Indian Railways - Projects | News | Discussions [Archive] - Page 11

vlakshmi_n

January 5th, 2011, 10:15 PM

Source (http://in.jagran.yahoo.com/news/local/bihar/4_4_7132661.html)
डीएमयू की तर्ज पर चलेगी पांच और पैसेंजर ट्रेनें
Jan 04, 10:06 pm
कार्यालय संवाददाता, हाजीपुर

दैनिक यात्रियों को राहत देते हुए रेलवे ने पांच और ट्रेनों को कम्यूटर ट्रेन के रूप में चलाने का फैसला किया है। एक सप्ताह पहले से दस पैसेन्जर ट्रेनों का परिचालन कम्यूटर ट्रेन के रूप में किया जा रहा है। कम्यूटर ट्रेन के रूप में चलायी जा रही सभी पैसेंजर ट्रेनें डीएमयू की तर्ज पर चलेंगी ताकि यात्री अपने गंतव्य तक सही समय पर पहुंच सके।

यह जानकारी देते हुए सोनपुर रेलमंडल के डीआरएम आरके अग्रवाल ने बताया कि कम्यूटर ट्रेनों को अन्य कोई भी मेल एक्सप्रेस या सुपरफास्ट रेलगाड़ियां प्रभावित नहीं करेगी। डीआरएम के पहल पर आफिस आने-जाने वाले दैनिक यात्रियों, विद्यार्थियों, कामगारों आदि को अधिक से अधिक लाभ पहुंचाने के उद्देश्य से रेलवे ने यह निर्णय लिया है। कम्यूटर ट्रेने हर कीमत पर सही समय पर चले इसके लिए परिचालन विभाग को आवश्यक निर्देश भी दिया गया है। इस संकल्प को मूर्त रूप देने के लिए पिछले महीने सोनपुर मंडल ने दस कम्यूटर ट्रेनों को चिह्नित किया था परंतु दैनिक यात्रियों के बढ़ते दबाव को देखते हुए पांच और ट्रेनों को कम्यूटर ट्रेन के रूप में डीएमयू की तर्ज पर चलाया जायेगा। सोनपुर रेल मंडल के इस फैसले से रेल उपयोगकर्ताओं खासकर महत्वपूर्ण जिला मुख्यालयों से आने-जाने वाले दैनिक यात्रियों को काफी लाभ होगा। इसके तहत 55528 समस्तीपुर-बरौनी, 55547 बरौनी-हाजीपुर, 55525 बरौनी-समस्तीपुर, 55536 समस्तीपुर-बरौनी तथा 53132 मुजफ्फरपुर-समस्तीपुर पैसेन्जर ट्रेन को डीएमयू की तर्ज पर कम्यूटर ट्रेन के रूप में चलाया जायेगा। ये सभी रेलगाड़ियां किसी कीमत पर विलंब से नहीं चलेगी। हालांकि रेलवे ने आम लोगों से ट्रेनों में एलार्म चैन पुलिस न करने की अपील करते हुए असामाजिक तत्वों के विरूद्ध अभियान में रेल प्रशासन का साथ देने को कहा है। विदित है कि इससे पूर्व 55210 मुजफ्फरपुर-हाजीपुर 55545 बरौनी-हाजीपुर, 55217 सोनपुर-छपरा कचहरी, 55022 छपरा कचहरी-मुजफ्फरपर, 55015 सोनपुर-मुजफ्फरपुर, 55021 समस्तीपुर-मुजफ्फरपुर, 55532 बरौनी-कटिहार, 55539 कटिहार-बरौनी, 55231 बेगुसराय-सिमरिया, 55232 सिमरिया-बेगुसराय पैसेंजर ट्रेन को कम्यूटर ट्रेन के रूप में घोषित किया जा चुका है। डीआरएम ने बताया कि उक्त सभी ट्रेनें तत्काल प्रभाव से कम्यूटर ट्रेन के रूप में चलेगी।

Can you atleast provide the summary in english??

sixsigma1978

January 6th, 2011, 04:00 AM

sidney_jec

January 6th, 2011, 04:19 AM

^^Sonepur division is going to start 5 new DMU services based on a commuter rail model which would supersede the mail express trains as well and to provide better connectivity
the followings the list of the commuter trains

1) Samastipur - Barauni
2) Barauni - Hajipur
3) Barauni - Samastipur
4) Samastipur - Barauni
5) Muzzafarpur - Samastipur

rupakd

January 6th, 2011, 06:04 AM

Rly heritage park opens on Jan 11

VADODARA: Soon you will be able to walk on narrow gauge railway track, go through history of narrow gauge trains across the globe and relax inside a narrow gauge coach while having a cuppa of tea. Vadodara railway division, which is setting up a unique railway heritage park opposite Pratapnagar railway station, has decided to inaugurate the park on January 11.

In this heritage park, any visitor will not just get a glimpse of history of narrow gauge trains but will also get to know how railways has been depicted in literature, folk paintings and even films.

"We are giving final touches to the heritage park and even the Pratapnagar railway museum has been almost refurbished. Now the park will be open for public view as it will be inaugurated on January 11," divisional railway manager of Vadodara railway division A K Srivastava told TOI.

The museum's newly made popular culture gallery will now also house Pithora paintings prepared by tribal artisans of Chhottaudepur and Saora paintings prepared by artisans of Orissa depicting railways in the tribal art.

"At the heritage park there will be panels as part of time line showing history from 1853 - beginning of Railways in India in 1853 to opening of Vadodara Division in 1956. While at the museum, two galleries will be dedicated to the history of narrow gauge railways and popular culture and another will include documents like time tables of 19th century, fare tables, letters and maps among others," added Srivastava.

Interestingly, railways has received a helping hand from students of three departments of M S University for this low cost heritage project that includes setting up of a heritage cafeteria inside a rail coach that will be stationed at the park for visitors to relax while they take a glimpse into the history of railways. Students of architecture, museology and history departments have not only helped the railways in conceptualizing the entire project but have also ensured that traffic calming devices are used to promote pedestrian movement in the stretch where the heritage park has come up. Also, except pavement material, all other materials to construct panel, roofs and gazebos are being constructed with the materials already available with railways. TNN

Bombay2Calcutta

January 6th, 2011, 06:43 AM

Bombay2Calcutta

January 6th, 2011, 07:23 PM

NAGPUR: Has the proposal of a high-speed train between Mumbai and Nagpur been dumped? The idea was floated in 2008-2009 by then finance minister and now rural development minister Jayant Patil.

The high-speed corridor was being planned in view of the development of Mihan at Nagpur. The idea was to launch a train that would cover the nearly 900km distance between Mumbai and Nagpur in three-and-a-half-hours. The two cities were to be connected by high-speed trains operating on magnetic levitation (Maglev) technology.

The cabinet had approved the proposal and a feasibility study was conducted by German consulting major Vossing. In its pre-feasibility report submitted to the government around two years ago, Vossing had said it was a viable proposition. However, the proposal seems to have been dumped.

Jayant Patil reiterated on Wednesday, "The proposal is still alive and lying with the planning department."

However, the Mumbai-Nagpur proposal doesn't find place in the list of six high-speed passenger rail corridors identified for conducting pre-feasibility studies by the railways in a recent progress report.

The six high-speed train corridors proposed by the railways include the Delhi-Chandigarh-Amritsar (450km); Pune-Mumbai-Ahmedabad (650km); Hyderabad-Dornakal-Vijaywada-Chennai (664km); Chennai-Bangalore-Coimbatore-Ernakulam (649km); Howrah-Haldia (135km); and Delhi-Agra-Lucknow-Varanasi-Patna (991km). None of the corridors passes through Nagpur.

A consultant appointed in April 2009 has submitted the final report of pre-feasibility studies for the high-speed rail corridor between Pune-Mumbai-Ahmedabad, and the final report is under examination by all stakeholders i.e. Maharashtra and Gujarat governments, Central and Western Railway and various directorates of ministry of railways.

However, there is no mention of the corridor between Mumbai and Nagpur anywhere.

The railway report also states that bids have been invited for selecting the consultant for pre-feasibility studies for high-speed rail corridor between Delhi-Agra-Lucknow-Varanasi-Patna and the corridor between Howrah-Haldia. Again, there is no mention about Mumbai-Nagpur corridor in this.

When this was pointed out to Patil, he said that the high-speed train project between Mumbai and Nagpur needs to be taken up separately. Railways must be considering only those projects that are revenue generating, he said.

"I had reminded ex-chief minister Ashok Chavan and will now again take up the issue with chief minister Prithviraj Chavan. A project of such high cost can be completed with public-private participation," Patil stressed.

The minister admitted that connecting Nagpur and Vidarbha via a high-speed corridor will boost local economy and speed up development of the region. Nagpur is already being developed as an international air cargo hub, he pointed out.

Repeated attempts to find out the exact status of the project from Central Railway PRO AK Singh at Mumbai drew a blank. Singh said his queries with officials found that they were not aware of any such project

Read more: Full stop to Mumbai-Nagpur high speed train - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Full-stop-to-Mumbai-Nagpur-high-speed-train/articleshow/7225471.cms#ixzz1AHTQZDPe

voryaa

January 6th, 2011, 09:17 PM

Storm9

January 7th, 2011, 05:46 AM

Maglav is pointless at this time in India. In fact, it is pretty much pointless anywhere in the world at this time. The cost is just way too high. Maybe in 30-50 years the maglav tech cost will come down and then it would be more feasible to look in to it. Lets just stick to high speed rail for the next two decades.

I just want to see one HighSpeed Rail corridor, doing 300 plus, by 2025. I would be satisfied with that :-P

The Chinese have High speed rail down. Even Mag-lev. We can use their knowledge and tech to build it cheaper.

rupakd

January 7th, 2011, 05:57 AM

Mamata's New Year Bonanza for Railways' Lowest Grade Pay Employees

Mamata’s New Year Bonanza for Railways’ Lowest Grade Pay Employees The Minister of Railways, Mamata Banerjee has extended, for the first time, the facility of 3AC travel with family once in a year for the lowest grade pay employees of Indian Railways. These are the employees like Gangman, Khalasi etc. who work day and night to provide train services to our customers throughout the year in the most difficult situations. They will now have facility to travel once in a year with family in 3AC class on Indian Railways.
Mamata Banerjee provided this as a new year bonanza for all Railway employees based on new pay structure under 6th Central Pay Commission already implemented by the Government of India. This move of the Railway will lead to tremendous motivation to all levels of employees particularly those working in lower grades. Railwaymen in lower grade pay (Group ‘D’) were earlier not entitled to travel in AC classes.
This step bridges the gap and has been felicitated by all employees and federations. Revised entitlement of travel on railway passes has also extended AC 2-tier facilities to all Junior Engineers and their equivalent supervisors working in Grade Pay of Rs.4200/-. This new criteria of entitlement has also simultaneously simplified the existing rules for entitlement with only Grade Pay as the sole criterion as against multiple variables like scale of pay, pay and date of appointment which were prevailing earlier.

Bombay2Calcutta

January 7th, 2011, 05:46 PM

A good article on IR

India’s colourful signalling aspects (http://rail-news.com/2011/01/06/indias-colourful-signalling-aspects/)

anujkb

January 7th, 2011, 06:09 PM

NAGPUR: Has the proposal of a high-speed train between Mumbai and Nagpur been dumped? The idea was floated in 2008-2009 by then finance minister and now rural development minister Jayant Patil.
Jayant Patil reiterated on Wednesday, "The proposal is still alive and lying with the planning department."

The six high-speed train corridors proposed by the railways include the Delhi-Chandigarh-Amritsar (450km); Pune-Mumbai-Ahmedabad (650km); Hyderabad-Dornakal-Vijaywada-Chennai (664km); Chennai-Bangalore-Coimbatore-Ernakulam (649km); Howrah-Haldia (135km); and Delhi-Agra-Lucknow-Varanasi-Patna (991km). None of the corridors passes through Nagpur.

WTF, how crappy corridors!

pune-mumbai- they would end sharping their TBMs every week due to very dense black basalt in sahyadris. anyway the route i had discussed earlier. make it pass thru MTHL, then only "baat" banti hai. the other stops would be amby valley, navi mumbai intl airport, hinjewadi and khadki.

mum-adi- OK

hyb-bza-mas?? who would take that weird route- C shaped? better would be make tirupati a junction, and do mas-sbc via tpty, mas-hyb via tpty, will connect that "planned" third city near anathpur (dont remember its name), and then further extend to BZA and over to BBSR ultimately.

del-cdg-asr- OK.
rather they should have done agra-del-cdg first, then take agra-lko-bsb. patna is a bit far, and even GQ isnt complete in that state, forget the HSC

mas-sbc is OK. but SBC-CBE????? how on earth??? thru ooty??? or beneath it???? if beneath, then what;;; 70 km tunnel??? also, CBE-ERS??? even if Brahmadev comes on earth from heaven he wont get land in kerala.

if planning was just drawing lines on indias map, i would have also made delhi-srinagar-leh, delhi-shimla-manali HSR.

Bombay2Calcutta

January 7th, 2011, 06:25 PM

Source (http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_global-firms-keen-to-be-part-of-mumbai-s-skybus-project_1488647)
Global firms keen to be part of Mumbai’s skybus project

After metro and monorail, the skybus metro project could now kick off as the proposals floated by the Konkan Railway have started getting a good response from international companies, who are keen to manufacture wagons and carriages for the undertaking.

“We are getting a good response. Global wagon makers are among firms keen to participate with Konkan Railway (KR) in the commercial deployment of skybus. There have been a lot of queries. But we shall get a clear picture by January 11, when the bids will be opened,” a senior official said.

KR officials said they had spent more than Rs50 crore to develop the technology and build a test track. KR had revived the project and floated a global expression of interest to make the project commercially viable. The skybus as a technology is cheaper than both the metro and monorail.

Former KR managing director and the inventor of skybus B Rajaram said the project should be taken ahead for commercial use. “In fact I have invented an improved new system, which eliminates electric motors and signals and is totally automated. It draws power from the gravity powered towers. Even when there is total power failure for over four to six hours, the system will keep working, drawing energy from the Gravity Power Towers,” he said.

The skybus runs on a track like trains but unlike trains, it hangs below the track, which is laid on concrete pillars over road traffic. It comprises suspended light weight coaches that run well above the regular road traffic and can travel up to 100km per hour. It can be built over the central road dividers.

Bombay2Calcutta

January 7th, 2011, 06:32 PM

Source (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/railways/konkan-railway-to-launch-sky-bus-network-on-public-private-model/articleshow/7136662.cms)

B Rajaram to present paper on Gravity Power Towers at 13th APM-ATS in Paris

January 05, 2011 05:41 PM |
Moneylife Digital Team

Our babus continue to ignore his inventions, while the world honours the technology man who patented an anti-collision device, made the Skybus and more recently the Gravity Power Towers

Rajaram Bojji, former chairman of Konkan Railway, never got a chance to implement his revolutionary Skybus project which would have provided inexpensive, air-conditioned mass transport without land acquisition! The idea, backed by 17 patents, was abandoned by Indian authorities despite a successful demonstration in Goa. But Mr Bojji, who is better known as B Rajaram, moved on to new research and has kicked off the new year with a bang.

Automated People Movers and Transit Systems (APM-ATS) has accepted Mr Bojji's work on Gravity Power Towers (GPT) as a peer-reviewed paper to be presented at its 13th International Conference on 24 May 2011. The biannual international meeting is being held in Paris for all those involved in the development of fully-automated people movers and urban transit systems around the world.

This is an honour for the man who invented the anti-collision device (ACD) for the Indian Railways and has already got 17 patents for his inventions. He has assigned the intellectual property (IP) rights of this technology to the president of India, which has the potential to generate additional revenues of between Rs300 crore and Rs400 crore per annum for the Konkan Railway.

In a message to Moneylife, Mr Bojji said, "With the GPT, the world will be benefited by a more economical and nature-friendly transportation system that runs substantially on eternal gravity. With GPT, the carbon emissions can be substantially reduced in the future. This totally automated system neither uses electrical traction motors on the rolling stock nor fixed signal train control systems. All it uses is automated energy control systems from gravity power towers, which can redefine our safety standards and lifestyle as well. It can be even adopted by the existing legacy systems. A dream of mine has taken the first step. Hope humanity benefits."

While, the Indian Railways is still 'thinking' about implementing indigenous technology, one of its technology drivers has moved on to bigger and better things.

Mr Bojji's GPT principle re-directs vertical-acting gravity force in a horizontal direction to create a tractive force on a mass on wheels-either rail or road-to accelerate, then sustain speed, and when decelerating to recover kinetic energy. It is almost like the action of a pendulum.

The recovery on the GPT system can vary from 95% to 70%, depending on the distance of uniform speed-the longer the distance, the lesser the recovery. Hysteresis losses owing to friction cause increased irrecoverable energy loss. GPT has been granted a patent in the US.

Mr Bojji has also presented the outline for a $450 billion scheme to create a cargo transportation network of about 100,000 km to be fully powered by the GPT in the US. The network, fully powered by gravitational force, would save around 97% of energy being utilised currently, and generate 30% surplus after meeting all expenses, while generating a million blog GPT.
It is estimated that gravity power systems could contribute 30-40% of the Earth's total energy needs, taking care of transportation of people and cargo, while attaining speeds of 360 kmph on rail-based systems.

Unfortunately, as the world rewards and awards the Indian innovator, the Indian government has shunned his solutions. The best example is the anti-collision device that he devised and which was given a patent, but the Railways have chosen to ignore it while trying to adopt the European Train Protection Warning System (TPWS) on busy rail routes. (Read, 'Is the anti-collision device system being derailed?' ; 'Why we are denying Raksha Kavach to rail commuters?' )

Mr Bojji's other creation, the 'Skybus', was also left by the wayside by Indian authorities planning mass transit systems. Further, while the anti-collision device was singled out by the World Intellectual Property Office for special coverage, the Skybus Metro Rail System was described in special programmes on National Geographic and Discovery channels.

Mr Bojji was involved with the Konkan Railway project as chief engineer from the beginning of its construction in 1990, then as director for projects and finally as managing director between 1998 and 2005. He was instrumental in delivering more than 100 tunnels (including the Mumbai-Pune Expressway tunnels), about 2,000 bridges and 750 km of live running track through treacherous terrain in Maharashtra's Konkan region.

voryaa

January 7th, 2011, 07:17 PM

The Chinese have High speed rail down. Even Mag-lev. We can use their knowledge and tech to build it cheaper.

Yeah sure, provided they give us their Maglev R&D for free. Even if they gave us the tech for free, getting the actual materials to build a maglev system would still be super expensive at this time, which is why none of the other developed counties even attempted it, even though the tech was available couple of decades back.

Only time can bring prices down when mass production kicks in. Once Japan, Germany and other counties build their own meglev, thats when we can try to get the materials required at a decent price.

Lets just concentrate on going to the moon, before attempting mars. HighSpeed rail is whats required, not maglev.

Bombay2Calcutta

January 7th, 2011, 07:25 PM

TELEGRAPH (http://www.telegraphindia.com/1101226/jsp/business/story_13350538.jsp)
Big queue for Skybus
R. SURYAMURTHY

New Delhi, Dec. 25: Global wagon makers such as Bombardier and Mitsubishi Electric are among firms keen to participate with Konkan Railway in the commercial deployment of Skybus, an innovative urban transportation mode.

“We have spent Rs 60 crore to develop the technology and test track for the Skybus. Now, we want a partner, who could take this forward for commercial opportunities. For that we have called a global expression of interest,” Bhanu Tayal, Konkan Railway’s managing director, said.

He said there have been several queries about the EoI and some global players have responded positively.

While the last date for submission is January 10, 2011, the corporation expects to sign on a partner by March. Konkan Railway plans to commercially deploy the Skybus with a strategic partner on a revenue sharing basis.

The Skybus runs on a track like trains but unlike trains, it hangs below the track, which is laid on concrete pillars over road traffic. It comprises suspended light weight coaches that run well above the regular road traffic and can travel up to 100 km per hour. It can be built over the central road dividers.

Konkan Railway holds several patents for the Skybus technology and sees the growing urbanisation across the globe as an opportunity to market the product with a strategic partner.

“The Skybus as a technology is cheaper than both the Metro and Monorail. Besides, it has better manoeuvrability as it can take sharp turns which a Metro or a Mono rake cannot,” Tayal said.

“Skybus technology is an innovative, environment-friendly and cost-effective alternative rail-based transportation system,” A.K. Bharadwaj, chief electrical engineer, said.

Bombay2Calcutta

January 8th, 2011, 01:49 AM

ENGINE ON A MISSION

VACUUM CLEANER ON TRACK

Simit Bhagat | TNN

For decades, an army of rag-pickers would march up and down the city’s railway tracks gathering empty plastic bottles, wrappers and other garbage that had been thoughtlessly discarded by commuters. But now, Central Railway (CR) has its very own vacuum cleaner. For the first time in India, an engine has been modified into a massive trash can, which is able to pull in all the garbage as it chugs along the tracks.
An old engine that was to be relegated to the scrap yard got a new lease on life when CR general manager Kul Bhushan came up with the idea of morphing it into a garbage disposal system on wheels. CR engineers worked on the engine at the Parel workshop and last week it was quietly put to work.
Vinit Kumar, deputy general manager, Central Railway said, “We have modified one of our old engines in such a way that it will work as a vacuum cleaner.”

Night duty

For over a week now, CR officials have been operating this cleaner-on-wheels every night on some of the dirtiest stretches on the central line—between Kurla and Wadala stations, and CST and Masjid stations

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/TOIM/2011/01/08/7/Img/Pc0071200.jpg

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/TOIM/2011/01/08/7/Img/Pc0071000.jpg

gentem

January 8th, 2011, 05:12 AM

^^ needs improvement. so that the guy can sit up the train and direct the pipe to the garbage.. so that he need not get down to the track..

geodesic

January 9th, 2011, 04:53 AM

^^ Well, labour is still cheap. Automation starts really kicking in only when labour rates go up.

Bombay2Calcutta

January 10th, 2011, 07:41 AM

Railway fare hike unlikely in budget
Mamata To Present Populist Plan
Mahendra Kumar Singh | TNN

New Delhi: Even as the railways is finding it hard to manage funds for its ambitious modernisation and expansion plan, the rail budget for 2011-12 is expected to be a populist one with minister Mamata Banerjee unlikely to touch passenger fare or freight tariff. “There is going to be no burden on the aam admi, the theme of the budget will be modernisation with a human face,” Rail Bhawan sources said.
With hikes in petrol rates and price rise hitting the common man, the Trinamool Congress chief is not expected to do anything unpopular ahead of West Bengal assembly polls.
Banerjee, keen to project herself as pro-development, is likely to extend her thrust on railways’ modernisation and expansion plan in the next budget. While announcement of some new trains for Bengal may come, sources said the current budget target of laying 1,000 km of new rail track in a year is likely to find mention in the 2011-12 budget. Sources said that in the current fiscal, railways will lay over 700 km new lines as against 250 km achieved last year.
Despite the state-run transporter facing a huge funds crunch, passenger fares have not been revised for the last 12 years. Hike in freight rates, specially on food items, is also unlikely considering the surge in inflation.
With frequent train accidents becoming a major concern for railways, Banerjee is likely to announce enhanced budgetary allocation to address the problem. While the minister has been emphasising on ‘zero-tolerance’ policy on train accidents, she may announce concrete steps in implementing the much talked about, much-delayed anti-collision device (ACD) and Train Protection Warning System (TPWS) in certain congested routes. Filling up of security-related vacancies and building infrastructure to plug the security holes in rail network will be major highlights of the budget.
Sources said more passenger reservation counters would be announced besides launching of a new 24-hour customer care number 57886 and a new rail magazine for travellers free of cost in elite Duranto, Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains.
Opening of more affordable food outlets like Jan Ahar and improving hygiene standards in preparation of food for passengers are also likely to find mention as railways has taken back catering from IRCTC.
However, raising funds for the modernisation and expansion plan is an uphill task as the rail ministry is unlikely to get a major hike in plan allocation.

sidney_jec

January 10th, 2011, 07:44 AM

on an average 8% inflation for the past 3-4 years
the only thing whose price is not increased is the rail fare.
that too for around 7 years
the thing is don't really know whether good or bad

SSCaddict

January 10th, 2011, 08:46 AM

^^ 12 yrs :nuts:

rupakd

January 10th, 2011, 10:47 AM

Deccan Queen passengers want wi-fi connectivity, laptop charging points

Passengers of the prestigious Mumbai-Pune Deccan Queen, most of who are businessmen, traders and office-goers, have demanded wi-fi connectivity, additional mobile and laptop charging points and a host of other such corporate amenities in the 81-year-old train.

The train’s passenger association submitted an 18-point petition to the general manager who visited the train to inspect the newly furbished dining car on Monday evening.

“Most of the season ticket holders want the facilities. It would be convenient for them to remain connected,” said Hemant Tapale, executive president of the Pune-Mumbai Railway Pravasi Sangh.

The prestigious train was started on June 1, 1930 as a weekend train for the Britishers, to ferry horse race fans. It was converted to a daily service soon after, starting from Mumbai VT (now renamed CST).

“The general manager had come to inspect the new dining car. This is probably the only train with a fine restaurant inside it,” Tapale said. “There should be at least six charging points for mobiles and laptops in the second class compartment and wi-fi or a wireless boardband connection.”

Railway officials said it would be difficult to get more charging points as the coaches have standard fittings according to the norms of the research and development wing. dnaindia.com

Bombay2Calcutta

January 10th, 2011, 07:19 PM

Plan for rail routes to link wholesale markets

MUMBAI: The government is planning to launch a dedicated horticulture rail transport system by March with an investment of over Rs 18 crore that will link the wholesale markets of the country.

The aim is to reduce the wastage of surplus fruits and vegetables informed a senior official . "We have sent a proposal to the agriculture ministry for approval and are expecting to launch the trial run in two months, sometime in March," said Bijay Kumar, managing director of National Horticulture Board (NHB). "This initiative will cost over Rs 18 crore and help in transporting fresh fruits and vegetables to different parts of the country in less time without causing damage. This will reduce wastage of surplus horticultural produce," added Ku mar. According to industry estimates , India loses over Rs 55,000 crore worth of harvested produce .

Read more: Plan for rail routes to link wholesale markets - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Plan-for-rail-routes-to-link-wholesale-markets/articleshow/7250887.cms#ixzz1Aeqej4Yn

Read more: Plan for rail routes to link wholesale markets - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Plan-for-rail-routes-to-link-wholesale-markets/articleshow/7250887.cms#ixzz1AeqL65Jc

vlakshmi_n

January 10th, 2011, 10:17 PM

Railways may fail to meet revenue target (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/128038/railways-may-fail-meet-revenue.html)

With depleting resources and earning, railways may fall way short of achieve its target of Rs 94,765 crores during the current fiscal.

The public sector behemoth, which has earned Rs 67,880.82 crores till December 2010, could fall short by about Rs 6,000 crores if the current trend persists, said senior railway officials. The scenario is a far cry from a period not too long back when railways showed positive growths, thanks to the economy's boom. Several factors such as the burden of implementation of Sixth Pay Commission report, escalation in fuel bill, loss in freight traffic due to ban on transportation of iron ore following mining-related scams in Karnataka and Orissa and Gujjar agitation and fog are being attributed for the sliding revenue. Senior railway officials said the operating ratio is also likely to further slide to 95 per from the 93.2 per cent target, implying a hike in railway expenditure and reduction in income. While the Sixth Pay Commission has put an additional burden of Rs 55,000 crores which railways is paying from its internal resources, officials said mining-related scams has also affected its revenue receipt.

As against the target of 944 million tonnes, railways has so far been able to carry 673.31 MT till December. It is highly unlikely that railways will be able to make good its shortfall in the remianing three months of the fiscal, they said. The hike in fuel price has also depleted its resources as it had to cough up an additional Rs 500 crores to run its thousands of diesel locomotives. The officials said the freight traffic has been hit by lack of movement of iron ore and coal owing to the Maoist problem in central Indian coal belts. Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee, who had chaired a Board meeting last week, also expressed concern over the current financial position, officials said. Lack of private investment to key projects has also come as major setback, they said. The suspension of night train operation due to Maoist threat has also affected the freight and passenger train movement adversely

Bombay2Calcutta

January 11th, 2011, 12:24 AM

http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/PUBLICATIONS/HT/HD/2011/01/11/Article//004/11_01_2011_004_002.jpg

rupakd

January 11th, 2011, 06:42 AM

Rae Bareli coach factory to start production next year

The first lot of coaches from the Rail Coach Factory, Rae Bareli will roll out in the new financial year. Directions to this effect were given by the union minister of state for railways, KH Muniyappa who visited the site on Monday.

Muniyappa was accompanied by chief administrative officer of rail coach factory, Alok Johari, IRCON managing director Mohan Tewari and DRM (northern railways) JS Sondhi.

The factory in the bastion of Congress president Sonia Gandhi's parliamentary constituency is being set up at a sanctioned cost of Rs 1,685 crore with a capacity of 1,000 coaches per year. The total area, which has been allocated for the factory is around 550 hectares.

Muniyappa said, "Once some coaches are brought out, scope for ancillary industries would also open up."

The minister said that along with the factory, incorporating cost efficient modern technologies, a township with need-based social infrastructure will also be built. He said that the township will have schools, a hospital and recreational facilities for the employees.

In the first phase of construction, furnishing shop, finishing shops, temporary housing and storage facilities will be constructed along with necessary machinery and plant and support systems.

Railway authorities said that the first phase of production will essentially focus on coach assembly, painting, furnishing and testing.

As part of the initial support systems, construction of factory boundary wall, rail linking of Lalganj railway station with the factory, construction and energising of 33/11 KV sub-station and construction of two water tanks have been completed.

NR officials said that construction of township boundary wall and diverted road for Dakauli village are in hand. Lalganj station and signalling improvements, including additional platform and yard remodelling are almost complete, they said. TNN

rupakd

January 11th, 2011, 06:49 AM

Railways inks deal with RINL to manufacture rail axles

The Ministry of Railways (MoR) is all set to increase its rail axle manufacturing capacity to eliminate its dependency on imports. It on Monday signed an agreement with Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd (RINL) for setting up of a new rail axle manufacturing factory at New Jalpaiguri in West Bengal. The new project, Uttarbanga RINL RAIL Karkahana Ltd, will come up at an estimated cost of Rs 278 crore. It will manufacture and supply rail axles for Box-N wagons and others to meet the growing requirement of the Indian Railways.

RINL is to set up a wholly-owned subsidiary or a joint venture for the project. MECON Ltd has been appointed as a consultant for this project.

The MoR will provide assured offtake of 20,000 axles per annum. RINL will also be able to manufacture other products in addition to the rail axles.

According to a RINL official, the new plant will have the facility of forging and heat treatment of about 50,000 forged axles per year.

rupakd

January 11th, 2011, 07:12 AM

Southern Railway records 17 p.c. rise in revenue

Frequent travel patterns last year, especially during festival times, have resulted in a revenue growth of over 17 per cent in the passenger train segment of the Chennai Division of the Southern Railway, S. Anantharaman, Divisional Railway Manager, said.

Addressing presspersons here on Sunday, Mr. Anantharaman said that there was a 40 per cent increase in passenger volumes. While ridership in passenger trains was 70 lakh in 2009, it rose to 98 lakh in 2010.

The growth was observed mainly in the non-suburban sector. Earnings from long-distance trains rose from Rs.61.56 crore in 2009 to Rs.73.35 crore in 2010.

Speaking about additional special trains for Pongal, Mr. Anantharaman said that all trains had been completely booked and operation of extra trains would be considered, based on the need.

He also threw open the Mother Express, a four-coach train that houses an exhibition about the life and deeds of Mother Teresa, for public viewing.

The train which left Kolkatta on August 26, 2009, is travelling to nearly 72 stations across the country as part of the Mother Teresa birth centenary year celebrations.

The train will depart from the Chennai Central Station at 8 p.m. on Monday. Till then it is open for public viewing. The Hindu

Bombay2Calcutta

January 11th, 2011, 08:12 AM

China insists on high speed rail link to India through Manipur
Source: Hueiyen News Service (http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=10..110111.jan11#)
Imphal, January 10 2011: Out of the three Chinese intended rail network plans beyond its borders, connecting India through Moreh of which Indian Railways has begun initial preparations, the Jiribam to Moreh proposed broad gauge track is one.

According to an online edition report in Asia Times, in order to connect the two countries, India and China by rail, Indian Railways began initial preparations to extend a broad gauge track from Jiribam in south-western Manipur to Moreh on the border with Myanmar.

The line will connect with a proposed track in Myanmar from the current railhead at Segyi in western Sagaing Division to the town of Tamu on the Myanmar-India border, the report said.

An established rail link between India and Myanmar would also allow for more efficient shipment of goods between India and China.

Trade between the two countries has been fast growing.

China is now India's largest trading partner, with bilateral trade projected to have reached $60 billion last year.

While rivals for influence in the region, especially in Myanmar, their economies are becoming increasingly interdependent despite complaints by some Indian businessmen carping about a trade imbalance which favours China.

India, not to be outdone by Chinese financing of Myanmar's railway infrastructure, authorized its state-owned EXIM Bank to lend $60 million to Naypyidaw to finance railway projects.

The announcement of the funding came during a recent visit by Myanmar leader Senior General Than Shwe to New Delhi where he met with Indian leaders including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The agency reported that Myanmar is set to become an important regional rail hub connecting China and India with markets in Southeast Asia.

Beijing is the driving force behind the ambitious designs.

China plans to link its remote south-western region with ports in Myanmar.

In particular, a major rail line is planned to connect Kunming with a new deep-sea port and special industrial economic zone under construction at Kyaukpyu on Myanmar's western coast.

India under its Look East Policy is working out for a Trans-Asian Railway, passing through Silchar-Imphal-Moreh route extending up to the ASEAN countries and expecting that it would be wholly functional at the earliest.

There would be at least two major rail heads – one on the outskirts of Imphal to cater to the needs of Imphal City and the other at Moreh which will graduate to an import and export economic zone.

It would be the hub center for economic activities to and from the ASEAN countries.

China wants to build a high-speed rail line connecting its south-western city of Kunming to New Delhi and Lahore, part of a 17-country transcontinental rail project, said officials familiar with the plans.

After many years China has finally reached agreements with several Central Asian countries and given the green signal to its ambitious pan-Asian high-speed rail link, which envisages connecting cities in China to Central Asia, Iran, Europe, Russia and Singapore.

One proposal involves a line running from Kunming, in south-western Yunnan province, to New Delhi, Lahore and on to Tehran, according to Wang Mengshu, a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and one of the country's leading railway consultants.

Bombay2Calcutta

January 11th, 2011, 08:15 AM

Turnaround derailed, this budget, Railways stares at near-bankruptcy

New Delhi: Those managing the Railways’ finances, and currently engaged in preparing the forthcoming Rail Budget, are a worried lot. The Indian Railways’ great “turnaround story”, which was making waves in business schools till a few months back, now appears headed towards an ignominious end. A sharp decline in earnings and a serious escalation in expenditures are threatening to push India’s transport behemoth to near-bankruptcy. Insiders say that so grave is the financial situation that the Railways may not be left with enough funds this year to appropriate money into two critical reserves that fund its purchase of new assets and improvements in passenger amenities — the Capital Fund and the Development Fund.

In fact, last year too, the Railways had failed to provide even a single rupee to its Capital Fund, which is used for buying new assets.

Those managing the Railways’ finances, and currently engaged in preparing the forthcoming Rail Budget, are a worried lot. Top sources in Rail Bhavan say the Railways now has a net deficit of around Rs 2,500 crore. “While our expenditure has gone up by almost Rs 1,330 crore, our earnings are down by Rs 1,142 crore,” says a Railway Board official.

Officials point out that the finances took a Rs 1,000 crore hit due to the two hikes in diesel prices this fiscal, while the 2 per cent hike in Dearness Allowance and the increase in number of days for the Performance Linked Bonus raised their expenditure by around Rs 400 crore. However, it is the sharp drop in freight business, almost by Rs 700 crore, that has come as the real shocker.

The Railways’ operating ratio (the sum of money spent to earn a sum of Rs 100) is the best indicator of its financial health. In 2001-02, the operating ratio had reached as high as 96 per cent. But then, the Railways made dramatic improvements to bring it down to 75.9 per cent in 2007-08. In 2008-09, it again deteriorated, to 90.5 per cent, and then to 94.7 in 2009-10. This year, the operating ratio is threatening to increase well beyond 94 per cent, sources add.

It is not as if the crisis has suddenly developed. Warning bells were sounded as early as March 2010 when the then financial commissioner, Sowmya Raghavan, raised the red flag.

“If the trend of spending more and earning less continues, not only the internal generation of funds suffers but there is a very serious threat of Railways defaulting on the dividend payment liability, which all of us would like collectively to avoid and not find ourselves in. We have already scraped the bottom of the barrel and the fund balances have all been utilised. So there are no savings to meet shortfall in internal generation targets,” Raghavan had told a gathering of all the general managers of the Indian Railways then.

Raghavan had further concluded that “in the final analysis the performance of the Organisation would be just at the bottom line” and that “unless we are in a position to control the Expenditure and increase the Earnings on a sustained basis, survival for the Organisation becomes a very difficult proposition”.

In 2010-11, the Railways hope to earn close to Rs 94,565 crore. But after deducting its ordinary working expenses, pension liability and contribution to the Depreciation Reserve Fund (DRF), it will be left with Rs 7,465 crore.

From that money too, the Railways will have to shell out around Rs 6,600 crore to pay its annual dividend to the government of India, leaving only Rs 865 crore in its coffers (see box). The last time Indian Railways defaulted on paying the dividend was in 2001.

But in case it pays up the dividend, all the Railways will be left with would be Rs 865 crore, from where it will be required to appropriate money to the Development Fund and the Capital Fund. “The appropriations to the Development Fund and the Capital Fund would be hit this year,” admits a top official in Rail Bhavan.

Sources say that it is the Miscellaneous Receipts worth Rs 2,500 crore which the ministry is banking on. “We have estimated a final excess of Rs 3,173 crore this fiscal. Of that Rs 2,800 crore will got to the Development Fund while the remaining Rs 373 crore will go to the Capital Fund,” an official claimed.

However, given its current run, chances of the Railways earning an excess of Rs 3,173 crore look bleak. Last year, out of a budgeted excess of Rs 2,642 crore , it had managed to achieve only Rs 951 crore.

Bombay2Calcutta

January 11th, 2011, 08:36 AM

TELEGRAPH (http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110111/jsp/northeast/story_13417951.jsp)
India set for transit in Bangladesh

OUR CORRESPONDENT
Agartala, Jan. 10: India is all set to secure railway, water and road transport facilities across Bangladesh, official sources here said.

The prospect of road, railway and waterways transit has generated keen interest in Tripura in the wake of the Bangladesh government’s consent to allowing transportation of heavy equipment for ONGC’s 726MW Palatana thermal power plant through Ashuganj river port on the Meghna.

Sources said following the water transit permission, the country’s leading Navratna company had also started constructing a road from Ashuganj to Sultanpur in Brahmanbaria district of Bangladesh to transport heavy turbines.

Besides, the survey to set up railway links between Agartala station and Akhaura railway junction in Bangladesh, a distance of 13km, is also nearing completion. “Once this is complete, work on laying tracks will commence and it will not take much time. Tripura will be linked by railway with the rest of India across Bangladesh,” a source said.

At an Indo-Bangladesh conclave in Dhaka on December 22, Bangladesh had decided to renew the river protocol between the two countries for five more years.

After the conclave, Bangladesh authorities had sought opinions from the ministries of home affairs and external affairs, the National Board of Revenue and the Vessel Owners Association on the proposed renewal.

Since 1972 when the river protocol had been first signed it was being renewed for two years each and this is the first time that renewal for five years was sought even though Indian delegation had sought a renewal for seven years.

Sources here said that the ministries, NBR and VOA have agreed to five year renewal have not yet taken a final decision but they are likely to communicate their consent soon though questions are being raised over revenue from river transport charge . The government of India has agreed to grant annually an amount of Rs five crore for desiltation work in rivers for continued navigability round the year .

Meanwhile, Tripura government has decided to float national tender for consultancy over reopening of old waterways connecting Tripura with the rest of India across Bangladesh. Official sources said that in the pre-independence days Tripura's two major rivers Gomati and Hawrah that fall in the Padma and Meghna rivers of Bangladesh provided water-link with rest of India through West Bengal . But partition of the country changed the river transport profile. In a meeting with minister for DONER B.K. Handique, Tripura chief minister Manik Sarkar had raised the issue of reopening the water links across Bangladesh. After consultation with the ministry of shipping the DONER ministry has asked the state government to prepare a detailed project report on how best to revive the water-links . Official sources said that national tender seeking consultancy service would be floated soon. 'Actually the issue has assumed significance because of the ongoing upgrading of Ashuganj as 'Container Port' with Indian financial assistance; once it becomes operational a lot of opportunities will open up for Tripura and northeast at large' sources said.

Bombay2Calcutta

January 11th, 2011, 09:03 AM

kajusen

January 12th, 2011, 05:11 AM

http://epaper.telegraphindia.com/TT/TT/2011/01/12/article/008/12_01_2011_008_031.jpg

kajusen

January 12th, 2011, 05:13 AM

http://epaper.telegraphindia.com/TT/TT/2011/01/12/article/009/12_01_2011_009_027.jpg

rupakd

January 12th, 2011, 06:14 AM

Didi promises a sea of development

Railways minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday borrowed part of the unnonotoro Bamfront slogan from the CPM and used it in her speech as unnonotoro manush. Speaking at the foundation stone laying ceremony for two factories at Budge Budge in South 24-Parganas, she promised a "sea of development" for the people of the state in the days to come.

"In the past 18 months, we have announced plans for 13 factories across the state. I have proved that people can achieve a lot if they have the will and know how to go about things. You will witness a sea of development (unnoyoner samudra) in the state. I want to see unnonotoro manush (developed people)," she said in her speech interspersed with caustic remarks against the CPM.

"We shall prepare a marksheet for what we have achieved in the past 18 months. Let people prepare a chargesheet' of the CPM's misdeeds in the last 35 years. We shall compare the two. The CPM resorted to mischief to hamper Metro Railway services after we got the new air-conditioned rakes. The unions are not to blame. It was the CPM that issued instructions. The CPM accuses me of wasting money and placing advertisements in newspapers. I do this when something good is happening for the state. The state government places advertisements without doing anything. Now Subratada (Subrata Mukherjee) tells me that they don't even pay for the advertisements," Mamata said.

The railways is planning to set up a refrigerated container factory on railway land at Budge Budge. A coach-manufacturing unit will come up next to it. According to Anil Handa, member (mechanical), Railway Board, the coach factory will facilitate Indian Railways' plan to switch over from manufacturing of conventional steel coaches to LHB-type stainless steel ones with FIAT coaches. FIAT coaches provide superior riding quality, higher safety and low maintenance requirements.

"With the manufacture of refrigerated containers, we hope to seize the market for small farmers. The allocation of `59.3 crore is an initial outlay. We have undertaken some imaginative financial engineering for faster delivery of the containers and coaches," Handa said.

According to Mamata, her projects would not take much time to be completed unless the CPM decides to derail' them. Due to lack of proper infrastructure, there is a high demand for railway coaches in the country, she said.

"Nearly `35,000 crore worth of vegetables go to waste in the country today. I have planned to set up hubs in places like Singur, Mecheda, Azadnagar ( Delhi), Nasik and New Jalpaiguri for proper storage of perishable items. We now have only 20 refrigerated containers. This factory will build 600 of them every year. With these containers, we will link markets with the farmers. If the demand increases, more containers will be built. The other factory will build 1,200 coaches every year for new coaches," Mamata said.

According to the minister, her initiatives would result in lakhs of direct and indirect jobs in the state in the years to come. She also announced that candidates appearing for Railway Protection Force (RPF) posts would now be allowed to write their exams in regional languages. On Wednesday, she will also flag off an exhibition train on the life and works of Swami Vivekananda from Howrah station. TNN

rupakd

January 12th, 2011, 06:16 AM

Railways carried 673 MT freight in April-Dec 2010

Indian Railways have carried 673.3 million tonnes of revenue earning freight traffic during April-December 2010. This is an increase of 3.1 per cent over the corresponding period a year ago, when the freight carried was 652.6 million tonnes.

In the month of December 2010, the freight carried by Indian Railways was 79.8 million tonnes, which is an increase of 2.1 per cent over the corresponding period a year ago, when the freight carried was 78.2 million tonnes.

Business Standard

rupakd

January 12th, 2011, 06:18 AM

Trolley service for senior citizens and women at stations

Senior citizens and women can now book a trolley service in advance to ensure smooth boarding and alighting from trains at important stations across the country. The round-the-clock service can be availed after paying a nominal fee.

"There will be modern trolleys at all important stations across the country soon to assist senior citizens and women passengers in boarding and alighting from coaches along with their luggage," a senior Railway Ministry official said.

Passengers will have to pay a nominal fee for the service. The fees will be decided by the zonal railways as per the local conditions and it would be displayed prominently at stations. The trolleys would be handled by uniformed attendants who will be called as Rail Yatri Sevaks.

"The trolley service would be first introduced in Howrah and Sealdah stations on a PPP model as a pilot project and later on extended to other stations," the official said, adding "a specific telephone number will soon be notified on which women and senior citizens can book the luggage trolley in advance."

Railways have tied up with SBI to launch the trolley service at Sealdah and Howrah. As per the arrangement, SBI will provide the trolleys and look after their maintenance. The bank will also be responsible for engaging Rail Yatri Sevaks for the service.

While railways is not spending anything on the project, it would allow the SBI use the specified space on trolleys for advertisement, said the official.

Railway will earmark particular space at the platforms for the parking and movement of trolleys, as per the agreement with SBI which will also provide uniforms to the Rail Yatri Sevaks.

Rail Yatri Sevaks will hold a placard with a trolley number to help the passengers identify the assigned trolley and the passenger booking the service will furnish the PNR to the Sevak for the purpose of verification.

Railways will also provide a separate counter to the service provider so that passengers could approach them for the luggage trolley service at stations. PTI

fred_the_cute_guy

January 12th, 2011, 08:32 AM

Tremendous to see another train to-and-from Rampurhat, and the timings are excellent, in particular for the down train. Just like every other train in this section, this train is going to experience terrific ridership.

Bardhaman-Rampurhat section needs to be electrified quickly enough for passenger comfort. Plus, once the Dumka-Rampurhat new line is inaugurated, electrifying it will become even more important simply because of the industrial importance of the corridor. This is easily the highest stone-chip producing zone in West Bengal and the entire real estate sector in the whole of West Bengal will be helped by the overall development (in particular the electrification). Khana-Sainthia is being electrified already, and Rampurhat is only 28 km from Sainthia - should be done on priority. The whole lot of Rampurhat-Bardhaman local trains that keep running can also become MEMUs in that case, significantly saving passenger time and railway money.

http://epaper.telegraphindia.com/TT/TT/2011/01/12/article/009/12_01_2011_009_027.jpg

kajusen

January 12th, 2011, 11:49 AM

Tremendous to see another train to-and-from Rampurhat, and the timings are excellent, in particular for the down train. Just like every other train in this section, this train is going to experience terrific ridership.

Bardhaman-Rampurhat section needs to be electrified quickly enough for passenger comfort. Plus, once the Dumka-Rampurhat new line is inaugurated, electrifying it will become even more important simply because of the industrial importance of the corridor. This is easily the highest stone-chip producing zone in West Bengal and the entire real estate sector in the whole of West Bengal will be helped by the overall development (in particular the electrification). Khana-Sainthia is being electrified already, and Rampurhat is only 28 km from Sainthia - should be done on priority. The whole lot of Rampurhat-Bardhaman local trains that keep running can also become MEMUs in that case, significantly saving passenger time and railway money.

Absolutely true !!! this is called over all growth of the state . development shouldnt be limited to Kolkata itself but it should spread to other parts of the state also .

kajusen

January 12th, 2011, 11:50 AM

The name of the Swami Vivekananda exhibition train inaugurated today is "Vivek Express".

g vardhan

January 12th, 2011, 02:35 PM

Absolutely true !!! this is called over all growth of the state . development shouldnt be limited to Kolkata itself but it should spread to other parts of the state also .
:ohno:
.....not to forget other parts of country too!!!

Bombay2Calcutta

January 12th, 2011, 05:51 PM

There's much more to Pratapnagar Railway Heritage Park than trains

TNN, Jan 11, 2011, 11.19pm IST

VADODARA: The Railway Heritage Park set up by Vadodara railway division near Pratapnagar railway station, which was inaugurated by general manager of Western Railways R N Verma on Tuesday, not just offers a visitor an opportunity to take a glimpse of railways history but also allows you to shoot darts on a dartboard or play basketball in a small sports lounge set up near Cafeteria Narrow Gauge.

There is more to come as this Cafeteria Narrow Gauge (a cafeteria housed in a narrow gauge coach) will also allow you to relax and enjoy watching IPL season four on LCD screen inside the air-conditioned coach or organise a kitty party.

The Goya Gate Heritage Park (Pratapnagar was earlier known as Goya Gate) set up the railway division to commemorate completion of 150 years of arrival of railways at Vadodara, has come with the help of students of M S University's departments of architecture, museology, history and Faculty of Fine Arts. The students have not only ensured that traffic calming devices are used to promote pedestrian movement in the stretch where the heritage park has come up, fine arts students have painted the walls at the cafeteria portion.

The panels prepared from scrap already available with railways display railway maps of India in early 20{+t}{+h} century apart from taking a visitor through the timeline from 1853 - the birth of Indian railways, arrival of train in Baroda in 1861 and opening of Vadodara railway division in 1956.

"The Vadodara division's steps to preserve its rich heritage will go a long way to showcase it to the coming generations at a time when narrow gauge system is almost ending in the country," said Verma, who also inaugurated two new galleries at the railway museum at Pratapnagar where railways depiction in literature, folk paintings and even films have been displayed.

Railways has also organised a rangoli and painting competition along with poetry and essay writing competition at the heritage park on Wednesday for senior citizens, students and public at large. Verma also released a special postal cover published to mark 150 years of arrival of railways in the city.

Read more: There's much more to Pratapnagar Railway Heritage Park than trains - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vadodara/Theres-much-more-to-Pratapnagar-Railway-Heritage-Park-than-trains/articleshow/7262491.cms#ixzz1AqB9zvdB

kajusen

January 13th, 2011, 04:21 AM

http://epaper.telegraphindia.com/TT/TT/2011/01/13/article/015/13_01_2011_015_026.jpg

kajusen

January 13th, 2011, 04:22 AM

^^ work started yesterday !!! IR is going well !!! :)

MxC

January 13th, 2011, 11:45 AM

MxC

January 13th, 2011, 12:54 PM

g vardhan

January 13th, 2011, 01:15 PM

An extremely ambitious plan indeed! I remember there were news reports earlier about similar ambitious plans on part of India as well. Do you guys think, given the geopolitical ground realities in the region, that such cross border links will ever materialize?!
the materialization of dis project would depend much on the political scenario since IND-CHINA relations are no hidden secret to any1.although the geographical terrain of that region is testing....it won't have dat much impact on the project given the recent projects executed by d CHINESE like the TIBETIAN railway are a testimony of their engineering advancement

Bombay2Calcutta

January 13th, 2011, 08:51 PM

Source (http://www.hindustantimes.com/Railways-to-run-double-stack-train-between-Gurgaon-and-Mundra/Article1-649748.aspx#)
Railways to run double-stack train between Gurgaon and Mundra

Keeping in mind the industry requirement, railways will soon introduce double-stack container service between Gurgaon and Mundra port in Gujarat. "All necessary preparations to run the double-stack container train are complete and it will be made operational anytime after getting the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) approval," said a senior Railway Ministry official.

The double-stack container service will give a boost to the transportation of cars, steel, medicines and consumer goods for export and import.

Once operational, the 1198 km long Gurgaon-Mundra section will be the second route to have double-stack container service in Indian Railways.

The first double-stack train became operational in March 2006 between the 950 km long Jaipur-Pipavav route by Western Railway.

To ensure the double-stack train's operation, a footover bridge at Pataudi along the Gurgaon-Mundra route has been removed, the official said.

Since the operation of the double-stack train, there has been a demand for more such train as it saves time in moving goods and reduces haulage charge for the operator.

Railways will be carrying about 34 million tonnes of goods in double-stack trains in the current fiscal.

The volume of traffic will be increased once the Gurgaon-Mundra route is operational, said the official.

The ports of Mundra, Pipavav and Kandla in Gujarat are connected to the entire northern hinterland of Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi, Punjab and Himachal by non-electrified rail route.

Railways also give a discount of 25 per cent on haulage cost for the double-stack container movement.

"Double-stack container movement helps in reducing terminal congestion. It also reduces the number of trains and cost of unit transportation," said the official.

Though currently double-stack containers run only in non-electrified routes, the proposed dedicated freight corridor will have double-stack containers on the electrified route.

"Since both Western and Eastern dedicated freight corridors are electrified, we have to raise the overhead electric wire along the route to ensure the double-stack container operation," said the official.

vlakshmi_n

January 13th, 2011, 10:48 PM

^^ work started yesterday !!! IR is going well !!! :)

All is not well with IR :)

vlakshmi_n

January 13th, 2011, 10:51 PM

Railways miss meeting on fog monitoring (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/128975/railways-miss-meeting-fog-monitoring.html)

Despite facing delays in train services due to dense fog conditions, Railway officials were missing from a meeting convened by the meteorological office on monitoring and forecasting the weather phenomenon.

The weather scientists had offered solutions to airports in the northern parts of the country for better management of flight operations in the region by installing equipment for monitoring climatic conditions and providing fog forecasts. A National Workshop on Fog Monitoring and Forecasting Services was organised by the Airport Met Office on December 27 and invitations were also sent to officials of the Railway Board but no one turned up for the interactions. "We had invited officials from the Railway Board. I myself tried contacting them over phone but without any success," R K Jenamani, incharge of the IMD weather office at Palam told reporters here. He said the weather office had successfully implemented fog monitoring and forecasting systems at airports in Delhi, Amritsar, Lucknow and Jaipur which has led to better management of flight operations. "We are keen on sharing our experience with the railways. Many accidents can be avoided by using information on possibility of fog," Jenamani said.

Efforts to contact Railway Board Chairman Vivek Sahai were futile.Jenamani said visibility meters could be installed along the most used rail routes that are susceptible to fog and train traffic can be managed accordingly. "We have to be prepared for dealing with fog conditions," he said adding that visibility meters can be installed on heavy traffic routes like Lucknow-Delhi, Amritsar-Delhi. Seven visibility meters have been installed on three runways at the IGI Airport (IGIA) here which makes available real time fog information on its formation, intensification and dissipation. "Accurate fog forecasts up to 18 hours in advance updated at each six-hours have also helped IGIA for advance flight planning and advance preparation for minimising impact," he said. Train services have been badly affected due to dense fog conditions across northern parts of the country.The delays, which ran into several hours, left passengers stranded at railway stations in bitter cold conditions. Railways also had plans to install a fog safety device on locomotives but it was shelved after Railway Design and Safety Organisation found some fault in it. In January last year, at least 10 people were killed in three rail accidents in Uttar Pradesh when the region was engulfed in dense fog

Pathetic attitude

koresh

January 14th, 2011, 05:12 AM

For all of us who are constantly discussing India's high speed rail, or rather the lack of it, by constantly comparing it to China's HSR, here's an interesting article in ET:

Bullet train rides in China pinch travellers (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/railways/bullet-train-rides-in-china-pinch-travellers/articleshow/7275151.cms)

You will see such media articles in every country. Meant for domestic consumption in India.

rupakd

January 14th, 2011, 07:52 AM

Rlys meet discusses schedules of trains

PUNE: The Indian Railways' three-day annual conference held in the city to discuss issues regarding train schedules and time-tables in all the 16 railway divisions concluded on Wednesday.

According to sources, issues like introduction of new trains, frequency of trains, extensions, halts and changes in the existing time table were discussed at the meet. The draft prepared at the end of the conference will be submitted to the railway board for further action. The chief passenger transportation managers ( CPTM) of all the railway divisions attended the meeting.

An official of the Pune railway division said, "It was an annual conference held by the railway authorities. CPTMs raised various issues for discussion in connection with train schedules of their respective divisions."

Another official said, "The railway divisions are interconnected with each other. A significant number of trains travel between destinations that fall under different railway divisions. Hence, the collective discussion on time table and schedules becomes necessary when introducing any changes in train timings."

According to railway authorities here, the Pune conference was a preliminary one. The draft of recommendations will be submitted to the railway board for further action. The recommendations will be considered when preparing the next year's railway budget. Vivek Sahai, chairman, railway board, chaired the concluding session of the conference. Kul Bhushan, general manager of central railway was also present. Sahai emphasised the need to have a special focus on cleanliness of trains and stations, punctuality of trains, and meeting the expectations of customers. TNN

rupakd

January 14th, 2011, 01:49 PM

Railways hopeful of achieving earning target

NEW DELHI: Cash-strapped railways today said it was optimistic about achieving its earning target for the current fiscal in view of appreciable freight loadings in fertiliser, foodgrains and parcels besides increased earnings from advertising.

"We are confident of achieving earnings targets of Rs 94,765 crores due to the positive growth in parcel loadings and in fertiliser and foodgrains among others," Railway Board Chairman Vivek Sahai told PTI.

Railway finances have come under strain due to the implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission report.

The ban on illegal mining activities in Orissa and Karnataka has also affected railways' revenue earnings from freight. Railways lost more than 13 million tonnes in iron ore or Rs 2,500 crores due to fall in loading in these states.

The Naxal menace also hampered its revenue earnings with Rs 800 crore being lost on account of shortfall in coal loadings.

Sahai said implementation of the Sixth Commission report had a major effect on railways leading to its current financial state when operating ratio is 95.3 per cent. Operating ratio is the sum spent to earn Rs 100.

"The increasing operating ratio is a temporary phenomenon and would come down like it had happened after the implementation of the Fifth Pay Commission," he said.

After the Fifth Pay Commission was implemented, the operating ratio had also gone up to 90.5 per cent but came down to about 75.9 per cent in 2007-08.

Sahai said in 2008-09 railways had to pay 40 per cent of the arrears to its employees while implementing pay panel recommendations which pushed the operating ratio up to 90.5 per cent.

In 2009-10, the operating ratio went up to 95.3 per cent as 60 per cent of the arrears were paid. Railways with 14 lakh employees and 12 lakh pensioners had to dole out Rs 55,000 crores for implementing the pay commission report, including Rs 16,400 crores on account of pension liabilities from its internal resources.

Railways salary and pension liability after the Sixth Pay Commission is Rs 15,000 crore per annum. It also faces the additional burden of shelling out Rs 1,500 crores for its employees under modified assured career progression scheme.

The Gujjar agitation coupled with dense fog also added to the woes of Railways. "The blockade of rail track due to the Gujjar agitation affected train operations and the fog situation also compounded the problem. We lost about Rs 180 crores due to this," said Sahai.

Referring to the escalation in diesel price, Sahai said the extra burden of Rs 1000 crores due to the hike in diesel prices also impacted the Railways financially.

"Though these factors were beyond railway control, suitable steps are being taken to improve the earnings and control the expenditures", he said.

Sahai exuded confidence that earning targets for the current fiscal would be achieved as the PSU is a robust organisation and will meet the challenge posed by the payments of huge arrears. The Economic Times

Bombay2Calcutta

January 15th, 2011, 12:55 AM

Restart suspended train services: SCRCA

MARGAO: The Sanvordem Curchorem rail consumers association (SCRCA) has petitioned railway minister Mamata Banerjee to restore all train services suspended on account of the gauge conversion work several years ago, along the South Western railway (SWR) route. They have urged Banerjee to make provisions for these trains in the forthcoming railway budget.

The SCRCA has urged Banerjee to introduce daily fast passenger train services from Vasco to Miraj and back, and a daily express train from Vasco to CST Mumbai via Londa and Pune. Devanand Bhandari, SCRCA president, brought to the notice of Banerjee that both these trains which were discontinued in 1996 to enable conversion of the route from meter gauge to broad gauge, have not been resumed.

The SCRCA has also demanded a daily train service from Vasco to Tirupathi — Secunderabad — Hyderabad link express, as also a daily express train from Vasco to Bijapur—Solapur. Both of which were discontinued after the broad gauge became operational.

"A large number of people travel along these routes for business, medical care and other purposes, and therefore, it is imperative that these trains are re-introduced at the earliest," Bhandari told TOI.

The SCRCA has further demanded that the Vasco—Yeshwantpur bi-weekly express be converted into a daily service and renamed as 'Sidharudh Express', and that the weekly Vasco — Chennai express be converted to bi-weekly service and renamed as 'Doodhsagar Express'.

It has also demanded that the Mysore—Dharwad express and the Vijaywada—Hubli-Amravati express be extended up to Vasco. Currently, there is not a single direct train to Mumbai along the SWR route, though those wanting to go to Miraj or Pune can board the Nizamuddin-bound Goa Express. Bhandari said that as Goan passengers find the schedule of this train inconvenient—it reaches Miraj and Pune stations at odd hours of the night —they are forced to take the bus journey or make alternative arrangements. Goa Express is the only daily express train on Vasco-Londa-Miraj route.

Read more: Restart suspended train services: SCRCA - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Restart-suspended-train-services-SCRCA/articleshow/7288474.cms#ixzz1B3b9fyS4

s.yogendra

January 16th, 2011, 08:23 AM

Yeddyurappa to inaugurate the intercity express

The Mysore-Shimoga Intercity Express will be flagged off from the city on January 16.

Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa will flag off the inaugural run of train number 16206 from platform number 1 on Sunday at 12.30 p.m. and regular services will commence from Monday.

Minister of State for Railways K.H. Muniyappa will be present.

The train will depart from Mysore at 6 a.m. daily and reach Shimoga at 11.55 a.m. In the return direction, train number 16205 will depart from Shimoga at 4.40 p.m. and arrive at Mysore at 10.45 p.m.

The Intercity rake will comprise 18 coaches, including nine general second class chair cars without reservation and six chair cars with reservation, two ladies compartment-cum-luggage coach and one AC chair car.

The Intercity Express is a daily service and the scheduled stops include K.R. Nagar (6.35 a.m), Holenarsipura (7.28 a.m), Hassan (8.02 a.m.), Arsikere (9.12 a.m), Birur (10.05 a.m), Tarikere (10.38 a.m) and Bhadravathi (11.10 a.m) before reaching Shimoga at 11.55 a.m.

In the return direction, the train will halt at Bhadravati (5.08 p.m), Tarikere (5.37 p.m.), Birur (6.20 p.m), Ariskere (7.20 p.m), Hassan (8.11 p.m.), Holenarsipura (8.51 p.m.), and K.R. Nagar (9.55 p.m.) before arriving at Mysore at 10.45 p.m.

The fare is Rs. 68 by second class chair car up to Shimoga while the fare for AC chair car is Rs. 296 excluding reservation charges of Rs. 15.

Mysore-Shimoga Intercity service is a long-pending demand from the people of the region and will benefit people from Mysore, Mandya and Chamarajanagar districts..

# The train will depart from Mysore at 6 a.m. daily and reach Shimoga at 11.55 a.m.
# It will leave Shimoga at 4.40 p.m. and reach Mysore at 10.45 p.m.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/article1093949.ece

MeMumbaikar

January 16th, 2011, 03:19 PM

Turnaround derailed, this budget, Railways stares at near-bankruptcy

The Indian Railways’ great “turnaround story”, which was making waves in business schools till a few months back, now appears headed towards an ignominious end. A sharp decline in earnings and a serious escalation in expenditures are threatening to push India’s transport behemoth to near-bankruptcy. Insiders say that so grave is the financial situation that the Railways may not be left with enough funds this year to appropriate money into two critical reserves that fund its purchase of new assets and improvements in passenger amenities — the Capital Fund and the Development Fund.

In fact, last year too, the Railways had failed to provide even a single rupee to its Capital Fund, which is used for buying new assets.

Those managing the Railways’ finances, and currently engaged in preparing the forthcoming Rail Budget, are a worried lot. Top sources in Rail Bhavan say the Railways now has a net deficit of around Rs 2,500 crore. “While our expenditure has gone up by almost Rs 1,330 crore, our earnings are down by Rs 1,142 crore,” says a Railway Board official.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/railways/735521/

kronik

January 16th, 2011, 06:47 PM

but i suppose raising the fares is still a taboo?

MxC

January 17th, 2011, 06:55 AM

rupakd

January 17th, 2011, 07:29 AM

Railway bosses hint at 3rd line to ease congestion

NAGPUR: N S Kasturirangan, general manager of South East Central Railway (SECR), and Kul Bhushan, general manager of Central Railway, who were in the city for annual inspections, on Friday hinted that the ministry of railways (MOR) was expected to clear proposal for a third line between Rajnandgaon-Nagpur under the SECR and Nagpur-Wardha under Central Railway.

"Work on third line between Durg-Rajnandgaon had already begun. It may go beyond Nagpur, but I'm not the right person to comment," Kasturirangan told newsmen.

Kasturirangan admitted problem of congestion in utilising empty rake of Tatanagar passenger that lies idle for 14 hours at Nagpur. There is a demand to utilise this rake between Itwari and Katangi. At present, there is no direct train to Katangi.

Kul Bhushan also laid stress on third line between Nagpur and Wardha, proposal for which is pending with the Railway Board. Both admitted that Nagpur was important destination from railways' development perspective.

Despite problems, Central Railway increased its revenue by 13.17% compared to last year, said Kul Bhushan. Kasturirangan said overcoming all odds, SECR achieved loading of 103 million tonnes. "We expect to achieve our target of 140 mt by March-end," he added.

On large number of vacancies, Kul Bhushan said over 5,000 Group C and D posts across the Central Railway would be filled up in current year. Besides, ex-servicemen and retired operating staff would be recruited to fill the gap.

On the Nagpur station security, Kul Bhushan said tenders for integrated security system (ISS) would be floated soon. It would be implemented this year and was expected to be completed in 2012.

The top official, who arrived by a special train to inspect section between Itarsi and Nagpur, appealed to the businessmen in the region to come forward to develop infrastructure on public-private partnership (PPP) basis.

Similarly, Kasturirangan was also in the city to open the zonal track machine depot at Motibagh. "Motibagh is our strength and we would see to it that it gradually has periodic overhaul (POH) facility for passenger coaches," he said.

For better maintenance of tracks, the SECR will procure five German-made high-tech track machines by April 2011. The SECR top official also said that Motibagh workshop was doing POH of 60 bogies per month and was in for a change. TNN

rupakd

January 17th, 2011, 07:31 AM

Danapur rly forms spl team to regulate traffic

PATNA: The Danapur division of East Central Railway (ECR ) has set up a multi-disciplinary team ( MDT ) to improve traffic movement as well as safety measures under the division.

The MDT, which is the first of its kind in the ECR, has been introduced mainly to keep a tab on the traffic movement and to strengthen safety measures under the division, said Danapur DRM.

According to divisional railway manager (DRM) Gyan Prakash Srivastava, the division has been running about 260 passenger and 46 goods trains either passing or originating from Patna Junction.

In fact, the line capacity has reached about 160% of saturation point, particularly on the Mughalsarai-Jhajha mainline section of the division.

The MDT has been divided into A to E groups headed by two senior officials to keep a tab on safety, punctuality, cleanliness and passenger-related matters, he said, adding each team would report to the DRM on day-to-day basis.

The DRM said the division had introduced various safety measures during winter. As a result, the division had not witnessed any mishap in 2010-2011 so far.

Railways had spent a huge amount during 2010-2011 in completing various works related to passengers' safety and amenities, he said, adding the division is on high alert during winter. With the completion of intermediary block huts (IBH), stabling lines at Patna Junction and Phulwari and electrical works at different places, the division has further strengthened its functioning. TNN

rupakd

January 17th, 2011, 07:45 AM

Board review hope for railway projects

Railway board is holding a review meeting in Delhi on January 19 to try and resurrect six long-pending projects of Jharkhand about which chief minister Arjun Munda had sounded minister Mamata Banerjee in November last year.

The meeting — to be chaired by member (engineering) A.K. Mishra — will be held at Railway Bhavan and is to be attended by the state’s senior officials, including transport secretary S.S. Meena, transport commissioner Satendra Singh and district engineers of East Central Railway and South Eastern Railway.

At the meeting, the state is also expected to seek a formal extension of the MoU for the six projects that expired on February 19, 2007.

Besides slow execution, it will raise the issue of cost-sharing of the projects on a ratio of 50:50 since estimates had escalated due to the inordinate delay.

In November 2010, Munda had made a similar request to Mamata. And in a reply to the state government recently, the railway ministry expressed willingness to ensure the projects were speeded up.

According to Satendra Singh, despite regular reviews by chief secretary A.K. Singh in the last one year, projects haven’t been progressing as expected.

“We are really concerned as the state has almost resolved the matter of land acquisition for the projects. As far as law and order in certain stretches is concerned, the state has already stationed forces in trouble-prone areas of Latehar and Hazaribagh,” he said.

Railway officials had earlier cited land acquisition and rebel terror as principal reasons behind the delay in the projects.

So far, the state and railways share was settled at 66.66 and 33.33 per cent, respectively, for the six projects cumulatively pegged at Rs 1,997 crore in 2002. Now, the cost has soared up to Rs 3,292 crore.

Under the existing (66.66 per cent) cost-sharing agreement, the state has to pay Rs 1,332 crore. Of this, it has already given Rs 1,191 crore to the railways. It needs to provide the remaining Rs 141 crore based on old estimates.

Figures available with the state suggest that Rs 1,714.06 crore has been spent on the projects. The Telegraph

sk_shahi

January 17th, 2011, 11:26 AM

For all of us who are constantly discussing India's high speed rail, or rather the lack of it, by constantly comparing it to China's HSR, here's an interesting article in ET:

Bullet train rides in China pinch travellers (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/railways/bullet-train-rides-in-china-pinch-travellers/articleshow/7275151.cms)

"Thousands of Chinese are expected to travel to their hometowns during the spring holiday season, but many are dissatisfied over limited options and high travel costs."

Limited availability and high travel costs in the article is contradictory. Isn't it? :ohno:

MxC

January 17th, 2011, 12:41 PM

^^
Doesn't appears to be contradictory....high cost of transport limits the option available to the 'poorer' section.

rupakd

January 18th, 2011, 06:49 AM

Cost escalation hits several railways projects

PATNA: Several ambitious railway projects have been hit by cost overrun and delays forcing the railways to revise their estimates for their early completion. Hundreds of railway projects being executed across the country have so far suffered cost overrun incurring an additional expenditure of about Rs 55,000 crore to the railways to complete them.

Initially these projects were likely to cost about Rs 36,930.73 crore . But now they are likely to cost about Rs 91,902.59 crore , as per their revised estimates, to the railways.

According to a Railway Board official, the railways recently took stock of about 207 ongoing projects, including the projects going on in Bihar. Out of these projects, about 115 railway projects have a cost overrun of about 148 per cent due to sudden escalation in prices of iron, bricks, cement and other construction materials, he said, adding it will cost an additional expenditure of about Rs 55,000 crore to the railway.

The Board official admitted that while cost escalation has hit several ongoing railway projects, for different projects the delay ranges from 18 to 225 months. The worst hit projects are major bridges , road over bridges (ROBs), gauge conversion and track doubling work. He s aid that the railways has no option than to complete these ongoing projects without further loss of time.

According to sources , the cost overrun has delayed a few ambitious projects of the railways in Bihar, too. During former railway minister Lalu Prasad s tenure, Bihar was given a slew of projects like Wheel Factory at Belapur , Chapra (Rs 1,417 crore), Diesel Locomotive Factory at Marauhra in Saran district ( Rs 2,025 crore) , Electric Locomotive Factory at Madhepura (Rs 1,300 crore), Goods Wagon Repair Workshop at Sonepur (Rs 9 crore), DEMU Maintenance Depot at Sonepur (Rs 15 crore) and Wagon Repair Workshop at Samastipur (Rs 33 crore).

Barring the Wheel Factory, none of these projects have made much headway so far . Thus, the railways is likely to face the cost overrun while carrying out civil work of these projects due to sharp escalation in the prices of construction materials, sources said.

The Coach Maintenance Workshop, which was sanctioned at a cost of Rs 98 crore at Harnaut in Nalanda district in 2003, will now cost Rs 224.51 crore. Similarly, the revised cost of Digha Sonepur rail bridge, which was sanctioned at a cost of about Rs 700 crore in 2001, is now Rs 1,400 crore.

The cost of Pataliputra Station being built on the Bailey Road near Rukunpura, Patna, too has increased now due to escalation in the prices of steel and iron in particular, sources said. TNN

ajithv

January 18th, 2011, 08:36 AM

MUMBAI: Commuters on the Central Railway can look forward to some entertainment while travelling as the authorities plan to install television sets on all its local trains.

"Before January 31, we will install LCD TV sets on a few locals on an experimental basis. Shortly, the facility will be extended to the entire suburban network," CR divisional railway manager M C Chavan told TOI.

Two TV sets, each of 22 inches, will be mounted on the two extreme walls of every compartment. "Apart from important alerts for passengers, advertisements, snippets on social awareness issues, railway maps, news alerts and important notices will be beamed on the LCD sets," Chavan said.

"Later, we will try to offer more programmes to the 37.5 lakh daily commuters," he added.

Besides offering entertainment to passengers, this scheme will be an important source of non-conventional revenue for the railway as a private agency will be entrusted with the entire job of monitoring the sets. "The agency, which will bag the contract, will take necessary care for the safety of the equipment and at the same time, it will have to ensure that the programmes did not disturb the passengers during their travel," Chavan added.

The CR also has plans in the pipeline for its long-distance passengers. To help commuters, the CR has proposed to put up LCD display screens at CST. "We have proposed to install eight display screens on which class-wise waiting list status will be displayed, besides alert messages," he said.

As the maintenance of both the train TVs and the display screens will be allotted to private organizations, the railway hopes to rake in the moolah. "We expect to earn Rs 6 crore to Rs 7 crore from the TVs on the suburban network and Rs 6.38 lakh from the display screens," he said.

Source (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Soon-watch-TV-on-Central-Railway-trains/articleshow/7309184.cms)

Bangalore_Geek

January 18th, 2011, 08:59 AM

^^
I sincerely hope great didi wins the next WB election and becomes the CM. That way she will finally vacate the Rly ministership. And then hopefully, really hopefully indeed, some meritorious person might actually get appointed as the new Rly Minister. Sigh ...... this is really wishful thinking .... atleast the merit part of it :ohno:

Would be sad for WB though.... :ohno:

This whole Indian Railways is inefficient, monolithic and in general, a terrible organization. Rather than hoping that some meritorious minister comes and does a "turnaround", its time to revamp this entire organization from the bottom up.

MxC

January 18th, 2011, 11:30 AM

Would be sad for WB though.... :ohno:

This whole Indian Railways is inefficient, monolithic and in general, a terrible organization. Rather than hoping that some meritorious minister comes and does a "turnaround", its time to revamp this entire organization from the bottom up.

Sometimes, a smaller subset of population needs to take a 'hit' for the greater good of the nation. Actually to think of it, it will actually be a win-win situation for all. India will get rid of an absentee minister, didi will realise her dream of becoming the CM of WB, and finally on a comparative scale the people of WB will have someone hopefully better than the leftists to look fwd to for governance :nuts:

On a serious note though, I agree with your description of the Railway organization. And precisely due to these adjectives, a radical "turnaround" from bottom up requires a very competent and strong person at the top!

MeMumbaikar

January 18th, 2011, 11:42 AM

but i suppose raising the fares is still a taboo?

they should start by selling land they hold and do nothing on.....

IR as the article states had a huge fall in freight services income.

The fact of the matter is that IR holding a monopoly over the railways can scrap all passenger fares and afford to run them at a loss provided that they run their freight service efficiently.

If i became minister, i would

(a) try to generate most profit through freight

(b) axe fares as much as possible

(c) improve services

in that order.

I think the basic model of IR generating profit via freight and subsidising passenger services is a good model. However the profit generating side is not being run well at all.

rupakd

January 18th, 2011, 01:22 PM

Goa rail users' panel releases its wish list

PANAJI: The North Goa Konkan Railway Action Committee has addressed a petition to K.H. Muniyappa, Minister of State for Railways, with its demands ahead of the Railway Budget.

Committee secretary K.J. Joy, in his memorandum, has urged for a regular train service between Vasco Da Gama and Nagapattinam instead of the existing holiday special train as a number of devotees from Goa, Kerala and Karnataka rely on it. It sought introduction of Madgaon–Varanasi Express.

The committee urged Mr. Muniyappa to increase the frequency of Ajmer–Ernakulam Marusagar Express (12977/12978) thrice a week from once a week, Vasco-Patna (12741/12742) thrice a week and divert it via Varanasi or Allahabad.

The other demands are: increase the frequency of Madgaon-Ernakulam (10215/10216) to thrice a week and consider extension of route up to Kochuveli, to increase the frequency of Rajdhani Express (12431/12432) as daily against the thrice a week, to declare Thivim Railway Station as model station.

The committee wants priority for introducing DMU services/passenger trains between Madgaon and Pernem or Sawantwadi for the convenience of North Goa commuters. The Hindu

Cov Boy

January 18th, 2011, 01:48 PM

SSCaddict

January 18th, 2011, 06:05 PM

they should start by selling land they hold and do nothing on.....

they mainly use land for making railway factories and to lay railway tracks..

and the mediamen are all morons :bash:

they should know that 7% growth in revenues is not a joke!! they are comparing to 8-10% growth of last 2 yrs.. they should know that 7% of this yr will be more than 9% of last yr... simple mathematics :ohno:

MeMumbaikar

January 18th, 2011, 06:07 PM

they mainly use land for making railway factories and to lay railway tracks..

and the mediamen are all morons :bash:

they should know that 7% growth in revenues is not a joke!! they are comparing to 8-10% growth of last 2 yrs.. they should know that 7% of this yr will be more than 9% of last yr... simple mathematics :ohno:

dude IR holds huge swathes of land on which they go nothing in mumbai MMR

blank land with nothing on them expect a fence.

i have seen it with my own eyes

SSCaddict

January 18th, 2011, 06:44 PM

dude IR holds huge swathes of land on which they go nothing in mumbai MMR

blank land with nothing on them expect a fence.

i have seen it with my own eyes

ohh!! i didn't know about mumbai.. but i read somewhere that they use their land for railway related purpose(like railway quarters(15 lac employees live on land owned by railways) etc.)

TShyam

January 18th, 2011, 07:32 PM

they mainly use land for making railway factories and to lay railway tracks..

and the mediamen are all morons :bash:

they should know that 7% growth in revenues is not a joke!! they are comparing to 8-10% growth of last 2 yrs.. they should know that 7% of this yr will be more than 9% of last yr... simple mathematics :ohno:

Yes simple mathematics. But it is 7.53% of last year and not 9% :)

vlakshmi_n

January 18th, 2011, 10:50 PM

How about bringing Lallu back lol.

:ohno: If this moron Lallu is back in business, again some golmal will be done in the workbooks to show a profit.

Only a job for our Metro Man Shreedharan could turn IT around again.

^^ Metroman will be a option but he is too old & has lots of Metro work on his plate

sidney_jec

January 18th, 2011, 11:19 PM

Smooth Indian

January 19th, 2011, 03:26 AM

Or how about removing it from the clutches of the ministry and let it run like a corporation similar to IOCL, BHEL etc?
and offloading some of the stake would help in catering to somewhat debt thats killing it.
I agree railway ministers almost always treat railways as a tool to direct the largesse at their votebank which is is usually limited to a region or caste. Running the railways like PSU though not perfect should at least take it away from whimsical or cynical politicians. Also the railway budget should come under the union budget and need not be presented separately.

World8115

January 19th, 2011, 05:34 AM

Northern Railways Website Modified: http://www.nr.indianrailways.gov.in/ :cheers:
Old Website:

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/9953/92351054.jpg

New Website:

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/571/93295855.jpg

rupakd

January 19th, 2011, 06:37 AM

Better announcement systems on local trains

In a bid to eliminate the complaints made by the commuters on the faulty working of announcement systems and GPS-based screens, the research and design wing of the Indian Railways has planned an enhanced version of such devices for local trains. According to the proposal prepared by the Research, Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO), local trains will have devices similar to those present in Delhi Metro trains. These include an improved GPS-based passenger information system that gives information on stations expected to come next.

“We are consulting companies involved in designing and developing these devices,” said SK Srivastava, director, RDSO.

The GPS systems being used currently are faulty wherein names of stations are announced after the train departs from the platform. “These devices will improve the delay on the display boards and announcement systems,” said a railway official.

There is also a proposal to install LED-based screens inside the trains similar to those in BEST buses. “These LED screens will display advertisements,” said a CR official. This will be on an experiment basis and CR expects to earn around Rs 6 crore through advertisements. Hindustan Times

rupakd

January 19th, 2011, 06:45 AM

Railways to explore new source for revenue generation

NEW DELHI: Railways have called a two-day meeting of all zonal railway managers here this month to review ongoing projects and discuss measures to improve the financial position in wake of a stiff rise in running cost and fears of the PSU missing earning targets.

The meeting which is likely to be chaired by Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee on January 21 and 22 assumes significance as it would also deliberate on issues related to the upcoming Rail Budget slated to be presented in February end, sources said.

The Budget is expected to keep passenger fares untouched and include proposals for dozens of new trains in view of demands from the states as well from MPs, they said.

A marginal tinkering of freight rates is also on the cards, the sources said.

Zonal railway managers are expected to be handed out a "tough task" to tame the rising expenditure and make an all out effort to meet loading and revenue targets for the remaining period of the current fiscal.

They would also be given the mandate to explore new possible avenues for revenue generation, sources added.

The operating ratio, which at present is hovering at 95.3 per cent, is a pointer to the Railways failing financial health.

The meeting would also review the working of the PPP model which reportedly could not achieve the desired results of attracting private investment in project execution, the sources said.

The issue of completion of ongoing projects including those in poll-bound West Bengal is likely to prominently figure at the meeting, they said.

Railways had projected to lay 1000 km of tracks this fiscal, but the target could also be missed by about 400 km, they said.

Railways' projected earnings for 2010-11 financial year is Rs 94.765 crore, of which it had earned Rs 67,880.82 crore till December 2010.

Railway Board Chairman Vivek Sahai , in an interview to PTI earlier last week, had, however, expressed hope that the targets would be meet in the remaining months of this fiscal.

The Finance Ministry had earlier shot down a Railway proposal to waive the annual payment of dividend of Rs 6000 crore for the next five years.

The burden of the Sixth Pay report and a decline in freight loading due to illegal mining activities in Orissa and Karnataka coupled with traffic disruption due to varied factors are being blamed for Railways' present financial position. The Economic Times

Bombay2Calcutta

January 19th, 2011, 05:25 PM

Source (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/railways-seek-nearly-rs-40000-cr-budgetary-support/122732/on)
Railways seek nearly Rs 40,000 cr budgetary support
Press Trust of India / New Delhi January 19, 2011, 15:09 IST

Cash-strapped Railways have sought an over two-fold increase in gross budgetary support from the Finance Ministry in the coming Rail Budget to tide over its financial crisis and expedite various ongoing projects.
It has asked for Rs 39,600 crore as gross budgetary support against the Rs 15,875 crore it got in the last Budget.
"We have sought Rs 39,600 crore this time as gross budgetary support to carry forward various projects including expansion and modernisation of railway infrastructure and augmenting passenger services," said a senior Railway Ministry official.
Railways internal resources generation has been reduced due to various factors including cost escalation and pay commission load.
Railways aims to increase the production of coaches, wagons and locos keeping acute shortfall in passenger coaches and increased demand for new trains and freight services.
About 3,500 coaches were manufactured in 2009-10 which increased to 3,700 in 2010-11.
"Our target will be to manufacture about 4000 coaches in 2011-12. In wagon manufacturing, the target is to roll out 18,000 and about 500 locomotives in the next fiscal," said the official.
The Budget will also lays stress on improving safety and security of passengers like improvement in signalling system, installation safety related technology like Anti-collision devices (ACD) and train protecetion warning system (TPWS).
New targets would be set for gauge conversion and doubling of tracks.
Keeping the vision document in mind, which among other things proposes laying of 1,000 km of rail track for the next ten years, railways could earmark more funds to meet the target.

Bombay2Calcutta

January 19th, 2011, 06:36 PM

Source (http://www.rnw.nl/english/article/indian-railways-go-green-bio-loos)
Indian railways go green with Bio loos

Anyone who’s ever had to use a filthy and stinking loo on an Indian train no doubt has the memory etched forever in their mind as one of the worst travelling experiences of all time. And pity the millions of people in the country who live, work and sleep near India’s ubiquitous train tracks, smeared with excrement and inhabited by rats. And then do the numbers: 9000 passenger trains carrying 20 million people across the country every day.
So it’s high time that emerging India, promoting itself as a major tourist destination and a global economic power, has decided to tackle the stinking dirty train toilet problem. The solution - the eco- friendly Bio Toilets.

Developed by the Indian Railways and the Defence Research and Development Establishment (DRDE), the first biolets have been installed in the Bundelkhand Express which plies from Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh to Varanasi. Passengers en route are delighted with the new facility.

“Everything looks neat.” Says Sanjay who was on this train.“There’s clean water and a clean toilet seat. There’s no smell and so we don’t need to worry about catching any fungal or bacterial infection.”

http://cdn.radionetherlands.nl/data/files/images/image/article/2011/01/bundelkhand_express.jpg
Bundelkhand Express: India's first train with Bio- toiletsPhoto: UNI TV

http://cdn.radionetherlands.nl/data/files/images/image/article/2011/01/bio_let_tanks_.jpg
Two-chamber tank fitted between the wheels of the trainPhoto: UNI TV

So how do these green toilets work? Unlike the usual train toilets, only the water trickles down to the tracks and the excreta is collected in a two-chamber tank fitted between the wheels of the train. The first chamber breaks down the waste in six to seven days by enzyme action and the resulting liquid goes into the second chamber where it’s treated with chlorine before disposal.

“It provides a clean atmosphere,” says Atul Saxena, a scientist with the DRDE. “After the use of these bio-toilets, there is no smell, bacteria, no dirt over the tracks.”

Green toilets do save water, but for every coach, the railways will have to shell out the equivalent of 16,000 euros in equipment and operations a year.

But still, for every one of those Indian and foreign train travellers – it will be well worth the price.

Bombay2Calcutta

January 19th, 2011, 06:44 PM

'Rail Bandhu': The railways' new literary avataar
Hindustan Times (http://www.hindustantimes.com/Rail-Bandhu-The-railways-new-literary-avataar/Article1-651939.aspx#)

New Delhi, January 18, 2011

Barring potential issues with the election code of conduct for the upcoming West Bengal elections, this Rail Day on April 16 will bring about the fulfilment of one of Railways minister Mamataa Banerjee’s pet projects; the launch of “Rail Bandhu”, the first magazine by the Indian Railways.
To be distributed for free to passengers in premier trains, including the Rajdhanis and Shatabdis, the editorial content of the inaugural issue is at an advanced stage of planning.

“A write up on how Rabindranath Tagore lost and found the manuscript of the “Geetanjali’ in a London tube; vignettes of the saloon car travel during the British Raj, a story by famous novelist Ruskin Bond, these would be among the subjects that will be featured in the first issue”, magazine project head Derek O’Brian said.

The inaugural issue will also feature stories on the struggles of the Commonwealth and Asian Games gold medallists from the railway family.

According to the parameters set out, the publication will need to devote a minimum of 30 pages to news, events or features concerning the railways, while a total of another 30 pages of advertisements can be published.

Based on business models of in flight publications, the proposed Rail magazine will have the publisher bearing all costs.

With a print order of one lakh copies as an initial target, the publication is also being expected to carry articles and features that generate and sustain tourism interest in the domestic and overseas markets.

If the pilot project proves to be successful then a further ten lakh copies will be printed.

After stagnating on the drawing board for an entire year, the project moved forward last December, when the Northern Railways floated tenders inviting an Expression of Interest (EoI) for the publication on a turnkey basis.

The magazine’s editorial board will consists of Shuvaprasanna and Derek O’Brien, apart from senior railways officials.

“Previously, the governmental airways companies requested the passengers to leave behind the magazines distributed to them. But the Railways would like them to be carried back home by the passengers to magnify the image of Indian railways and grow confidence in their minds

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Images/HTEditImages/Images/rail.jpg

Bombay2Calcutta

January 19th, 2011, 11:33 PM

Telegraph (http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110120/jsp/frontpage/story_13467765.jsp)
Prod to put projects on track
- Railway Board seeks work schedule for pending five
AMIT GUPTA

Action time
Ranchi, Jan. 19: Railway authorities have been given a week’s time to submit a detailed completion schedule for the track-laying work of five projects that hold much importance for Jharkhand.

A high-level meeting chaired by Railway Board member (engineering) A.K. Mishra also responded positively to the state’s demand for 50:50 cost-sharing for escalated project estimates due to inordinate delays on part of the railways and extension of the MoU period that expired in February 2007.

The meeting, which took place at Rail Bhavan in Delhi, was attended by officials of Hazipur-headquartered East Central Railway (ECR) and Calcutta-headquartered South Eastern Railway (SER), besides Eastern Railway officials. For Jharkhand, state chief secretary A.K. Singh, transport commissioner Satendra Singh and Delhi-based resident commissioner Rajeev Kumar were present.

“They (railway officials) have taken note of our concerns during the two-hour deliberations. Railway divisions concerned have been asked to submit detailed work completion schedule of each project. Besides, we got a positive response on the new cost-sharing formula,” transport commissioner Satendra Singh told The Telegraph.

He added that the chief secretary had urged senior railway officials to focus on speeding up long-pending projects so that Jharkhand could reap benefits it had been deprived of since 2007.

On the new cost-sharing formula, the Railway Board said it would consider the same and convey final orders to the state soon.

The six pending railway projects in the state are Ranchi-Barkakana-Hazaribagh-Koderma line (189km), Ranchi-Lohardaga-Tori line (113km), Koderma-Tilaiya line (14km), Koderma-Giridih line (105km), Deoghar-Dumka line (60km) and Dumka-Rampurhat line (64km). Laying of the total 545km tracks is expected to change the face of passenger and goods transportation via rail in the state.

The Koderma-Tilaiya project is stuck in limbo due to environment concerns while work on the others are going on since 2002, but not at the desired pace.

The five projects were supposed to be completed by 2007, but the tardy pace of work — thanks to land acquisition hurdles and law and order reasons — led to the inordinate delay.

Though the state claims it has resolved both matters, the railways have time and again raised the issue of law and order particularly along Koderma-Hazaribagh-Ranchi line and Ranchi-Lohardaga-Tori stretch. Today, too, railway officials demanded additional deployment of static and patrolling forces on the Tori section, which falls under rebel-hit Latehar district.

So far, the state and railways share had been 66.66 per cent and 33.33 per cent, respectively, for the six projects cumulatively pegged at Rs 1,997 crore in 2002. Now, the cost has soared up to Rs 3,292 crore.

Under the existing agreement, the state government ought to pay Rs 1,332 crore. Of this amount, Rs 1,191 crore has already been given to the railways. It needs to give the remaining Rs 141 crore based on old estimates.

Railway figures available with the government suggest that a sum of Rs 1,714.06 crore has already been spent on the projects. Now, the state wants a cost-sharing ratio of 50:50 for a major chunk of about Rs 1,300 crore, which will be required to complete the projects based on revised estimates.

Notably, the Deoghar-Dumka line is almost complete. The Ranchi-Lohardaga-Tori line is complete till Barkichapi. But work on major projects like Ranchi-Barkakana-Hazaribagh-Koderma, Dumka-Rampurhat and Koderma-Giridih is still far from complete. In all these stretches only 60 per cent work has been done.

Yagya

January 19th, 2011, 11:39 PM

In the logo they've spelt Bandhu as Banghu in Hindi. :(

Bombay2Calcutta

January 20th, 2011, 12:29 AM

^^ good catch

sixsigma1978

January 20th, 2011, 02:22 AM

rupakd

January 20th, 2011, 07:00 AM

Andhra proposes 35 new trains for railway budget

Andhra Pradesh has sought 35 new trains in the railway budget 2011-12 and it will also take up with the railway minister the proposal for a wagon workshop at Kazipet and transforming Tirupati into a world-class railway station, an official release said Wednesday.

The state has proposed 17 new mail and express trains, including Kacheguda-Tirupati (via Dharmavaram, Pakala), Secunderabad-Howrah, Secunderabad-Kakinada, Hyderabad-Visakhapatnam, Tirupati-Guntur (via Tenali) and Karimnagar-Tirupati.

Some other trains the state has proposed are - Tirupati-Kadapa, Kurnool Town-Secunderabad-Vikarabad, Akola-Tirupati, Kacheguda-Thiruvananthapuram, Secunderabad-Vasco (via Guntakal, Bellari, Hubli), Hyderabad-Darbhanga, Secunderabad-Mangalore (via Guntakal, Bangalore), Kakinada-Mumbai (via Guntur, Secunderabad, Wadi) and Hyderabad-Jammutavi/ Amritsar/Chandigarh.

Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy Wednesday held a meeting with railway officials to review the state's requirements. "He will take up the requirements and other issues with Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee ," read a statement released by the chief minister's office.

The railway officials told the chief minister that of 21 trains announced in 2010-11 budget, 16 have already been introduced and four trains are to be introduced soon.

The meeting also identified several projects mentioned in the 2010-11 budget, but they are yet to be sanctioned. They include new lines, doubling and electrification. TNN

rupakd

January 20th, 2011, 07:05 AM

Concor Registers Significant Growth in Business Operating Revenue, Other Income & Net Profit All Register Increase Conco Board Announces Highest Ever Interim Dividend

Container Corporation of India Limited (CONCOR), a mini ratna public sector undertaking under Ministry of Railways, has come out with its quarter ended 31st December,2010 financial results indicating a total turnaround of business which had gone through turbulent times during the past one and half years. The rail container operator has demonstrated once again that rail based logistics could be the mainstay of the logistic sector, which would propel the country towards greater industrial growth.

• The Operating revenue during third quarter (October 2010 to December 2010) is Rs.97,113.37 lakhs which was Rs.88,445.57 lakhs during the same period of previous year. The operating Income during third quarter shows a rise of 9.80% amounting to Rs.8,667.81 lakhs.

• Other Income during the third quarter is Rs.4,786.54 lakhs which was Rs.3,815.02 lakhs , leading an increase of 25.47 %.

• Net Profit during the third quarter has increased from Rs.20,061.96 lakhs to Rs.22,848.30 lakhs showing a net increase of 13.89%.

CONCOR is also planning to invest in logistics parks to effectively exploit recent Indian Railway policy announcement granting entry to private operators in bulk movement and bulk handling. Buoyed by the increasing trend in revenues, CONCOR Board has announced an interim dividend of 75% (Rs.7.50 per share of face value Rs.10) to its shareholders amounting to Rs.9,748.71 lakhs which is the highest interim dividend announced so far. PIB

sk_shahi

January 20th, 2011, 09:44 AM

^^
Doesn't appears to be contradictory....high cost of transport limits the option available to the 'poorer' section.

You mean seats are available but unaffordable and thats described as limited availability and high cost. I am not sure that this is correct interpretation.
Now is the time for IR to act. Their are lot of takers for High Speed rail in a country of 1 billion people.

rupakd

January 20th, 2011, 11:53 AM

Rail connectivity to all NE capitals within seven years

SHILLONG: The Railway ministry has drawn up an elaborate plan to develop railway infrastructure in the Northeast, connecting all state capitals in the next 5 to 7 years.

Currently, there is a plan to connect Itanagar and Agartala during the 11th Plan while Aizawl, Imphal and Kohima would be connected in the 12th Plan.

Shillong and Gangtok are expected to be connected in the 13th Plan, an official statement said.

In addition, work for gauge conversion of existing lines is also being taken up.

At present, there is a network of only 2,447 km in the entire region which accounts for four per cent of the national network.

Of the total railway network, about 97 per cent is in Assam and two per cent in Tripura. "Therefore, a very accelerated programme of rail connectivity is required to provide the basic infrastructure capacity for the region to realize its economic potential," it said.

According to the release, there is a demand to increase the rail network in the Northeast to six per cent of the national network in the next 10 years.

India is going to construct the Agartala-Akhaura (Bangladesh) line to connect Tripura to the Bangladesh Railway network having the potential to transform the face of the transport infrastructure in the NE, the release said.

It has been decided that the projects of the Railways designated as National Project will be supported by the Centre in the ratio of 75-25 where 25 per cent will be given from the Gross Budgetary Support of Railways and 75 per cent from the Government of India.

It has also been decided to create a fund for development of rail infrastructure in the region. The Economic Times

rupakd

January 20th, 2011, 11:57 AM

Asian Development Bank to fund Pune-Daund-Wadi rail line electrification

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed to provide a loan of Rs1,500 crore to Indian Railways to undertake electrification of Pune-Daund-Wadi railway line under the Pune railway division.

This was revealed by the general manager of Central Railway, Kul Bhushan, here on Wednesday while interacting with media persons.

“The implementation plan for the electrification is ready. Now, we will initiate the tendering process. We expect to complete the work in a couple of years. The total cost of the project stands around Rs1,500 crore,’’ said Bhushan.

The electrification of the Pune-Daund-Wadi line is expected to give a major boost to strengthen railway services between Pune and Daund. It would help to commence local train services between Lonavla-Pune-Daund, as the Lonavla-Pune track is already electrified.

“The loan proposal was under the consideration of ADB. Recently, we have received green signal from the bank. As per preliminary estimate, the project would take about three to four years to complete,’’ he added, stating that efforts would be made to complete it earlier.

Bhushan said a plan to restructure the Pune railway station is also underway. It includes establishing a coach complex at Ghorpadi yard and a separate modern terminal for Pune-Lonavla train services, erection of additional foot-overbridge at Pune railway station and expansion of existing platforms.

Bhushan said during the recently held time-table conference in Pune, proposals have been received for commencement of new trains from Pune. All these proposals have been sent to the railway board for consideration, he added.

http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_asian-development-bank-to-fund-pune-daund-wadi-rail-line-electrification_1496841

rupakd

January 20th, 2011, 12:00 PM

Prod to put projects on track - Railway Board seeks work schedule for pending five

Ranchi, Jan. 19: Railway authorities have been given a week’s time to submit a detailed completion schedule for the track-laying work of five projects that hold much importance for Jharkhand.

A high-level meeting chaired by Railway Board member (engineering) A.K. Mishra also responded positively to the state’s demand for 50:50 cost-sharing for escalated project estimates due to inordinate delays on part of the railways and extension of the MoU period that expired in February 2007.

The meeting, which took place at Rail Bhavan in Delhi, was attended by officials of Hazipur-headquartered East Central Railway (ECR) and Calcutta-headquartered South Eastern Railway (SER), besides Eastern Railway officials. For Jharkhand, state chief secretary A.K. Singh, transport commissioner Satendra Singh and Delhi-based resident commissioner Rajeev Kumar were present.

“They (railway officials) have taken note of our concerns during the two-hour deliberations. Railway divisions concerned have been asked to submit detailed work completion schedule of each project. Besides, we got a positive response on the new cost-sharing formula,” transport commissioner Satendra Singh told The Telegraph.

He added that the chief secretary had urged senior railway officials to focus on speeding up long-pending projects so that Jharkhand could reap benefits it had been deprived of since 2007.

On the new cost-sharing formula, the Railway Board said it would consider the same and convey final orders to the state soon.

The six pending railway projects in the state are Ranchi-Barkakana-Hazaribagh-Koderma line (189km), Ranchi-Lohardaga-Tori line (113km), Koderma-Tilaiya line (14km), Koderma-Giridih line (105km), Deoghar-Dumka line (60km) and Dumka-Rampurhat line (64km). Laying of the total 545km tracks is expected to change the face of passenger and goods transportation via rail in the state.

The Koderma-Tilaiya project is stuck in limbo due to environment concerns while work on the others are going on since 2002, but not at the desired pace.

The five projects were supposed to be completed by 2007, but the tardy pace of work — thanks to land acquisition hurdles and law and order reasons — led to the inordinate delay.

Though the state claims it has resolved both matters, the railways have time and again raised the issue of law and order particularly along Koderma-Hazaribagh-Ranchi line and Ranchi-Lohardaga-Tori stretch. Today, too, railway officials demanded additional deployment of static and patrolling forces on the Tori section, which falls under rebel-hit Latehar district.

So far, the state and railways share had been 66.66 per cent and 33.33 per cent, respectively, for the six projects cumulatively pegged at Rs 1,997 crore in 2002. Now, the cost has soared up to Rs 3,292 crore.

Under the existing agreement, the state government ought to pay Rs 1,332 crore. Of this amount, Rs 1,191 crore has already been given to the railways. It needs to give the remaining Rs 141 crore based on old estimates.

Railway figures available with the government suggest that a sum of Rs 1,714.06 crore has already been spent on the projects. Now, the state wants a cost-sharing ratio of 50:50 for a major chunk of about Rs 1,300 crore, which will be required to complete the projects based on revised estimates.

Notably, the Deoghar-Dumka line is almost complete. The Ranchi-Lohardaga-Tori line is complete till Barkichapi. But work on major projects like Ranchi-Barkakana-Hazaribagh-Koderma, Dumka-Rampurhat and Koderma-Giridih is still far from complete. In all these stretches only 60 per cent work has been done. The Telegraph

s.yogendra

January 20th, 2011, 05:47 PM

SWR introduces special express trains

HUBLI: South Western Railways (SWR) has introduced new daily special express trains (No. 06219/ 06220) between Shimoga town and Anandpuram from January 17.

Train No. 06220 will leave Shimoga town at 13:00 hrs, and reach Anandpuram at 14:35 hrs. En route, the train will halt at Kotegangur (at 13:10 hrs), Kangarhalli (13:22 hrs), Harnahalli (13:31 hrs), Kumasi (13:41 hrs), Arasalu (14:00 hrs) and Kenchanahalli (14:09 hrs).

In the return direction, train no. 06219 will leave Anandapuram at 14:55 hrs,and reach Shimoga town at 16:25 hrs. The train will halt at Kenchanahalli (at 15:11 hrs), Arasalu (15:19 hrs), Kumsi (15:37 hrs), Harnahalli (15:47 hrs), Kangarahalli (15:55 hrs), and Kotegangur (16:05 hrs).

Due to the introduction of special trains (Nos 06217/ 06218 - BA1/ AB1), the services of Birur-Anandpuram-Birur specials stand cancelled from January 17, according to a press release by SWR.

Read more: SWR introduces special express trains - The Times of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubli/SWR-introduces-special-express-trains/articleshow/7313701.cms#ixzz1BV6VyO7c

Bombay2Calcutta

January 20th, 2011, 09:03 PM

Alkapuri side of railway station to open soon

VADODARA: Second entry of Vadodara railway station from Alkapuri side will open for commuters shortly. Divisional railway manager of Vadodara railway division A K Srivastava said this on Monday.

While talking to mediapersons on the sidelines of closing ceremony and award distribution function on the occasion of 150 years celebration of arrival of train at Vadodara, Srivastava said the construction of Alkapuri side entry of the railway station, which has been designed in ornate Gaekwadi style architecture, has been completed.

"It will open for commuters in next 10 days," said Srivastava, who thanked M S University, Bhasha Academy and Railway Staff College for extending support during the year-long celebrations during which the railway division not only set up two heritage parks at Dabhoi and Pratapnagar railway station, but also refurbished railway museum at Pratapnagar to mark 150 years of railways in Vadodara.

During the ceremony, which saw presence of MSU vice-chancellor Ramesh Goyal, director general of Railway Staff College Neeraj Kumar and professor Ganesh Devi from Bhasha Academy, the railway administration felicitated students from departments of architecture, museology, history and MSU's faculty of fine arts for their contributions. At the same time, prizes were given away to the winners of rangoli, essay (English, Hindi & Gujarati), drawing and poetry which were held at recently inaugurated Pratapnagar heritage park.

The refurbished railway museum in Pratapnagar now displays a variety of artefacts depicting railways in popular culture. Right from the famous Gujarati garba 'Mumbai thi gaadi aavi re' to world's first clip of a moving train captured in 1895, which you can watch on touch screen, the museum also showcases history of state railways introduced by Gujarat's princely states. That apart, the museum shows depiction of railways in Indian films like 'Train to Pakistan', 'Toofan Mail', 'Coolie' and depiction of railways in world cinema like - 'Last Train Home', 'The Girl On The Train', 'Night Train to Munich' and 'The Great Train Robbery.'

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vadodara/Alkapuri-side-of-railway-station-to-open-soon/articleshow/7307095.cms

rupakd

January 21st, 2011, 06:51 AM

Railways all set to launch newly laid second line between Rewari and Jaipur

In what comes as a relief for train commuters to Jaipur from the city, the North Western Railway has laid a new line between Rewari and Jaipur.

Till now, there used to be only a single line on this route and many trains, including Rajdhani and Garib Rath, used to halt for hours because of this impediment. With doubling of this line, commuters can expect the journey time to be cut short by at least an hour.

The line is now ready to use with the commissioner of railway safety giving his nod after inspection on Wednesday. Railway authorities are expecting to receive the required safety certificate in a day or two before launching operations on the line.

"This line is made in such a way that trains can run at a speed of 200 kmph. Work on laying the second line was started in 2006 and was divided into three phases. Phase one is now ready and the track linking work between Rewari and Alwar is on. We expected to fish that work by March," said a railway official.

Commuters are looking forward to a faster train ride to the Pink City. "Most of the time, people prefer to travel by road to Jaipur just to save time. I usually prefer trains for their comfort, but on this route I commute by road only. I am sure many passengers like me would now consider taking the train since it would also be economical than buses," said Pramod Kumar, a frequent traveler to Jaipur. TNN

rupakd

January 21st, 2011, 06:54 AM

Rail budget to decide fate of projects in Bihar

The railway budget, which is slated to be presented in Lok Sabha in February, is likely to decide the fate of several railway projects pending for long in Bihar.

The fate of two ambitious projects - diesel locomotive manufacturing factory at Marhaura in Saran district at a cost of Rs 1,400 crore and electric locomotive manufacturing unit at Madhepura at a cost of Rs 2,025 crore will be decided in the ensuing budget.

According to a Railway Board official, railways had earlier decided to complete these two major projects in Bihar on its own. However, the railways later decided to complete them on public-private partnership ( PPP ) basis. A few private companies from foreign countries had also shown keen interest in these two projects. Unfortunately, the proposals have not materialised so far,, he said .

ECR's CRPO Dilip Kumar said railways had been so far carrying out work on coach maintenance workshop at Harnaut, wheel factory at Belapur, Chhapra and DEMU maintenance workshop at Sonepur . These projects would be completed within the stipulated time to fulfil the needs of railways, he said.

According to sources, the cash-strapped railways has been unable to start many ambitious projects of railways at different places. Many projects in Bihar have been delayed mainly due to non-availability of funds or for want of initiative on the part of railways for about three to four years.

According to a railway expert, G N Sahay , the railways envisages Bihar as the most developed state as well as an ancillary zone of Indian Railways by the end of 2015. Bihar, which remained backward since independence from the viewpoint of railway s development, is likely to become the main hub of component factories of railways, including wheel factory, electric and diesel locomotives and modern maintenance workshops. A slew of major projects were sanctioned in Bihar at a cost of Rs 55,000 crore during the past five to six years, he said.

Though railways has decided to develop north Bihar as an ancillary zone on the pattern of Bangalore, Hardwar and Bhopal, the proposed factories, duly approved by the Planning Commission and Railway Board, would give a new face to Bihar from the socio-economic development point of view, Sahay said, adding there was no place in the world where so many major factories were being set up within a radius of 300 kms only .

These projects are wheel factory at Chhapra (Rs 1,417 crore) , diesel engine factory at Marhaura (Rs 1,400 crore) , electric engine factory at Madhepura (Rs 2,025 crore) , coach maintenance workshop at Harnaut (Rs 325 crore) , DEMU maintenance depot at Sonepur (Rs 15 crore) , goods wagon repair workshop at Sonepur (Rs 92 crore) and wagon repair workshop at Samastipur (Rs 33 crore). TNN

rupakd

January 21st, 2011, 07:04 AM

Kozhikode-thiruvananthapuram Jan Shatabdi express flagged-off

Union minister of state for external affairs, E Ahamed today flagged-off the inaugural special of Kozhikode-Thiruvananthapuram Jan Shatabdi Express, at a function got up at the Kozhikode railway station here today.

The regular service of the 12081 Kozhikode -Thiruvananthapuram Central Jan Shatabdi Express Via Kottayam from Kozhikode will commence on January 22.

Speaking on the occasion, Ahamed, who was shifted from railways to external affairs in the cabinet reshuffle yesterday, said that southern railways has been catering to the ever-increasing demands of passenger traffic by introducing new trains, increasing frequency of existing trains and extension of trains routes.

Ahamed said that the ministry had implemented the new trains announced in each year's budget in the same year itself.

During the last two year about Rs 60 crore development work has been undertaken between Nilambur-Shornur section, he said.

The doubling work between Shornur and Mangalore route would be completed in a couple of months, he said, adding that Kozhikode railway station is going to be of world standard.

Deepak Krishan, General Manager, Southern Railway, Chennai, in his welcome address said that southern railway was giving more emphasis on improving passenger amenities in the station.

Work costing about Rs 28 crore has been sanctioned for improving the passenger amenities in and around Kozhikode station, he said.

http://www.indiareport.com/India-usa-uk-news/latest-news/981374/National/1/20/1

Bombay2Calcutta

January 21st, 2011, 07:09 PM

Source (http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/40-trains-to-be-flagged-off-by-jan-26/543100.html)
40 trains to be flagged off by Jan 26
PTI | 09:01 PM,Jan 21,2011

New Delhi, Jan 21 (PTI) Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee today said that about 40 trains will be flagged off in the last week of this month. A total of 107 trains, including 62 long-distance ones, were proposed in the 2010-11 Rail Budget. "Forty rakes are ready and all these trains would be launched this month....most probably in the last week of the month," Mamata told reporters. She said that the proposed special tourist trains -- 'Bharath Tirth' trains will also be flagged off soon in certain routes. Railways have identified 16 routes for running the 'Bharat Tirth' trains to promote tourism. Earlier in the day, addressing the Railway General Managers' meeting here, she said that the targets announced in the Railway Budget should be completed within the current financial year. New trains which were announced in the Budget should be run without any delay on priority basis for the convenience of the general public. Giving top priority to passenger safety, she said it cannot be compromised with and always have to be given top priority. There should be periodical review and inspection to ensure that all safety related activities are done as per the rules, she added. Banerjee said maintenance of rolling stock especially coaches, wagons and engines is quite important and no laxity on this should be tolerated as it is related to safety. She said steps must be initiated to install safety devices like train protection warning system (TPWS), anti-collision device (ACD), fog safe devices within a fixed time-frame. Expressing concern over the recent increase in the cases of derailment, she said that the engineering department needs to look into this aspect more intensely and carefully and ensure that all their activities like track maintenance, equipment maintenance, rolling stock maintenance are done effectively and timely. Emphasising the need to maintain best punctuality in running of the trains, the Minister said that monitoring of punctuality should continue to be undertaken vigorously at all levels which include Railway Board level, Zonal Railway level and Divisional Railway level. She said that a core group must be set up by General Managers to monitor punctuality to review it on daily basis. Complimenting the Railway Board under the chairmanship of Vivek Sahai and the entire railway family for working hard to improve functioning of railway system in all sectors, she said that the same zeal should continue to be exhibited in meeting aspirations of all railway users.

Bombay2Calcutta

January 21st, 2011, 07:17 PM

Sourcehttp://www.hindu.com/2011/01/21/stories/2011012165050900.htm
Parallel Bangalore-Guwahati railway line planned

Special Correspondent

CHICKBALLAPUR: Union Minister of State for Railways K.H. Muniyappa on Thursday announced that in view of the increasing traffic on Bangalore-Chennai route, the Railways was planning to take up a parallel trunk line from Bangalore to Guwahati.

The proposed parallel trunk line would pass through Chickballapur and Kolar districts of Karnataka, Madanapalli, Renigunta, Nellore, Vijayawada and Visakapatnam in Andhra Pradesh; Bhuvaneshwar in Orissa and Guwahati, Mr. Muniyappa told presspersons here.

Once the operations commence on the parallel trunk route, at least 100 trains, including goods carriers, would pass through Chickballapur daily, he said.

As Chickballapur was bound to emerge as a major junction on this “strong route”, the Railways had prepared a Rs. 66-crore estimate to construct a new railway station in the town. The Rs. 66-crore proposal includes land acquisition, station construction and new line alignment works, the Minister said. There is also a plan to have a goods shed, a repair workshop and water management space, Mr. Muniyappa said and, he instructed the Chickballapur district administration and the City Municipal Council to identify land for the new railway station.

Mr. Muniyappa said the parallel trunk line would boost economic activity in Chickballapur, Kolar and in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.

Bombay2Calcutta

January 22nd, 2011, 09:56 PM

Source (http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_central-railway-to-get-its-own-elevated-corridor_1497963)
Central Railway to get its own elevated corridor
Published: Saturday, Jan 22, 2011, 22:37 IST
By Rajendra Aklekar | Place: Mumbai | Agency: DNA

The Central Railway and the Mumbai Port Trust are building an elevated rail corridor of their own between Kurla and Wadala. This will not only boost suburban traffic, but also segregate goods traffic and give dedicated rail connectivity to the city's port.

The 5.66 km new Kurla-Wadala line would be linked to the 1,483km national dedicated freight corridor of the western region which is being built between Mumbai's Jawaharlal Nehru Port and Dadri in Uttar Pradesh.

The project would cost Rs104 crore of which Rs55 crore would be spent on rehabilitation of slums. It will be partially elevated. The CR and the port trust have already signed a memorandum of understanding over the project, but the project has been held up because of the issue of rehabilitating the project-affected people.

"This a local version of the dedicated freight corridor. Now when goods trains enter the city beyond Kurla, harbour line trains have to be detained. All this will be removed and the suburban trains will run on time," a senior official added.

Bombay2Calcutta

January 22nd, 2011, 09:59 PM

HT (http://www.hindustantimes.com/Rail-freight-corridor-plan-hits-roadblock/Article1-653617.aspx)
Rail freight corridor plan hits roadblock

The proposed elevated rail bridge connecting central and harbour lines has become a bone of contention between the Central Railway (CR) and the Mumbai Port Trust. Eight months ago, CR had put forward a proposal to build a rail bridge near Kurla station, which would be part of the 5.66-km long
Kurla-Wadala dedicated freight corridor connecting to the Mumbai Port Trust.

The dedicated freight corridor, which will link the Mumbai Port Trust area, via Wadala to Kurla, is estimated to cost around Rs 104 crore — this does not include the cost of building the rail bridge.

The CR had planned to build the bridge over the existing tracks at Kurla linking to the additional fifth and sixth lines — work on which is expected to be complete this month.

The bridge is expected to decongest rail traffic at Kurla, a major railway junction on the central line, and prevent delays in suburban rail services.

Sources said that initially the plan was to create a separate rail corridor for 18-bogies plus freight trains on this section.

“We have proposed a rail bridge near Kurla station so that there are no problems in operation of both suburban trains and freight trains,” said a senior CR official, on condition of anonymity because he is not authorised to speak to the media.

This means that freight trains carrying more than 4,000 tonnes of goods would have to climb the rail bridge.

“There could be a minor bottleneck at the crossing [where freight trains would meet the suburban rail lines after the dedicated freight corridor is ready], but it would be really difficult for freight trains carrying tonnes of cargo to climb a bridge. So, we need to look at its [rail bridge’s] feasibility before constructing it,” said Rahul Asthana, chairman of the Mumbai Port Trust, which is in the process of rehabilitating 1,200 project-affected people along the site.

Sources said that the port trust authorities would have to build this bridge because it falls outside the railways’ jurisdiction.

After the additional fifth and sixth lines on the Kurla-Thane section are ready, long-distance and freight trains would not affect suburban train network.

As part of the long-term plan, this dedicated rail corridor would be further extended up to Diva and then up to Vasai, thus the total extended line would be 77 km.

Bombay2Calcutta

January 23rd, 2011, 07:47 PM

Source (http://netindian.in/news/2011/01/22/00010295/railways-present-replica-coach-used-tagore-r-day-tableau)
Railways to present replica of coach used by Tagore in R-Day tableau
New Delhi, January 23, 2011

The Indian Railways will present a tableau featuring a replica of the railway coach used by poet Rabindranath Tagore for hs travels between Bolpur and Kolkata during his life time as its tribute to the Nobel laureate during his 150th birth anniversary celebrations.

An official press release said the Railways had inspired Tagore to pen many memorable poems, which can be found in his masterpiece, "Geetanjali", his most famous collection of poems.

Tagore often penned his reflections on life during his innumerable trips on trains, the release said.

The tableau will be accompanied by a ground element, dancing in the traditional Rabindric style to a Rabindra Sangeet piece entitled Oi Mahamanaba Ashe (The great man comes). The participants are from Visva Bharati, Santiniketan, set up by Tagore himself. Some original writings of Tagore as well as the replica of the Noble Prize awarded to him are also displayed on the tableau.

The original coach, as it was last used by "Kaviguru", has been placed by the Indian Railways in a museum at Bolpur Railway Station in West Bengal as a mark of respect for the great artist, social reformer, patriot and poet.

Meanwhile, ‘Sanskriti Express’, a special exhibition train to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Tagore, is drawing a big crowd where ever it is halting during its one-year long journey through the country.

The train, showcasing the life and philosophy of Tagore, was flagged off by Minister of Railways Mamata Banerjee on May 9, 2010, his birth annivrersary.

This train will travel all over the country and stop at many stations before returing to Bolpur on May 8, 2011.

rupakd

January 24th, 2011, 10:54 AM

Japan firm to conduct study on rail corridor

The State government is planning to appoint a Japan-based consultancy to undertake a comprehensive feasibility study for the proposed North-South High Speed Rail Corridor project connecting Thiruvananthapuram with Manjeshwaram in Kasaragod district, Industries Minister Elamaram Karim has said.

The study would be conducted with the support of Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) and the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), the Minister said while inaugurating a management convention organised by the Calicut Management Association in the city on Saturday.

Mr. Karim said Managing Director of KSIDC Alkesh Sharma and State Industries Principal Secretary T. Balakrishnan had already contacted the Japanese consultancy to conduct detailed discussions on the project. As per preliminary discussions held with DMRC Managing Director E. Sreedharan, the project would cost around Rs.50,000 crore, he said. The Hindu

rupakd

January 24th, 2011, 11:01 AM

Sunday trains to be rescheduled, 40 new trains by 26 January

A number of trains in Eastern Railway's Howrah division will remain cancelled or be rescheduled on Sunday owing to the eight-hour traffic and power block to facilitate repairs and replacements.
For replacement of girders of Bridge No. 100 between Magra and Talandu stations in the Bandel-Barddhaman section there will be a traffic and power block from 5:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Sunday between those two stations on both Up and Down main lines. No movement of Up and Down trains will be feasible in the Bandel-Khanyan section during the traffic block. However, some specified Up and Down EMU locals will be run in two parts in the Howrah-Bandel and Khanyan-Barddhaman sections.
Consequently, 15 Up EMU local trains from Howrah, two Up locals from Bandel and one Up local train for Barddhaman from Sealdah, seven Down EMU local trains from Barddhaman, two Down locals from Memari, Pundooah & Bandel respectively, one Down local train from Baruipara and three Down local trains from Chandanpur will remain cancelled on 23.1 2011.
In addition to that, the 211(53043) Up Howrah-Rajgir Fast Passenger, 217(53045) Up Howrah-Rampurhat Mayurakshi Fast Passenger will remain cancelled from Howrah on 23 January, 2011.
The 212 (53044) Down Rajgir-Howrah Fast Passenger will remain cancelled from Rajgir on 22 January and 218(53046) Down Rampurhat-Howrah Mayurakshi Fast Passenger will remain cancelled from Rampurhat on 23 January, 2011. Seven Up Howrah-Barddhaman Main line EMU local, one Pundooah Local will terminate at Bandel and five Up Barddhaman locals will originate from Khanyan station on that day. Five Down Barddhaman-Howrah EMU local will short terminate at Khanyan and one down Barddhaman local will short originate from Bandel station.
Moreover, the 13017 Up Ganadevata Express, 13317 Up Black Diamond Express, 13051 Up Howrah - Suri Hool Express, 13007 Up Udayan Abha Toofan Express, 13053 Up Howrah-Siuri Express, 13186 Dn Ganga Sagar Express, 13010 Dn Doon Express, 13112 Dn Lalquila Express, 13012 Dn Malda Town - Howrah Intercity Express, 13020 Dn Bagh Express, 13050 Dn Amritsar - Howrah Express, 209 (53041) Up Howrah-Jaynagar Passenger, 216 (53048) Dn Viswabharati Fast Passenger will run via Dankuni. The 11105 Up Kolkata-Jhansi Pratham Swatantrata Sangram Express will be rescheduled at 9:00 a.m. from Kolkata station and 131 (53131) Up Sealdah-Muzaffarpur Fast Passenger will be rescheduled at 7:00 a.m. from Sealdah station on 23.1.2011 (Sunday).
One AC III-tier coach will be attached to the Balurghat Link Express of the Gour Express (13153/13154) running between Sealdah and Balurghat on and from 26 January, 2011 from Sealdah to Balurghat and on and from 27 January, 2011 from Balurghat to Sealdah.
Mamata’s Republic Day gift
Railway minister Mamata Banerjee today said in New Delhi that about 40 trains will be flagged off in the last week of this month. A total of 107 trains, including 62 long-distance ones, were proposed in the 2010-11 Rail Budget. “Forty rakes are ready and all these trains would be launched this month....most probably in the last week of the month,” Miss Banerjee told reporters. The Statesman

rupakd

January 24th, 2011, 11:10 AM

Rly plans coal corridors to ensure timely supplies to power projects

The Indian Railways will put coal movement on its priority list to ensure timely supply of the fuel to power stations , a senior official said. For this, the Railways has rationalized its freight scheme by specifying dedicated routes linking coal producing areas with power stations. The revised freight scheme, which comes into effect on Monday, has included most coal routes under the priority scheme.

"The idea is to ensure smooth passage of freight to aid its timely supply," the official said. Priority goods are not diverted unless necessary for operational requirements, ensuring their delivery on time. The list of the new routes identified for priority movement include coal loading from Northern Coalfields Ltd in Singrauli, Madhya Pradesh, all coal traffic from Pathardih in Jharkhand, coal traffic in eastern and central zones through Mughalsarai up to Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, coal traffic from western railway catering to Allahabad division of the north central railway.

The prioritization of these routes is in addition to the routes already on the priority list, such as Panem in Jharkhand and Korea-Rewa fields of Bilaspur division in Chhatisgarh. A recent order to general managers in-charge of operations and commercial asks them to ensure that freight movement on the specified routes is not unnecessarily delayed. It also asks them to ensure that rakes are not diverted for reasons other than operational convenience.

Independent experts and coal users, however, are not enthused by the move. "While there is an agreement at the strategic level to introduce schemes on improving operations, they are short of empowering people who are at the level of implementation," said Vishwas Udgirkar, senior director at Deloitte in India.

An official with a state-run power company said rationalization in itself does not mean timely delivery of freight. "Rationalisation is basically for the purpose of streamlining route for calculation of freights, which does not necessarily mean reduction of freights or the time," the official said, requesting anonymity.

Even the Comptroller and Auditor General questioned the effectiveness of the rationalization scheme in a recent report. The Railways has reportedly run a loss in the first nine months of the current fiscal.

Bulk of the transporter's revenues come from freight, but passenger traffic uses up most of its resources. The Railway's ambitious plan to have dedicated freight corridors has also not made much progress. On Friday, union minister for railways Mamata Banerjee told general managers of all zonal units to improve freight loading and movement of goods trains. The Economic Times

Naveenmech

January 24th, 2011, 02:41 PM

INTRODUCTION OF CHENNAI CENTRAL – COIMBATORE

NON-STOP DURONTO EXPRESS

Thiru Dayanidhi Maran, Hon’ble Union Minister of Textiles will flag off the inaugural special of Chennai Central – Coimbatore Non-stop Duronto Express at a function to be held at Chennai Central railway station at 16.00 hrs. on 25.1.2011. Thiru Ma. Subramanian, Worshipful Mayor of Chennai, Hon’ble MPs, MLA and other dignitaries will participate in the function.

The inaugural special will leave Chennai Central at 16.00 hrs. on 25.1.2011 and arrive Coimbatore at 22.40 hrs. the same day. Advance reservation for the inaugural special will commence on 25.1.2011.

The regular service will commence from 27.1.2011 ex. Chennai Central and from 26.1.2011 ex. Coimbatore. T.No.12243 Chennai Central – Coimbatore (Six days a week, except Tuesdays) Duronto Non-stop Express will leave ex. Chennai Central at 06.50 hrs. and arrive Coimbatore at 13.30 hrs. on the same day. T.No.12244 Coimbatore – Chennai Central (Six days a week, except Tuesdays) Duronto Non-stop Express will leave Coimbatore at 15.05 hrs. and arrive Chennai Central at 21.50 hrs. the same day. The composition of the trains will be 1 Executive AC Chair Car and 7 AC Chair Car coaches.

Advance reservation for the above trains will commence on 25.1.2011.

World8115

January 24th, 2011, 02:54 PM

^^ :cheers:

MxC

January 24th, 2011, 04:10 PM

Weren't duronto's supposed to be non-stop for long distances only? This one has a journey time of only 6:45.

World8115

January 24th, 2011, 04:30 PM

^^ Nothing like that. Howrah Digha Duronto is just for 189 km with a travel time of 3 hours. On top of that it runs daily

sidney_jec

January 24th, 2011, 04:47 PM

OMG theres a Howrah - Digha Durunto? :O

vlakshmi_n

January 24th, 2011, 06:12 PM

OMG theres a Howrah - Digha Durunto? :O

Anything is possible in IR untill mamtha is in chair :bash:

Bombay2Calcutta

January 24th, 2011, 07:22 PM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/105-yrs-later-loco-engine-steams-off/articleshow/7344868.cms
105 yrs later, loco engine steams off

UDHAGAMANDALAM: One of the oldest Swiss made 'X' class locomotives operating on the Nilgiri Mountain Railways (NMR) would be phased out in February after over a century of service. A new oil-fired steam engine will replace it.

The Swiss locomotive has served for 105 years on the mountain track, considered to be Asia's longest and steepest meter gauge section.

Four oil-fired steam locos, costing about Rs 40 crore, are being manufactured at the Golden Rock railway workshop in Tiruchi for the NMR section. The Unesco has called it a World Heritage Railway system. The second loco will roll out in June.

"The NMR section has six Swiss-made steam locos, of which three are coal-operated and the rest furnace oil.
The oldest will be replaced with a new loco by the end of February," said Southern Railways chief mechanical engineer B Sude.

At present, of the six steam locomotives, only four are in working condition. Of these, the oldest was commissioned over 105 years ago, while the youngest is 59-year-old.

On the 45.88km-long NMR track, the toy train is operated by steam engines on the Mettupalayam-Coonoor stretch, a distance of 28km.

Heritage Steam Chariot Trust president K Natarajan said the Scottish-designed 'rack & pinion' railway system should be preserved.

Bombay2Calcutta

January 24th, 2011, 07:24 PM

Source (http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/MP-IND-indore-mumbai-duronto-to-have-three-stations-1786832.html)
Indore-Mumbai Duronto to have three stations

Indore: The much-awaited Indore-Mumbai Duronto Express will stop at three stations: Ujjain, Ratlam and Vadodara. But reservations in the train can only be done Indore to Mumbai and vice versa.

According to sources, the stoppages have been scheduled for technical and maintenance reasons.

The number of the train that will depart from Indore for Mumbai will be 12228 and the one that will go from Mumbai to Indore will be 12227.

The fare of the Indore-Mumbai Duronto, however, has not been fixed.

The train will take the same route as the Avantika Express in the absence of any alternate route.

The super express will have nine compartments for AC III tier, two compartments for AC II tier and one compartment for AC I class along with one for pantry and two for generator and guards.

The train will leave Indore at 11 pm every Friday and Sunday and reach Mumbai Central at noon. It will depart from Mumbai every Thursday and Saturday.

The train will be inaugurated soon in Mumbai and the preparations for it have already begun.

According to plans, the first Indore-Mumbai Duronto will start from January 27.

Bombay2Calcutta

January 25th, 2011, 02:06 AM

Source (http://www1.lite.epaper.timesofindia.com/mobile.aspx?article=yes&pageid=3&edlabel=TOIM&mydateHid=25-01-2011&pubname=Times+of+India+-+Mumbai&edname=Mumbai&articleid=Ar00304&format=&publabel=TOI&max=true)
Broke rlys orders stiff curbs to ride out 2K cr deficit

Mahendra Kumar Singh TNN

New Delhi: Railway Board chairman Vivek Sahai has directed strict curbs on spending as the railways faces a deficit of at least Rs 2,200 crore.
The board wants to reduce expenditure on replacing worn out assets through the Depreciation Reserve Fund and creating new ones from the Development Fund.
Sources said payments to contractors have been stopped in most zones except the eastern zone,part of which falls in railway minister Mamata Banerjees home state of West Bengal.This has resulted in many large projects being stalled in every zone,an official said.The precarious fiscal position has prompted Sahai to control spending.

GOING OFF TRACK

Railways faces a deficit of at least Rs 2,200 crore as expenses on official tours,overtime and night duty allowances have shot up Earnings scenario grim.Freight loading has dropped by 10 mn tonnes from April to October 2010 Railway Board chairman Vivek Sahai has ordered strict cost-cutting Payments to contractors stopped in most zones except eastern zone,part of which falls in rly minister Mamata Banerjees home state,West Bengal.Staff told to travel only for essential work

MxC

January 25th, 2011, 07:00 AM

rupakd

January 25th, 2011, 07:07 AM

Now, get info about approaching station inside trains

The North Central Railway is planning to install the Passenger Information System in train coaches. This system will inform the passengers about the approaching stations in the trains itself. Initially, PIS would be installed in Prayag Raj Express and Sharam Shakti Express.

The Passenger Information System would be installed at the two ends of the coaches, adjacent to the toilets. This place has been chosen so that the system would be visible to the passengers from the corridor itself.

Passengers, specially those travelling in the AC coaches, face problems in identifying the stations during night.

The passenger information system is an electronic information system which provides real-time passenger information. The PIS would also give information about the approaching trains and the distance that would be covered in reaching a particular station. It would also display the time needed to reach a particular station. Besides, the temperatures inside and outside the coaches would also be displayed on the PIS. In addition, various social messages would be displayed to raise awareness among the public.

A sum of Rs 95 lakh would be spent on installing the PIS system in the trains. Later, the system would be installed in other trains. TNN

Bombay2Calcutta

January 25th, 2011, 05:30 PM

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/orissa-seeks-rs-2085-crore-in-railway-budget-for-2011-12/422986/
Orissa seeks Rs 2085 crore in Railway Budget for 2011-12
BS Reporter / Kolkata/ Bhubaneswar January 26, 2011, 0:51 IST

In the run up to the Railway Budget for 2011-12, the Orissa government has requested the Ministry of Railways to sanction Rs 2085 crore for the state in the current financial year for various railway projects including new rail links, extension of existing rail links, improvement in passenger amenities, introduction of new trains and increase in frequency of trains.

The state government has sought Rs 350 crore for the Khurda Road-Bolangir rail link (289 km), Rs 250 crore for the Paradeep-Haridaspur rail link (82 km), Rs 150 crore each for the Angul-Duburi-Sukinda Road rail line (90 km) and Talcher-Bimalagarh (154 km) rail line and Rs 60 crore for the Lanjigarh Road-Junagarh rail link (56 km).

For gauge conversion, the state has sought Rs 20 crore for the 89-km Rupsa-Bangriposi and Rs 30 crore for the 90-km Nuapada-Gunupur.

Similarly, for doubling projects, the state government has requested the Ministry of Railways to allot Rs 760 crore. Presently, 20 doubling projects are under execution in order to further augment line capacity. Allocation of funds for the second bridge on Kathajori and Kauakhai and Haridaspur-Jakhapura (third line) needs to be sharply increased.

The proposals for new doubling include Rayagada-Koraput rail link and patch doubling of Kottavalasa-Kirandul line. The state government has requested the Ministry of Railways to sanction doubling of this rail link which connects the port city of Visakhapatanam with the iron ore rich area of Kirandul.

For undertaking new electrification works, the state has sought Rs 100 crore from the Ministry of Railways in 2011-12. It has also requested the ministry to sanction funds for the development of multi modal logistics parks and container freight stations at Kalinga Nagar, Angul, Jharsuguda, Rourkela and Choudwar.

The Railways ministry has been requested to sanction some new rail links in 2011-12. These include Rupsa-Burhamura-Chakulia (35 km), Nuapada-Gunupur-Theruvali (79 km), Banspani-Barbil (15 km), Bhadrachalam Raod-Malkangiri-Jeypore-Junagarh-Lanjigarh Road-Talcher-Bimlagarh, Bargarh-Nuapada via Padampur (120 km), Talcher-Gopalpur (245 km), Puri-Konark (35 km), Rupsa-Bangriposi-Gorumahisani (35 km), Badampahar-Keonjhar (70 km), Berhampur-Phulbani (169.8 km) and Khurda Road-Rajathgarh (59 km).

The Orissa government has proposed to set up a dedicated industrial corridor in the Meramandali-Angul-Talcher-Chhendipada belt linking the coal mines, power generating units and steel plants.

This proposed corridor, to be co-habited by multiple users, is estimated to cost Rs 2192 crore. The state government has requested the Railways ministry to finalize the policy to construct such dedicated rail corridors in coal and mineral bearing areas.

The state has also given proposal for introduction of 16 new trains. This includes Duronto type super fast trains between Bhubaneswar-Mumbai, Puri-jaipur, Bhubaneswar-Pune, Bhubaneswar-Bangalore and Puri-Surat. It has also presented proposal for introduction of a super fast express between Visakhapatanam and Allahabad, express train between Koraput and Visakhapatanam, express train from Titlagarh to Bhubaneswar via Rayagada, express train from Keonjhar to Howrah, express train from Barbil to Visakhaptanam, super fast express from Rourkela to New Delhi, inter-city express between Puri and Tata via Keonjhar, express train between Berhampur and Rourkela, direct train between Bhubaneswar and Kalka, express train service between Jagdalpur and Kolkata, inter-city express between Berhampur and Puri and passenger train services between Barbil and Puri as well as from Rayagada to Bolangir.

Moreover, the state has sought Rs 25 crore for five new coaching terminals and Rs 50 crore for seven 'Adarsh' stations (model stations) and two multi-functional complexes.

Bombay2Calcutta

January 25th, 2011, 05:47 PM

TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/CM-demands-Duronto-trains-for-state/articleshow/7362802.cms)
CM demands Duronto trains for state

PATNA: Chief minister Nitish Kumar has urged railway minister Mamata Banerjee to introduce Duronto trains in Bihar.

Kumar made the demand while flagging off two new trains, Patna-Sasaram daily passenger (53659- 53660) and Darbhanga-Patna-Mumbai weekly Karmabhoomi Express (12545 -12546), at a function at Patna Junction on Tuesday. He said though the railway network has spread in Bihar, the number of passengers has also increased during the past few years. "Passengers' requirements need to be fulfilled. Bihar urgently needs Duronto trains and I would urge the railway minister to consider this demand while preparing the railway budget for 2011-12," he said.

Reiterating the state's demand for the Patna-Digha line for its conversion into a four-lane road, Kumar said though the railway minister has in principle agreed to hand over the land to the state government, the matter has been hanging fire. The construction of four-lane roads on the route would decongest traffic in the city after the Digha-Sonepur rail-cum-road bridge is commissioned, he added.

Assuring the railways of all assistance from the state, Kumar said people must cooperate with railways for smoothly running trains. "Disrupting railway traffic or damaging railways' property is a crime. Railways is the national property which must be protected," he said.

Incidentally, the Patna-Ara-Sasaram line was sanctioned when Kumar was the railway minister.

ECR GM K K Srivastava welcomed the guests while Danapur DRM Gyan Prakash Srivastava extended a vote of thanks

Bombay2Calcutta

January 25th, 2011, 07:33 PM

CM flags off train, says Anand Vihar becoming a transport hub
Tuesday, January 25, 2011, 21:00 [IST]

New Delhi, Jan 25 (PTI) The Anand Vihar railway stationin east Delhi is developing as a crucial transport hub, ChiefMinister Sheila Dikshit said today as she flagged off a newtrain to Kathgodam in Uttarakhand from there.

After flagging off the tri-weekly Anand Vihar-KathgodamExpress train, she said it will increase the connectivitybetween Delhi and Kathgodam which is the base point forpopular tourist destinations like Nainital.

Dikshit said the Anand Vihar station is developing as acrucial transport hub as it is having Delhi Metro andInter-state Bus Terminus in its vicinity.

This hub is going to benefit lakhs of passengers fromDelhi and Uttar Pradesh everyday by providing better city andinter-state transport services, she said.

Dikshit expressed hope that more new trains will startoriginating from Anand Vihar Rail Terminal.

The Delhi-Kathgodam train was proposed in the rail budgetof 2010-11. It will run on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays inboth directions.

While the train will depart from Anand Vihar at 6 AM andreach Kathgodam at 11.50 AM on the same day, in the returndirection it will depart from Kathgodam at 3.45 PM to reachAnand Vihar at 9.55 PM the same evening.

The train will consist of AC-I, AC-II and AC-III coachesalongwith two power cars.

Dikshit also announced that the frequency of HazratNizamuddin-Manikpur UP Sampark Kranti Express and HazratNizamuddin-Khajuraho Link Express is being increased fromthree days to six days a week.

http://news.oneindia.in/2011/01/25/cmflags-off-train-says-anand-vihar-becoming-a-transporthu-aid0126.html

Bombay2Calcutta

January 25th, 2011, 07:38 PM

Source (http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/more.php?news_id=124067&date=2011-01-26)
SAARC experts meet in Nepal Jan 30 on connectivity

Negotiation to sign agreements on establishing road and railway links among the SAARC member countries resumes next week in Nepal with a view to reinforcing regional cooperation, said communications ministry officials.

They said experts of the countries will meet in the SAARC Secretariat from January 30 to 31 to start the negotiation after more than a year of the first meeting to share development among the member countries regarding selection of routes.

The first expert group meeting was held at the end of 2009 when negotiation on the draft regional agreements on establishment of road and railway links concluded without any significant progress.

The officials said the first meeting discussed about the draft railway agreement, but it could not bring the draft road vehicle agreement to the negotiation table due to objection of one member country.

"Pakistan was not ready to accept the draft road vehicle agreement, as the road network was proposed to proceed through the SAARC's latest member Afghanistan, where volatile situation might threaten the link," said a senior official.

He said discussion on the railway link agreement was limited because of poor drafting and lack of clear direction.

The officials said during the upcoming meeting, Bangladesh team, led by additional secretary Iftekhar Haider, is likely to recommend some alternative rail-routes to ensure setting up of the proposed SAARC railway link.

The draft agreement proposed establishing Lahore-Delhi-Kolkata-Dhaka-Imphal, Karachi-Khokhrapar-Munabao-Jodhpur, Birganj-Raxaul-Kolkata Port/Haldia, Birganj-Katinagar-Chittagong Port, and Colombo-Chennai links for transporting passenger and cargo.

The Ministry of Communications after homework for over a year has planned to propose connectivity from Dhaka to Kolkata either through Darshana or Benapole. It is likely to propose two more routes, considering the country's two ports and making Ishwardi as hub.

Besides, Birganj-Rockson-Katihar rail-link through Singabad of Bangladesh will be proposed to have connectivity with Nepal.

s.yogendra

January 26th, 2011, 10:01 AM

Running of Special Train between Bijapur and Solapur
Hubli
Dt. 24.01.11

PRESS RELEASE
Sub: Running of Special Train between Bijapur and Solapur.
****
Railway administration will run a Special Train no. 06905/06906, Solapur – Bijapur – Solapur Passenger w.e.f. 25-01-2011.
The new special train will leave Bijapur from 25.01.2011 and Ex Solapur from 26.01.2011.
The composition of the train is: Two Second Class Sleeper, Four Second Class coaches and two second class with brake & luggage: Total eight coaches.
The train no. 06906 will leave Bijapur at 19.55 hrs and will reach Solapur at 22.40 hrs. Train no. 06905 will leave Solapur at 04.45 hrs and will reach Bijapur at 07.00 hrs.

http://www.swr.indianrailways.gov.in...Web_PR_242.doc

s.yogendra

January 26th, 2011, 10:06 AM

Yeshwantpur-Tirupati INTERCITY EXPRESS INAGURATED BY CM
Bangalore, January 25, DHNS:

The work on upgrading the City Railway station into a world-class facility would begin as soon as the land is allotted, Union Minister of State for Railways K H Muniyappa has said.

Speaking to presspersons after flagging off Yeshwantpur-Tirupati train here on Tuesday, the Minister said the proposal to develop the city railway station on a public-private-partnership basis could take wings only if the state government allotted the required land.

Wish list submitted

Refusing to divulge more on the coming Railway budget, Muniyappa said Tumkur-Davangere and Harihar-Shimoga lines would get a mention in the budget. The land for Bagalkot-Kuduchi line was yet to be acquired.

The 60-km stretch is estimated to be constructed at a cost of Rs 960 crore. He said Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa has already submitted a wishlist to Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Of the ten trains announced for the Bangalore Division, seven including the one flagged off on Tuesday have been introduced, Muniyappa said.

The Yeshwantpur-Tirupati triweekly intercity express departs from Yeshwantpur (No. 12543) at 7.20 am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays and reaches Tirupati at 1.30 pm. In the return direction, the train (No. 12544) departs from Tirupati at 2.50 pm on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays and arrives in Yeshwantpur at 8.55 pm.

The train has stoppages at K R Puram, Bangarpet junction , Katpadi junction and Pakala.
Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa and Energy Minister Shobha Karandlaje were present.

Bombay2Calcutta

January 26th, 2011, 10:25 AM

Bihar-CM demands Duronto trains for state
PATNA: Chief minister Nitish Kumar has urged railway minister Mamata Banerjee to introduce Duronto trains in Bihar.

Kumar made the demand while flagging off two new trains, Patna-Sasaram daily passenger (53659- 53660) and Darbhanga-Patna-Mumbai weekly Karmabhoomi Express (12545 -12546), at a function at Patna Junction on Tuesday. He said though the railway network has spread in Bihar, the number of passengers has also increased during the past few years. "Passengers' requirements need to be fulfilled. Bihar urgently needs Duronto trains and I would urge the railway minister to consider this demand while preparing the railway budget for 2011-12," he said.

Reiterating the state's demand for the Patna-Digha line for its conversion into a four-lane road, Kumar said though the railway minister has in principle agreed to hand over the land to the state government, the matter has been hanging fire. The construction of four-lane roads on the route would decongest traffic in the city after the Digha-Sonepur rail-cum-road bridge is commissioned, he added.

Assuring the railways of all assistance from the state, Kumar said people must cooperate with railways for smoothly running trains. "Disrupting railway traffic or damaging railways' property is a crime. Railways is the national property which must be protected," he said.

Incidentally, the Patna-Ara-Sasaram line was sanctioned when Kumar was the railway minister.

ECR GM K K Srivastava welcomed the guests while Danapur DRM Gyan Prakash Srivastava extended a vote of thanks.

Read more: CM demands Duronto trains for state - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/CM-demands-Duronto-trains-for-state/articleshow/7362802.cms#ixzz1C8EQoG1D

s.yogendra

January 26th, 2011, 12:21 PM

Commodity-Wise Freight Revenue by Railways Goes up by 6.27 Per Cent During April-December 2010

The Railways have generated Rs. 44789.55 crore of revenue earnings from commodity-wise freight traffic during April-December 2010 as compared to Rs. 42146.97 crore during the corresponding period last year, registering an increase of 6.27 per cent. Railways carried 673.31 million tonnes of commodity-wise freight traffic during April-December 2010 as compared to 652.63 million tonnes carried during the corresponding period last year, registering an increase of 3.17 per cent. The Net Tonne Kilo Metres (NTKM) went up from 429729 million during April-December 2009 to 444515 million during April-December 2010, showing an increase of 3.44 per cent.

Out of the total earnings of Rs. 5337.23 crore from commodity-wise freight traffic during the month of December 2010, Rs. 2061.37 crore came from transportation of 36.89 million tonnes of coal, followed by Rs. 787.82 crore from 10.62 million tonnes of iron ore for exports, steel plants and for other domestic user, Rs. 448.73 crore from 7.97 million tonnes of cement, Rs. 381.91 crore from 4.72 million tonnes of fertilizers, Rs. 359.69 crore from 3.60 million tonnes of foodgrains, Rs. 292.17 crore from 3.38 million tonnes of petroleum oil and lubricant (POL), Rs. 299.80 crore from 2.78 million tonnes of Pig iron and finished steel from steel plants and other points, Rs. 86.05 crore from 1.12 million tonnes of raw material for steel plants except iron ore, Rs. 256.83 crore from 2.97 million tonnes by container service and Rs. 363.86 crore from 5.83 million tonnes of other goods.

AKS/HK/LK/TR

http://www.pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=69352

s.yogendra

January 26th, 2011, 12:22 PM

Two RPF Officers awarded President’s Police medal for Distinguished Service
14 RPF Personnel awarded Indian Police medal for Meritorious Services

17:7 IST

Her Excellency the President of India has been pleased to award 16 Railway Protection Force (RPF)/Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) personnel for their exemplary services on the occasion of Republic Day, 2011.

President’s Police Medal for distinguished service to:

1. Shri Sanjay Kumar, Director (Vig) Railway Board.

2. Shri Santosh Kumar Roy, ASC, Railway Board.

Indian Police Medal for meritorious service to:

1. Shri. B.B.Mishra, DIG/South Central Railway, Secundrabad.

2. Shri R.S.Prasad, ASC/RPF/East Central Railway, Hajipur.

3. Shri M.P.Sharma, IPF/North Central Railway, Allahabad.

4. Shri J.V.Mahale, ASI/Western Railway, Mumbai.

5. Shri A.S.Gupta, IPF/Northeast Frontier Railway, Maligaon.

6. Shri M.F.Mohideen, IPF/Southern Railway, Chennai.

7. Shri R.P.Pandey, DVR/West Central Railway, Jabalpur.

8. Shri I.P.Dwivedi, HC/West Central Railway, Jabalpur.

9. Shri Mallikarjuna, SI/South Western Railway, Hubli.

10. Shri Phagoo Singh, IPF/North Eastern railway, Gorakhpur.

11. Shri Mahendra Sharma, SI/Armr./RPSE/10th BN.

12. Shri Chhote Lal, HC/RPSF/4th BN.

13. Shri V.Natesan, HC/RPSF/5th BN.

14. Shri Laxmikant Choudhry, SI/RPSF/6th BN.

AKS/HK/LK/TR

http://www.pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=69352

Bombay2Calcutta

January 27th, 2011, 07:19 AM

India gets 1st green rly station

Dwaipayan Ghosh | TNN

New Delhi: Railways has inaugurated India’s first green station at Manwal on the Jammu-Udhampur rail route.
With the tiny station facing frequent power cuts, it has been a provided a supply of solar power. “A request was made to J&K SEB for providing reliable electric power supply to this station...it was planned to generate onsite renewable energy through solar panels, said A S Negi, spokesperson, Northern Railway.
Sources said that now station lighting and fans are working on solar power. The state electric supply is a standby source, which can be used in case of any failure of solar system. Electric Load of S&T installations and one water cooler is on state electric supply. Additional Solar panels for increasing backup for power supply and standalone lights for complete platform lighting are planned to be provided for further improvement in the system after the trials are successful.
To reduce the existing load at the small station, some surplus fittings have been removed and energy efficient T-5 fittings, 60W fans, new exhaust fans (55 Watt) and CFLs have installed.
‘‘We have used 28 solar panels (Each 12V, 70W) have been used in two groups of 14 panels each,” said Negi.
“Station building load has been segregated in two portions. Each portion is being fed by one group of solar panels. The complete work has been done departmentally by arranging solar panels from Kapurthala rail coach factory and Solar charge controllers have been purchased from market. All wiring, installation, commissioning has been done departmentally without any outside assistance,” he said.

MxC

January 27th, 2011, 08:07 AM

^^
Good to know about it. Though the "green" term has been overemphasized in this instance as a solar panel installation alone doesn't qualifies a building as green.

MxC

January 27th, 2011, 08:11 AM

Bombay2Calcutta

January 28th, 2011, 05:46 AM

Bombay2Calcutta

January 28th, 2011, 05:47 AM

BS (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/rly-financial-position-worsens-all-ppp-projects-puthold/123562/on)

Rly financial position worsens: All PPP projects put on hold

Press Trust of India / New Delhi January 27, 2011, 9:42 IST

Faced with a financial crisis, Railways have put on hold all PPP projects including proposed plants at Kanchrapara in West Bengal and Madhepura and Marhora in Bihar.

Railways have to commit approximately Rs 8,000 crore per annum for these three projects - an EMU/coach factory at Kanchrapara, diesel locomotive factory at Marhora and electric locomotive plant at Madhepura - for assured purchase orders.

"In the current situation, the railways is finding it difficult to commit for the assured offtakes," sources in the Railway Ministry said and added that "due to the fund crunch, railways have put a temporary hold on these PPP projects and have set up a committee to examine how funds can be provided to PPP projects and also to its own production units."

Multinational companies mainly from the USA and Europe are involved in the bidding of these three PPP projects in Kanchrapara, Marhora and Madhepura.

"The committee comprising six senior railway officials is to examine how assured purchase contracts can be provided because railways also have their own production units. If assured offtakes are entertained then there will be very little funds left for its own units," they said.

Railways' annual purchase is estimated at Rs 15,000 cr to Rs 18,000 crore for wagons, coaches and locos.

"If Rs 8000 crore is being kept for the three PPP projects then limited funds will be left for its own production units as well as for purchase of wagons," they said.

The committee has to examine the contradictory demands on railway funds. The committee has been given 15 days time to suggest ways and means to fund PPP projects as well as its own production units.

"So till the committee's report, there is a temporary hold on all these three projects," the sources said.

MxC

January 28th, 2011, 05:57 AM

^^ True We should not expect much on India's western front , but things are moving on the eastern front with the relationship stenthening between India and Bangladesh. Nepal and Bhutan will automatically benefit from it.

Second that. It's been heartening to read various news about the growing relation with our eastern neighbors. Considering the geography of this region and its current development status, it should be a win-win situation for all the countries/regions assuming it's all planned and executed in a proper manner.

adam_india

January 28th, 2011, 08:33 AM

Source (http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/more.php?news_id=124067&date=2011-01-26)
SAARC experts meet in Nepal Jan 30 on connectivity

The draft agreement proposed establishing Lahore-Delhi-Kolkata-Dhaka-Imphal, Karachi-Khokhrapar-Munabao-Jodhpur, Birganj-Raxaul-Kolkata Port/Haldia, Birganj-Katinagar-Chittagong Port, and Colombo-Chennai links for transporting passenger and cargo.

Have they forgotten there is the sea in between?

Bombay2Calcutta

January 28th, 2011, 09:02 AM

Have they forgotten there is the sea in between?

No, there used to be something called as Boat mail before 1965 . It used to connect Madras to Dhanushkodi . Then a ferry used to carry the passengers to Talaimannar in Ceylon, from where another train went to Colombo. In 1964 the boat mail was washed into the sea by huge waves during a cyclone, and the tracks to Dhanushkodi were also destroyed. There must be plans to revive that.
Alternatively there is also a thinking of building a road cum rail bridge between the 2 nearest points which is just 19 kms apart.

rupakd

January 28th, 2011, 10:26 AM

SCR records highest growth rate among all zones

The South Central Railway has recorded the highest incremental growth rate among all the 16 zones of the Indian Railways with 16.3 per cent growth in gross earnings, said Vijayawada Divisional Railway Manager Anurag here on Wednesday. He said 39 stations have been chosen for up-gradation as Adarsh stations.

Speaking at the 62nd Republic Day celebrations at Rail Stadium, Mr. Anurag elaborated on the milestones of the SCR during the current financial year. He unfurled the national flag and inspected the parade presented by the Railway Protection Force personnel and the contingents of Scouts and Guides.

“The zone proposes to commission 171 km of new lines during the current financial year and completion of 106 km of doubling. About 72 km of electrification works and 25 road-over-bridges have also been proposed during the current financial year,” he said. These apart, 12 escalators and 30 lifts have also been sanctioned for 14 stations at a cost of Rs.10 crore, he added.

On the occasion, Mr. Anurag released the second edition of “Vijay Rath”, the quarterly Hindi news bulletin of the division. The celebrations also featured cultural programmes by students of Railway schools. The programmes depicted nationalism and social harmony and won the applause of the audience. Additional Divisional Railway Manager B. Jaya Raj, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager K. Sambasiva Rao, Senior Divisional Security Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Mishra and Senior Divisional Personnel Officer Siddharth Kati and others were present. The Hindu

Bombay2Calcutta

January 28th, 2011, 04:29 PM

Source (http://www.steelguru.com/indian_news/Kerala_to_appoint_consultant_for_rail_corridor_feasibility_study/188230.html)
Kerala to appoint consultant for rail corridor feasibility study

Friday, 28 Jan 2011The Kerala Government is planning to appoint a consultant to undertake a detailed feasibility study for the proposed North-South high speed rail corridor in the State.

According to Mr Elamaram Kareem minister for industries and commerce, the study for the project linking Thiruvananthapuram in the South with Manjeswaram in Kasaragod district in the North, will be conducted with the support of the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation and the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation.

The Minister, while inaugurating the 14th annual convention of Calicut Management Association said the Principal Secretary, Industries, and Managing Director of KSIDC, had already approached a Japan based consultancy agency for taking up the feasibility study.

The cost of the project, based on discussions with Mr E Sreedharan MD of DMRC, would be around INR 50,000 crore.

Mr Kareem said there was good progress in the formal discussions being held with the Tamil Nadu Government for implementing the proposed Kochi-Coimbatore freight corridor.

(Sourced from

adam_india

January 28th, 2011, 05:12 PM

Alternatively there is also a thinking of building a road cum rail bridge between the 2 nearest points which is just 19 kms apart.

Then what happens to Setu samudram? Is it finally dead?

Bombay2Calcutta

January 28th, 2011, 06:30 PM

Then what happens to Setu samudram? Is it finally dead?

The Setu Samudram project was nothing to do with the road and rail connectivity . It is regardiing a channel that is required to be built connecting the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk bay for movement of ships connecting the West Coast of India to the East coast and thus saving on time for Ships having to do a round trip through Colombo and Galle. Not sure about the present state of the project , but there are lot of opposition for that from the environmentalist and the religious groups from both India and Sri Lanka . I am not sure if it will materialize soon.

Bombay2Calcutta

January 28th, 2011, 07:02 PM

Why Indian Railways is incurring losses under Mamata (http://www.rediff.com/business/slide-show/slide-show-1-budget-2011-railway-why-the-railways-under-mamata-are-incurring-loss/20110128.htm)

vlakshmi_n

January 28th, 2011, 07:20 PM

^^ Because IR currently is WB railway under mamtha & also IR is not able to manipulate the profits like Lallu :bash:

Bombay2Calcutta

January 29th, 2011, 06:56 PM

Source (http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/other-states/article1137196.ece)
Mamata lays foundation stone of signalling component unit

Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee today laid the foundation stone of Rail Electronics Signalling component unit here and also flagged off the New CoochBehar-Malda Town DEMU train.

Ms. Banerjee said a sum of Rs 127 crore has been earmarked for the Rail Electronics Signalling component unit which would be set up here.

She said the New CoochBehar-Malda Town DEMU train would be of immense help to the people of CoochBehar, Jalpaiguri and Malda districts.

The railway minister said as per the demand of the people of CoochBehar district, the Guwahati-New Delhi Garib Rath would have a halt at New CoochBehar station.

She also said that work on the New Maynaguri-Jogbani railway line would be completed soon.

Union Minister of State for Shipping Mukul Roy was also present on the occasion.

After the function here, Ms. Banerjee left for Siliguri and Jalpaiguri where she would flag off three long distance mail/ express trains New Jalpaiguri-Amritsar weekly express, New Jalpaiguri-Chennai central weekly express and New Jalpaiguri-Darbhanga weekly express.

She would dedicate upgradation of wagon maintenance and stabling facility at New Jalpaguri.

Bombay2Calcutta

January 29th, 2011, 07:17 PM

Source (http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4861528)
First jerk-free Duranto to roll out from RCF soon

Kapurthala, Jan 29 (PTI) Country�s first jerk-free Duranto train is all set to roll out from the Rail Coach factory here within a few days, a top rail officer said today.
The new train will run on Mumbai-Secundrabad section in February, RCF General Manager Pardeep Kumar said.
The train has been fitted with tight-lock couplers, imported from Sweden, to ensure smooth ride, he said.
These double-cushioned couplers are being used in high-speed trains abroad and have been tested by the Research Development and Standard Organization in Sweden, the rail officer said.
Earlier, one-side cushioned couplers were being used in the coaches, he said.
If the experiment is successful, then old couplers in all Shatabdi and Rajdhani trains would be replaced with the new ones, the GM said.
The RCF has also developed biological toilets to keep rail tracks clean, he said.
The first rake of coaches with biological toilets has been running successfully on the Gwalior-Varanasi section, Kumar said.
The RCF has rolled out 1219 coaches of different types in the first nine months of this fiscal and will achieve the target to manufacture 1600 coaches during the year, he said.
The production of stainless steel coaches has also been doubled this year, the GM said.

Bombay2Calcutta

January 29th, 2011, 07:20 PM

Source (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/railways/multi-functional-complexes-at-five-stations-soon/articleshow/7384082.cms)
Multi functional complexes at five stations soon

NEW DELHI: Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) today announced appointment of private developers for development of Multi Functional Complexes (MFCs) at five stations - Cuttack, Dehradun, Jhansi, Katra and Nanded.

Railways have introduced the concept of MFC at railway stations beginning year 2009-10 for developing facilities for rail users at one centralised complex.

Indian Railways operate more than 7000 stations across the country.

"The aim is to upgrade the existing amenities for the rail users in cities having tourist and religious importance by way of developing the land/air space at railway stations, said a senior Railway Ministry official.

MFCs are being developed through private investment to provide rail users with facilities such as shopping, food stalls/ restaurants, book stalls, ATMs, medicines and variety stores, budget hotels, parking etc.

RLDA, a statutory authority established by Railway Ministry for generating non-tariff revenue from railway land, had appointed Knight Frank India as marketing consultant for the first six MFCs to be developed through private parties. Out of the six MFCs, five MFCs were awarded to Keshari Estates Ltd (Cuttack), Janak Holdings (Dehradun and Nanded), Bhagwati Infraestate Pvt. Ltd. (Jhansi) and MGC Estates (Katra).

A total 86 MFCs will be developed by RLDA across the country through private parties as part of the second phase of the MFC project announced in the rail budget in the year 2010-11. Bidding for the second phase is to be initiated soon.

sidney_jec

January 29th, 2011, 08:37 PM

World8115

January 30th, 2011, 05:59 AM

Bombay2Calcutta

January 30th, 2011, 10:00 AM

WORK ON TRACK

Railbus service to Bagdogra by Mar 31

Jayanta Gupta | TNN

Siliguri: A railbus service between Siliguri and Aluabari via Bagdogra will start by March 31, railways minister Mamata Banerjee announced on Saturday. According to her, the railbuses have already arrived and laying of tracks would be completed soon. This would be the first railbus service in the country.
Northeast Frontier Railway officials said that work on a bridge needs to be completed before services start. They expect work to be completed by the end of March. Mamata directed officials to start the service even if she can’t make it to north Bengal due to the Election Commission’s model code of conduct.
While flagging-off several trains from Siliguri, Mamata also laid the foundation stone for a railway link between Jogbani (Bihar) and Biratnagar in Nepal. This is one of the five links planned between India and Nepal as per a trade treaty between the two countries. There are also plans to start another railway link between India and Bangladesh via North Dinajpur.
According to Mamata, the running over of elephants by trains in north Bengal was a mischief played by CPM. She claimed that the state forest department did not bother to attend a meeting with the railways on the subject. As per a decision taken in the meeting, the state forest department is to warn the railways of possible elephant movement in the forests of north Bengal but this never happens. “We too are distressed about the death of wild animals but are not receiving support from the state. On the other hand, the forest department is trying to stall the project between Sivok and Rangpo on the behest of the CPM,” the railways minister said.
Advertisement

sgups

January 30th, 2011, 04:00 PM

vlakshmi_n

January 30th, 2011, 10:37 PM

^^ It's her election gimmick to say "first in the country", hope she is removed as RM soon.

vlakshmi_n

January 31st, 2011, 06:20 AM

Indigenisation of many products at Rail Wheel Factory (http://www.hindu.com/2011/01/31/stories/2011013152940500.htm)

RDSO certification will mean India is self-sufficient in rail wheel production.
Micro alloy loco wheels are said to be long-lasting compared to imported loco wheels

The Rail Wheel Factory, Yelahanka, here has succeeded in designing, developing and manufacturing of various rail wheels that hitherto were being imported. The factory has designed, developed, manufactured and tested electrical multiple unit wheels, loco wheels by micro alloy, vanadium micro alloy coaching wheels for Integrated Coach Factory (ICF) coaches and cast Linke Holfmann Bush (LHB) wheels. According to factory's general manager R.K. Upadhyay, improvisation and indigenisation have become the key words so as to reduce the country's import burden in rail wheels.

Sources told The Hindu that the micro alloy loco wheels were said to be long-lasting compared to imported loco wheels. “This technology has been developed by Rail Wheel Factory in-house and will go a long way in improving the quality of locos,” they said. Similar to this will be the quality of micro alloy wheels meant for ICF coaches, which are used as passenger coaches. Indian Railways has been using the LHB wheels on its coaches for Shatabdi, Rajdhani, mail and express trains for enhanced ride quality and safety. The German technology-based LHB coaches, which were initially imported, are being manufactured under transfer of technology licence at the Kapurtala Rail Coach Factory. Rail Wheel Factory has conducted trials on these LHB wheels too. Mr. Upadhyay said all these products had been sent to the Research, Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) of the Indian Railways for certification. Once these products were certified, the factory would start manufacturing these wheels while the country would become self-sufficient in rail wheel production, he said. The factory has also taken up two designs of wheels for ABB and Electro Motive Division of General Motors, U.S..

Surplus

Meanwhile, Indian Railways is expected to add capacity in manufacture of rail wheels once Rail Wheel Factory at Chapra in Bihar becomes functional by next year. “Chapra will have an annual installed capacity to manufacture one lakh wheels. This is in addition to Rail Wheel Factory, Yelahanka, which now manufactures about 1.3 lakh wheels, 50,000 wheel sets and over 53,000 axles, annually,” the sources said. Since the Chapra unit could reduce the burden of wheel manufacturing, Rail Wheel Factory, Yelahanka, could concentrate on production on wheels developed using new technologies, the sources added

rupakd

January 31st, 2011, 07:36 AM

NR general manager inaugurates hospital

Local railway authorities hired sweepers for ensuring cleanliness at the city railway station on Friday in view of the visit of Northern Railway general manager SK Budhlakoti, who had reached here for the inauguration of railway hospital. Outsourcing had become necessary, as there are only two sweepers at the city railway station.

After inaugurating the railway hospital Budhlakoti informed that they are going to upgrade the security at the city railway station by installing close circuit cameras at Jammu, Ludhiana, Amritsar and Jalandhar stations. Total cost of this project is Rs 38 crores. Regarding demand of Shatabdi from city he said that they could start train between Ludhiana and Delhi, but after seeing the actual demand.

Budhlakoti informed that they were trying their level best to complete the line between Ludhiana and Chandigarh by the end of 2011 but divisional railway manager Vishlesh Chaubey, who was sitting next to GM, said that it would take another 20 months. About the under construction foot over bridge Chaubey informed that they would dedicate it to the pubic by the end of 2011.

The hospital has been upgraded for providing treatment to railway employees. New wards, ECG centre and operation theatre were also been inaugurated for the employees. There are over 6000 railway employees who visit railway hospital for their treatment and they had been seeking better treatment facilities. The railway employees from Ludhiana, Phillaur, Sahnewal and other adjoining areas come here for treatment. TNN

MxC

January 31st, 2011, 01:24 PM

anujkb

January 31st, 2011, 03:34 PM

MxC

January 31st, 2011, 07:06 PM

u dont know a railbus?

its just like a tram.

right now 3 rialbuses are active AFAIK

1. merta road-merta city (rajasthan)
2. mathura-Vrindavan
3. somewhere in vishakhapatanam

Search the IRFCA gallery for railbuses ......

Thanks. I do understand that. What I do not understand is what is behind to make it something of a unique kind. Ok, consider the below random example from IRFCA gallery ...

http://www.irfca.org/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=87520&g2_serialNumber=5

If you look at the base, it seems like any other regular IR coach. So what is it that makes it different from the regular stuff; for if it's just the seating arrangement inside, then we already have a variety of classes on the IR system, but we do not call them as different types of trains. Or just like MEMU, DMU, we are calling them railbus. What actually then is the differentiating characteristic(s) of a railbus that makes it one.

Edit: If the image above is not appearing for you, I'm referring to http://www.irfca.org/gallery/Suburban/Railbus/IMG_0239.JPG.html

MxC

January 31st, 2011, 07:10 PM

A sensible decision IMO as nowadays agents will corner away all tatkal seats as soon as they open, esp on busy routes, and then they will sell it a premium due to lack of ID proof requirement.

Here's the TOI news (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Tatkal-ticket-holders-will-now-have-to-carry-ID-proof/articleshow/7396981.cms) and the most relevant quote from it:

"Dogged with complaints of alleged irregularities in the 'tatkal scheme', Railways have directed that passengers travelling on such tickets must produce proof of their identity from February 11 onwards."

Edit: I don't know what happened, but probably something went wrong during ^C/^V and now the title of this post is somewhat weird :)

raghussc

February 1st, 2011, 12:24 AM

u dont know a railbus?

its just like a tram.

right now 3 rialbuses are active AFAIK

1. merta road-merta city (rajasthan)
2. mathura-Vrindavan
3. somewhere in vishakhapatanam

Search the IRFCA gallery for railbuses ......

Not Vishakapatnam, but a railbus runs between Kakinada and Kotipalli .. here are some picsZ:

http://indiarailinfo.com/file/blog/post/97792/0/901643745c08275b2c9.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1057/901643845_d129c32460.jpg

bhargavsura

February 1st, 2011, 02:55 AM

^^

Nice concept. Any idea whats the distance between the two places?

Bombay2Calcutta

February 1st, 2011, 09:28 PM

Source (http://www.sify.com/news/trains-to-soon-connect-cooch-behar-jaipur-mamata-news-national-lb3qOggeach.html)
Trains to soon connect Cooch Behar, Jaipur: Mamata

2011-01-29 16:50:00

Cooch Behar (West Bengal), Jan 29 (IANS) Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee Saturday said a new train connecting Cooch Behar and Jaipur in Rajasthan will be announced shortly to honour Gayatri Devi, the last queen of the Jaipur royal family.

'The people of Cooch Behar have requested me to run train services between Cooch Behar and Jaipur. I have assured them that a train christened 'Rajkanya' will be announced shortly,' said Banerjee at a programme here.

Gayatri Devi, born May 23, 1919, was the daughter of Maharaja Jitendra Narayan of Cooch Behar. She was married to Maharaja Sawai Man Singh of the Jaipur royal family in 1939. She died in 2009. Gayatri Devi was a famous columnist and photographer.

Banerjee flagged off a diesel electric multiple unit train connecting New Cooch Behar and Malda town and laid the foundation stone for a Rail Electronics Signal Component Factory.

'We have no minister from North Bengal. We have a few MLAs and 19 MPs from South Bengal districts. In spite of that, we are implementing railway projects across the state for welfare of the people,' said Banerjee.

She also said: 'Without having any seat in the state Assembly or in the Lok Sabha from North Bengal, we have done a lot for the people of the region. In last one year, several railway projects have been implemented for the development of North Bengal.

'Had we possessed any MLA or MP seat from here, a lot more work could have been done for the people of North Bengal,' she added.

shanware

February 1st, 2011, 11:22 PM

She's not even pretending to be the Railway minister for the whole country now :).....gives a completely different meaning to the term minister of state :)

vlakshmi_n

February 2nd, 2011, 06:53 AM

A similar railbus runs between Bangarpet & Kolar in Karnataka.

http://www.deccanherald.com/images/editor_images/July%202010/July%206%202010/bangarpet.jpg

Also one more railbus (MG) was running between Shimoga & Talaguppa prior to BG conversion - This railbus is a being run like a tourist train near Mysore on the heritage bridge.

http://www.deccanherald.com/images/editor_images/July%202010/July%206%202010/talaguppa.jpg

CC : DH

sgups

February 2nd, 2011, 08:38 PM

don't forget there is a railbus on the Kalka Simla (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJDFckBOT0k&feature=player_detailpage)route as well..

anidel

February 3rd, 2011, 04:21 PM

"Black beauties" fire up India's railway tourism

By Rohan Dua

NEW DELHI | Thu Feb 3, 2011 3:47am EST

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - The pounding of pistons, the rhythmic chuff of a locomotive and storybook names such as "Fairy Queen" are all part of the allure of India's old-fashioned steam railways, which once tied together this vast nation.

Now, heritage train aficionados are turning their passion towards the foreign tourist market, hoping for even more attention -- and preservation -- for the "Iron Ladies" they love.

"Steam heritage tourism is a potential tourism sector for the country," said Ashwani Lohani, Divisional Railway Manager, Delhi, Indian Railways.

"The presence of raw fire that fires raw power in the belly of steam locomotives attracts tourists, and the unique sound, the rocking gait, the shrill whistle, the throbbing body and an open design... are features that impart an irresistible charm to these black beauties," he added.

Lohani, once director of India's National Rail Museum and who piloted the historic run of the Fairy Queen, an 1855 steam locomotive recognised by Guinness World Records as the world's oldest working locomotive, is hardly alone in his passion.

There are several fan clubs on social networking websites, as well as magazines and blogs about travel to unusual places.

Others pour their hearts into fashioning model trains or dreaming about doing so. A museum dedicated to train miniatures in the western city of Pune has over 400 working model trains which draw more than 500 people every week.

"There are people who come to purchase these models and stock them in their drawing rooms and there are those who just admire them but can't afford to buy them because of their price, which vary from $100 to $300," said Ravi Joshi, who runs the museum.

Now, with a growing number of foreign visitors coming for vacations and even weddings in India, tour operators are hoping to cash in on increasingly broad interest.

TOURISM STEAMING AHEAD

"There was a time when foreign travellers will be interested to travel only by luxury tourist trains of India such as Palace on Wheels," said Ashok Sharma at travel firm Real India Journeys.

"Now there are hard-line steam railway travellers and photographers who come in huge groups every week. We refer to them as 'narrow-gauged' or 'single-tracked.'"

Some 80 foreign tourists rode the Fairy Queen during its last season of roughly 12 to 14 runs, while more than 1,200 visited the National Rail Museum from October to December last year.

Yet despite growing interest, train enthusiasts feel efforts towards preservation have been few and far between after a noticeable decline in the number of steam trains two decades ago.

"Many countries, especially the UK, retained a sizable number of steam locomotives, primarily for the twin causes of heritage and tourism. India also could have retained more of steam than what it has," said Lohani from Indian Railways.

Passengers to catch a cricket match live on train

Passengers could soon watch their favourite TV programmes or catch a cricket match live on a train journey if things go as planned by the Railways.

The entertainment solution would soon be rolled out in the flagship Shatabdi Express trains by Northern Railway, which is currently holding talks with several vendors in this regard.

“We would put the project on a pilot scale on a single coach of Kalka Shatabdi express to begin with from March 1 to examine its outcome,” said a top Railway official.

If the pilot project proves successful, Railways will float expression of interest inviting the vendors, the official said.

The privileged lot watching the programmes would be those travelling in executive class, where the TV monitors would be fixed behind the seat, providing them a veritable in—flight type of experience, he said.

The official, however, refused to disclose the investment pattern for the venture, though he made it clear that Railways would stay away from any investment commitments.

“The best financial model is being worked which would also suit the vendor offering the entertainment service,” he said, adding that one of the sources of revenue generation for them could also be through advertisements.

The development comes before the launch of the in-house magazine of the Indian Railways on April 16.

The magazine ‘Rail Bandhu’ would be served in these premier trains free of cost, and passengers would be encouraged to take the copy with them.

Two—third of the magazine will have content while one-third will be reserved for advertisement, providing the railways additional source of revenue generation from advertisements.

The inaugural copy will also have a message from Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee.

http://www.thehindu.com/business/companies/article1153390.ece

Bombay2Calcutta

February 3rd, 2011, 08:50 PM

Source (http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4880151)
Nagpur to manufacture Railways'' green toilets

New Delhi, Feb 3 (PTI) Railways is finalising a proposal to manufacture new design eco-friendly toilets in Nagpur in a step towards its commitment for cleaner environment and to prevent damage to rail tracks.
"Efforts are on for installation of green toilets in trains and field trials are on for the purpose. These newly designed eco-friendly lavatories are likely to be manufactured in Nagpur," a senior Railway Ministry official said.
The proposal for manufacturing green toilets in Nagpur is likely to find a mention in the Rail Budget on February 25.
Railways is carrying out field trials for various types of green toilets, including controlled discharge toilet system, zero discharge toilet system and bio-toilet based on bio-digester technology, in about 90 passenger trains.
"Trials for bio-toilets based on bio-degradable technology are being carried out in Bundelkhand Express between Gwalior and Varanasi...These bio-toilets are in use in Siachen," he said.
The Railways had signed a MoU with DRDO for development for bio-toilets for rail coaches.
Rail tracks get corroded because of the discharge from toilets and the new design green toilets would prevent the damage to the tracks, the official said.
The feasibility trial for the zero-discharge toilet developed by RDSO and IIT where the solid waste is separated and the treated liquid is recycled for flushing is complete, he said.
The Railways is also considering to introduce vacuum retention toilet, like the one in aircraft, in all Shatabdi trains and preparations are afoot to go for global tendering for manufacturing of vacuum retention toilets, the official said.
However, the official said, "Rail users involvement and support is critical for the success of new system as objects like bottles, napkins, poly bags, gutka pouches and cigarettes would choke the new design bio-toilets." PTI ARU

Bombay2Calcutta

February 4th, 2011, 07:37 PM

ET (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/jobs/railways-to-recruit-around-3-lakh-people-mamata-banerjee/articleshow/7427914.cms)
Railways to recruit around 3 lakh people: Mamata Banerjee

HALDIA(WEST BENGAL): The Indian Railways will recruit 2.5 lakh to 3 lakh people in the next six months across the country, union Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee said here Friday.

"We will take 2.5 lakh - 3 lakh people all over the country. But I am sure we will get over three crore job applications," Banerjee said at a railway programme in this industrial town.

"The written tests will be held throughout the country over several days and the entire process will take over six months," she added.

The railways minister laid the foundation of a diesel multiple unit here, a wagon component factory to be set up in nearby Jellingham and the second Haldia dock complex of Kolkata port at the function.

The diesel unit project was shifted here from Howrah district's Sankrail following anti-land acquisition protests.

"Only one percent of people instigated by the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) were opposing the project at Sankrail. Ninety nine percent people wanted it there. And I know if I had waited, things would have been sorted out," the minister said.

The diesel multiple unit factory will be set up on 42.5 acres of railway land and produce 96 coaches per year in phase 1 and 500 coaches in phase 2.

At Jellingham, the Steel Authority of India, railway and central public sector unit Burn Standard and Braithwaite will join hands to set up the wagon component factory.

SSCaddict

February 5th, 2011, 05:51 AM

^^ 3 lac more :nuts:

they will surely run into huge losses soon :bash:

vlakshmi_n

February 5th, 2011, 06:03 AM

This lady will sink the IR before she breathes out of this govt :bash:

bhargavsura

February 5th, 2011, 06:47 AM

so 300,000 in 6 months? That's probably one of the highest government recruiting in the world.

SSCaddict

February 5th, 2011, 09:52 AM

so 300,000 in 6 months? That's probably one of the highest government recruiting in the world.

maybe people retiring will be around 2-2.5lac... so net addition will be 50k-1lac maybe?

MxC

February 5th, 2011, 12:59 PM

or maybe ppl retiring are 5-6 lacs, and the net addition is actually reduction of 3 lacs :nuts:

vlakshmi_n

February 6th, 2011, 06:39 AM

^^ more # of retirees & less recruitment will never happen in IR, it as always been a surplus company with less efficency.

gentem

February 7th, 2011, 12:04 PM

Coach factory to roll out jerk-free Duronto rake (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Coach-factory-to-roll-out-jerk-free-Duronto-rake/articleshow/7400425.cms)
IP Singh, TNN, Feb 1, 2011, 03.21am IST
KAPURTHALA: The journey on Duronto train would be now jerk-free as the rail coach factory here has completed first rake with a new type of central buffer coupler, which joins the two bogies, with special focus on reducing jerks.

Manufactured by a Swedish company, the coupler has been produced to suit Indian requirements and conditions. Expected to be commissioned in second half of February, the rake would run on Secunderabad-Mumbai route. Its running would be monitored by Research, Design and Standard Organization and RCF, said RCF general manager Pardeep Kumar, who superannuated on Monday.

"Earlier, we had been using screw-type coupler but those did not mitigate the jerks. Then, we imported these couplers, which were being used in LHB type coaches. However, after the train length went beyond 10 coaches, the jerks again started. Then studies were made on these couplers to make it suitable for Indian conditions," he said.

The couplers would also absorb the shocks in case of any untoward incident, reducing the effect on passengers. After monitoring their performance and cost, the model would be replicated, Pardeep Kumar added.

Stainless steel coaches

In the past two years, the production of stainless steel coaches increased four times though it requires more manpower and skill. While earlier, it was 100 coaches annually, this fiscal the RCF would be rolling out around 450. The factory is set to touch the mark of 1,600 in a year, said GM Pardeep Kumar

First double decker AC rake

The first AC double-decker rake of Indian Railways produced by RCF rolled out in October last year for shuttling between Howrah and Dhanbad. Pardeep Kumar said the first prototype of these futuristic high-speed stainless steel coaches was rolled out on March 31 and rake was produced in around two-and-a-half months. While speed trials had been conducted at 180 km per hour, RDSO certified its capability to run at a speed of 160 kmph. While a Shatabdi coach was incurring a cost of Rs 2.3 crore, new coach cost Rs 2.5 crore but seating capacity increased by 70%. The oscillation tests revealed that its riding index was better than Shatabadi

Nano-painted

Stainless steel coaches of Shatabdi encrusted with pigmented nano-coating paint technology was rolled out in July 2009. These have improved exterior finish and better gloss. The ultra-thin top coat also has anti-graffiti and dust-repellent properties, which will keep its coaches free of slogan writing or spoiling by anti-social elements.

Green toilets

While the RCF bagged Greentech Environment Excellence Gold Award, GM said they had signed a MoU with DRDO to acquire bacterial technology. Three types of green toilets were being tested. Global tenders for these have also been floated, he revealed.

RO system

With focus on reducing the use of plastic bottles, RCF fitted RO systems in the double decker coaches. "Our thrust is to reduce the use of plastic bottles without compromising with the quality of water available to passengers", said GM Pardeep Kumar

anidel

February 7th, 2011, 04:38 PM

Indian Railways to set up four biodiesel plants

State-owned Indian Railways will set up four biodiesel plants at a cost of about Rs 120 crore (US$26.3 million).

Two plants will be commissioned at Raipur and Chennai during the next two years, and the other two units will be set up subsequently. Each plant, estimated to cost around Rs 30 crore (US$6.6 million), will produce 30 tons of biodiesel per day, or more than 9,000 tons a year (more than about 10.2 million liters per year, or about 2.7 million gallons US per year), the official said.

The biodiesel will be blended with petroleum diesel for running locomotives. Indian Railways currently uses about 2.2 billion liters (581 million gallons US) of diesel per year.

http://www.favstocks.com/indian-railways-to-set-up-four-biodiesel-plants/0632467/

:cheers::cheers:

Bombay2Calcutta

February 7th, 2011, 04:52 PM

Source (http://www.nr.indianrailways.gov.in/view_detail.jsp?lang=0&id=0,4,268&dcd=705&did=1297080403032109B731FF968005042490915CC16C6A8.web103)
EXTENSION OF NEW DELHI-GUWAHATI-NEW DELHI RAJDHANI UPTO DIBRUGARH

For the convenience of the rail passengers the 12236/12235 New Delhi-Guwahati-New Delhi Weekly Rajdhani Express train will be extended to run to/from Dibrugarth as per the programme:-

The 12236 New Delhi-Guwahati Weekly Rajdhani Express train will be extended to run upto Dibrugarh from 8.2.2011. The 12236 New Delhi-Guwahati Weekly Rajdhani Express train will depart from Guwahati at 07.20 p.m. to arrive at Dibrugath at 05.45 a.m. the next day. In the return direction the 12235 Dibrugarh-New Delhi Weekly Rajdhani Express train will depart from Dibrugarh from 10.2.2011 at 07.15 p.m. to arrive at Guwahati at 05.35 a.m. the next day and it will depart from Guwahati at 05.55 a.m. the same day for its onward journey to New Delhi. On the extended portion the 12236/12235 New Delhi-Guwahti-New DelhiWeekly Rajdhani Express train will stop at Lumding, Dimpu, Dimapur, Mariani Jn., Simaluguri Jn. and Moranhat station enrouthe in both the directions.

Bombay2Calcutta

February 7th, 2011, 04:54 PM

Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2011/02/07/stories/2011020761680300.htm)
Anand Vihar rail terminal making steady strides

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: Since its inauguration in December 2009, the Anand Vihar rail terminal has been making steady strides towards its eventual goal of catering to most East-bound trains with the number of train services originating out of the station gradually increasing over time.

In keeping with that, rail services of three more new trains -- the New Delhi–Guwahati North East Express, Hazrat Nizamuddin-Jaynagar Garib Rath Express and the Hazrat Nizamuddin-Rajender Nagar Garib Rath Express -- are being shifted to originate from or terminate at Anand Vihar terminal from this week.

Spread over 42 hectares, the Anand Vihar terminal was inaugurated by Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee in the presence of Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on December 19, 2009, in keeping with its modernisation plans and development of rail infrastructure.

On the occasion of opening of the station, a special train was started from the new terminal to run between Anand Vihar terminal and Lucknow. Thereafter a number of Holi special trains and other regular trains also started to originate from or terminate at this terminal. These trains included the Hazrat Nizamuddin-Bapu Dham Motihari Garib Rath, Anand Vihar Terminal-Varanasi Garib Rath and Anand Vihar Terminal-Jogbani Seemanchal Express.

Furthermore, several trains operating from other railway stations in Delhi were also shifted to originate from or terminate at this terminal. These trains included the Delhi Sarai Rohilla-Rajender Nagar Jansadharan Express, New Delhi-Sitamarhi Lichhavi Express, Delhi Junction-Hatia Jharkhand Swaran Jayanti Express and Bhagalpur-New Delhi Vikramshila Express and New Delhi-Muzaffarpur Sapt Kranti Express.

Northern Railway spokesperson Manish Tiwari said: “The railway stations of Delhi area -- Delhi Junction, New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin -- have been catering to long distance trains to all over the country. But since the number of trains and passengers have increased over the years there was a need to build a new station. Thus the Anand Vihar rail terminal was built and gradually more and more trains are being run from this station.”

Bombay2Calcutta

February 7th, 2011, 04:57 PM

Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2011/02/07/stories/2011020762590400.htm)
Commuter rail service for city still in limbo

Anil Kumar Sastry

Government wants it as an independent project; Railways yet to make a final plan
BANGALORE: The proposed commuter rail or circular rail for Bangalore, aimed at decongesting the roads as well as offering speedy journey to harried motorists, appears to be in limbo with the State Government and the Ministry of Railways toeing different lines.

While the Government is keen on having the service in place as a full-fledged and independent project, the Railways has been claiming that the Government is yet to respond to its gesture to run circular rail. “We have made a beginning by starting passenger train services to Hosur and Devanahalli from Yeshwanthpur and the Government is yet to fulfil its promise of funding for railway rakes,” sources in the South Western Railway claimed. Minister of State for Railways K.H. Muniyappa too said that the State Government is yet to offer land for constructing new railway lines for the proposed commuter rail system.

As a project

However, sources in the Government differed on the issue saying “What we want is commuter rail system as a project and not on piece-meal basis by running one or two trains to different locations. The Government is ready to prepare a detailed project report based on which things could move forward.”Ramanagaram, Magadi, Nelamangala, Doddaballapura, Devanahalli, Hoskote, Malur and Anekal need to be connected to the emerging traffic hubs within the city. This will offer speedy journey for those residing in these places to the city and back home. Such a commuter rail system has to be integrated with the Namma Metro project and city bus services. All these cannot be done on ad hoc basis, the sources said.

The sources said that neither the Government nor the Railways have the funds to take up this project, which may cost up to Rs. 10,000 core. Involvement of a private partner as a concessioner, with a stake of 70 per cent and the State Government and the Railways together sharing the balance is inevitable. Mr. Muniyappa too is aware of these facts, the sources said and hoped that some solution will emerge during the next meeting with the Minister.

Increasing demand

A large number of Already, hundreds of people are using existing train services to reach far-off places in the city. For example, Ambarish Karanth, a resident of Nagarabhavi and an employee of TCS, commutes daily between Kengeri and Whitefield Railway Stations. He has to change train at the Bangalore City Railway Station. Mr. Karanth said that if there had been dedicated train services between Kengeri and Whitefield, at least during the morning and evening hours, the same would have benefited many. Commuting either by bus or by car involves consumption of more time, energy and resources, he noted. People, fed up with the traffic on roads and the time involved in commuting, have been demanding suburban train services on the existing railway network, between the city and Nelamangala, Kolar, Ramanagaram and Doddaballapur. “Let there be a beginning on the existing railway network,” Mr. Karanth demanded.

Bombay2Calcutta

February 7th, 2011, 05:01 PM

Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2011/02/07/stories/2011020756430800.htm)
Surat-Mumbai Express derails

Manas Dasgupta

AHMEDABAD: Six coaches of the Surat-Mumbai Flying Ranee Express derailed soon after the train started from Surat on Sunday morning, disrupting rail traffic between Ahmedabad and Mumbai, and Mumbai and Delhi for some time. According to an official spokesman of the Western Railways here, there was no casualty. The cause of the accident is being investigated.

Police sources said some unruly elements looted some coaches as inquisitive passengers alighted from the train after the derailment.

The railway spokesman said rescue and relief trains and medical vans were dispatched to the spot promptly, and work for restoring the tracks was taken up on a war-footing, following which the down line was cleared for services after about three hours. The Mumbai-Ahmedabad and Mumbai-Delhi services resumed two to three hours behind schedule. Some short distance trains, however, were either terminated at Surat or Bulsar on either side, or were re-scheduled to start later in the evening, the spokesman said.

Bombay2Calcutta

February 7th, 2011, 05:05 PM

Source (http://www.amarujala.com/state/Haryana/9146-7.html)
पलवल-कुरुक्षेत्र शटल में मिलेगी टॉयलेट सुविधा

फरीदाबाद। लोकल ट्रेनों में भी सफर करने वाले यात्रियों को अब टॉयलेट की सुविधा मिलेगी। दावा किया गया है कि देश मेें पहली बार किसी शटल में यह सुविधा मुहैया की गई है। यह सेवा रोजाना पलवल से कुरुक्षेत्र तक आने-जाने वाली शटल में शुरू की गई है। जिसे एक ओर का रास्ता तय करने में पांच से छह घंटे का वक्त लगता है। इसके पांच डिब्बों में दो लेडिज और दो सामान्य टॉयलेट लगा दिया गया है। यह बीस डिब्बों वाली लोकल ट्रेन है।
बताया जा रहा है कि यदि प्रयोग सफल रहा तो अन्य लोकल ट्रेनों भी ऐसी सुविधा शुरू की जा सकती है। ताकि हजारों यात्रियों को यात्रा के दौरान टॉयलेट को लेकर होने वाली असुविधा से छुटकारा मिले। रेलवे के एक अधिकारी ने बताया कि पहली बार किसी लोकल शटल में यात्रियों के सुविधा दी गई है। दरअसल, पलवल से कुरुक्षेत्र को जाने वाली शटल लंबी दूरी तय करती है। यह शटल सुबह 5ः30 पर कुरुक्षेत्र से चलकर करीब 11 बजे अपने गंतव्य को पहुंचती है। कभी-कभी देर भी हो जाती है। इसलिए इसमें टॉयलेट की सुविधा न होने से लोगों को परेशानी होती थी।

Toilet facilities in local trains between Palwal and Kurukshetra on a traial basis.

Bombay2Calcutta

February 7th, 2011, 07:06 PM

MSN India (http://news.in.msn.com/business/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4893174)

Railways'' panel on PPP submits report

New Delhi, Feb 7 (PTI) The six-member panel constituted to look afresh into Railways'' public-private partnership model before going ahead with some of the big-ticket projects today submitted its report to the Chairman of the Railway Board.
"The committee has submitted its report today and now the Railway Board will discuss it threadbare before making a final decision", said a senior Railway Ministry official.
The committee''s report is crucial as it would suggest the way forward to execute all major PPP projects including world class stations and locomotive units.
The outcome of the report is keenly awaited as it is expected to have a direct bearing on projects in Kanchrapara, Madhepura and Marhora.
Railways have proposed to set up an EMU unit in Kanchrapara in West Bengal, an electric locomotive factory in Madhepura and diesel locomotive in Marhora in Bihar.
These projects have created a lot of interest among international bidders, with the Kanchrapara project attracting the maximum of eight players, including American giant GE.
American companies have also have been shortlisted for Madhepra and Marhora projects.
Till now, no PPP project of this magnitude has been undertaken in the Railways.
"These are huge projects, so due diligence is required and the committee was asked to have a relook into the model threadbare," said the official.
Several bidders had sought changes in bidding documents which prompted the Railways to set up the committee.

s.yogendra

February 8th, 2011, 03:58 PM

does any one having Rail freight corridor latest route map?

World8115

February 8th, 2011, 06:14 PM

Source (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Railways-in-a-hurry-to-complete-proposed-loco-projects/articleshow/7438958.cms)The railways has chalked out a comprehensive plan for its development across the country in 2011-2012 fiscal. Keeping in view the needs of the railways for locomotives , the railway ministry has now stressed on the need of completing two proposed locomotive factories in Bihar on top priority basis. However, the railways has decided to shift most of its ambitious projects to public -private partnership ( PPP ) head.

According to a Railway Board official, importance of two proposed locomotive factories to be set up in Bihar -- Electric Locomotive Manufacturing Factory at Madhepura ( Rs 1,294 crore) and a Diesel Loco Manufacturing Factory at Marhaura in Saran district (Rs 2,025 crore ) cannot be undermined . These two factories are essential to maintain smooth running of both passenger and goods trains across the country. Since the railways has sanctioned separate East and West corridors for the free movement of goods traffic at a cost of Rs 28,181 crore , these two loco factories will cope with the huge demands of locomotives . Thus, the railways are in a hurry to complete these two projects , he said.

The Board official said that the railways is currently running about 50,000 mail and passenger trains at the country level. Many new passenger trains are introduced every year. To cope with the fresh demands , the railways intends to manufacture both diesel and electric locomotives for maintaining smooth run of passenger and goods trains , he said.

At present, the railways has two locomotive factories located at Varanasi ( diesel engine ) and Chittraranjan (electric engine ). It has taken steps to augment the current electric loco production capacity of the Chittraranjan Locomotive Works from 200 to 250 per year to meet the demands of railways . The railways is keen to start production of the two proposed loco factories soon , the Board official said.

Besides, the railways at present, has been manufacturing 4,000 Horse Power (HP) diesel locomotives and 6,000 HP electrical locomotives . Since the railways is set to run more high speed passenger and goods trains soon , it needs high speed power locomotives. The railways intends to manufacture 6,000 HP diesel locomotives and 8,000 HP electrical locomotives at the two proposed locomotive factories in Bihar, sources said.

Meanwhile , the railways has finalised the design and structure of the two proposed loco factories with the help of railway technical experts . It will start the civil work on these two sites after finalising the global tenders sometime in March-April 2011 , sources said, adding two US-based firms had earlier shown interest in these two projects.

Bombay2Calcutta

February 8th, 2011, 07:11 PM

Kalka-Bandra train in the pipeline

CHANDIGARH: If the efforts of Ambala division railway authorities bear fruit, there might be a dedicated Kalka-Bandra train soon.

Sources said they intended to talk to higher officials in New Delhi with a proposal to start the train which would pass via Chandigarh and Ambala railway station.

The move for the new train follows persistent demands by locals regarding more seats for travelling to Mumbai.

Earlier, the Kalka-Bandra train used to join up with the Amritsar-Bandra train at Ambala Cantonment railway station and then go on its journey. Similarly, upon returning, the train linked to Amritsar and Kalka used to be segregated at Ambala Cantonment railway station.

But as just three bogeys were connected to the trains at Ambala there was a lack of space for passengers.

''The new proposal is for an 18-coach train, which would run four days in a week and the proposal has already been sent to higher authorities in New Delhi. We await the final word on the matter. A mention of the new train is likely to be included in the Railway Budget for 2011-12,'' a senior official at Ambala said.

The new train is slated to run from Kalka to Chandigarh, Ambala, Panipat, Rohtak, Bhiwani, Rewari, Alwar, Jaipur and Ahmedabad on its journey to Bandra.

Read more: Kalka-Bandra train in the pipeline - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Kalka-Bandra-train-in-the-pipeline/articleshow/7448307.cms#ixzz1DONSFFgB

vlakshmi_n

February 8th, 2011, 09:56 PM

Railways need to generate Rs 9289 cr per month to meet target (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/136023/railways-need-generate-rs-9289.html)

Indian Railways is faced with the daunting task of earning over Rs 18,500 crore in the remaining two months of the current fiscal to meet its annual revenue target.

Till the end of January, its revenue stood at Rs 76,187.27 crore as against its projected earnings of Rs 94,765 crore for the fiscal year 2010-11, a gap of Rs 18,578 crore. This implies that the Railways have to generate as much as Rs 9289 crore revenue per month, which the railways hopes to achieve due to positive growth in loading. According to a railway official, robust earning in other avenues like parcel and advertising would help the organisation to meet the target. The total earnings of railways on from April 2010 to January 2011 were Rs 76,187.27 crore compared to Rs 70,696.03 crore during the same period last financial year, which is an increase of 7.77 per cent, said a railway statement.

The total goods earnings have gone up from Rs 47,761.20 crore during April-January period to Rs 50,899.20 crore during the same period showing an increase of 6.57 per cent. The total passenger earnings during the first ten months of the financial year 2010-11 were Rs 21,336.94 crore compared to Rs 19,387.76 crore during the same period last fiscal, registering an increase of 10.05 per cent. The revenue earnings from other coaching amounted to Rs 2093.96 crore during April-January compared to Rs 1,899.30 crore during the same period last financial year, showing an increase of 10.25 per cent.

Bombay2Calcutta

February 10th, 2011, 01:07 AM

http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/Publications/HT/HD/2011/02/10/article/009/10_02_2011_009_009.jpg

Bombay2Calcutta

February 10th, 2011, 01:14 AM

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOIKM/2011/02/10/15/Img/Ad0151002.png

Bombay2Calcutta

February 10th, 2011, 07:39 PM

Rediff (http://www.rediff.com/business/report/another-rail-panel-to-examine-ppp-model/20110210.htm)

Another rail panel to examine PPP model

Railways have formed another high-level committee on PPP projects, which would review the recommendations of a previous committee set up to rework the PPP model.

The high-level committee comprising five senior railway officials would examine threadbare the report of the six-member committee that was submitted on February 7, railway sources said.

However, the railways said that nothing much should be read into the formation of the new committee as it is customary to set up an 'appreciation committee' to look into the recomemdations before it is presented to the Railway Board.

The committee has been given five days to submit its report.

"The report is expected to be submitted by coming Monday," the sources said.

Railways on January 22 constituted a six-member committee to formulate a policy document on suitable bidding process and to go through the guidelines laid down in the general financial rules and PPP related instructions of the Finance Ministry and Planning Commission.

The status of the proposed world class stations, the locomotive manufacturing units and several big ticket projects are expected to become clearer once the suggestion of the committee is approved.

These projects have created a lot of interest among international bidders, with the Kanchrapara project in West Bengal [ Images ] attracting the maximum of eight players, including American giant GE.

Several other western companies like EMD, Bombardier are also in the fray for Madhepura and Marhora locomotive projects in Bihar. Railways have maintained that till now, no PPP project of this magnitude has been undertaken in the world.

"These are huge projects, so due diligence is required," Railway Board chairman Vivek Sahai had earlier said.

He said several bidders had sought changes in bidding documents which prompted the Railways to set up the committee.

Bombay2Calcutta

February 11th, 2011, 04:22 AM

http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/PUBLICATIONS/HT/HD/2011/02/11/Article//014/11_02_2011_014_021.jpg

s.yogendra

February 11th, 2011, 04:53 PM

Railways Updates

minister of state for railways bharatsinh solanki inagurated newly converted broad guage line and new coaching workshop at bhavnagar

Western Railway increases the frequency of karnavati express from 6 days to weekly.the train is between mumbai central and ahmedabad

Train nos. 19223/19224 Ahmedabad-Jammu Tawi-Ahmedabad express and 19225/19226 Jammu Tawi-Bhatinda-Jammu Tawi express have been augmented by an additional AC 3 tier coach.

railways will extend the run of gadag dhrwar and bijapur hubli train to and from solapur

Kolhapur-tirupati haripriya express and hyderabad-tirupati rayalaseema express to be delinked and run as independent trains from feb 15

Western Railway introduces new weekly express between valsad and puri from feb 12

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com)

Bombay2Calcutta

February 13th, 2011, 03:23 AM

Day Duranto likely between Amritsar-Chandigarh by month-end

Kapurthala (Pb), Feb 12 (PTI) The high-speed Day Duranto train is likely to run on Amritsar-Chandigarh section by the end of this month.
A RCF offical said today that the Duranto rake of 14 coaches are scheduled to be rolled out of the factory by this month-end.
He said RCF would roll out country�s first non-air conditioned high-speed coach with a seating capacity of 106 seats for Amritsar�Chandigarh Duranto train.

http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4914387

World8115

February 13th, 2011, 01:33 PM

Amritsar-Chandigarh section has no trains. Nearest station to Chandigarh is Sirhind Jn. Other option is Ambala Cantt.

Naresh

February 13th, 2011, 02:42 PM

^^
Chandigarh Railway Station (http://www.india9.com/i9show/Chandigarh-Railway-Station-33878.htm)

Served by the Northern Railways, Chandigarh Railway Station is located 8 km to the south-east of Chandigarh in Sector 17. Shatabdi Express and Himalayan Queen Express connects the station with Delhi. The rail route between Chandigarh and Kalka is fully electrified. Some of the important train connections are Kalka Howrah Mail, Inter City Express and Kalka-Ambala Passenger. Computer reservation facilities are provided. The railhead close to the station is at Kalka (22km, north-east).

For the convenience of travelers, a tourist reception center is provided on the premises. To reach the city from the station, state transport buses are available. For local transportation, cycle-rickshaws and auto-rickshaws are available. Chandigarh Airport is 11km from the city.

Station Code: CDG

Timing for Reservation:
Monday-Saturday: 08:00 to 20:00 hrs
Sunday: 08:00 to 14:00 hrs

Railway Department Enquiry Officer: +91-172-2654775

Cheers :cheers:

anujkb

February 13th, 2011, 03:21 PM

World8115

February 13th, 2011, 06:01 PM

Bombay2Calcutta

February 14th, 2011, 05:21 AM

Second terminal for suburban trains in Patna mooted

PATNA: The railways is mulling over a fresh proposal to build a second terminal for suburban trains at the vacant Hardinge Park land to take pressure off from the Patna Junction. The Patna Junction, which has become a hub of passenger trains, is likely to witness huge traffic flow after commissioning of the Digha-Sonepur rail bridge in 2012-2013.

The Park site, which was vacated by private vehicle owners, is an ideal place for the construction of double discharge (DD) platform on the pattern of Mumbai s Victoria Terminal. This terminal would easily cope with the traffic load of both passenger trains coming from north Bihar and local suburban trains, too.

According to sources, there are seven to eight pairs of local trains coming from Ara-Buxar end. These trains originate from Patna Junction. A few pairs of local trains have been added to the newly constructed Ara-Sasaram line. Thus, this proposed terminal would cope with the rush of passenger trains coming from Buxar-Ara , Sasaram-Ara and Muzaffarpur-Digha-Phulwari ends, sources said, adding the newly built Pataliputra station is to be made functional in March/April this year.

The plan to build DD platforms on Park land was mooted when Nitish Kumar was the railway minister. However, this plan could not be translated into a reality as the state government could not hand over the land to the railways for one reason or another, an ECR official said.

Now that Nitish is the chief minister, the railway experts wonder whether he would welcome this idea to build a second terminal for suburban trains at the Park land. In lieu of it, the state government could take over the R-Block-Digha railway line to build four-lane roads , a railway official added.

According to sources, this proposal was first approved by the Railway Board in 2003-2004. It was to be completed then at an estimated cost of Rs 20 crore to Rs 25 crore. The Patna Regional Development Authority (PRDA), now merged into the Patna Municipal Corporation, had in principle also agreed to hand over the land to the railways for development work. However, this proposal was temporarily shelved due to non-availability of the land, sources said.

Under the approved plan, the railways intends to build both terminal and rake maintenance line at this proposed site. The railways is also keen to build a multi-purpose platform at the Park land so that traffic movement could be smooth in and around Patna Junction from 2012 onwards , an ECR official said

Read more: Second terminal for suburban trains in Patna mooted - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Second-terminal-for-suburban-trains-in-Patna-mooted/articleshow/7490329.cms#ixzz1Du5qapby

Bombay2Calcutta

February 14th, 2011, 07:40 AM

Delegation to visit Delhi demanding circular train for Bangalore

By Rohith BR | Place: Bangalore | Agency: DNA (http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_delegation-to-visit-delhi-demanding-circular-train-for-bangalore_1507061)

BJP general-secretary and MP (Bangalore South) Ananth Kumar on Saturday said a delegation of state legislators and MPs would visit New Delhi to demand a circular train project for Bangalore in the upcoming Union railway budget. “It is a long-pending proposal from the state government that we want the railway minister Mamata Banerjee to sanction in the budget. The project needs an allocation of Rs500 crore and will go a long way in de-congesting traffic,” he said.

Kumar, who was speaking at a Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) programme in Nagarabavi on Saturday, said the project, along with the Metro, would build the city’s mass transport network. “The legislators’ delegation would also meet the Union minister of state for railways KH Muniyappa,” he said.

The circular train network will aim to connect the city with surrounding towns like Anekal, Devanahalli, Doddaballapur, Magadi and Ramanagaram. The project proposal is to have 241 km of railway connectivity. Kumar said that both the Namma Metro and the circular train projects would be assisted with a well-connected network of buses. The state is also demanding fund allocation for a 5,000mw power plant to address the power needs of Bangalore, he added

Bombay2Calcutta

February 14th, 2011, 07:46 AM

Source (http://www.dailymirror.lk/news/9768-indian-engineers-for-railway-work.html)
Sri Lanka : Indian engineers for railway work

More than 200 engineers, technicians and supervisors from India would be employed on the three northern railway projects, officials said today.

The projects are implemented under financial assistance from the government of India. Already 20 Indians had been mobilized in Medawachchiya along with construction equipment to carry out the work on the railway lines from Medawachchiya to Madhu, and from there to Mannar.

IRCON International Limited, a company of the Ministry of Railways in India, has been given the contract to construct the railway lines destroyed due to the war. Company’s General Manager of S.L. Gupta told Daily Mirror that the work was in full swing, and the formal work would begin by March 15. Mr. Gupta said that an equal number of similar officials would be recruited for the project from Sri Lanka. Besides, he said that only Sri Lankans would be employed as labourers. (Kelum Bandara)

Bombay2Calcutta

February 14th, 2011, 07:47 AM

Train movement hit on Lucknow-Kanpur route

KANPUR: The movement of trains on Kanpur-Lucknow rail route came to a halt for nearly three hours after engine of a goods train developed snag between Magarwara and Shuklaganj railway stations.

Nearly half-a-dozen trains, including the Kanpur-Lucknow passenger train, came to a halt at Shuklaganj railway station. Rae Bareli-Kanpur passenger train too came to a halt. The snag developed at around 2 pm.

The Kanpur-Lucknow passenger train had to halt at Shuklaganj railway station and it could depart only at 5.25 pm after a wait of three hours. This irked the passengers, who had stepped out on the Shuklaganj platform to learn more about the delay.

One of the passengers of Kanpur-Lucknow passenger train informed TOI that it was a nightmarish. "The journey to Lucknow via this passenger train takes around one-and-a-half-hour but today, we would be able to complete it in four-and-a-half-hour."

Meanwhile, station Superintendent, Kanpur Central railway station, Mewalal confirmed that the engine of a goods train had developed snag somewhere between Magarwara and Shuklaganj.

Read more: Train movement hit on Lucknow-Kanpur route - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kanpur/Train-movement-hit-on-Lucknow-Kanpur-route/articleshow/7484897.cms#ixzz1Dugk6neC

Bombay2Calcutta

February 14th, 2011, 08:03 AM

Source (http://www.bhaskar.com/article/DEL-old-engine-will-the-entertainment-now-1841584.html)
छुक-छुक इंजन बहलाएंगे मन

नई दिल्ली.कभी हिन्दी सिनेमा में जान फूंकने वाले स्टीम इंजन अब इतिहास बनकर रह गए हैं। एक जमाने में दस हजार स्टीम इंजन रेलवे की रीढ़ थे और आवागमन का सर्व सुलभ जरिया भी, लेकिन अब इनकी संख्या नगण्य है। यही वजह है कि इनको विरासत के रूप में बचाए रखने के लिए राजधानी में देश-विदेश के विशेषज्ञ जुट रहे हैं।

उनकी कोशिश है कि नई पीढ़ी भी इनको देख सके और इनकी शान-ओ-शौकत का एहसास कर सके। इसके साथ ही विशेषज्ञ ‘स्टीम लोको टूरिज्म’ की योजना बनाने पर भी विचार करेंगे। इस कवायद को अंजाम देने के लिए इंडियन स्टीम रेलवे सोसाइटी अब राष्ट्रीय रेल संग्रहालय में एक सम्मेलन आयोजित करने जा रही है।

उत्तर रेलवे के एक वरिष्ठ अधिकारी ने बताया कि ब्रिटेन में करीब एक हजार स्टीम इंजनों का एक बेड़ा है। इन इंजनों को छोटी दूरी, यानि 50-60 किलोमीटर के अंतराल पर चलाया जाता है। इनका परिचालन सरकारी एजेंसियां और निजी भागीदार दोनों एक साथ करते हैं। खास बात यह है कि वहां बड़ी संख्या में लोग इन्हें चलते हुए देखने के लिए भी पहुंचते हैं।

ब्रिटेन में यह एक फलते-फूलते व्यापार की तरह है। दरअसल, वहां स्टीम लोको टूरिज्म काफी प्रचलित है। इसी तर्ज पर अब भारत में भी लोको टूरिज्म को प्रोत्साहित करने की जरूरत महसूस की जा रही है। ताकि, देश के विभिन्न इलाकों में अभी भी बचे 50-100 स्टीम इंजनों को दुरुस्त कर संजोया जा सके।

इंडियन स्टीम रेलवे सोसाइटी के एक अधिकारी ने बताया कि पर्यटन मंत्रालय के सचिव, यूनेस्को के निदेशक (भारत), उत्तर रेलवे के महाप्रबंधक व आर्कियोलाजी सर्वे ऑफ इंडिया के निदेशक की मौजूदगी में योजनाएं बनाने के लिए गहन चर्चा की जाएगी। उन्होंने आगे बताया कि सफदरजंग रेलवे स्टेशन परिसर में ही कुछ दूर तक 1947 के स्टीम इंजन ‘डब्लयू.पी.7200’ को चलाया जाएगा।

इसके अलावा, राष्ट्रीय रेल संग्रहालय में सदियों पुराने स्टीम इंजनों की एक फोटो प्रदर्शनी भी लगाई जाएगी। इसी क्रम में रेवाड़ी में बने लोकोमोटिव हैरिटेज शेड पर एक डॉक्यूमेंट्री फिल्म का प्रदर्शन किया जाएगा। साथ ही, इस क्षेत्र में काम कर रहे विशेषज्ञों को पुरस्कृत भी किया जाएगा।

Steam Engines are now reduced to history. In an era gone by , ten thousand steam engines were the backbone of railway traffic, but now their number is insignificant.Foriegn experts are assembling in the capital to preserve their heritage.

Also, National Rail Museum will also put up a photo exhibition and shoot a documentary flim at the century old steam engins Heritage Locomotive Shed at Rewari .

Bombay2Calcutta

February 14th, 2011, 08:06 AM

Indian Steam Railway Society conference
New Delhi, Feb 11, (PTI) :

The Indian Steam Railway Society, comprising members working towards generating public affection for steam locomotives and preserving them, will be holding their eighth national conference here from tomorrow.

Eminent steam locomotive historian from UK Laurie Marshall will deliver his address at the conference, which will also see an exhibition on steam locomotives.

A colourful presentation about the resurrection of Rewari steam locomotive shed will also be organised, said a Railway official.

The shed has emerged as the only tourist attraction of its kind in the world where nine working steam locomotives can be seen under one roof, the official said.

Senior officials from INTACH and ASI are also expected to attend the conference along with
Railway Board members.

Steam locomotives were phased out from Indian Railway network in the 1980s and early 1990s.

Bombay2Calcutta

February 14th, 2011, 08:40 AM

Source (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/dedicated-corridor-likely-to-transport-veggies/424970/)
Dedicated corridor likely to transport veggies

Sanjeeb Mukherjee / New Delhi February 13, 2011, 0:13 IST

With vegetable prices rising sharply in the last few years, the agriculture ministry is working with the Railways for dedicated corridor to transport vegetables and fruits. A cabinet note is being prepared for this purpose.

To begin with, Indian Railways could demarcate tracks for transporting vegetables and fruits from Maharashtra to Delhi. “We had a meeting with the Railways Board chairman and he has agreed to the idea. The finer details need to be worked out,” agriculture secretary P K Basu told Business Standard.

The ministry is also seeking concessional rates for transportation of vegetables and fruits in the corridor. “Later on, the project will be expanded to other parts of the country,” he said, adding that along the routes, the commodity collected will also be distributed at consumption centres. Maharashtra is one of the biggest producers of fruits and vegetables.

The ministry is also working on starting a special purpose vehicle (SPV) for development of cold chains. An agreement has already been reached between the National Horticulture Development Board (NHB), Central Warehousing Corporation and Concor for starting the SPV. These will now solicit participation from private parties for creating a model of public private partnership. A national cold chain development centre is also on the anvil and the NHB chairman will be de-facto chairman of the centre.

“Till now the focus of agriculture ministry has been largely on grains and cereals, but now we will like to work more on horticulture products and ensure easy transportation and storage of fruits and vegetables in the country,” Basu said. Vegetable prices rose 44.34 per cent, while fruits prices rose 10.46 per cent during the week ended January 29 year-on-year, even as overall food inflation stood at 13.07 per cent.

Bombay2Calcutta

February 14th, 2011, 08:42 AM

Source (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/IRCTC-to-sell-Rail-Neer-in-open-market/articleshow/7490270.cms)
IRCTC to sell Rail Neer in open market

PATNA: Buoyed by the good response, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has decided to sell Rail Neer in open market in Bihar only to generate more revenue for the railways.

This decision was taken recently at the IRCTC headquarters in New Delhi. The IRCTC will sell Rail Neer in open market at the same price of Rs 12 each bottle. It will also explore possibility of its sale at other places after a three-month trial period in Bihar, said Patna-based IRCTC regional manager A K Jha.

According to him, the IRCTC has got orders for supply of Rail Neer in open market areas located in Patna and Danapur. Initially it has got orders for supply of about 24,000 bottles in these areas . However, efforts are on to explore possibilities for its sale at other places in Bihar, he said, adding Rail Neer has further improved its packaging maintaining its brand quality.

Jha told TOI that the railways has introduced its own brand Rail Neer at a reasonable price to fulfill the needs of passengers both on running trains and at railway platforms. The IRCTC has installed its three Rail Neer plants at Nangloi (Delhi), Khagaul (Danapur) and Palur (Chennai). The major production is from Delhi and Khagaul plants. The annual production of Rail Neer has gone up to 3.32 crore bottles from the three centres fulfilling the needs of each zone of the railways, he said.

According to Jha , Rail Neer fully conforms to European Economic Community norms . The branded packaging of Rail Neer is also in conformity to stringent norms of the Bureau of Indian Standards ( BIS).

The Khagaul Rail Neer plant was intalled in 2004. During the past six years it has increased its production up to 5,500 bottles per day. The Khagaul plant has been manufacturing about 1.5 lakh bottles every month.

Read more: IRCTC to sell Rail Neer in open market - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/IRCTC-to-sell-Rail-Neer-in-open-market/articleshow/7490270.cms#ixzz1DuuRZE5a

World8115

February 14th, 2011, 02:05 PM

Thanks for the updates B2C :cheers:

adam_india

February 14th, 2011, 03:20 PM

del

Arul Murugan

February 14th, 2011, 03:40 PM

Restless

February 14th, 2011, 04:38 PM

When SL is so friendly with high speed train pioneer China, I wonder how come they depend on Indian railways which has age old railway engineering.

Sri Lanka is just ensuring that they have both China and India in the country - competing for its favours.

That way, they get the maximum from both countries.

Bombay2Calcutta

February 14th, 2011, 04:58 PM

^^ Smart indeed.

Bombay2Calcutta

February 14th, 2011, 05:01 PM

Zee News (http://www.zeenews.com/news687115.html)
China extending Tibet rail link to Sikkim

New Delhi: In what could be a matter of concern for India, reports on Monday claimed that China is planning to extend its Tibet railway network, stretching it to the strategically important Chumbi valley area, next to Sikkim and the Siliguri corridor.

As per a report published in a leading daily, the Chinese Railways Ministry had last month unveiled a map confirming the development and long-term railway network plan.

The release of map by the Chinese Railways Ministry has now ended all speculation in this regard and officially confirmed that China will be extending its railway network from Lhasa to Zangmu on the Nepal border, which is going to eventually extend into Nepal and even Kathmandu.

As per the plan, another line will branch out midway from this link to Zangmu, at a place called Shigatse. This line will move east and go right up to Yadong, on the mouth of the Chumbi Valley. This town is connected to Sikkim through the Nathu La pass and is strategically located on the tri-junction of India, China and Bhutan.

The region adjoining Yadong is still disputed between China and Bhutan and some portion of it also witnessed military conflict in 1962 as part of New Delhi’s effort to defend Nathu La.

The Chinese side has not yet started the construction work but it has launched feasibility studies concerning the project. This project is slated for completion by 2017, bringing the Tibet railway just 500 km short of the Siliguri corridor. This may raise demands from Bangladesh to provide connectivity to the Chinese market via India.

What is of major concern to India is that New Delhi is finding it difficult to match pace with China’s ability to increase its railway network and registering its heavy presence in the region, which would ultimately benefit its industries and markets.

As per reports, China last year built over 10,000 km of high speed railway, and in the past five years has added 70,000 km railway lines. India, on the other hand, has struggled to connect Bhutan to India by rail.

Bombay2Calcutta

February 14th, 2011, 05:05 PM

^^ Related
China rail expansion under cloud after fall of minister (http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/14/china-railways-corruption-idUSTOE71D01P20110214?pageNumber=1)

Restless

February 14th, 2011, 05:26 PM

On the map, it only looks like 40km of new railway line will need to be built from Rangpo to the Chinese border.

Then the Chinese need to build another 10km From Yangpo, before the 2 networks are connected.

That would really help develop trade flows and the local economies.

Zee News (http://www.zeenews.com/news687115.html)
China extending Tibet rail link to Sikkim

New Delhi: In what could be a matter of concern for India, reports on Monday claimed that China is planning to extend its Tibet railway network, stretching it to the strategically important Chumbi valley area, next to Sikkim and the Siliguri corridor.

As per a report published in a leading daily, the Chinese Railways Ministry had last month unveiled a map confirming the development and long-term railway network plan.

The release of map by the Chinese Railways Ministry has now ended all speculation in this regard and officially confirmed that China will be extending its railway network from Lhasa to Zangmu on the Nepal border, which is going to eventually extend into Nepal and even Kathmandu.

As per the plan, another line will branch out midway from this link to Zangmu, at a place called Shigatse. This line will move east and go right up to Yadong, on the mouth of the Chumbi Valley. This town is connected to Sikkim through the Nathu La pass and is strategically located on the tri-junction of India, China and Bhutan.

The region adjoining Yadong is still disputed between China and Bhutan and some portion of it also witnessed military conflict in 1962 as part of New Delhi’s effort to defend Nathu La.

The Chinese side has not yet started the construction work but it has launched feasibility studies concerning the project. This project is slated for completion by 2017, bringing the Tibet railway just 500 km short of the Siliguri corridor. This may raise demands from Bangladesh to provide connectivity to the Chinese market via India.

What is of major concern to India is that New Delhi is finding it difficult to match pace with China’s ability to increase its railway network and registering its heavy presence in the region, which would ultimately benefit its industries and markets.

As per reports, China last year built over 10,000 km of high speed railway, and in the past five years has added 70,000 km railway lines. India, on the other hand, has struggled to connect Bhutan to India by rail.

zoxtannin

February 15th, 2011, 05:00 AM

How can the politicians sleep at night?? Is there any limit to their shame?? And ALL OF US are equally responsible to choose these corrupt, spineless criminals year and year, where as our immediate neighborhood is changing at lighting speed. What a shame, what a shame. Next time some one compares China and India, we should simply leave the place. Shame on us..

gentem

February 15th, 2011, 05:36 AM

^^ shut the * up. we having almost as much growth rate as china

anidel

February 15th, 2011, 11:12 AM

Restless

February 15th, 2011, 12:26 PM

Its a serious threat to India, chinese can cut off north east from India at chicken neck point at siliguri.

Govt. is sleeping while enemies are preparing.

Guys

India already has railways to Silguri and is extending these upwards to the border, so it's already a lot easier for India to transfer forces to the border.
Plus there'll be more than enough Indian troops to secure the area by 2017.

===

Remember that India has a commanding position in the Indian Ocean, and that the Middle Eastern oil routes have to pass India to reach China/Japan/Korea
===

As the Chinese general said back in 1962, when asked why he didn't march unopposed to Delhi:
"China has enough poor people already. Why would we want any more?"

So they unilaterally withdrew from the Northeast back to Tibet.

I think that the 1962 war was one of the more pointless wars because neither side understood the other. The Chinese really believed that Nehru was duplicitous and was intent on taking Tibet - once he started harbouring the Dalai Lama and initiated the forward policy.

Bombay2Calcutta

February 16th, 2011, 04:07 AM

Posting this news as I felt that the headlines funny.

URL="http://www.amarujala.com/city/New%20Delhi/New%20Delhi-8680-137.html"]Source[/URL]
वर्ल्ड क्लास स्टेशन के दावे हवा हवाई

नई दिल्ली। इसी महीने नए रेल बजट में कई तरह के लोकलुभावन व तमाम तरह के दावे होंगे। जबकि पिछले वादे का क्या हुआ इसकी कोई खोज-खबर नहीं है। इसी कड़ी में वर्ल्ड क्लास स्टेशन बनाने का वादा दो वर्ष पहले किया गया था। वर्ल्ड क्लास ही नहीं आदर्श स्टेशन बनाने में भी कामयाबी नहीं मिली यहां तक कि नींव का पत्थर भी दिल्ली के तीनों स्टेशन पर नहीं डाला गया हैं।
2009-10 रेलवे बजट में दिल्ली के तीन स्टेशन समेत 50 रेलवे स्टेशन को वर्ल्ड क्लास स्टेशन बनाने की घोषणा की गई। इनमें नई दिल्ली, आनंद विहार और बिजवासन रेलवे स्टेशन को भी वर्ल्ड क्लास बनना था। ऐसा आयोजित होने वाले कॉमनवेल्थ गेम्स को ध्यान में भी रखकर किया गया था। गेम्स तो खत्म हो गए लेकिन वर्ल्ड क्लास स्टेशन केलिए कवायद तो हुई लेकिन अंजाम तक पहुंचने के लिए दूरी तय नहीं की जा सकी। बिजवासन व नई दिल्ली स्टेशन पर अभी तक इसके लिए नींव का पत्थर भी नहीं डाला गया है। साथ ही एक और वादा किया गया था कि रेलवे 375 स्टेशन को आदर्श स्टेशन बनाएगा। लेकिन वर्ल्ड क्लास तो दूर आदर्श स्टेशन भी नहीं बन पाया है।
आनंद विहार रेलवे स्टेशन के दूसरे फेज का काम अभी तक नहीं किया जा सका ताकि समझ में आए कि भविष्य में यह स्टेशन भी वर्ल्ड क्लास सुविधा से लैस होगा। वर्ल्ड क्लास स्टेशन बनाए जाने को लेकर रेलवे अधिकारी भी चुप्पी साध लेते हैं। कभी हवाला यह दिया जाता है कि तकनीकी दृष्टि से अभी काम शुरू नहीं हो पा रहा है तो कभी नई दिल्ली को वर्ल्ड क्लास बनाने के लिए स्थानीय निकाय द्वारा हरी झंडी नहीं मिल रही। वहीं बिजवासन के कैंपस में स्थानीय स्कूल की वजह से अंजाम तक नहीं पहुंच पा रहा है।

s.yogendra

February 16th, 2011, 12:36 PM

THALASERRY-MYSORE RAIL LINK DEMANDED

Mysore, Feb. 16 (MTY&DM)- The Thalaserry-Mysore Railway Line Action Council has demanded inclusion of Mysore-Thalaserry Rail Link in the forthcoming Railway Budget.

Addressing a press meet at Pathrakarthara Bhavan recently, the Council's Working Chairman T.V. Gopinath said 55 years ago, the then Railway Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri had assured of providing a rail link between Mysore and Thalaserry, as it would help in promoting tourism and development of the agricultural and industrial sector in both the States. But nothing has happened since then and as such the Council was formed to fight for Thalaserry-Mysore Rail Link, he said.

Asserting that the link would cut down the distance between the two destinations considerably, Gopinath said the distance between Mysore and Thalaserry by road is 298 kms, whereas the distance by rail would only be 145.5 kms, according to a survey conducted by the Council. The rail link would prove to be very useful as nearly 100 vehicles transport vegetables from either side on Mysore-Thalaserry road. As the road transportation and handling costs are high, the price of vegetables may considerably go up, even though the price increase will not be of much benefit to the farmers, he added.

Continuing, Gopinath said the Mysore-Thalaserry Railway Link will also reduce the rail distance between Bangalore and Cann-anore by more than half.

The Council would launch a Jana Jagaran Rally from Feb. 16 to 19 to sensitise the public on the need for Mysore-Thalaserry Rail Link. The rally will be flagged off by MP H. Viswanath at the Town Hall.

Source:- Star of Mysore (http://www.starofmysore.com/)

gentem

February 16th, 2011, 01:11 PM

^^ that will be nothing but murder of forests and wild animals.. wont happen until jayaram remains environ minister at center. instead we need mysore-kushalnagar line

Bombay2Calcutta

February 16th, 2011, 06:32 PM

Source (http://www.indiainfoline.com/Markets/News/Gati-Transport-Solutions-strengthens-its-current-rail-network/5082946099)
Gati Transport Solutions strengthens its current rail network

The train that started from Erode- Chennai- Jogeshwari arrived at Vapi was received by Mr. Ashok Kumar – COO GTS- Gati Ltd.

Gati Transport Solutions (GTS), a division of Gati Ltd, India’s pioneer and leader in Express Distribution & Supply Chain Solutions Company received the new route parcel train service at Vapi. The new route service is available from Erode- Chennai- Jogeshwari – Vapi and will be back loaded from Vapi to Chennai - Erode. The train that started from Erode- Chennai- Jogeshwari arrived at Vapi was received by Mr. Ashok Kumar – COO GTS- Gati Ltd.

Gati has been allotted two new lease tenders for running Millennium parcel trains at regular frequency to provide transport services for parcel movement by rail over South – West- South sectors and South- East/ North East – South sectors. The new routes now available for movement of shipments by Millennium Parcel Train on South-West-South sectors are Erode-Chennai-Jogeshwari-Vapi and Vapi–Chennai-Erode. Similarly new routes for movement of shipment by Millennium Parcel train on South- East/ North East – South sectors are Ernakulam-Chennai-Shalimar-Guwahati and Guwahati- Shalimar- Chennai- Ernakulum.

The Erode-Chennai-Jogeshwari- Vapi and Vapi-Chennai–Erode parcel train services have started and will run twice a week . The Ernakulam-Chennai-Shalimar-Guwahati and back parcel train service will be launched over the next 30 days. With these new additions, GTS will now be operating in eight routes and will further extend its leadership position in the parcel movement by rail space. GTS is a part of the multi modal network of express distribution services, Gati provides cargo management services to companies who are in need of reliable and regular transportation services with lesser transit time at competitive costs on the basis of Full truck, half truck or Container Load.

Gati has entered into lease contract with Indian Railways for transporting shipment through parcel trains in various sectors. It has also entered into strategic tie up with other like minded players. Accordingly Gati will now be providing train transportation services through parcel trains/VPs on the following routes :

Kalyan-Kolkata-Guwahati : 12 trains a month consisting of 20 bogies.

Delhi-Chennai : 12 trains a month with 6 VPs in each train.

Chennai-Delhi : 12 trains a month with 6 VPs in each train.

Aurangabad-Sankrail(Kolkata): 4 trains a month

Sankrail (Kolkata ) -Aurangabad : 4 trains a month

Vapi-Chennai-Erode : 8 trains a month

Erode-Chennai-Jogeshwari-Vapi : 8 trains a month.

Chennai-Lucknow: 1 VP twice a week .

Lucknow -Chennai: 1 VP twice a week .

Goa-Patna : 1 VP once a week.

Patna- Goa : 1 VP once a week

Gati Transport Solutions has added advantages of train transportation as under :

Cost Effective door to door truck transportation services.

Safe and secure movement of shipment.

Locked & Sealed tamper proof bogies, Gati escorts train from starting station upto destination.

Multimodal connectivity – Road & Rail.

24/7/365 service level monitoring system that ensures safety , security and on time delivery.

Cost competitive alternative to road transport with better transit time.

Gati Ltd was the first transport company in India to do parcel movement by rail in 2002-03 and was the first to get VP (Parcel Van) on lease in 2003-04. Currently, Gati Transport Solutions operates over 50 trains every month across various destinations. There is a growing demand for parcel movement by rail as it is cost competitive , safe and secured with better transit time. The success of GTS’ flagship train, the Millennium Parcel Express between Kalyan-Kolkata-Guwahati popularized the concept of parcel train in India. The various advantages of rail transport like safety , security and being cost competitive added to the popularity of the service and attracted more companies to use this service.

Commenting on the launch of new services, Mr. Ashok Kumar, Chief Operating Officer, Gati Transport Solutions said, “We are happy to announce the launch of new parcel train routes to GTS’ network on the popular demand from our large base of customers. The new routes will enhance our reach in the South India and help us connect better with other parts of the country. We are fast building up the Rail Network across length and breath of India as this is the future mode of transport. At GTS we intend to offer highest standards of service and our large base of customers patronising and preferring transportation by parcel train over road is a testimony of the same.”

Gati has entered into lease contract with Indian Railways by paying premium over normal freight (normally 25% higher) for running regular parcel train services . This ensures regular availability of trains at desired frequency for our customers / companies which use the services of Gati Transport Solutions. GTS has already established its leadership in the routes like Mumbai-Kolkata-Guwahati / Delhi-Chennai-Delhi where it runs 12 trains every month and is planning to expand its reach to other parts of the country by running parcel train services across the network of Indian Railways.

Bombay2Calcutta

February 16th, 2011, 09:18 PM

SIFY (http://www.sify.com/news/india-backed-railway-project-inaugurated-in-sri-lanka-news-international-lcqw4gifgij.html)
India-backed railway project inaugurated in Sri Lanka

Colombo, Feb 16 (IANS) Over six years after devastating tsunami severely damaged a coastal railway, the new refurbished Galle-Matara network, sponsored by the Indian government, was inaugurated here in Sri Lanka Wednesday.

A press release of the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka said that Indian envoy Ashok K. Kantha attended the inauguration of Galle-Matara railway with Sri Lankan Minister for Transport Kumar Welgama.

The coastal link was damaged by the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, which washed away parts of the tracks and also train carriages to the sea.

The 42-km railway line was upgraded by Indian state firm, Ircon, so that the train could reach a top speed of 100 km per hour - the fastest for Sri Lankan railways.

This railway link represents phase one of the coastal rail project from Colombo to Matara. The second phase, from Galle to Kalutara, is set to be completed early next year.

The entire project is being financed by India's line of credit worth $167.40 million.

The Indian envoy said that India 'was committed to working with the government of Sri Lanka towards the consolidation of peace, prosperity and development in Sri Lanka and for the further enrichment of our bilateral ties'.

Bombay2Calcutta

February 16th, 2011, 09:24 PM

^^ From Hindu (http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/article1460922.ece)

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/643/galle479259f.jpg

The Galle-Matara section of the Sri Lankan Railways, upgraded by IRCON, was thrown open for traffic on Wednesday. The renovated line cut travelling time by over 15 minutes over the 42-km stretch. Photo: R.K.Radhakrishnan

Bombay2Calcutta

February 16th, 2011, 10:50 PM

India's longest rail bridge in Kerala

NEW DELHI: The scenic Kerala backwaters can now boast of an engineering marvel — the longest rail bridge in the country at 4.62km. The bridge is part of a 8.6-km railway link connecting Idapalli to Vallarpadam in Kochi, where the shipping ministry has constructed the International Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT).

Built by the Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd at Rs 200 crore, the bridge came up in a record 28 months.

The rail link between Idapalli railway station and ICTT can also boast green technology to address environmental concerns. The alignment cuts through densely populated habitations and backwaters. "We used minimum cement to reduce greenhouse effect," said a rail official. Land acquisition being a sensitive issue in Kerala, RVNL took an elevated route — a 40m-long girder erected at a curve of 2.5 degrees — to cut down on land use in densely populated areas and also go across the backwaters.

"This led to the conceptualization of a 4.62km-long elevated structure," RVNL managing director Satish Agnihotri told TOI.

The land was acquired in densely populated areas, thanks to an "out-of-box" solution. The compensation package did not pinch the displaced. Current market price of houses -- without any depreciation of the properties -- was offered. Also, a plot of similar size was allotted to the displaced in an equally or better developed area. Each family was paid rent for six months till the new house came up.

The project, which will serve as the first SEZ port in the country, will eliminate transhipment of goods from Colombo port to Indian ports. Mega mother ships and Panamax vessels can directly reach Vallarpadam. It will also save the cost of transportation by $300 per container, making export and import cheaper.

"The work had to be completed fast as the rail connectivity to the container terminal was a time-bound exercise being monitored by the Prime Minister`s Office," an official said.

The new bridge eclipses Dehri-on-Sone's record as the longest rail bridge in the country. The three-km-long bridge on the Sone River was constructed by the East India Railway in 1900.

Read more: India's longest rail bridge in Kerala - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Indias-longest-rail-bridge-in-Kerala/articleshow/7511952.cms#ixzz1EA1Zvzhx

gentem

February 17th, 2011, 05:12 AM

^^
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/thumb.cms?msid=7511972&width=600&resizemode=4

MxC

February 17th, 2011, 09:29 AM

^^
Looks like google maps is already up to date with this line. Can someone confirm if this is correct from the following link:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Edapally&aq=&sll=18.515749,73.927174&sspn=0.050542,0.107975&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Edapally,+Ernakulam,+Kerala,+India&ll=10.002409,76.279364&spn=0.052491,0.107975&z=14

MxC

February 17th, 2011, 09:30 AM

TWK90

February 17th, 2011, 10:39 AM

Greetings from Malaysia :)

While it is not related to India, in my country Malaysia...there is a project that is being done by IRCON (Indian Railway Construction), it is the electrification and double tracking of metre gauge line, between Seremban and Gemas, with a distance of 94 km.

The Star (http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2011/2/12/central/8049082&sec=central)

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/9864/m3senawang.jpg
Modern: The ultra modern Senawang train station will be operational in May.

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/1849/m3gadut.jpg
High up: The elevated Sg Gadut station is one of the biggest in Negri Sembilan and would serve the people living in housing estates nearby.

From single track to electrified double track line, with speeds between 140 and 160 km/h on metre gauge line.

First phase will be opened by May, the rest of the line should be completed by next year.

IRCON involvement in Malaysia is nothing new, they also supplied the YDM diesel locomotives to Malaysia.

MxC

February 17th, 2011, 01:11 PM

^^ that will be nothing but murder of forests and wild animals.. wont happen until jayaram remains environ minister at center. instead we need mysore-kushalnagar line

I'm not familiar with this area, but just a thought... could a shorter road link between the two places be a much cheaper and economical option?

Bombay2Calcutta

February 17th, 2011, 02:16 PM

Greetings from Malaysia :)

While it is not related to India, in my country Malaysia...there is a project that is being done by IRCON (Indian Railway Construction), it is the electrification and double tracking of metre gauge line, between Seremban and Gemas, with a distance of 94 km.

The Star (http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2011/2/12/central/8049082&sec=central)

From single track to electrified double track line, with speeds between 140 and 160 km/h on metre gauge line.

First phase will be opened by May, the rest of the line should be completed by next year.

IRCON involvement in Malaysia is nothing new, they also supplied the YDM diesel locomotives to Malaysia.

Thanks for the updates TWK90. It is good to know that the IRCON is actively working on international projects as well.

Senawang train station looks quite modern. Was it built by IRCON ?

TWK90

February 17th, 2011, 02:34 PM

Thanks for the updates TWK90. It is good to know that the IRCON is actively working on international projects as well.

Senawang train station looks quite modern. Was it built by IRCON ?

Built by IRCON.

http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2011/2/12/central/8049082&sec=central

Indian company Ircon Inter-national Limited was awarded the project to build and upgrade the Seremban-Gemas rail stretch which runs through three states — Negri Sembilan (65km), Malacca (32km) and Johor (1.45km).

Project management consultant, Malaysian company.

Bombay2Calcutta

February 17th, 2011, 03:43 PM

^^ thanks Awesome :)

s.yogendra

February 17th, 2011, 08:44 PM

Double deck (bi-level) cars of the Poona-Daund/Baramati Passenger

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/1177/ddcars.jpg (http://img140.imageshack.us/i/ddcars.jpg/)

Double deck (bi-level) cars of the Poona-Daund/Baramati Passenger. Although the use of space is impressive when the cars are empty, when full, they are cramped, stuffy and claustrophobic, and very unpopular with passengers. Several short distance trains used dd cars in the 1980s, now they are being withdrawn. This must be the only fully vestibuled stopping passenger train on the IR network!

Source:- IRFCA

Bombay2Calcutta

February 18th, 2011, 12:56 AM

Businessman offers to run private train to Shirdi

MUMBAI: A devotee of Shirdi Sai Baba has submitted a Rs-50 crore proposal to the union railway ministry to operate a private train between Mumbai and Shirdi.

Rajesh Nihak, a Mumbai-based businessman, recently sent the ambitious plan to railway minister Mamata Banerjee and railway board chairman Vivek Sahai. Under his proposal, the train will have eight to nine compartments, be able to accommodate around 900 followers of the famous saint, and charge roughly the same fare as that of a Volvo bus.

"We have discussed the proposal at length with the railway administration. It is along the lines of the prestigious Palace on Wheels. Against the existing travel time of seven hours, we have proposed to cover the distance in three-and-a-half hours. For Sai's devotees, it will be a daylong trip-from 7am to 11pm. We are sure our proposal will be accepted," Nihak told TOI.

"After we conducted a survey, we found that more than 700 Volvo buses are operating between Mumbai and Shirdi and the travel time ranges between six and eight hours. If our proposal is accepted, the comfort level of Sai's devotees will increase and there will be a drastic cut in the travel time," he added.

Nihak said he has proposed to import state-of-the-art compartments for the train. "Once our proposal is approved, we will submit details plans to the railways' Research Design and Standards Organisation, particularly for the approval of the bogies' design," Nihak said.

The businessman is hopeful of a positive response from Banerjee and Sahai, both of whom, he says, are Sai Baba's devotees. "They liked our concept. The railway board will have to take a policy decision on private sector participation in the operation of trains. In the larger interest of Sai's devotees, I am sure, they will accept our proposal," he said.

The proposal has got supporters in agriculture minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil (who represents the Shirdi assembly constituency) and Shirdi Saibaba trust chairman Jayant Sasane. Both say it is the need of the hour. "Given the number of devotees, the existing railway facilities are grossly inadequate. A special train between Mumbai and Shirdi will be real gift to the devotees," Sasane said.

Sasane has called on Banerjee and Sahai to demand more trains for Shirdi. "Since the devotees come from all over India, we urged the minister to provide more trains from the north of the country in the rail budget. We are in the process of implementing a Rs 1000-crore plan to meet the requirements of the devotees," Sasane said.

Sasane said a provision of Rs 100 crore has been made for the development of the temple complex, Rs 300 crore for a super-specialty hospital, Rs 100 crore for a garden, Rs 115 crore for the accommodation of 15,000 devotees, Rs 28 crore for water supply scheme, Rs 90 cr for internal roads and Rs 8 crore for a bus depot. "Our annual income is Rs 350 crore. We are spending most of the funds for development of the township," Sasane said.

Read more: Businessman offers to run private train to Shirdi - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Businessman-offers-to-run-private-train-to-Shirdi/articleshow/7518257.cms#ixzz1EGPM4nth

Bombay2Calcutta

February 18th, 2011, 01:05 AM

ET (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/railways/railways-to-set-up-16-rail-neer-water-bottling-plants/articleshow/7514589.cms)
Railways to set up 16 Rail Neer water bottling plants

NEW DELHI: In a move which could see a drop in prices of packaged 'Rail Neer' drinking water bottles, served in trains, Railways have firmed up plans to set up 16 new bottling plants across the country under PPP mode.

"While there was proposal for setting up of six bottling plants in the Railway Budget, it was revised and scaled up to 16 new plants," said an IRCTC official, the organisation which is handling the Rail Neer plants.

At present, Rail Neer bottles, priced at Rs 12 each, are served only on-board trains.

"The number of plants would make the packaged water bottle more economical. Today we transport the cartons over 400 kms away leaving little scope to cut price," he said.

The process of setting up the first one at Allahabad under public-private partnership mode has already been finalised, he said.

At present, IRCTC operates two plants -- one in Nangloi (Delhi) and the other one in Danapur in Bihar -- catering to the requirement for the entire country.

The official said trial run for the third plant at Chennai will start in February. It will have double the production capacity of the existing two plants, rolling out 15,000 cartons per day.

Towards the end of this year, the fourth plant at Mumbai with a capacity to produce 25 cartons per day, would also start operations, the official said.

Each carton has 12 bottles. The official said 16 new plants would also help Railways to launch the Rail Neer bottles in markets.

Bombay2Calcutta

February 18th, 2011, 01:31 AM

http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/PUBLICATIONS/HT/HM/2011/02/18/Article//007/18_02_2011_007_029.jpg

southernman

February 18th, 2011, 01:46 PM

So Indian Railways Can do some nice Projects elseWhere in the World, but decided not to Improve The very Basic needs of Indians. Poor Railway.

Bombay2Calcutta

February 18th, 2011, 04:45 PM

IBN Live (http://ibnlive.in.com/news/bangladesh-wants-rail-link-with-india/143691-2.html)
Bangladesh wants rail link with India

New Delhi: Bangladesh has sought enhanced transport links with India, particularly rail connectivity. During a meeting with External Affairs Minister S M Krishna here on Thursday, Bangladesh Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs A H Mahmood Ali, MP, sought re-establishment of rail connectivity at Chilahati-Haldibari and Kulaura-Mahishashon between the two neighbours.

Ali, who is heading the Bangladesh delegation to LDC conference here, also wanted early operationalization of Rohanpur-Singhabad rail link and dual gauge conversion of Parbatipur-Birol rail section. The two leaders also discussed connectivity to Nepal and Bhutan through India as well as use of Chittagong port as a regional hub of connectivity, a statement issued by Bangladesh High Commission said on Friday. It said India has assured early conclusion of water-sharing deals on Teesta and Feni rivers with Bangladesh.

He highlighted that passenger coach factory in Saidpur in Bangladesh could be modernized with Indian support under the USD 1 billion credit line extended by India during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to India in January last year.

Ali and Krishna also discussed bilateral issues like barrier-free trade, stopping of civilian killings at the border and unfettered access to Tin Bigha enclave.

Bangladesh High Commissioner to India, Tariq Ahmad Karim, Bangladesh Permanent Representative to the UN in New York Dr A K Abdul Momen, and Director General (Economic Affairs), Ministry of Foreign Affairs accompanied Mahmood Ali during the meeting with Krishna.

Bombay2Calcutta

February 18th, 2011, 09:44 PM

BS (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/rail-ppp-onslow-track/425749/)

Rail PPP on a slow track

Sudheer Pal Singh / New Delhi February 19, 2011, 0:47 IST

The government’s plan to transform the country’s crumbling transport infrastructure through private participation has not made much headway. While just over a year remains in the current Plan period, the projected private investment of Rs 211,600 crore in railways, roads and airports has already been lowered by 60 per cent to Rs 86,700 crore.

Not surprisingly, Indian Railways, which has resisted privatisation for years, has fared the worst. The Planning Commission recently slashed the expected private investment of Rs 50,354 crore — or, 20 per cent of the overall investment of Rs 261,800 crore — in railways for the current Plan period by as much as 83 per cent to Rs 8,316 crore.

That comes as disappointing news, given that the public-private participation (PPP) model has proved a major success in telecom and highway development. In a recent discussion with the media, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the country would see a fresh wave of infrastructure investment via the PPP route.

The ministry of railways has issued several policies aimed at building infrastructure with private participation in the past two years. Crucial projects on offer via PPP include new engine manufacturing units in Marhoura and Madhepura in Bihar, high-capacity freight bogey manufacturing factories in Dalmianagar in Bihar and Majerhar in West Bengal and the Son Nagar-Dankuni Section of the dedicated freight corridor.

Industry’s response to these schemes has, however, been somewhat muted. A host of reasons, including ill-designed model agreements and the railways’ insistence on majority stake in projects, have ensured delays in awarding PPP projects, according to experts.

The showcase Madhepura locomotive project in Bihar, conceived in February 2007 at an investment of Rs 1,290 crore, is an example. Bids to select a joint venture partner were invited in May 2008. The rail ministry shortlisted Alstom, Bombardier and Siemens through competitive bidding and issued draft requests for proposal in September. However, none of them applied for the financial bid.

The ministry then decided to set up the unit as a railways production factory, which was approved by the Cabinet. In December 2009, the ministry decided to revert to the JV mode and a fresh request for quotes was issued in March 2010.

The ministry shortlisted Alstom, Bombardier, Siemens and GE Transportation and final bids will be invited soon, according to sources.

“PPP is a game of structuring a project well. The structure of projects being planned by Indian Railways is not up to the expectation of private players. Projects have to be made bankable. Otherwise, private players are reluctant to invest, given the long gestation period of rail projects,” said Akhileshwar Sahay, president, transportation, at Delhi-based project management firm Feedback Ventures.

Apart from expectations of a greater role in running a project, the lack of adequate concessions and assured off-take often dampen private players’ interest in projects. A case in point is the Son Nagar- Dankuni section of the dedicated freight corridor.

While 14 top infrastructure companies have evinced interest in the project, talks have remained inconclusive owing to their demand for a change in the project model. “We had initially said the project would be on design-build-finance-transfer basis. But the companies said they want design-build-finance-operate-maintain-transfer basis. And this is in addition to appropriate concessions. That is currently being discussed. Indian Railways has never done this,” said a senior rail ministry official.

Another issue is the government’s insistence on a majority stake in projects. The rail ministry was initially unwilling to accept less than 51 per cent stake in PPP projects. “Now, it has come down to 26 per cent. Actually, the government’s stake should be less than 26 per cent,” Sahay said.

“PPP is about sharing risk and ownership, and the rail ministry has been touchy on this issue,” said Tarun Kumar Gupta, senior manager, PricewaterhouseCoopers. However, he added that the entire concept of PPP is still new for Indian railways.

"Another issue is the lack of players with the kind of technical expertise required to execute large projects being offered by the government. Also, the lack of a proper policy document detailing the government's thinking on PPP makes private players apprehensive of railway projects,” he said.

While Minister for Railways Mamata Banerjee had said in her Budget speech last year that policy guidelines on private investment would be made simple, easy and investment friendly, a month before the current financial year comes to an end, her ministry is still struggling to finalise a workable PPP policy. The ministry last month set up a six-member committee to do the job. It has so far had only “generic” discussions on the concept of PPP, according to Railway Board chairman Vivek Sahay.

Banerjee had also set up an expert committee in 2009-10 under Ficci Secretary-General Amit Mitra to work out a suitable PPP model for rail projects and suggest innovative ways to finance them. While the panel submitted its report last month, according to sources, the railways’ limited financial resources might come in the way of implementing provisions like assured off-take.

Experts agree that at the current pace, meeting the Vision 2020 target of mobilising a “considerable share” of the required Rs 14 lakh crore investment in Indian Railways over the next decade through private participation might be difficult.

Bombay2Calcutta

February 19th, 2011, 10:14 PM

B’lore to Delhi in 31 hours
Bangalore, Feb 19, DH (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/139302/blore-delhi-31-hours.html)News Service :

Bangaloreans can now reach New Delhi in 31 hours, at least two and a half hours less than what the Rajdhani Express takes to reach the national capital now, if they travel by the newly introduced Duronto Express.

The airconditioned Duronto Express was flagged off by Minister of State for Railways K H Muniyappa on Saturday morning at the Yeshwanthpur Railway Station. Passengers will be able to travel to Delhi faster than other prestigious super-fast rail services like the Rajdhani. The train will have first AC, second AC and third AC coaches.

The fare of first AC is Rs 5,012, second AC Rs 2,951 and third AC Rs 2,233. This is considerably higher than the Rajdhani which charges Rs 4,555 for first AC, Rs 2755 for second AC and Rs 2085 for third AC. The Duronto will reach its destination in 31 hours, while the Rajdhani takes 33.5 hours.

The non-stop point-to-point service is equipped with features like dustbins, fire extinguishers, bottle holders, mobile charging points, sliding transparent doors and LED lights, among others. The fares are inclusive of catering services provided on board the train. There will be doctors on board. The train leaves for New Delhi from Bangalore on Saturdays. Minister Muniyappa congratulated the railway authorities on launching the new train service and announced a reward of Rs 50,000 for them.

D B Chandregowda, MP, Bangalore North, was also present on the occasion.

Trains to national capital

*Karnataka Express: Leaves Bangalore at 7:20 pm and arrives in Delhi a day and a half later at 10:40 am. Runs seven days a week. Travel Time: 39.20 hours.

*Rajdhani Express: Leaves Bangalore at 8:20 pm and arrives in Delhi a day and a half later at 5:50 am. Runs four days a week. Travel Time: 33.30 hours.

*Sampark Kranthi Express: Leaves Yeshwanthpur at 10:10 pm and arrives in Delhi a day and a half later at 9:25 am. Runs five days a week. Travel Time: 35.15 hours

Bombay2Calcutta

February 20th, 2011, 12:59 AM

http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/PUBLICATIONS/HT/HM/2011/02/20/Article//003/20_02_2011_003_008.jpg

gentem

February 20th, 2011, 05:36 AM

B’lore to Delhi in 31 hours (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/139302/blore-delhi-31-hours.html)
Bangalore, Feb 19, DH News Service :

Bangaloreans can now reach New Delhi in 31 hours, at least two and a half hours less than what the Rajdhani Express takes to reach the national capital now, if they travel by the newly introduced Duronto Express.

The airconditioned Duronto Express was flagged off by Minister of State for Railways K H Muniyappa on Saturday morning at the Yeshwanthpur Railway Station. Passengers will be able to travel to Delhi faster than other prestigious super-fast rail services like the Rajdhani. The train will have first AC, second AC and third AC coaches.

The fare of first AC is Rs 5,012, second AC Rs 2,951 and third AC Rs 2,233. This is considerably higher than the Rajdhani which charges Rs 4,555 for first AC, Rs 2755 for second AC and Rs 2085 for third AC. The Duronto will reach its destination in 31 hours, while the Rajdhani takes 33.5 hours.

The non-stop point-to-point service is equipped with features like dustbins, :lol: fire extinguishers, bottle holders, mobile charging points, sliding transparent doors and LED lights, among others. The fares are inclusive of catering services provided on board the train. There will be doctors on board. The train leaves for New Delhi from Bangalore on Saturdays. Minister Muniyappa congratulated the railway authorities on launching the new train service and announced a reward of Rs 50,000 for them.

D B Chandregowda, MP, Bangalore North, was also present on the occasion.

Trains to national capital

*Karnataka Express: Leaves Bangalore at 7:20 pm and arrives in Delhi a day and a half later at 10:40 am. Runs seven days a week. Travel Time: 39.20 hours.
*Rajdhani Express: Leaves Bangalore at 8:20 pm and arrives in Delhi a day and a half later at 5:50 am. Runs four days a week. Travel Time: 33.30 hours.
*Sampark Kranthi Express: LeavesYeshwanthpur at 10:10 pm and arrives in Delhi a day and a half later at 9:25 am. Runs five days a week. Travel Time: 35.15 hours.
We already have bangalore-kolkata duronto. This budget coming: Bangalore-Mumbai Duronto :banana:

Bombay2Calcutta

February 20th, 2011, 05:55 PM

HINDU (http://www.hindu.com/2011/02/20/stories/2011022062470200.htm)
More trains for delta districts

Special Correspondent

— Photo: B. Velankanni Raj

http://www.hindu.com/2011/02/20/images/2011022062470201.jpg

RIGHT TRACK: Deepak Krishan, second from left, General Manager, Southern Railway; P.V.Vaidialingam, left , DRM, inspecting the track near Nagapattinam.

TIRUVARUR: Broad gauge conversion between Tiruvarur and Mayiladuthurai will be completed by the end of the year said Deepak Krishan, General Manager, Southern Railway, here on Friday.

He told presspersons that more trains will be available for people from Tiruvaur, Nagapattinam, Nagore Velankanni to Chennai once the work is completed.

The General Manager, along with P.V.Vaidialingam, DRM, Tiruchi, Narayanan, Chief Engineer, M.Mohan, Chief Safety Officer, Patnaik, Chief Manager (operations), inspected the railway tracks, level crossings, and stations in the Thanjavur-Tiruvarur-Nagapattinam route on Friday.

The officials inspected Saliyamangalam, Needamangalam and Tiruvarur railway stations and the General Manager appreciated authorities on the good maintenance of the Tiruvarur station.

Answering the possibility of attaching coaches from Tiruvarur to the Chennai bound Cholan Express, Mr. Krishan said that it was not possible as trains were being operated end-to-end. However, he promised to look into the matter.

Nagapattinam

Conducting a day-long inspection along the BG line from Thanjavur to Nagore Mr.Krishan, said that the annual inspection carried jointly with various department heads is necessary to gauge the infrastructural and service deficiencies, if any, and the means to address them.

In Nagapattinam, the sharp curve near the railway gate, tens of meters from the Nagapattinam railway station, was the site of inspection here. The team ascertained the possibility for a smoothened turn in place of the existing sharp curve that restricted the speed of trains. “We wanted to work out some method to reduce the sharpness of the curve, so that speed of the trains would remain unhindered at this point,” Mr.Krishan said.

Bombay2Calcutta

February 20th, 2011, 06:01 PM

HINDU (http://www.hindu.com/2011/02/20/stories/2011022053670900.htm)
New oil-fired locomotive for Nilgiris Mountain Railway arrives

V.S. Palaniappan

— Photo: K. Ananthan
http://www.hindu.com/2011/02/20/images/2011022053670901.jpg
Change in the air:A crane lifts the first of the four new oil-fired steam locomotives for the Nilgiris Mountain Railway that arrived at Mettupalayam

METTUPALAYAM: The first of the four new oil-fired steam engines for the Nilgiris Mountain Railway (NMR) arrived at the Mettupalayam railway yard on Saturday from the Golden Rock Workshop in Tiruchirapalli. The next one is expected to arrive by June.

This signals the beginning of the process to phase out the coal-fired vintage Swiss engines that took scores of passengers on the rack and pinion track to Coonoor and Udhagamandalam, covering 41.8 km, 108 curves, 16 tunnels and 250 bridges.

The uphill journey takes around close to five hours and the one downhill takes more than three-and-a-half hours. The route is the steepest in Asia with a maximum gradient of 8.33 per cent.

Over the last two years, the NMR engines developed technical snags frequently and there were problems in procuring quality coal. Sparks from the engine also posed the risk of stroking forest fire.

Hence, the Southern Railway decided to replace the coal-fired locomotives. The work was entrusted to Golden Rock Workshop of Southern Railway at Tiruchirapalli. Each of the new engines weighs a little over 50 tonnes and cost Rs.10 crore.

The new engine has been provided with pilot and primary burners with separate tanks to hold about 850 litres of diesel and 2,250 litres of furnace oil. The hauling capacity of this new engine is 97.6 tonnes and it can run at a speed of 30 km an hour in plains and at 15 km an hour on a gradient.

Rajali, a crane from the Erode locomotive workshop, with a capacity to handle 140 tonnes, was moved to Mettuppalayam to place the new engine on the track. The locomotive was brought from Tiruchi to Mettupalayam this morning by a multi-axle goods carrier. It was then shifted to an open goods train wagon and taken close to the NMR line. It was lifted from the wagon and placed on the rail by evening.

Officials hoped to put the engine to use by Sunday on the Mettuppalayam–Coonoor section. The arrival of the new engines raises hopes of eliminating the disruption in service that occurred frequently over the last two years.

For long, the X Class locomotives manufactured by Swiss Locomotive and Machine Works of Winterthur in Switzerland lent that distinct charm to NMR. These locomotives are six to eight decades old, railway officials said.

Bombay2Calcutta

February 20th, 2011, 06:04 PM

IRCTC package for 'Gurudwara Darshan

In a bid to promote religious tourism in Lucknow region, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has introduced a package for 'Gurudwara Darshan', commencing from May 22 and concluding on June 6, 2011. The 16-day package will originate and disembark at Delhi and will cover Nanded Sahib, Bider, Gwalior, Bhatinda and Amritsar. A per-person-package will cost the pilgrim Rs 8,208 (including service tax). Booking can be done at regional office of the IRCTC in Lucknow.

Read more: IRCTC package for 'Gurudwara Darshan' - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/IRCTC-package-for-Gurudwara-Darshan/articleshow/7524792.cms#ixzz1EWHEXLsM

Bombay2Calcutta

February 20th, 2011, 06:15 PM

Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2008/12/31/stories/2008123160861200.htm)

India to import electric locomotives from Japan

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Japanese succeeded in pushing India into having its proposed western freight corridor run on electric. Did it also push Delhi into buying its new generation advanced technology electric locomotives for the Indian Railways?

That is the major question doing the rounds in the Rail Bhavan here. That may well be the pound of flesh recession-hit Tokyo is seeking to extract from Delhi for lending a soft loan to the railways for constructing the ambitious Dedicated Freight Corridor estimated to cost about Rs. 37,000 crore.

Even as it sought to negotiate a loan from Japan, the Indian Railways was firm in its decision not to electrify the western corridor and to rely on diesel locos to carry the double stack containers. But after almost two years, the railways yielded to the Japanese demand without compromising on its decision to carry double the freight on the new pathway to reduce per unit cost of transportation.

As if to meet the Japanese requirement, the railway authorities rushed to the design room to develop a new system to accommodate movement of double stack containers on flat wagons hauled by an electric loco in the absence of available technology elsewhere in the world. The engineers found an answer in the form of a higher overhead line equipment carrying power at a height of 7.45 metres with a high-reach pantograph (current collecting vehicle) attached to the loco.

Blueprint changed

Consequently India changed its blueprint for the western freight corridor and it did not take much time for Japan to financially contribute to the project. Japan stressed on electrification on environmental grounds.

According to Railway Board officials, Delhi has decided to import new class electric locos from Japan. The railways intend to use 9000 HP engines for the western corridor and 12000 HP electric locos for the eastern corridor.The railways are presently using 5000 HP, 5400 HP and 6000 HP freight and passenger locos and working on indigenously increasing their capacities to 7000 HP.

Japan has agreed to transfer technology along with the export of its high-speed locos. Details on the number of locos to be imported and their price are being worked out.

sidney_jec

February 20th, 2011, 06:53 PM

they were going for diesel locos?? :nuts:

Edit: oh because of the height of the double stacked containers

zoxtannin

February 20th, 2011, 08:13 PM

As long as it comes with technology transfer, it is ok. We desperately need powerful electric engines. I think the most powerful for Chittaranjan Locomotives is WAP7. We are yet to develop 7000ho. So if this comes with tech transfer, hopefully in 5-6 yrs post transfer, we would be able to develop indegious engines. Go the chinese way, get technology and then customize it. We have suffered enough bcoz of poor planning.

gentem

February 21st, 2011, 07:02 AM

http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/PUBLICATIONS/HT/HM/2011/02/20/Article//002/20_02_2011_002_004.jpg
source:hindustan times

Very right, there is useful info above window level regarding train number type etc.. It is very annoying when they paint full trai with advertisement it is difficult to read coach no etc.

Bombay2Calcutta

February 21st, 2011, 09:35 AM

http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/PUBLICATIONS/HT/HM/2011/02/18/Article//007/18_02_2011_007_029.jpg

Bombay2Calcutta

February 21st, 2011, 09:56 AM

Source (http://expressbuzz.com/cities/kochi/a-rail-corridor-to-industrial-growth/249916.html)

A rail corridor to industrial growth

KOCHI: Reaching Kasargod from the state capital in three hours by train is no longer a remote dream.

With the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) informing the state government that the Thiruvananthapuram Kochi Kasargod Rail Corridor project is viable, the muchhyped project, expected to be a boon for the industries in the state, is taking shape.

The state government has asked KINCO to submit a detailed report on the viability of the project by March 31. Once the project becomes a reality, it will take less than two hours for a passenger from Thiruvananthapuram to reach Kozhikode. "Lack of fast transportation facilities has crippled the industrial prospects of the state. Corporates give high priority to fast and cheap transport facilities," Industries Department sources said.

"That's why the Industries Department mooted the idea of a rail corridor." The DMRC has already suggested nine stations, including Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Kochi, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasargod for the rail project, which will have double track lines. Trains will conduct services at a speed of 350 km per hour.

One of the main attractions of the project is the minimal land acquisition required for it. The railway line will be running on the pier constructed on the pillars, so that the land acquisition can be limited to the bare minimum. If a road project with the same objective is mooted, it will require more land.Even at the stage of conception, the state government has received support from many people. The NRIs, especially those from the Gulf countries, have already expressed their willingness to invest in the project.

Once the detailed project report (DPR) is completed, it will take only three years to make the `50,000crore project a reality. The government has set apart `10 crore for the preparation of the DPR.

Bombay2Calcutta

February 23rd, 2011, 12:50 AM

TELEGRAPH (http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110223/jsp/business/story_13622989.jsp)

Rail welcomes private role in linking mines
OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

New Delhi, Feb. 22: The railways will invite private investments in the construction of lines from coal and iron ore mines, with the developers guaranteed of getting the surcharge on the freight earned from the lines.

“Developers will also be responsible only for the construction of the lines and the ownership will then be transferred to the railways. The operations and maintenance of the lines will be looked after by the railways,” officials said on the policy that was unveiled today.

“As an incentive to the developers, for the return of capital, surcharge on the freight carried over the lines would be given over a period of 10-25 years,” the officials said.

Arvind Mahajan, executive director and infrastructure analyst at KPMG, said private parties would be influenced by the rate of return on investment and the risks involved.

“The railways’ move to attract private sector has not been impressive in the recent past as the incentives to woo private players and risk sharing in the project have not been attractive. Only the fine print would indicate, how much interest the new policy would evoke,” he said.

The new policy has two models — the capital cost model and the special purpose vehicle (SPV) model.

Two options

The capital cost model is relevant when there is one line developer, while the SPV model is when there are many developers.

The capital cost model allows the developer to spend the money directly on building the railway line.

The SPV model allows many developers to put the money meant for the line into a single corporate fund, which can be managed by the railways or jointly by the firms and the railways for setting up the railway line.

The demand for coal and iron ore is growing at a fast pace, and rail is the only feasible and sustainable mode of transport.

This policy is expected to hasten the development of a rail network connecting the coal and iron ore belts, officials said.

Bombay2Calcutta

February 23rd, 2011, 04:50 AM

ET (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/railways/rlys-plans-to-use-alloys-in-wagons-to-cut-costs/articleshow/7552616.cms)
Rlys plans to use alloys in wagons to cut costs

KOLKATA: Indian Railways plans to introduce new wagons that are cheaper by a fifth and carry almost the same weight as the existing stainless steel ones.

However, the railways will seek inputs from all stakeholders before taking a final decision on the use of 'high alloy mild steel' for manufacture of covered wagons, a railways official said.

This steel is expected to lower the production cost by about Rs 6-7 lakh per wagon, which costs around Rs 35 lakh. A wagon built using mild steel willl be able to carry the same weight as that by a stainless steel one, which is approximately 70.8 tonne.

The official said, "When we decided to go for stainless steel wagons some two years ago, the pay-to-tare-ratio' (the load factor) improved. But the procurement cost per wagon nearly doubled and adversely impacted Indian Railways' (IR) margins."

The Railways had released orders for procuring 18,000 wagons for the financial year 2010-11.

A senior industry player said, "The difference in procurement cost is substantial and will have a positive impact on IR's profits."

Half the wagons produced in the country are covered. Uncovered wagons, or open wagons, are prone to corrosion and so have a lower life span. "It is, therefore, prudent to use stainless steel for uncovered wagons. For covered wagons, we have been trying to find out ways to lower manufacturing costs. We finally zeroed in on high alloy mild steel," the source said. Steel producers have more or less agreed to supply this steel to wagon manufacturers.

World8115

February 23rd, 2011, 06:22 AM

CRS inspects new rail line

Source (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/CRS-inspects-new-rail-line/articleshow/7550473.cms)
Commissioner of railway safety (CRS) of eastern region R P Yadav inspected the newly constructed broad gauge ( BG ) line on Sitamarhi-Bargania route on Friday and Saturday under Samastipur division of the East Central Railway ( ECR).

Though the final report is expected to reach the Railway Board and ECR headquarters soon, the railways has decided to run several pairs of passenger trains on this route to fulfill the needs of people of the area. According to ECR CPRO Dilip Kumar, the Board had sanctioned gauge conversion work on Jayanagar -Darbhanga -Sitamarhi Bargania-Raxaul-Narkatiaganj-Bikhnatori route way back in 1997-1998 at an estimated cost of Rs 800 crore covering a stretch of about 294 km. The railways carried out the gauge conversion work phase-wise and completed first Jayanagar-Darbhanga route in a 68 km stretch in 2007, he said, adding the Darbhanga-Sitamarhi route was completed in 2008 in 68 km stretch.

The CPRO said that the ECR expedited gauge conversion work on Sitamarhi-Bargania route in a stretch of about 28 km under the direct supervision of chief administrative officer (CAO) Parmod Kumar. During the trial conducted on this particular route, the CRS tested the run of passenger train at 110 kmph speed on the tracks. The railways has built 13 minor bridges and strengthened the existing old bridge on river Bagmati on Sitamarhi -Bargania route, he said.

The railways intends to carry out gauge conversion work between Bargania and Raxaul from April 1 this year in 54 km stretch. This work will be completed by the end of this year, the CPRO said, adding the Raxaul-Narkatiaganj and Narkatiaganj-Bikhnatori routes would be taken up soon after completion of this route up to Raxaul this year. It may be recalled that earlier metre gauge lines had existed on this route. The movement of traffic would become faster after conversion of all metre gauge lines into broad gauge lines, sources said, adding this route would have an alternative broad gauge line having direct connectivity to Gorakahpur in the west and Kolkata in the east.
:cheers:

rupakd

February 23rd, 2011, 07:15 AM

Railways-NTPC Adra JV caught in Mamata-Nitish tussle

A proposed joint venture between the Indian Railways and NTPC Ltd for setting up a 1,320 mw thermal power plant in West Bengal has been caught in a tussle between the railway ministry and Bihar government over issues relating to a similar joint venture.

The power plant, proposed to be set up at Adra in Purulia district of West Bengal, has been made a part of Bhartiya Rail Bijlee Co Ltd, a 26:74 joint venture between the railways and NTPC.

This venture was floated to set up a 1,000 MW thermal power plant at Nabinagar in Bihar, where the Bhartiya Rail Bijlee Co is headquartered.

The Adra project was earlier proposed to be an independent thermal power station with a similar holding pattern.

"There has been no development on the Adra project after the memorandum of understanding was signed between NTPC and the railways ministry some six months back," an NTPC official told ET. "The railway ministry and the Nitish government have locked horns over the location of the headquarters of Bhartiya Rail Bijlee Company and the name of the company."

"The railway ministry wants the headquarters of the company shifted to West Bengal and its name replaced with a Bengali-sounding name. But the Bihar government is not too keen on the proposal. It wants the company's name as well as it head office to remain the same as they are now," the official said. Economic Times

vsonline

February 23rd, 2011, 05:15 PM

I just came across this peice of news:
(Its ironic how Indians and Pakstani think about the Indian Railway)

Fix the engines

By Imran Bajwa

Has anybody heard about a country that can’t spare $40 million to save a national asset worth $10,000 million and over 90,000 jobs while still buying F-16s worth $3,000 million?

That fateful country is Pakistan and the national asset is Pakistan Railways. Let’s begin by analysing Indian Railways.

Indian Railways posted a net revenue growth of above 50 percent during the last four years, the same four years when Pakistan Railway employees were blocking trains to ensure their next month’s salary or the overhead electric cables were being stolen near Khanewal or kilometres of rail track were being stolen from defunct and non-performing routes.

Indian Railways had a turnover of $18,600 million last year. Pakistan Railways could only do $235 million, just over 1 percent of their neighbour. Indian Railways earned $3,750 million profit while Pakistanis couldn’t do even one tenth of that in total revenue and suffered tens of millions of dollars in losses. Here also we need to match India.

Three generals under president Pervez Musharraf were handed over the task of turning round Pakistan Railways but even they couldn’t. Engines burnt in Sindh in the aftermath of Benazir Bhutto’s assassination are still parked in railway yards awaiting repair. In total over 100 locomotives are currently parked in the railway yards in Karachi, Rawalpindi and Lahore, awaiting basic repairs. They require $40 million worth of spare parts.

Our cabinet, instead, sanctioned the purchase of 150 new engines not so long ago at an estimated budget of over $300 million.

The purchase of new engines has been a hot topic in Islamabad since the last three years with both the Americans and Chinese willing to provide over $400 million in credits for 250 new engines. The American and Chinese lobbies in Islamabad are fighting to the hilt to ensure this new business for their respective rail industries. Bidding for this new business has already been shelved a couple of times to strike some balance between these titans.

Pakistan, meanwhile, has virtually shut down its own assembly line for the very same engines gifted by the Japanese in 1994. This national asset is called Risalpur Locomotive Engine Factory. Commissioned at a cost of about $100 million in 1994 by the Japanese to help Pakistan stabilise its dying railways, the Risalpur Factory could only assemble 97 engines during the last 16 years. This factory was designed for 48 engines every year in a single shift. With only 12 percent results, the Japanese who financed this project and helped train our engineers were so disappointed with the direction of Pakistan that they themselves advised the Pakistani government to sell this factory to the private sector, in 2004. But the Railways Ministry kept this wonderful factory since the last 16 years just to ensure that the machinery in this factory rusts irreversibly, while they keep buying new engines.

India, on the other hand, made over 4,000 locomotive engines and more than 42,000 bogies/coaches during the same 16 years. In fact, the Indians are currently making one locomotive engine and 11 coaches every day. Let’s try and understand this whole rail business first. Different spare parts used in a railway engine are made by over 150 companies around the world. Then there are companies that buy these spare parts from different vendors and assemble these parts into a full engine. About 30 commercial assembly plants of these engines exist around the world today.

The heart of a railway engine is the diesel generator. These are all made in the US by General Motors, General Electric and ALCO (three of the largest American firms). Even the Americans assemble these generators from spare parts bought from different vendors. This mobile diesel generator is of around 3MW capacity. Then there are the steel frames, wheels, brakes system and traction motors to enable these power generating diesel engines to pull the weight of the rail cars in which passengers and goods travel. Very simple science.

The approximate cost of spare parts needed to make a railway engine is approximately 35 percent of the cost of a brand new assembled engine. This means any country that has an assembly plant and an efficient system of procuring these spare parts can actually build up to three brand new engines at the cost of one assembled engine. India has one such assembly plant, Pakistan also had one. Job creation, creativity, and the very kick of rolling these engines out from an assembly plant is the cream on top.

The Japanese built the same facility for us at Risalpur but our grand planners in Islamabad didn’t have spare money to run this gifted facility, because they thought it was not a priority area. They perhaps assumed that the same Japanese who helped build this factory will also keep paying for its raw material till Pakistan remains.

Source:
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2011\02\23\story_23-2-2011_pg7_19