overhaul every 18 months and eventually all the rakes will be painted in the new hues, South Eastern Railway’s Chief Public Relations Officer Soumitra Majumdar said on Tuesday.

In the new colour scheme, the rakes will be painted golden yellow and telegrey with horizontal band of blue lilac. According to a Press release issued by South Eastern Railway, the quality of paint being used is better to ensure there is less corrosion.

So far two EMU rakes and one MEMU rake in the new colour scheme have been released, it added.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-otherstates/article3740405.ece

NiladriG

August 10th, 2012, 06:58 PM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/High-speed-rail-corridor-feasible-Consortium/articleshow/15427511.cms?

Howrah-Haldia route - Simply bad idea!!!

In a state where a sizeable chunk of the population supports the decision not to raise train fares, will people be ready to shell out Rs 1,000 or more to cover the 135-odd kilometres between Haldia and Kolkata in less than an hour? This is the question doing the rounds, now that the Spanish consortium engaged by the Indian Railways to conduct a pre-feasibility study on a high-speed railway corridor between Kolkata and Haldia has stated that it is possible to run trains between the two locations at 200-300 km per hour.

The ministry of railways, in consultation with state governments, proposed high speed corridors between Delhi-Chandigarh-Amritsar, Pune- Mumbai-Ahmedabad, Hyderabad-Dornakal-Vijaywada-Chennai, Chennai-Bangalore-Coimbatore-Ernakulum, Howrah-Haldia and Delhi-Agra-Lucknow-Varanasi-Patna. It was also proposed to set up a National High Speed Rail Authority ( NHSRA) for planning, standard setting, implementing and monitoring these projects. It was estimated that the construction cost per km would be Rs 75-100 crore.

"The consortium of M/s INECO, M/s PROINTEC and M/s Ayesha (the consultant) was engaged to conduct a pre-feasibility study. The study was completed earlier this year and the report stated that it is feasible to build an elevated corridor from Kolkata (Howrah) to Haldia. Some companies from Japan have also expressed their interest in providing high-speed trains for these corridors. However, all these projects will be extremely cost-intensive. It has been estimated that the Haldia-Kolkata stretch (the smallest one) will cost over Rs 10,000 crore. Unlike other railway networks in the country, the rate of return will have to be high for the high-speed trains. Though a feasibility report has not yet been prepared, passengers would need to pay at least Rs 10 per km," an official said.

Though Haldia is an industrial township and there is a demand for better connectivity from Kolkata, officials aren't sure whether this ambitious project will be financially viable. In the past, a catamaran service between Kolkata and Haldia had to be closed down due to lack of adequate patronage.

"If high speed trains are to be run, an elevated corridor is the only solution. Given the situation in the country, land acquisition is a very difficult proposition. For an elevated corridor, we would require only small patches of land for the pillars. The tracks and electric supply would also be quite different from those used by Indian Railways now. The tracks would have to be fenced to prevent people or animals from crossing over.

Running services are also expensive as power requirements will be much higher. An elevated corridor is much more expensive than surface tracks though. Laying tracks on the surface costs much less and a lower rate of return can be considered," the official said.

People are now wondering whether the route from Howrah to Haldia for the high speed corridor was a right choice. The railways could have selected a longer route which is in greater demand.

Suncity

August 10th, 2012, 07:17 PM

If they can run a Shatabdi at average of 90 kms per hour to Haldia, that should be good enough.

sidney_jec

August 10th, 2012, 08:12 PM

:lol:

studdmanster

August 16th, 2012, 08:24 AM

http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/8808/29757748949000439734613.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/651/29757748949000439734613.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

studdmanster

August 16th, 2012, 08:25 AM

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/2391/48458348948974773070519.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/337/48458348948974773070519.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

Suncity

August 18th, 2012, 12:35 AM

Rajarshi77

August 18th, 2012, 04:46 PM

Bridge is completed but cannot be used! This is basically the fallout of making grand promises by some politicians.

Job demand halts rail plan

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120818/jsp/bengal/story_15867847.jsp

This is the first time I read about this. Honestly if people are adamant might as well give them a job and get the project going. Don't understand how we can sit on it for two years. Amazing :|

Suncity

August 23rd, 2012, 06:00 AM

One more ...

Railways' job-for-land policy derails in the first run

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/railways-job-for-land-policy-derails-infirst-run/484134/

This was the price the Railways would have to pay for acquisition of land between Furfura Sharif and Dankuni in the Hooghly district of West Bengal where the 'job-for-land' policy formulated by former railway minister Mamata Banerjee was put to test for the first time.

But the near-impossible task has prompted Railways to finally give it up. It has, instead, asked the West Bengal government to acquire land for the construction of the broad-gauge line, raising questions on the rationale of the policy.

“The problem is how can the Railways provide jobs to so many people. We will require hardly 800 people to run the service in the area,” said a Railways official, requesting anonymity.

Following a request from the Railways authorities, the Bengal government has taken up the responsibility for land acquisition. "This is a special case. Our land policy allows the government to acquire land for public sector projects with issues such as security, national disaster, construction of roads and bridges and development of Railways," West Bengal Industry Minister Partha Chatterjee said.

But officials are clueless whether the “job-for-land” scheme will remain tenable, if the land is acquired by the state.

Union Railways Minister Mukul Roy was, however, not ready to accept any flaw in the policy formulated by his predecessor and party chief, Mamata Banerjee. “The state will acquire the land for the Dunkuni project and jobs will also be offered as promised. Whatever problems we have in other places, we are working it out with respective state governments,” he said recently on a query on the same.
Unlike Roy, many in the his ministry believe the problem lies in the policy itself. Under the policy, one member of each family whose land was acquired will be given a permanent job besides compensation at market price. As per the policy, it was stated the job provided to land losers would be in the pay scale of Rs 5,200-20,200 with a grade pay of Rs 1,800. This means a land loser will get Group-C category job, for which the starting pay would be a little above Rs 10,000.

Pointing out the fact that there is no guideline over the “minimum size of land” that would make a land loser eligible for a Railways job, a senior official in the railway ministry said: “I personally think the scheme needs to be re-worked. Even a person with a very small holding is eligible for a job. Also, this has led to illegal practices over transaction of land where railway projects are coming up.”

Bombay2Calcutta

August 26th, 2012, 06:01 AM

http://www.bemlindia.nic.in/documents/News%20&%20Events/Press%20Releases/24082012.pdf
BEML SUPPLIES NATION’S FIRST STAINLESS STEEL EMUs TO INDIAN RAILWAYS

BEML LIMITED, the premier railcoach manufacturing Company, under the administrative purview of Ministry of Defence, took up the challenging task of redesigning the existing Corten Steel EMU (Electrical Multiple Unit) coach body with more modern Stainless Steel Carbody design. The innovative design, developed by R&D Division of BEML, was approved by RDSO (Research Development Standard Organisation) and Indian Railways have placed a Developmental Order for design,
development and manufacture of 10 nos. of Stainless Steel EMUs. Each rake of SS EMU consists of 9 cars. The first rake of 9 Cars designed and developed by BEML have been cleared by RDSO and RITES (Rail India Technical & Engineering Services) and have been successfully commissioned for trial run at Sealdah Division of Eastern Railways, Kolkata. The new design of SS EMU has been evolved for the First Time in the country with modern aesthetic look, comfortable seating and the interiors designed to be on par sophisticated Metro Cars, thus making the SS EMU more comfortable, durable, safe and easy for maintenance.
With this innovative product of BEML, Indian Railways plan for gradual replacement of existing corrosion-prone corten steel EMUs with modern Stainless Steel corrosion-proof EMUs in Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai & Chennai suburbs has become a reality. BEML foresees a huge business potential for the newly designed and developed
Stainless Steel EMUs.

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/3858/bemlemu.png

http://img826.imageshack.us/img826/1298/bemlemuinterior.png

Bombay2Calcutta

August 26th, 2012, 06:07 AM

Hindu (http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/article3823375.ece)
BEML supplies 9 EMUs to Eastern Railway

BEML has supplied the first rake of nine stainless steel Electrical Multiple Units (EMUs) to the Sealdah Division of the Eastern Railway. The first rake of nine cars are undergoing trial runs, said a release. The coaches were designed and developed at the company’s Research and Development facility and the designs were approved by the Research Development Standard Organisation. BEML has received orders for 10 EMU train sets from the Indian Railways.

Suncity

August 26th, 2012, 09:15 PM

list of alleged "white elephant trains" [related to ER/WB] compiled by a rail fan. Apparently these trains do not get enough passengers (hard to believe in India) and are run for political show.

GgZCS0wEBQ4

Suncity

August 26th, 2012, 09:26 PM

[
http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/3858/bemlemu.png

Looks better than the current dibbas.

Bombay2Calcutta

August 27th, 2012, 01:17 AM

Yes , they already have the expertise toi make EMUs for Delhi, Bangalore metros. they will also be providing the rolling stocks for Jaipur Metro. I hope that they have thought about on how to quickly convert this into an AC EMU.

anamitra

August 27th, 2012, 04:37 AM

Any idea where the BEML SS EMU has landed? BEML has infused Delhi Metro Rotem coach design and made a nice crossover between Metro and Ordinary EMU trains. If the pricing is kept in control, stainless steel EMUs will be the better choice.

orkutmama

August 28th, 2012, 06:59 AM

any update of mathnasipur-masagram rail?

Ashis Mitra

August 29th, 2012, 10:54 AM

New platform on Mashagram is under construction.

Track laying has started from Mashagram and on full swing.

I saw that 2 weeks ago.

NiladriG

August 30th, 2012, 07:13 PM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Shalimar-terminal-to-ease-congestion-at-Howrah-station/articleshow/15969700.cms?

Dankuni's loss will be Shalimar's gain, thanks to trouble over land acquisition. The Indian Railways has been forced to scrap plans for a coaching terminal at Dankuni. The terminal will now shift to Shalimar in Howrah for which the railways has sanctioned nearly Rs 192 crore.

Engineers of South Eastern Railway (SER) are currently working out plans to develop the facilities at Shalimar into a full-fledged terminal. At present, only a few trains will originate and terminate at Shalimar. If everything goes according to the plan, then most long distance trains of SER will shift to Shalimar and Santragachhi from Howrah. This will create more space at the two terminals of Howrah station for Eastern Railway (ER) trains.

"Though both terminals at Howrah station belong to ER, the new or south complex (Terminal-II) is used exclusively by SER's long-distance trains. The north complex (Terminal-I) is used by ER's long-distance trains and all EMU locals. There is immediate need for a new terminal to reduce the congestion at Howrah station," a source in the railways said.

Several proposals were floated, including a new terminal close to Howrah station for local trains. However, none of these were feasible. Majerhat was also considered, but a bridge from the Howrah side of the Hooghly to Majerhat wasn't technically feasible. Puddapukur was another site that was chosen but didn't match all specifications. Finally, it was decided to develop Shalimar into a full-fledged terminal, he added.

In his budget speech of 2012, former railway minister Dinesh Trivedi announced a feasibility study for a terminal at Dankuni. However, there wasn't sufficient space in Dankuni for a passenger terminal and acquisition wasn't an option. As it is, a freight terminal is coming up at Dankuni that will connect it to the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor.

"The passenger terminal should ideally have been built at Dankuni. However, since land is a hurdle at Dankuni and an outlay of Rs 192.44 crore has been made for Shalimar, officials should proceed with their plans," an official said. :cheers:

Ashis Mitra

September 1st, 2012, 11:11 AM

Yesterday I took a train from Jashor Road, and I saw the station has not any ticket clerk to sell ticket!!!. The ticket counter is emply and covered with dust, the door of the office is closed, but locked with a nylon rope!! The name board on the ticket counter is broken. So if people want to buy ticket, they can’t because of the absence of ticket seller. I can’t imagine that a station inside a megacity has no tocket selling!! This is not the picture of a village station, it is of such a station, which opened only in 2006, and just after 6 years, it turned to a semi-condemned station!!! Glasses, chairs and lights are broken, and everybody including me has no other way but to use this station without ticket. I took the train for Majherhat with cost of Rs. 0/-.

It was not such position only one year ago. After increasing local trains much than before, it is used by more passengers than before, but it gradually declining on the map of railway. Everyday every people uses this station without paying. Perhaps it is only possible in KOLKATA.

Bombay2Calcutta

September 1st, 2012, 06:55 PM

TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Stations-get-blue-and-white-makeover/articleshow/16100170.cms)
Stations get blue-and-white makeover

KOLKATA: Government buildings, flyovers, boulevards, dividers, railings and now railway stations. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee's dream to turn the city blue-and-white seems to go in the right direction.

The rail authorities have started to paint the platforms, walls and sheds blue and white. In the Sealdah south section, stations like Jadavpur, Dhakuria and Sealdah south platforms are now getting a fresh coat of paint. Even work at BR Singh Hospital has started to give the railway hospital in Sealdah a new look.

Rail authorities have remained tightlipped on this matter so far. The spokespersons of Eastern and Southeastern Railway said that no instruction of painting the rail premises has been given by the railway authorities. However, Sealdah DRM Suchitto Kumar Das has admitted that walls at several places of Sealdah station have been painted blue and white. "The decision was taken at the local level, no such circular was issued from the division," he said.

Many have started expressing their displeasure over the railway authorities breaking the prescribed colour code with such new combination. A section of officials also said the enforcement of this new colour scheme was nothing but a "waste of money".

It is mentioned in the Railways works manual that platforms and walls should have only aluminium or dark battleship grey colours. Even all steel work of platform shelters should be coloured either in grey, aluminium or red. Doors, windows and other structural wooden works inside offices should have white cream or brown.

Earlier, following instructions of Mamata Banerjee when she was the rail minister, the platforms were coloured yellow and green, breaking the conventional color code.

Shaoli Mitra, the chairperson of the culture and heritage committee of the Railways, confirmed that the rail authorities did not discuss anything with the committee on this new colouring

Bombay2Calcutta

September 4th, 2012, 12:53 AM

Ashis Mitra

September 5th, 2012, 02:26 PM

Wow! great news.

anamitra

September 5th, 2012, 10:10 PM

Invites bids under single stage two packet system for the work of the proposed Bridge over River Bhagirati in Nabadwip Ghat to Nabadwip Dham project of Eastern Railway in the State of West Bengal, India.” (http://www.rvnl.org/tender/view_tender_detail.php?tid=501276813ef66)

Before jumping in joy, I would like to know the status of following bridges:
1) Jubilee Bridge between Garifa and Hooghly Ghat
2) Bridge between Nasipur Road and Azimganj - lying idle at the behest of (political spoilers)
3) Bridge between Pujali and Birshibpur

Even if I go by the belief that all these projects will be concurrently completed by 2020, the opportunity loss and economic deprivation in the interim years will have gigantic adverse effect.

Without getting into various projects, more focused efforts by political leadership were necessary.

rupakd

September 6th, 2012, 07:40 AM

DOUBLING OF THE JIRAT - AMBIKA KALNA SECTION NEARING COMPLETION

http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/4672/abka.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/819/abka.jpg/)

Bombay2Calcutta

September 9th, 2012, 10:26 PM

1JNrgQ2fIEM

Bombay2Calcutta

September 11th, 2012, 10:16 PM

tTdergZa8FQ

infra desperados

September 11th, 2012, 10:38 PM

^^
looks very nice/

anamitra

September 16th, 2012, 04:13 AM

Howrah Arambag EMU service will start from today. Also, from Bishnupur end the MEMU service will be extended upto Maynapur.

NiladriG

September 16th, 2012, 11:14 AM

Howrah Arambag EMU service will start from today. Also, from Bishnupur end the MEMU service will be extended upto Maynapur.

That's good news, :cheers2: to that.

Suncity

September 16th, 2012, 02:44 PM

tTdergZa8FQ

Looks very nice.

Hope people will maintain it. Jai ho Didi. Please don't leave the Rail Ministry in haste.

:cheers:

NiladriG

September 16th, 2012, 06:36 PM

Looks very nice.

Hope people will maintain it. Jai ho Didi. Please don't leave the Rail Ministry in haste.

:cheers:

As it is most Metro projects in the city are in a state of limbo, leaving the Cabinet will be like giving the Rly ministry to Mulayam on a platter.

studdmanster

September 22nd, 2012, 01:16 PM

Jairam Ramesh is all set to become the new Rail Minister.

My wishlist from the new RM:

* increase the fare.
* stop introduction of new trains, instead allocated a lion share of budget for maintenance of current and rolling stock.

Bombay2Calcutta

September 25th, 2012, 03:56 AM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Buddha-Trail-to-enthral-tourists/articleshow/16537175.cms

Buddha Trail to enthral tourists

KOLKATA: The state government is all set to start a 'Buddha Trail', on the lines of the Palace on Wheels in Rajasthan. Spread over the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Sikkim, the trail will connect cities where Lord Buddha had a spent a part of his life.

The project, being prepared in consultation with railway officials, will not only require financial support from the Centre but also it's approval. Once the project is finalized and accepted by the Indian Railways, it will be forwarded to the Centre.

Palace on Wheels may have its very own Bengali incarnation. West Bengal government has embarked upon an ambitious plan to start a 'Buddha Trail', connecting the cities related to Lord Buddha. The project is being prepared in consultation with railway officials and the Buddhist trail is being considered by the Indian Railways. Since other state governments are also involved in the project, the trail will require a nod from the Centre as well as financial support. After the project is finalised and accepted by the Indian railways, it will be further sent to the center.

After a preliminary discussion, the trail had been conceptualised to be spread over the four states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Sikkim.

"The main aim of the project is to attract Buddhist tourists from Southeast and East Asia. A huge number of footfall is experienced in each places linked with Buddha. Most of these tours are organised from Delhi. Now, we plan to start a similar trail from Kolkata," said a senior tourism department official. "The tourists travelling from Southeast Asia will find the tour very lucrative because of cost benefits. The airfare from Southeast Asia to Kolkata is way less than that in any other Indian city."

A tentative itinerary has also been chalked out and sent for approval. According to it, the Buddha Trail will first pass through Gautam Buddha's birthplace in Lumbini and then through UP's Kushinagar where Buddha attained nirvana. This will be followed by a stop at Shravasti in the state's Gonda district. Tourists will then be taken to Sarnath in Bihar. "There are ruins and relics which the travellers will visit. Sarnath is also an important place of pilgrimage for those who practice Buddhism

," said the official.

After a visit to Varanasi, tourists will be taken to Bodh Gaya where Lord Buddha had attained enlightenment. In the final leg of the tour, travelers will be taken to two monasteries - Rumtek in Sikkim and Ghoom, around 8km from Darjeeling. The monastery at Ghoom has a 15-feet hight Buddha statue.

The tentative itenary which has been discussed and sent for an approval includes places like Lumbini - the birth place of Gautam Buddha and Kushinagar - place where Buddha attained nirvana in Eastern U.P. Followed by Shravasti in the Gonda district of U.P. At Sravasti Buddha had spent a long time after he became a monk. It is also near Tetavana monastery where he had spent his life. The tourists will be then taken to Sarnath in Bihar. "There are ruins and relics which the travelers will visit. Sarnath is also an important place of pilgrimage for those who practice Buddhism. The place houses a deer park," said the official. Tourists will be then taken to Varanasi situated just 13 kms away from Sarnath.

Next on the tour will be stop at Bodh Gaya - a place where Gautam Budhha had attained his enlightenment. The temple located at Bodh Gaya has been identified as a Unesco protected world heritage site.

In the final leg of the tour, travelers will be taken to Rumtek monastery in Sikkim and the famous monastery at Ghum near Darjeeling. "Rumtek is famous for a Tibetan Buddhist Monastery and is closely associated with Karmapas - religious gurus of the Tibetan sect. At Ghum in West Bengal which is only 8kms from Darjeeling is also a place of tourist interest. The monastery at Ghum houses a 15-feet high Buddha statue," added the tourism department official.

The tour will be expensive since the cost will include accommodation, travel and food expenses of all travelers

. "The tourists will be put up at star hotels whenever there are overnight stays

. Moreover, an entire train will have to be reserved with grand decor, global cuisine and other luxuries which the travelers can experience in the Palace on Wheels," added the official.

The state government will also start a tour to the rare heritage sites of West Bengal. "A seven-day tour will start from Malda and end in Darjeeling," said Vikram Sen, secretary of tourism department.

Bengali tourists too shall have no regrets as the TMC led government is also working on a plan to start a package showing the travelers rare heritage sites and natural beauty of West Bengal. "A seven-day tour will start from Malda and end in Darjeeling," said Vikram Sen, secretary of tourism department. Bodh Vihar, Bara and Chota Sona Masjit, Imambara of Malda along with Bangarh in South Dinajpur will be toured on dau 1. The second day itenary includes places like Gorumara, Chaba, Jalpaiguri and stone temples in Moinaguri. On day 3 the tourists will be taken to Jaldapara and Jayanti. On day 4, tourists will travel on bus from Malbazar and reach Kalimpong. The next two days will be spent at Darjeeling. Finally on day 7, the tourists will visit Mirik lake and then start for Kolkata from Siliguri.

"The total package will cost Rs 16,000 per head and will include accommodation, travel and food costs," said Sen.

Bombay2Calcutta

September 26th, 2012, 05:43 AM

TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Bengal-rail-projects-wont-be-junkedC-P-Joshi/articleshow/16551480.cms)
Bengal rail projects won't be junked: C P Joshi

NEW DELHI: Amid concerns over the fate of rail projects in West Bengal after Trinamool Congress's exit from UPA, railway minister C P Joshi assured party leaders from the state that these were UPA's projects and would not be affected due to change of guard.

Joshi's assurance came after a meeting with a delegation of West Bengal Congress leaders as there were apprehensions that UPA would junk projects in the state announced in the last three years.

"Whatever rail projects were announced for Bengal with financial sanction will be implemented. Because all these projects are of UPA government headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh," Joshi told reporters.

The move is seen as Congress's attempt to send a signal that UPA will remain committed to all projects in Bengal and to blunt the TMC's campaign about Centre depriving the state after its ouster.

A six-member Congress delegation led by former Bengal minister Manas Ranjan Bhunia submitted a memorandum to Joshi seeking assurance on the continuation of all rail projects announced for the state.

Bhunia told reporters that there was a strong campaign going on in Bengal against the Centre that all rail projects would be abandoned due to change of railway minister.

"He (the minister) assured us that all rail projects announced with financial approval earlier would be completed in time because these are UPA projects," Bhunia said, adding that they had invited Joshi to visit Bengal to inaugurate some rail projects such as coach factory at Haldia and Howrah electrical projects.

As reported by TOI, four extensions of Kolkata Metro, several new lines, gauge conversion, doubling of tracks and electrification of tracks costing around Rs 35,000 crore were announced by railway ministers belonging to TMC.

Bhuniya also met rural development minister Jairam Ramesh and commerce minister Anand Sharma and urged them to continue to support state projects. Ramesh has already promised to visit Lalgarh on October 16 for the first Congress rally to be held in the naxal-infested region since the TMC-Congress government took over last year.It is important for the Bengal Congress to showcase development in the state aided by the Centre to survive electorally. The immediate purpose of such a message is targeted towards the panchayat elections in the state coming up next year.

NiladriG

September 26th, 2012, 03:01 PM

TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Bengal-rail-projects-wont-be-junkedC-P-Joshi/articleshow/16551480.cms)
Bengal rail projects won't be junked: C P Joshi

So congress now wants to take credit for the Metro and other rail projects of Bengal. Smart move. Hopefully things won't slow down.

studdmanster

September 26th, 2012, 05:26 PM

So congress now wants to take credit for the Metro and other rail projects of Bengal. Smart move. Hopefully things won't slow down.

^^:lol: mauke pe chauka...

Ashis Mitra

September 30th, 2012, 02:42 PM

Kolkata-Digha DMU, WB
http://i687.photobucket.com/albums/vv233/kolkatawb/DMU_13Aug.jpg
from irfca.org

This was an old photo of Digha DMU passenger. As Digha line has now elctrified and EMU service started on it from Mecheda, has this train now converted to MEMU service from Santragachhi? I hope so.

Surprsingly, the Duronto Express towards Digha is still hauling by diesel loco!!!!!!!!!! Really a matter or shame!!

Ashis Mitra

September 30th, 2012, 02:50 PM

[QUOTE=SarafIndian;38065842]Photo cc Suddhasattwa

Howrah early morning
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv214/SarafIndian3/Suddhasattwa_HowrahStn_EarlyMorning.jpg

A view of early morning. In left, an express train is going outside from Howrah. In middle & right, two suburban trains are coming towards Howrah, the front is of South Eastern Railway and the rear is of Eastern Railway. Between them, a diesel locomotive is also seen. Look the clear difference of overhead catenaries style to related railways. Electrification of Eastern Rail made earlier, which originally was DC, later changed to AC, whereas electrification of South Eastern Rail was AC since its opening.

Bombay2Calcutta

October 3rd, 2012, 06:48 PM

TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Sealdah-control-room-to-go-hi-tech-soon/articleshow/16647479.cms)
Sealdah control room to go hi-tech soon

KOLKATA: The next time you are on a train and it makes an unscheduled stop at a signal, don't blame those in charge of the nearest station. Your train is being controlled by someone sitting in a control room at a major station like Sealdah several kilometres away.

Till now, the communication between the station and cabin staff and the controller is manual. If things go as per plans, data loggers at stations will upload data to the system soon at Sealdah. This will not only make things a lot easier for the controller, the chances of errors will be reduced. It will also be easier for senior officers to fix responsibility in case an accident occurs or the schedule goes haywire.

This system has not yet been introduced anywhere in the country, officials said. Sealdah, may become the first railway division to implement it. For this, data loggers are already being installed at stations.

"As soon as a train starts from Sealdah or one enters a section from another division, the controller starts receiving information about its movement from stations. This is done through our own telecommunications network," said S K Das, divisional railway manager, Sealdah

soumyajyoti

October 5th, 2012, 06:50 AM

I heard that direct trains have started between Howrah and Arambagh via Tarakeshwar. Can anyone confirm the same? What is the frequency and time table?

Bombay2Calcutta

October 5th, 2012, 11:25 PM

HT (http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Kolkata/Railways-seeks-info-on-money-spent-for-inaugural-functions-in-state/Article1-940517.aspx)
Railways seeks info on money spent for inaugural functions in state

Within two weeks of the Trinamool giving up the railway ministry, the latter has sought details of the expenditure on the inaugural functions of railway projects in West Bengal since April 2010.
That was the time when Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee and her two party colleagues were ministers.

Last week the Railway Board sent letters to the South-Eastern Railways (SER) and Eastern Railways (ER), both headquartered in Kolkata, directing top commercial section officials to submit a report detailing the expenditure on foundation stone-laying programmes and flagging off of trains.

The Railway Board wants to know how much was spent on setting up the stages, loudspeakers, food packets, singers, etc.

“We have started the process of obtaining detailed reports on expenditure made during foundation stone-laying and flagging off functions of different projects since April 2010 in West Bengal. We have directed our divisions in Kharagpore and Adra in this regard,” SP Ghosh, deputy chief commercial manager (passengers marketing), SER, told HT.

Between May 2009, when the party got charge of the ministry, and September 2012, the Trinamool ministers started a large number of projects such as computerised ticket reservation counters, conversions of gauge-lines, setting up coach factories, nursing colleges, railway stadiums, museums and theatre halls in different parts of the state.

Between them, the three railway ministers started more than 130 railway projects, coming under both the SER and ER.

The trend peaked before the assembly polls in 2011. Banerjee herself inaugurated or flagged off 104 projects in the state from April to September in 2010.

Sixteen rail projects, worth about Rs. 40,000 crore, were announced for West Bengal during the period.

Bombay2Calcutta

October 5th, 2012, 11:28 PM

ET (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-company/earnings/earnings-news/ser-clocks-13-47-revenue-growth-during-april-september/articleshow/16685533.cms)
SER clocks 13.47% revenue growth during April-September

KOLKATA: During the first six months of the current financial South Eastern Railway carried 136.74 million passengers against 129.00 million in the previous corresponding period, thus registering a 6% growth.

Out of the total 136.74 million passengers, 73.53 million were non-suburban passengers while 63.21 million were suburban passengers.

Earnings from passenger traffic have recorded a jump of 13.47% during the period and the division earned Rs.623.66 crore from passenger traffic against Rs.549.63 crore in the previous corresponding period.

SER has shown a considerable improvement in freight sector. This year during April-September, SER loaded 61.24 million tonnes against 59.84 million tons loaded during the corresponding period of last year, thus registering a growth of 2.34%.

During the period the number of wagons loaded by SER was 50660 as against 45740 wagons loaded during corresponding period of last year, thus recording an increase of 4920 wagons -- a 10.76% growth.

sscityfan

October 8th, 2012, 04:43 PM

Bombay2Calcutta

October 8th, 2012, 04:47 PM

No they do not have automatic doors

psychedelic

October 9th, 2012, 12:07 AM

^^Are you sure about that? Just asking since those look like automatic doors to me.

Bombay2Calcutta

October 9th, 2012, 07:17 AM

^^Are you sure about that? Just asking since those look like automatic doors to me.

Yes check the YouTube video and the story I have posted in the previous pages

Nilay

October 10th, 2012, 10:33 AM

I heard that direct trains have started between Howrah and Arambagh via Tarakeshwar. Can anyone confirm the same? What is the frequency and time table?

yup. 3 pairs of train are traveling between howrah & arambagh. From howrah, the timing is 4:22, 9:55 & 18:40
From arambagh timing is 7:10, 12:20 & 21:25

Nilay

October 10th, 2012, 10:40 AM

also looks like pair of DEMUs are running between massagram & mathansipur. Timings are a bit odd though, 05:20 & 22:30. Don't know who will travel on these odd times:ohno:

soumyajyoti

October 11th, 2012, 07:14 AM

yup. 3 pairs of train are traveling between howrah & arambagh. From howrah, the timing is 4:22, 9:55 & 18:40
From arambagh timing is 7:10, 12:20 & 21:25

Extremely odd timing

anamitra

October 19th, 2012, 11:52 PM

also looks like pair of DEMUs are running between massagram & mathansipur. Timings are a bit odd though, 05:20 & 22:30. Don't know who will travel on these odd times:ohno:

Don't think trains have started in this route yet. Also, there could have been a direct train between Bankura and Masagram. What is the point in running shuttle trains between MASE and MSAE?

Nilay

October 21st, 2012, 07:50 PM

Nilay

October 21st, 2012, 07:55 PM

Don't think trains have started in this route yet. Also, there could have been a direct train between Bankura and Masagram. What is the point in running shuttle trains between MASE and MSAE?

Seriously. Don't know what is the reason,when there is already 2 existing trains running between bankura & mathansipur, then instead of extending those train to massagram,what was the need of introducing another train from mathansipur to massagram?May be some great thoughts from our intelligent railway officials.:bash::bash:

Rajarshi77

October 28th, 2012, 04:55 PM

Clicked some pics during a recent travel from Dumdum To Naihati.

Dumdum railway stn
http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/4692/001jny.jpg

Saw LCD tvs on the Dumdum platform. Seems they have been recently installed. Didn't notice them earlier.
http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/8705/003lob.jpg

Barrackpore railway station. Looking at the station it appears it was built in British era. Has a colonial air to it.
http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/6035/005iea.jpg

Was traveling on Sunday morning. Hence the coaches were empty. Still caught a vendor selling salted peanuts at 7 am in the morning!
http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/2184/007pvf.jpg

A ROB under construction at Barrackpore.
http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/5909/008yw.jpg

The entire stretch from Dumdum to Naihati is green. Nice trees are planted on platforms. One can see trees and water bodies on both sides of railway tracks. Absolutely lovely!
http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/8886/009tfl.jpg

Saw platform sheds under construction in quiet a few stations. This one is at Ichapur.
http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/3256/010eyr.jpg

The ubiquitous tea stalls on platforms
http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/7568/012vf.jpg

Flower vendors at Naihati station
http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/6450/014ouc.jpg

Finally my destination- Naihati station!
http://imageshack.us/a/img715/1361/015rws.jpg

NiladriG

October 28th, 2012, 05:47 PM

^^ Nice pics Rajarshi :cheers:. Any idea whether the ROB at Barrackpore is part of DumDum-Kalyani expressway?

CalcuttaChromosome

October 28th, 2012, 07:39 PM

^^ Nice pics Rajarshi :cheers:. Any idea whether the ROB at Barrackpore is part of DumDum-Kalyani expressway?

Nopes. Connecting Nonachandanpukur to this side of Barrackpore from where you can go to Chiriamore and Army Cantonments. Kalyani Expressway is on the other side of nonachandanpukur, crossing this road perpendicularly.

amibangali

October 29th, 2012, 08:55 AM

NiladriG

October 29th, 2012, 10:42 AM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Hopes-revived-for-railway-projects/articleshow/16999271.cms

It was a masterstroke on the part of the Congress high command in Delhi to appoint Murshidabad heavyweight and Mamata Banerjee-baiter Adhir Chowdhury as the Union minister of state for railways, believe political observers. Even when the Trinamool Congress was part of the UPA and Congress MLAs joined the government in West Bengal, there was no change in Adhir's stance. He continued to speak out against Mamata and the Trinamool.

Adhir, who singled out Mamata for criticism as a former railway minister, said: "It will take a number of railway budgets to implement the series of announcements made by her during her tenure in the railway ministry. Everything was on paper. She has announced projects without making adequate monetary provisions. She was a failure as a railway minister," he claimed.

Adhir said the Bengal chief minister had herself allayed fears about the fate of the ongoing railway projects in Bengal because of her anti-Centre stance, saying she had thought about all that. The Planning Commission has already approved the plans for 14 railway factories she had proposed as the railway minister and funds have already been allocated, she herself had assured, Chowdhury pointed out.

"There are four major Metro projects directly under the railways in Kolkata. While over 60% of the funds have already been allocated, work will suffer unless there is a steady flow of funds during the final stages. Now that the Trinamool has quit the UPA, there will be efforts from within the state itself to create hurdles. Mamata would want to prove that it was her initiative alone that kept the projects going. She wouldn't want the Congress to receive credit for projects initiated by her. If anybody can find a way around such hurdles, it is Adhir. The Trinamool may have egg in the face if Adhir openly starts accusing it of stalling development projects merely to settle a political score," a source in the railways said.

Mamata spared no effort to rile Adhir in the last three years. Even railway officials found it amusing on certain occasions. Take the doubling of the Krishnanagar-Lalgola section for instance. Work on the stretches between Krishnagar-Plassey and Jiaganj-Lalgola has started first. The fate of the stretch between Plassey and Jiagunj - which falls within Choudhury's parliamentary constituency of Behrampore - remained uncertain till recently. The tender for this stretch was finally awarded less than a week ago.

Once this doubling is completed, the journey time from Kolkata to Behrampore will come down significantly. There is also a demand for double lines in the Katwa-Azimganj section that goes up to Malda. This is an alternate link to Behrampore through the Khagraghat Road station. If this stretch is doubled, the travel time to Malda and north Bengal will come down by at least an hour.

While Mamata has announced railway projects in nearly all districts of the state, Murshidabad and particularly Behrampore seems to have skipped her attention. Adhir has made it clear on several occasions that she avoided the district on purpose as the Trinamool has no base there. The Murshidabad strongman will certainly use his elevation to the post of a Union minister as a plank in the forthcoming panchayat polls. However, it remains to be seen whether he will pay any attention to projects that were announced in the districts of south Bengal. Places like Nandigram, Jangalmahal or Singur, where the Congress has little base, may not feature in his radar. But then, Adhir may also use this opportunity to move out from Murshidabad and establish himself as a Congressman who can lead Bengal.

Rajarshi77

October 29th, 2012, 01:01 PM

Nice pics Rajarshi!!!. I seems that you enjoyed the journey a lot. So, you travelled on Sunday Morning at 7 AM from Sealdah to Naihati.
Now if you get a chance please travel the same route from Naihati to Shealdah on Weekdays during office hours.Or Sealdah to Duttapukur/Sealdah to Diamond harbour during office hours. Let me know the experience. I am pretty sure you will feel hell is not far away.
Anyway, I appreciate your efforts for the photographs and request you to travel through Kalyani expressway next time .Y? because then we can get good photos of kalyani expressway.

I grew up travelling on Howrah and Sealdah lines. I have also travelled on Mumbai locals. So I know the feeling!

However, let me be little philosophical. We have two choices- either be positive and see the brighter side of the life or be negative and see the bad things. I chose the first option. I could have also posted the picture of dogs sleeping on the Dumdum platform. Or probably people hanging out from trains for their dear life. If you want next time I will post them. Probabaly you enjoy them more.

amibangali

October 29th, 2012, 01:46 PM

@rajarshi77, My comments to photos uploaded was not at all to criticize you or making any sarcasim. Neither I want paint any negative pictures about travelling in Locals train. Rather I really apprecaite you for the photos you have taken and feel those are excellent . My comments were made only to point out that Sunday Morning Travelling from Sealdah to Naihati may not give you the true pictures about daily travelling in these local trains.Only Daily commuters knows the pain.

NiladriG

October 30th, 2012, 07:14 AM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Adhir-Chowdhury-watch-on-rail-projects/articleshow/17013860.cms

If Deepa Das Munshi wasted no time in getting down to business on her first day in office, it was no different for Adhir Chowdhury.

The newly appointed minister of state for railways said after his first full day in office he would seek a detailed report on the status and feasibility of various railway projects in Bengal announced when the ministry was held by the Trinamool Congress. "Announcing projects and making adequate financial allocations for them are two different things. We need to understand the status of these projects before finalizing time-frames for taking them forward," Adhir told TOI from New Delhi.

Among the four metro projects in the city, fund allocations for Joka-BBD Bag, New Garia-Airport, Dum Dum-Barrackpore (via Dakshineshwar) and Dum Dum-Barasat (via Airport) have been made. But there are question marks on railway projects in Jellingham and Kanchrapara, Dankuni and the proposed coach factory in Singur.

Chowdhury, however, sought to clarify that political rivalries would in no way affect the status of the Bengal projects. "The railway projects in Bengal are my priority, too. But the status of these and their resource mobilization are completely unknown."

debayanlahiri

October 30th, 2012, 09:15 AM

Anyway, I appreciate your efforts for the photographs and request you to travel through Kalyani expressway next time .Y? because then we can get good photos of kalyani expressway.

Kalyani Expressway is not in a good shape. There r a lot of pot holes and the ride is bumpy! Between Sodepur and Birati, its only stones all along!

I will try to click a few snaps and post here to showcase the beauty around! But the tress have been cut to make way for the four lane expressway. So, the charm is lost! But it is important that the road is widened. Work is on to make it a four lane road with a median; and within a year n half, I guess it would be a true expressway.

debayanlahiri

October 30th, 2012, 09:23 AM

Nopes. Connecting Nonachandanpukur to this side of Barrackpore from where you can go to Chiriamore and Army Cantonments. Kalyani Expressway is on the other side of nonachandanpukur, crossing this road perpendicularly.

Yes u r right. Kalyani Expressway has one ROB at Kalyani. One parallel ROB will be built at Kalyani as the road is widened. There is no requirement of any other rail over bridge on the Kalyani Expressway. However, the Expressway will probably have two flyovers once complete (fingers crossed)!

NiladriG

October 30th, 2012, 07:24 PM

However, the Expressway will probably have two flyovers once complete (fingers crossed)!

:cheers::cheers::cheers:

amibangali

October 30th, 2012, 08:46 PM

Yes u r right. Kalyani Expressway has one ROB at Kalyani. One parallel ROB will be built at Kalyani as the road is widened. There is no requirement of any other rail over bridge on the Kalyani Expressway. However, the Expressway will probably have two flyovers once complete (fingers crossed)!

Any information or work progress on this Expressway connectting to Belghoria Expressway

debayanlahiri

October 31st, 2012, 12:00 PM

Any information or work progress on this Expressway connectting to Belghoria Expressway

Just that 2kms seem to be the prob. With the widening of the Kalyani Expressway, I just hope that they are able to solve the issue. It is irritating to enter the narrow lanes of Birati after travelling on the Kalyani Expressway!

Ashis Mitra

October 31st, 2012, 02:28 PM

Photo cc Shaikh Aslam Goni

http://www.panoramio.com/

Bongaon railway station. Sealdah - Bongaon suburban line. Indo-Bangla Border area.
http://img704.imageshack.us/img704/7380/41128389.jpg

The track going straight is towards Ranaghat, a train is waiting in distance for entering Bangaon. The track turns right is going towards Barasat and then upto Shialdaha/Kolkata. Petrapol is behind of this image. Before independence, som express trains served this line towards Jashor.

Ashis Mitra

October 31st, 2012, 02:31 PM

Photo cc Andy Roy

New "world class" train at Burdwan station..

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5129/5308483565_ff8235246b_b.jpg

This White ‘n Lavender colour sheme is now used on many trains, both by ER & SER, and in both Haorha & Shialdaha division, even yesterday I saw a front slanted EMU train at Park Circus. Is IR planning a common colour scheme for all suburban trains in India?

NiladriG

October 31st, 2012, 03:30 PM

Ganesh Iyer

October 31st, 2012, 05:24 PM

This White ‘n Lavender colour sheme is now used on many trains, both by ER & SER, and in both Haorha & Shialdaha division, even yesterday I saw a front slanted EMU train at Park Circus. Is IR planning a common colour scheme for all suburban trains in India?

Ashis da,

This colour combination was first used for MRVC locals in Bombay. When I was in bombay during the 2006-2009, I have travelled on this locals several times. It is much better than the conventional EMU with large windows and better lighting. Atleast one local with this colour scheme is running in SDAH south section.

BengaliTiger

November 6th, 2012, 10:07 AM

The New BEML rake is currently under use.

Ashis Mitra

November 8th, 2012, 09:33 AM

Map of the CC Link (Calcutta Chord Link) sections, which connect the Sealdah section tracks to Howrah

CC Samit RoyChoudhary

http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/3038/mainphpg2viewcore.gif

Drawing quality of this map is very good, but I found some mistakes. Samitbabu, egulo ektu thik kare abar dekhan.

a) Jashor Road station has not mentioned between Damdam Cantonment & Bimandandar (Airport).
b) Position of Kolkata station, Tala station, Sir Gurudas Banerjee station are wrong.
c) There is not any station at Kankurgachhi Road Jn. It is simply a cabin.
d) Lilua – Belurh Math branch has not shown in this map.
e) The balloon shaped elevated loop linenear Dankuni has dismantled since 2008.
f) Is Bhattanagar a station, or a cabin? I don’t know, please clear.
g) Bankrha-Nayabaz – Amta shown branch is not ex NG line. It is completely different aligned BG EMU line. The ex NG Amta line was just side of present Amta roadway, which is not shown in this map.

Ashis Mitra

November 8th, 2012, 09:34 AM

CC Tripping in India's

http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/7862/47228322257f2fc929eab.jpg

The Kolkata Local

This is Binay Badal Dinesh Bag local, not Kolkata local. Look carefully the destination board.

Ashis Mitra

November 8th, 2012, 09:35 AM

CC by bertietwo78

http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/7805/2142199980bf09d14b72b.jpg

Circular Rail train at Bagbazaar Station in Kolkata

I don’t know why in Bagbazar, down train always come at platform 2, that is on wrong/reverse side. It is an opposite trend. This train is going to Majherhat.

Ashis Mitra

November 8th, 2012, 09:36 AM

yes I know that , but it does not mean that if we convert the circular rail to ametro rail then it has to be on 3rd rail . In metro each and every line is independent of the other lines . Trains from one line never goes on to the other line . So in this case the supply for circular rail can be provided from the overhead supply.

Yes, I agree with you that the Circular Rail needs to be converted to a Metro. I would however want it to be elevated, rather than on the ground..

I knew recently from metro company that in future, beside line wise service, metro will also follow such running patern –
a) Mangal Pande to Joka
b) Mangal Pande to Kabi Subhash
c) Shriramkrishna to Joka
d) Shriramkrishna to Kabi Subhash
e) Barasat to Joka
f) Barasat to Kabi Subhash via Bidhannagar Sector 5
g) Barasat to Kabi Subhash via Central
h) Jayhind to Jayhind via Damdam, Central, Mahanayak Uttam Kumar, Barun Sen Gupta, Bidhannagar Sector 5, Jyotinagar and vice versa.

So only line 2 will be indipendent due to 90 degreee crossing and incompatible guage. All other lines will be on same guage, so they will also run through service.

Also, although there are some cities in world like Buenos Aires, Tokyo, Mexico City etc. whose some metro lines use 3rd rail, and some use overhead wire, and like Athena, where a line uses partly 3rd rail and partly overhead wire, it is not impossible for such a mixed system in Kolkata, but just imagine, a sophisticated rail transport system like metro, which has clean, air-cooled & smart stations, entry-exit controlled by RFID token gate, ocassional baggage checking, etc. how can it wil be applied on such alignment like so called Circular Railway? It lacks all features mentioned above. It follows a congested alignement. So a metro service on that alignment is not possible practically.

With this, completely elevation of this route is also not possiible, because it passes under Ultodingi rail bridge, Belgachhia tram bridge, Hemanta Setu, Rabindra Nath Setu (former tram bridge) and Vidyasagar Setu. Fur such under passing, elevation is impossible. However, it has some chance of mostly dubleing, but I highly doubtful, because there are many illegal encroachments between Bagbazar and Princep Ghat.

orkutmama

November 8th, 2012, 04:15 PM

ANY UPDATE FROM MATHNASIPUR-MASAGRAM RAIL? I HEARD IT WILL START BEFORE PUJA BUT TILL NOW NOT START.

soumyajyoti

November 9th, 2012, 05:55 AM

I knew recently from metro company that in future, beside line wise service, metro will also follow such running patern –
a) Mangal Pande to Joka
b) Mangal Pande to Kabi Subhash
c) Shriramkrishna to Joka
d) Shriramkrishna to Kabi Subhash
e) Barasat to Joka
f) Barasat to Kabi Subhash via Bidhannagar Sector 5
g) Barasat to Kabi Subhash via Central
h) Jayhind to Jayhind via Damdam, Central, Mahanayak Uttam Kumar, Barun Sen Gupta, Bidhannagar Sector 5, Jyotinagar and vice versa.

So only line 2 will be indipendent due to 90 degreee crossing and incompatible guage. All other lines will be on same guage, so they will also run through service.

Also, although there are some cities in world like Buenos Aires, Tokyo, Mexico City etc. whose some metro lines use 3rd rail, and some use overhead wire, and like Athena, where a line uses partly 3rd rail and partly overhead wire, it is not impossible for such a mixed system in Kolkata, but just imagine, a sophisticated rail transport system like metro, which has clean, air-cooled & smart stations, entry-exit controlled by RFID token gate, ocassional baggage checking, etc. how can it wil be applied on such alignment like so called Circular Railway? It lacks all features mentioned above. It follows a congested alignement. So a metro service on that alignment is not possible practically.

With this, completely elevation of this route is also not possiible, because it passes under Ultodingi rail bridge, Belgachhia tram bridge, Hemanta Setu, Rabindra Nath Setu (former tram bridge) and Vidyasagar Setu. Fur such under passing, elevation is impossible. However, it has some chance of mostly dubleing, but I highly doubtful, because there are many illegal encroachments between Bagbazar and Princep Ghat.

Would you please spare us from those ghastly station names and post with the original names of these places for not so GK-acquainted people like me??

anamitra

November 10th, 2012, 06:50 PM

I knew recently from metro company that in future, beside line wise service, metro will also follow such running patern –
a) Mangal Pande to Joka
b) Mangal Pande to Kabi Subhash
c) Shriramkrishna to Joka
d) Shriramkrishna to Kabi Subhash
e) Barasat to Joka
f) Barasat to Kabi Subhash via Bidhannagar Sector 5
g) Barasat to Kabi Subhash via Central
h) Jayhind to Jayhind via Damdam, Central, Mahanayak Uttam Kumar, Barun Sen Gupta, Bidhannagar Sector 5, Jyotinagar and vice versa.

Do you mean Joka line will actually connect to the existing North-South line at Central station? I though the two lines will not connect to each other since it would necessitate destruction of tunnel wall of existing line - severely affecting the existing service. And it has been discussed in great details long time ago in leading newspapers.

Also, it would be at least 10 years before the metro connections to Barrackpore, Barasat etc is established (if at all). TMC couldn't build a KRVC in line with MRVC. So, on pen and paper there is no program management office who would be responsible for making progress on those lines by ensuring fund flow. At this point of time, if we see Joka - Majerhat section to start working before 2015, we will consider ourselves lucky. Also, if East West metro at least gets to Sealdah before 2016 , it will be a great achievement.

anan355

November 11th, 2012, 12:35 AM

At this point of time, if we see Joka - Majerhat section to start working before 2015, we will consider ourselves lucky.

As far as I know from the progress updates that we see in Metro thread Joka Majerhat section is progressing well and pretty fast. Do you have any reason for suspecting the delay. Fund is also allocated for this line.

Also, if East West metro at least gets to Sealdah before 2016 , it will be a great achievement.

After the resolution of Swabhumi issue, only resolution of Duttabad issue is left and work has also started from Sealdah end. Is there any reason for expecting 2016 date?

Bombay2Calcutta

November 12th, 2012, 06:31 PM

TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Need-Aladdins-lamp-to-implement-rly-projects/articleshow/17188301.cms)
Need Aladdin's lamp to implement rly projects

NADIA/BEHRAMPORE: If it was Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee who minced no words to attack the state government in Howrah on Sunday, Congress heavyweight Adhir Chowdhury grabbed the opportunity of a railway programme and slammed the Trinamool Congress-led regime in Nadia.

Laying the foundation stone of a 54.29-km railway link between Plassey and Jiaganj, for which Rs 234.41 crore has already been sanctioned, the newly appointed minister of state for railways said he'll need an Aladdin's lamp to turn promises made by his predecessors (referring to Trinamool leaders) into reality. "I will promise only those projects that I can implement. I will not merely announce them to strengthen my vote bank," he said.

Refusing to play to the gallery, the minister said: "Railways will not deprive Bengal. But everyone should remember that I am a minister of the central government. Every state will get its due." He added that he looked forward to get the state government's help to acquire land for few of the stalled projects. He also announced a railway track from Katwa to Farrakka.

But more than a programme of a minister of state for railways, a political undertone gripped Sunday's meeting. To quash rumour of an impending exodus of Congress MLAs from Murshidabad to Trinamool Congress, 12 of the 14 Congress MLAs - including Humayun Kabir, Abu Hena, Mainul Haque, Monoj Chakraborty and MP Mannan Hossain - from the district attended the meeting. However, Kabir told TOI: "I had decided to quit the party last Friday, but I'll a take a decision only after November 15. Trinamool leaders have already spoken to me and I know six other Congress MLAs are also ready to leave the party."

Local Trinamool MP Tapas Paul and MLA Nasiruddin Ahmed were also invited to the programme. While Paul stayed away for being busy in shooting in Hyderabad, Ahmed was accompanying Mukul Roy to a meeting in Ranaghat on Sunday.Berhampore expectedly broke into an early Diwali as Adhir reached his home town two weeks after he was sworn in by President Pranab Mukherjee. But beneath the surface brews discontent. It would be interesting to see how Adhir, known to be a maverick with party organisation, tackles the dissent from within. Kabir, an Adhir loyalist, and Reginagar MLA said, "I feel my necessity to Chowdhury has ended and so he is mute while one junior leader has insulted me with filthy language.

Adhir loyalists, local leaders and workers plan to give him a warm reception at Congress's Murshidabad party office on Monday. Ashoke Das, Congress Murshidabad general secretary said, "The receptions will continue the entire week from Monday in Kandi, Behrampore, Beldanga, Nowda, Domkal, Jiagunj, Dhulian , Jangipur to Salar. Each day he is scheduled to attend 2-3 receptions.

anamitra

November 13th, 2012, 04:18 AM

As far as I know from the progress updates that we see in Metro thread Joka Majerhat section is progressing well and pretty fast. Do you have any reason for suspecting the delay. Fund is also allocated for this line.

Yes. In Joka, IR needs to build a massive car shed dedicated for Joka - Majerhat line, which itself will take years. Also, metro rakes need to be procured from ICF Chennai that is overburdened by ordinary IR coach orders for next five years. ICF is unable to produce MUTP-2 (Bombardier powered) rakes for Mumbai and I am not even expecting them to prioritize Kolkata metro with the absence of TMC in the Ministry of Railways.

Also note that the Metro coach factory, planned for Kanchrapara did not really take off. No progress has been made in that project.

After the resolution of Swabhumi issue, only resolution of Duttabad issue is left and work has also started from Sealdah end. Is there any reason for expecting 2016 date?

I have a reasons to believe that the Trinamool Government will not force eviction. Are we expecting the encroachers to give up voluntarily one fine morning?

Ashis Mitra

November 14th, 2012, 01:56 PM

Would you please spare us from those ghastly station names and post with the original names of these places for not so GK-acquainted people like me??

Check wikipedia always

Bombay2Calcutta

November 16th, 2012, 07:02 AM

The Statesman (http://www.thestatesman.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=431024&catid=73)
Opening of New Garia halt station delayed

KOLKATA, 15 NOV: The opening of the New Garia halt station (in sns photo) of Eastern Railway, which will facilitate inter-connectivity between suburban train services and the Metro rail, is being delayed as the Railway Board is unable to decide who should inaugurate the facility ~ a minister from the state or someone from the Centre.

The delay in opening the station is compelling thousands of commuters from Garia, Sonarpur, Laxmikantapur, Baruipur to undergo immense hardships in accessing the Metro network from the surface rail and vice-versa.

At present, some 5,500-odd commuters avail the Metro from Kavi Subhash station daily but for this, they are required to travel over a km on foot or rickshaw to reach the station. Opening the station is likely to benefit at least 50,000 commuters.

The Railway Board's indecision has already delayed the inauguration by about a month and a half, and officials here are clueless when the facility can finally be put to use. The clearance of the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS), a must for starting new railway stations/lines, came in the second half of September.

There was wide speculation that the halt station will be inaugurated before Durga Puja, and then there had been talk of throwing it open on Diwali. But that has not happened.

Sources said the Railway Board's indecision on selecting an inaugurator stems from the fact that New Garia Halt station was a pet project of Miss Mamata Banerjee. She announced building the station on 7 October 2010 when inaugurating the Kavi Subhash Metro station as the Minister for Railways.

Metro Railway took up the work in April 2011 and completed the task in February this year at a cost Rs 12 crore. However, a CRS clearance for the station was delayed by about seven months due to design issues and absence of a loop line.

Initially, the Railway Board wanted to invite Miss Banerjee or some senior minister from her state Cabinet to inaugurate the station. But the situation changed after the Trinamul Congress pulled out from the UPA-II government on 18 September.

Since then, the Board has been dithering on the issue, as inviting Miss Banerjee or her colleagues to inaugurate the station may draw the wrath of the Congress leadership.

On the other hand, the power equations in the reshuffled Union Cabinet not being very clear as yet, the Board is not sure which Union minister it should call, if at all. Mr Adhir Ranjan Choudhury, the newly appointed Minister of State for Railways, is the prime contender.

While declining to share details, a senior railway official said the Railway Board was awaiting a go ahead from the office of the Railway Minister.

Mr Suchitta Kumar Das, the Divisional Railway Manager of Sealdah under whose jurisdiction the New Garia Halt station falls, said: "Till this evening I have no clue about the date of inauguration. So far we are concerned, we are fully prepared and have already posted two booking clerks for the station." He conceded that the inability to select an inaugurator could be the reason for the delay.

When contacted, the Railway Board's executive director (information and publicity), Chandralekha Mukherjee redirected the query to the Eastern Railway.

studdmanster

November 18th, 2012, 03:31 PM

the new ac local train (on Sealdah Division)

cc: abp

http://s11.postimage.org/dzbi220bn/18cal01.jpg (http://postimage.org/)
pic hosting (http://postimage.org/)

NiladriG

November 18th, 2012, 05:02 PM

the new ac local train (on Sealdah Division)

cc: abp

[/URL]
[URL="http://postimage.org/"]pic hosting (http://postimage.org/)

Hebbi dijain hoyechhe.

anamitra

November 19th, 2012, 07:37 AM

This is absolutely NOT an Air Conditioned train. It is rather a stainless steel rake made by BEML (Bharat Earth Movers Ltd), Bangalore. BEML built the Rotem coaches fro Delhi Metro and used the experience to use that experience in building EMU rakes. The aesthetics and design aspects will look very similar to Delhi Metro rakes.

With that said, this rake might have the capability to be converted to AC, but it is a non AC rake for all practical purposes.

A stainless steel rake is rust proof and does not need any paint job whatsoever. Hence, these coaches are low maintenance, lighter and more durable.

the new ac local train (on Sealdah Division)

cc: abp

http://s11.postimage.org/dzbi220bn/18cal01.jpg (http://postimage.org/)
pic hosting (http://postimage.org/)

studdmanster

November 20th, 2012, 06:06 AM

This is absolutely NOT an Air Conditioned train. It is rather a stainless steel rake made by BEML (Bharat Earth Movers Ltd), Bangalore. BEML built the Rotem coaches fro Delhi Metro and used the experience to use that experience in building EMU rakes. The aesthetics and design aspects will look very similar to Delhi Metro rakes.

With that said, this rake might have the capability to be converted to AC, but it is a non AC rake for all practical purposes.

A stainless steel rake is rust proof and does not need any paint job whatsoever. Hence, these coaches are low maintenance, lighter and more durable.

but a friend of mine who works with IR (Sldh Div), conformed me that this coach is an ac coach, it has just arrived on sat. Mst prbly it wud run on Sldh-Bdwn route...

NiladriG

November 20th, 2012, 08:14 AM

BEML built the Rotem coaches fro Delhi Metro and used the experience to use that experience in building EMU rakes.

;):tongue2:

CalcuttaChromosome

November 20th, 2012, 07:16 PM

but a friend of mine who works with IR (Sldh Div), conformed me that this coach is an ac coach, it has just arrived on sat. Mst prbly it wud run on Sldh-Bdwn route...

Although I am not sure, but yes, even for me, by merely looking at the picture, it seems like the windows are completely covered with glass, as it should be. So I hope it's a AC coach....

Yeah, sldh-bdwn will be safe. I don't think it is advisable to run it on Sldh-Bongaon or Sldh-Diamon Harbour line even on experimental basis :tongue2:

Suncity

November 20th, 2012, 08:21 PM

Weren't they test running about two months ago? What does the number in front indicate? Rake number? The pic in ABP is 50039. the one in this video is 50041. The one in the video doesn't look like A/C.

tTdergZa8FQ

this is 50041. Photo from 30th Oct. As per the poster this rake has been allotted to Narkeldanga EMU shed.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8046/8137458436_79d8f21368_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/arkaanubhab/8137458436/)
Future and Old Man! BEML EMU and ICF EMU (http://www.flickr.com/photos/arkaanubhab/8137458436/) by Anubhab "Dippy" Maniac! (http://www.flickr.com/people/arkaanubhab/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8191/8137428863_6bfc97b76a_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/arkaanubhab/8137428863/)
New Hot Boy of ER! BEML EMU (http://www.flickr.com/photos/arkaanubhab/8137428863/) by Anubhab "Dippy" Maniac! (http://www.flickr.com/people/arkaanubhab/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8324/8137428477_277e00d367.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/arkaanubhab/8137428477/)
To the Future! Interior of New BEML EMU! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/arkaanubhab/8137428477/) by Anubhab "Dippy" Maniac! (http://www.flickr.com/people/arkaanubhab/), on Flickr

soumyajyoti

November 21st, 2012, 06:17 AM

I can see fans attached to the ceiling...However windows are covered with glass..confusing...although AC coaches in India do have fans

studdmanster

November 21st, 2012, 10:27 AM

^^even i am confused....but looking by the pictures...esp, the last one...if you look at the last pic, just beside the lights, ac vents can be seen...so there is a chance of this being a a/c train (afterol itz an Indian version)..:tongue2:

studdmanster

November 21st, 2012, 10:30 AM

studdmanster

November 21st, 2012, 10:32 AM

Yeah, sldh-bdwn will be safe. I don't think it is advisable to run it on Sldh-Bongaon or Sldh-Diamon Harbour line even on experimental basis :tongue2:

:tongue2:...on Bongaon line the train might go missing the next day....:tongue2:...gone to the mayer bhog :lol:

anamitra

November 24th, 2012, 12:39 AM

Guys, this rake is already in operation in Sealdah north section. The vents are for forced air ventilation.

The doors are open just like ordinary EMUs and they are not automatically operated.

I would only agree with this rake being AC if we are talking about Alternating Current.

anamitra

November 24th, 2012, 12:40 AM

Heard that Santragachi Digha DEMU service has been replaced by an EMU service. Has anyone captured the new DIGHA LOCAL in action?

NiladriG

November 25th, 2012, 07:34 AM

NiladriG

November 25th, 2012, 07:46 AM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Adhir-project-to-speed-up-travel-time-to-northeast/articleshow/17354807.cms

Travel time to North Bengal and northeast by train will be cut short soon, thanks to the doubling project by minister of state for railways Adhir Chowdhury.

Chowdhury on Saturday announced commencement of work on laying double lines between Katwa and Azimgunj. kicked off an important project in the state on Saturday by announcing commencement of work on laying double lines between Katwa and Azimgunj.

The 73-km single line stretch has been a major hurdle to the speedy movement of trains between not only Kolkata and North Bengal, but also the northeast.

Important trains like the Kamrup Express and Teesta Torsa Express pass through this route and the single line increases the travel time. Going is slow in the Katwa-Azimgunj section due to the single line.

Trains have to be moved to a loop line and made to wait till another one from the opposite direction passes.

"This is a very important stretch. A lot of time is wasted in the single line section. Trains can't pick up speed due to the absence of proper signals. Once doubling is completed in the entire stretch, the travel time will get reduced. Safety will also be enhanced," an Eastern Railway official said.

During the day, Chowdhury inaugurated doubling work for the 30.6-km stretch between Katwa and Bazar Sau. This will be the first stage of the work. Among those present at the Katwa station during the programme was MLA Rabindranath Chatterjee.

The estimated cost for the first phase is pegged at Rs 256.63 crore.

There are eight intermediate stations, 11 major bridges, 58 minor bridges and 21 level crossing gates in this stretch. Chowdhury also inaugurated the renovated Bazar Sau station during the day. This renovation project has cost Rs 69 lakh.

A PRS-cum-UTS counter was also inaugurated at the station.

Chowdhury, since taking over as minister of state for railways, has commenced doubling on either banks of the Bhagirathi. He announced doubling between Plassey and Jiagunj.

This stretch passes through Behrampore Court and is also an important link between Kolkata and North Bengal. This is the link between Behrampore and Sealdah.

The Katwa-Azimgunj section is on the other bank of the Bhagirathi and connects Behrampore to Howrah through the Khagraghat Road station. :cheers:

anamitra

November 25th, 2012, 11:44 PM

Good initiative. It could also help if Katwa Azimganj and Nasipur Road - Azimganj sections were electrified, in order to run EMU trains.

Also, the Lalgola Passengers should be converted to 12 coach MEMU service, to make them run faster. Even today, two pairs of Lalgola passengers are running behind diesel locomotives.

All passenger services (apart from the night service) should be converted to MEMU. Newer MEMUs have toilets in them as well; making it easier for passengers.

Kunal Gupta

November 26th, 2012, 11:04 AM

Yes, but very strangely the MOS is silent on the Bhagirathi connectivity of AZ & Nasipur Road. Encroachments are a subject that will pull this state badly down.

anamitra

November 27th, 2012, 05:53 PM

Yes, but very strangely the MOS is silent on the Bhagirathi connectivity of AZ & Nasipur Road. Encroachments are a subject that will pull this state badly down.

Exactly! If the new MOS, being from the same township with the President on his side fails to implement this project; it would be another classical example of utterly negative politics. I am also surprised as why the media is keeping mum on this.

Bombay2Calcutta

November 28th, 2012, 06:57 PM

TOI (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-11-27/kolkata/35387289_1_railway-projects-railway-minister-eastern-railway)
Adhir rejects Didiâ€™s railway job plan for land-losers

TNN Nov 27, 2012, 08.00AM IST

KOLKATA: The railways cannot provide jobs to land-losers , and the state government has to acquire land for projects. On his first comprehensive railway assignment in the state after taking charge as minister of state, Adhir Chowdhury threw these twin beamers at chief minister Mamata Banerjee, involving two of the most complicated political tangles in Bengal â€” land acquisition and compensation.

Chowdhury dismissed Mamata's proposal, made during her stint as railway minister, for jobs to land-losers as absurd as it would hinder the transporter's growth and diminish its funds. He also said he would take the land acquisition problem to the Prime Minister's Office as projects were stuck not only in Bengal but various parts of India.

Referring to the CM's hands-off policy on land acquisition, which is seen by the industry as the primary investment hurdle in the state, Chowdhury said, "Railway projects will suffer if land is not available. The state government has to acquire land for that purpose. It is also not possible to give employment to people giving land for rail projects."

The minister made these remarks on Monday at the 150th anniversary celebrations of Kanchrapara railway workshop before heading for the city, where he inaugurated the Metro's interface at Garia with the suburban railway network and tunnelling work for East-West Metro's Sealdah-Phoolbagan stretch. "If employment has to be given to those giving land, then around 2 lakh jobs have to be given in the Eastern railway alone. It will pose an impediment to the railways' development plans," he said.

Taking a dig at Mamata's move to name stations after luminaries, Chowdhury said the stations would be renamed, this time with the location appended. "The name of the place is most important for a commuter. So, I propose to mention the name of the place beside the name of the great man after whom the station was renamed ," Chowdhury said.

CPM South 24-Parganas district secretary Sujan Chakraborty agreed. "The minister is 100% right. Such a way of naming stations only shows disrespect to great men," he said. Chowdhury urged the state to cooperate on the East-West project. "The E-W Metro has to be completed on time. The railways needs to have administrative control," he said.

The state already transferred 50% KMRC share to the railways. In the next meeting on November 30, the remaining 24% of the union urban development ministry will be transferred to the railways. The UD ministry will keep 26% share, said H K Sharma, MD KMRC.

Chowdhury's programme in Kanchrapara, the bastion of Mukul Roy, was held amid tight security as TMC supporters had allegedly vandalized the venue a day ago.

Bombay2Calcutta

November 28th, 2012, 11:03 PM

City may get new icon in railway overbridge
Ajanta Chakraborty TNN (http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIKM/2012/11/28&PageLabel=2&EntityId=Ar00203&ViewMode=HTML)

Kolkata: The City of Joy looks set to get a new landmark much like the two iconic bridges on the Hooghly. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee has okayed the design of the crucial 80m railway overbridge, which will join the two near ends of Kolkata’s longest elevated corridor – the 9km flyover from Paroma island to Park Circus.
Urban development minister Firhad Hakim sounded excited on Tuesday after the CM cleared the design. “The suspension bridge will not only be a technological marvel, but also an architectural beauty. We are glad we could take the project ahead,” he said. The CM chose the design from among nine options, and it may well turn out to be Kolkata’s latest icon.
“The overbridge was the missing link of this ambitious flyover project. The bridge itself will be a great challenge for us because it covers an 80-metre span,” said Vivek Bharadwaj, CEO of Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA), the implementing agency of the Rs 317-crore Park Circus-Paroma island elevated corridor.
For KMDA, the technological complexity will only make the project all the more stimulating. According to rules, the overbridge must be constructed without piers in between.
Soil testing for the bridge –that will be built over the existing Bridge No 4 – has already begun. Bharadwaj said it should be constructed in 18 months. Train services in the Park Circus section will be suspended for four hours every day – between 12 am and 4 pm – to speed up work.
Hectic construction activity has been on since February 2010 for the 9-km flyover executed by HCC. But a separate bid was called for construction of the highly challenging overbridge and L&T eventually made it.
The ambitious overbridge project had run into several hurdles, including design flaws. Trouble for its construction started three years ago when the railway ministry, which was supposed to build the suspension bridge, opted out of the project. The onus was shifted to KMDA, but the cost for the JNNURM-funded flyover had already been fixed at Rs 317. Therefore, fresh funds had to be generated for the overbridge.
The Bengal government has now applied for a one-time central assistance for the Rs 70-crore suspension bridge. The Centre will pay Rs 21 crore and the state government the rest.
The project will be the first success story in infrastructure for the Mamata Banerjee government, which is forever running into encroachment-related hurdles. KMDA has quietly removed 383 illegal settlers from the 500-metre stretch along Bridge No 4. The drive was undertaken between November 7 and 12. Each hutment was given Rs 12,000 as compensation.
According to L&T officials, building the new bridge atop the existing one – with trains plying underneath (except for four hours between 12 am and 4 pm) – is the most difficult part of the assignment. The original brickmade overbridge will remain since the cost of dismantling would be exorbitant. A lot of time and effort would have been wasted on the demolition.

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOIKM/2012/11/28/2/Img/Pc0021200.jpg

Bombay2Calcutta

December 3rd, 2012, 02:56 AM

Passengers go berserk at Jagaddal station
TNN (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Passengers-go-berserk-at-Jagaddal-station/articleshow/17459089.cms)| Dec 3, 2012, 06.29 AM IST

BARRACKPORE: Irate passengers went on a rampage at Jagaddal railway station on Sealdah-Ranaghat section of Eastern Railway and beat up a railway employee on Sunday afternoon following a wrong announcement of a local train's arrival.

A large contingent of railway police rushed to the spot to bring the situation under control. No one has been arrested so far. Manab Roy (48), the railway employee who was injured after being beaten up by the mob, was taken to Bhatpara State General Hospital.

Police said the incident took place around 3pm after the rail officials at the station announced that down Shantipur-Sealdah local would stop at platform number 4. The passengers rushed to the platform to catch the train. But the train did not stop at the station and some passengers reportedly got injured while trying to board the speeding train. after they tried to catch the speeding train.

"The irate passengers then went on a rampage at the ticket counter. They

stormed into the ticket counter office and damaged some office equipment, including two computers and furniture. Roy, the employee who was on duty then tried to resist the mob and was beaten up severely," said sources. from ransacking but the agitators attacked him and beat him up severely.

RPF and GRP men, led by senior officials, reached the spot to bring the situation under control. tnn"The persons who were involved in vandalizing the ticket counter managed to flee. They also attacked a railway employee and injured him. Raids are on to nab them," a senior GRP official said.

The passengers however alleged that wrong announcement of trains has become frequent at the Jagaddal railway station. "The passengers were confused by the wrong announcement several times at Jagaddal station. It also caused the accidents earlier and we appealed the station authorities for proper announcement several times, but in vain," said Bhaskar Majumdar, a daily passenger.