Must watch :-(

XgwgJcptgQY :bash:

Did that guy just stop a TRAIN to get something from that place????

that train looked like it was getting shunted to/from the yard

DTH platform drops anchor on railway tracks

Come next year, Indian Railways will redefine the travelling experience of passengers on premium trains by offering live television services on-board.

The country’s largest Direct-to-Home (DTH) service provider, Dish TV, which has recently executed a pilot project on the Kalka Shatabdi, is in the fray to bag the contract. Reliance Big TV, too, has evinced interest.

Sanjay Behl, chief executive officer, Reliance DTH & IPTV, said, “Reliance Digital TV has capability to provide services in cars, buses and trains. We are keen to evaluate all tenders in this regard, including that of the Indian Railways.”
To begin with, the services would be introduced on eight Delhi-bound Shatabdi trains and then in Rajdhanis and Durontos. Passengers would be able to surf through as many as 70 channels covering genres such as entertainment, cricket and news.

“The service will be provided free of cost. The contractor would have to pay a stipulated licence fee to the railways and in lieu would get airtime for advertising content on trains,” said a senior Northern Railways official.

Live television services are already offered by DTH operators on premium inter-city buses, luxury trains and ships. But this would be the first time the service would be rolled out on a mass scale on trains.

Salil Kapoor, chief operating officer, Dish TV, said, “Mobile DTH services are a niche category right now. The devices installed in cars can be used on trains. With the growing popularity of sport utility vehicles in the country, we are seeing increasing potential in the segment.” Industry sources say the cost of installing a single seven-inch LCD screen for availing of mobile television services turns out to be Rs 1.75 lakh.

Northern Railways plans to install seven-inch LCD screens on the back of each seat of all executive-class and chair-car coaches in Shatabdi trains from Delhi. The cost of development, management and maintenance, including provision of audio and video content, internet surfing and games will be borne by the service provider. Twenty per cent of the content aired by the service provider can be advertisements.

The contractor can provide value-added services such as internet, facilities for making ticket reservations and hotels. Basic entertainment services will be free of cost, but passengers would have to pay for “add-on” services.

The official said, “The per rake (all coaches of train) investment of installation of live TVs will work out to be approximately Rs 1 crore for the contractor and another Rs 50 lakh would be expended in licence fee per train.” The contract period will be five years, extendable on the basis of performance. The licence fee will be collected on a half-yearly basis, and will be increased 10 per cent after the second year, 15 per cent after the third and 20 and 25 per cent in the fourth and fifth year, respectively.
http://www.business-standard.com/newsimgfiles/2011/august/20082011/homecorp.jpg

Source : Link (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/dth-platform-drops-anchorrailway-tracks/446444/)

Bhopal rail workshop to start rolling out luxury coaches soon
Bhopal: Get ready to travel in more style and comfort on India's favourite carrier—the railways. And when you do, don't forget to thank Bhopal.

Indian Railways has come out with an ambitious pilot project to revamp the interiors of the rail coaches of all reserved classes in a bid to create a 'homely' atmosphere during rail journeys.
The railway ministry has entrusted the West Central Railway Zone to design model coaches for bringing about this massive changes in trains.

And Bhopal's coach rehabilitation workshop (CRW) has been asked to bring model rakes on tracks for the entire country by the end of this year.
"We cannot create a sense of aestheticism in train journey unless we change the interiors of the coaches", insists a senior railway official.
Initially, the CRW will design 111 coaches of all reserved classes including AC and non- AC. The designs would be based on the best coaches available internationally.

The interiors of the new coaches would have screw-less modular walls and panels made of fibre.
They will have new bucket-type seats and special berths that can be turned into single beds.
The model coaches will have noiseless fans, LCDs to guide passengers and toilets that resemble those in aircrafts.

Source : Link (http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/MP-BHO-bhopal-rail-workshop-to-start-rolling-out-luxury-coaches-soon-2402578.html)

Did that guy just stop a TRAIN to get something from that place????

Just waiting for the firangs to start blasting our system in the comments - can't blame 'em though!!! That laughing Chimp of a driver should be fired.

DTH platform drops anchor on railway tracks

To begin with, the services would be introduced on eight Delhi-bound Shatabdi trains and then in Rajdhanis and Durontos. Passengers would be able to surf through as many as 70 channels covering genres such as entertainment, cricket and news.
Source : Link (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/dth-platform-drops-anchorrailway-tracks/446444/)

Finally tv in trains :banana: But i think it will be blacked out when train enters a tunnel :ohno: Maybe near tunnels they need to make some wifi with permanently fixed dish just outside tunnels..

http://www.deccanheraldepaper.com/pdf/2011/09/07/20110907a_008100005.jpg

^^ this is great news, this will increase earnings of railways by at least 1-2%!

Railways earnings up 10% during April-Aug (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/railways-earnings10-during-april-aug/146204/on)



Railways earnings rose by 10.30% during April to August this year to settle at Rs 41,030.37 crore as against the last year's Rs 37,198.66 crore.

The goods earnings have gone up from Rs 24,760.02 crore during April-August 2010 to Rs 27,435.82 crore during the corresponding period this year, an increase of 10.81%.

The passenger earnings during the first five months of the financial year 2011-12 were Rs 11,692.45 crore compared to Rs 10,592.02 crore during the same period last year, registering an increase of 10.39%.

The earnings from other coaching amounted to Rs 1152.91 crore during April-August 2011 compared to Rs 1028.59 crore during the same period last year, an increase of 12.09%.

The total number of passengers during April-August 2011 were 3,418.13 million compared to 3,252.59 million during the same period last year, showing an increase of 5.09%.

the passenger no. is almost 3 times of our population! :eek:

cc: the telegraph

India’s first bullet train could be a Calcutta-Delhi service, covering 1,500km in six hours to make Rajdhani and Duronto look like the laggard locomotives of old.

“The project is being discussed and we are looking for finance. We are looking at a public-private partnership on a build, operate and transfer basis,” railway minister Dinesh Trivedi told Metro. “I have spoken to the Japanese ambassador (for funding and know-how) and he has shown interest in the project.”

As of now, feasibility seems to be the only thing standing between the city and its proposed bullet-train link to the capital. Apart from superfast engines with pointy noses resembling planes, a bullet-train network requires dedicated tracks — stretches of them elevated — without any level crossings.

At that speed — an average of 250kmph and a maximum of 300-plus kmph — there isn’t any margin for error either. To put things in perspective, the average lap speed on the fastest F1 track this season, Monza in Italy, is 255kmph.

Cost is, of course, the deciding factor.

Railway officials said they estimated the budget for the proposed project to be around Rs 200 crore per kilometre, which works out to Rs 3,00,000 crore for just the Calcutta-Delhi route. That’s more than three times the railways’ working expenditure for the current fiscal.

So what makes Team Trivedi believe a bullet train will soon connect Calcutta to Delhi in six hours?

“We are looking at the big picture. It’s not just about connecting two cities, but also creating a subsidiary high-speed network around the two. Mumbai and Chennai will have similar high-speed corridors,” the rail minister said.

A senior ministry official said the proposal to explore the possibility of introducing bullet trains was as much a reflection of the change in mindset as a shift towards technologies already in use in the developed world.

“Earlier, the first response to a proposal like this would be, ‘Oh! Are you kidding me?’ and that would be the end of it. Not any longer.”

Trivedi said the fares for the bullet train service would be lower than that of air travel. The average one-way airfare on the Calcutta-Delhi route is currently Rs 4,500, inclusive of all taxes.

As and when the first bullet train hits the tracks, satellite townships like Haldia, Durgapur, Jamshedpur and Dhanbad will be connected to Calcutta by other high-speed trains to enable travellers to avail themselves of the new service.

The Rajdhani and Duronto are presently the fastest trains in the country, covering the Calcutta-Delhi route in around 17 hours.

Shatabdi trains are also popular because of their speed and convenience.

Minister Trivedi said studies would soon be commissioned on the type of tracks required, availability of land and other technical issues. A High Speed Corridor Authority is being set up for the project. “The details will be known by the end of the year,” a Railway Board official said.

With dedicated freight corridors already coming up, goods trains will soon be shifted from passenger train tracks. Locomotives and tracks will be upgraded to increase the speed of express trains, most of which now run at a maximum speed of between 120 to 150kmph.

“The target is to increase peak speed to 200kmph on the high speed network. A feasibility study in Mumbai has already started,” an official said.

Japan has the world’s largest bullet-train network, called the Shinkansen. All Shinkansen lines except two run on tracks that are exclusively built for it.

Survey for High Speed Corridor

http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=75785


M/s Mott MacDonald, United Kingdom has been engaged as Consultant to undertake prefeasibility study for High Speed Rail Corridor between Delhi-Agra-Lucknow-Varanasi-Patna.

The study will be completed by November 2011. Till now an amount of Rs. 88,64,192/- has been incurred on this study.

Ministry has decided to set up National High Speed Rail Authority (NHSRA) for planning, standard setting, implementing and monitoring of High Speed Rail Projects.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri K. H. Muniyappa in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

cc: the telegraph
India’s first bullet train could be a Calcutta-Delhi service, covering 1,500km in six hours to make Rajdhani and Duronto look like the laggard locomotives of old.



ohk. Mr Trivedi Sir, with due respect, can we have zero discharge toilets first in our dabbas?

Another "Could be" proposal for high speed rail!!! If i had a penny for every high speed proposal that these morons churn up with amazing frequency - I'd be a millionaire!!

^^Very true. Another bull crap of HSR.

ET (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/railways/ac-double-decker-train-gets-safety-clearance/articleshow/9909420.cms)
AC double-decker train gets safety clearance


NEW DELHI: The first ever air conditioned double-decker train is likely to be launched shortly on the Howrah-Dhanbad route as it has obtained all necessary clearances from the Chief Commissioner Railway Safety (CCRS) after successful trial runs.

"The problems encountered during trial runs like coaches touching the edge of the platform have been sorted out and the Howrah-Dhanbad AC double-decker train with eight coaches would be flagged off soon," said a senior Railway Ministry official.

The train will have complete sitting accommodation with each coach having a capacity of 128 passengers as compared to 78 passengers in Shatabdi chair cars, thus increasing the sitting space by almost 70 per cent.

Though the AC double-decker coaches are designed to run between 130 km and 160 km per hour, CCRS clearance has been given to run the train between 100 km and 110 km per hour.

While the width of normal coach is 3,245 MM, AC double- decker coach has 3,135 MM width.

"The kinetic profile of double-decker coaches were infringing upon certain platforms during the initial trial runs. That is why those platforms were being modified on Howrah-Dhanbad route," he said.

The official added that railways conducted successful trial runs after the modification of platforms and space for the two decks has been generated by optimally using the well space between the two bogies.

The fare structure and timings of the first AC double-decker train are being worked out, he said

Another "Could be" proposal for high speed rail!!! If i had a penny for every high speed proposal that these morons churn up with amazing frequency - I'd be a millionaire!!

somebody always becomes a millionaire at the end of it

The study will be completed by November 2011. Till now an amount of Rs. 88,64,192/- has been incurred on this study.

that's why india loves studies, commissions, investigations, etc. it's the easiest and fastest way to get rich

^^Very true. Another bull crap of HSR.

With a cost of 300,000 crores! I thought elections in Bengal are over.

Metaphorically speaking, this song suits the railway ministry.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVI83j8GmO8

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4a/Indian_Railways_Network_Connectivity_Map_with_cities_and_population_density.png/578px-Indian_Railways_Network_Connectivity_Map_with_cities_and_population_density.png (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4a/Indian_Railways_Network_Connectivity_Map_with_cities_and_population_density.png)
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Indian_Railways_Network_Connectivity_Map_with_cities_and_population_density.png

A look at how our population is spread through the country and how the railways connects us. Note the significant lack of people in central-east India

^^

:applause: very nice. :)

how could you mark the density of city/UA limits alone?

SAIL eyeing rail track laying and coach making biz


SAIL, is foraying into passenger railway coach manufacturing and is looking at the possibility of entering railway track laying.

“We have a number of proposals lying before the Railway Board. We want to expand the scope of relationship beyond manufacturing EMU and DMU coaches,” SAIL chairman Mr C S Verma said here on Saturdayy after meeting Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee to update her on investment plans in the state.

“The chief minister has extended her cooperation for the projects we have undertaken in the state,” he said.

Though Mr Verma did not say anything about expediting SAIL’s proposals with the Railway Board, it is believed that he sought Ms Banerjee’s help in clearing the projects pending with the board. The Railway portfolio is with Ms Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress.

SAIL is executing a wagon factory project at Kulti in the state, at a cost of Rs 200 crore, jointly with the Railways and the construction work is expected to commence soon.

Earlier, Mr Verma said he was looking at the possibility of entering railway track laying and renewal. SAIL was also understood to have held talks with a few leading European rail technology companies to take its plans forward.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/article2441997.ece

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4a/Indian_Railways_Network_Connectivity_Map_with_cities_and_population_density.png/578px-Indian_Railways_Network_Connectivity_Map_with_cities_and_population_density.png (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4a/Indian_Railways_Network_Connectivity_Map_with_cities_and_population_density.png)
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Indian_Railways_Network_Connectivity_Map_with_cities_and_population_density.png

A look at how our population is spread through the country and how the railways connects us. Note the significant lack of people in central-east India
Planemad, your maps are always great :D

Thank god!! Do this ASAP...

Trains soon to be equipped with DRDO’s bio-digesters

DRDO will soon equip around 1,000 passenger trains with bio-digesters to solve human waste disposal problem.

The technology developed by the premier defence research organisation was used to decompose biological waste generated by soldiers deployed in high-altitude regions such as Siachen and Ladakh.

“The pilot project to install bio-digesters in trains has been completed successfully. Necessary modifications have been made as per Railways requirement and soon the technology will be implemented on a mass scale,” DRDO Chief Controller William Selvamurthy told PTI here.

Keeping in mind the specific requirements of passenger trains, Railways and DRDO signed a MoU to co-develop these bio-digesters to keep railway tracks clean.

“Our Gwalior-based lab, Defence Research and Development Establishment (DRDE), has developed this technology wherein a special form of bacteria is used to treat human waste in zero discharge toilets,” Mr. Selvamurthy said.

The DRDE deals with micro-organisms and hazardous material. Besides developing technologies for soldiers, it is also working on other concentrations of bacteria and zero discharge toilets for various projects.

“In future, bacteria for charging of bio-toilets will be available in packets and pouches. In zero discharge toilets effluent will be recycled for flushing purpose,” said Director, Life Sciences, G. Ilavazhagan.

DRDO has also modified the technology to deal with the problem of people throwing all kind of waste materials in train toilets.

The bacteria which is used in these bio-digesters is found in Antarctica and has been modified to suit the different projects of DRDO to make bio-digesters for different climatic regions.

http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/article2444333.ece

^^ instead how about driver controlled discharge? Driver operates switch that closes all discharge when train is in a station.. This is easier and cheaper to implement :? But when train is on the run the toilet discharge is let out on track

:ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno:

It will be a waste of money and total flop because the babus and neta don't know India's reality.

For example in India Muslims uses stone in the toilets and we also have Gutka (tobacco) eaters etc.

And people throw that stone or Gutka pouches in the toilet.

Now tell me how on earth stones or Gutka pouches will be taken care off???? :bash:

Obviously they will jam the toilets resulting in the overflowing and stinky odors.

In airplanes no gutka eater travels or dare to do the same as they usually do.


There are lots of bio urinals etc. in Delhi but they are useless and flop due to the same reason.

They are made to filter the urine not the stones or gutka pouches.

^^ instead how about driver controlled discharge? Driver operates switch that closes all discharge when train is in a station.. This is easier and cheaper to implement :? But when train is on the run the toilet discharge is let out on track
It doesnt even need to be driver controlled. the algorithm is simple, if the train is not moving, dont let the crap flow. and also cutoff the water, so that the miscreant cant just poop and run away.

It doesnt even need to be driver controlled. the algorithm is simple, if the train is not moving, dont let the crap flow. and also cutoff the water, so that the miscreant cant just poop and run away.

Something like that is there in some of the LHB rakes (the vacuum flush operates when the train is above a certain speed), but believe me that's a total failure. I had the misfortune of travelling in such a train. By 10am, the toilets were totally unusable ... even worse than that in the normal ICF rakes.

Something like that is there in some of the LHB rakes (the vacuum flush operates when the train is above a certain speed), but believe me that's a total failure. I had the misfortune of travelling in such a train. By 10am, the toilets were totally unusable ... even worse than that in the normal ICF rakes.

Where was the fault? was it because people were using the loos at stations or was the flush just incapable of handling even normal loads?

Hopefully shit doesn't start flowing inside the compartment due to clogging when the train is on the move.
Passengers will have to take refuge in the berths.
Hmm. I pity passengers in a chaircar :-(

It doesnt even need to be driver controlled. the algorithm is simple, if the train is not moving, dont let the crap flow. and also cutoff the water, so that the miscreant cant just poop and run away.

algorithm is simple, implementation also simple, but maintenance is difficult. One place it doenst work means problem for whole coach. Or let there be algorithm and manual overrule switch with train driver.

Obviously there should be some 20 litre buffer storage box below each toilet for those who are in urgent to use toilets at stations.

algorithm is simple, implementation also simple, but maintenance is difficult. One place it doenst work means problem for whole coach. Or let there be algorithm and manual overrule switch with train driver.

Obviously there should be some 20 litre buffer storage box below each toilet for those who are in urgent to use toilets at stations.

I was thinking of a simple mechanical solution that could be fitted on existing coaches. A spring loaded lid that shuts the potchute and directly controlled from the motion of the wheels from the bogie assembly. If its shut and too much waste is collected, the lid should automatically open and leak under the weight or if water is flushed.

You really dont need to be 100% effective, but this can drastically cut down on the waste accumulated since people would not like their crap to collect when the lid is closed. Any other hi-tech solution will only be extremely expensive to install and maintain.

since people would not like their crap to collect when the lid is closed.

Not true at all....we might end up with stinking bogies....and crap upto the ceiling in toilets. People might even crap on the floor in the toilet...:lol:

It doesnt even need to be driver controlled. the algorithm is simple, if the train is not moving, dont let the crap flow. and also cutoff the water, so that the miscreant cant just poop and run away.

many trains runs w.o water for distance together... but that does not stop "many" travellers in using toilets.

Well, why the discussion on alternative algorithms and all that? If the DRDO-provided bio-digesters work, that's the best solution in any case, isn't it? What needs to be seen is the effectiveness of that solution, as in how effectively and how quickly it manages to "digest" the shit.

since they have already checked the technology on pilot projects and modified it taking feedback into account, it might just work as advertised.

Train accident in Tamil Nadu: 8 killed, 85 injured (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Train-accident-in-Tamil-Nadu-8-killed-85-injured/articleshow/9974598.cms)
PTI | Sep 14, 2011, 03.31AM IST
CHENNAI: In the third major rail mishap in a span of two months, at least eight persons were killed and 85 others injured when a passenger train rammed into a stationary train near Arakkonam, about 75 km from here, derailing five coaches last night.

"Till now eight bodies have been identified and injured have been rushed to nearby hospitals," IG Railway Police Sunil Kumar, who is at the accident spot, told PTI.

Police said 15 of those injured were being brought to Chennai for treatment and pitched dark conditions coupled with heavy rains hampered the relief work.

The mishap occurred when the speeding Chennai-Vellore Cantonment Mainline Electrical Multiple Unit (MEMU) rammed into the rear of the Arakkonam-Katpadi passenger which was waiting for signal at the Chitheri station, at about 9.40 PM.

Teams of National Disaster Response Force were dispatched from here to quicken relief and rescue operations while senior railway officials rushed to the spot.

Rescue workers used gas cutters to help pull out the trapped passengers from the derailed bogies while two cranes were pressed into service to clear the tracks.
Increase the railway fare already :bash:

Railway unions seek hike of train fares

Expressing deep concern over the prevailing financial status of the railways, two leading railway unions on Tuesday met Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi and favoured hike in passenger fares in AC and sleeper classes. "We explained to the Railway Minister about the urgent need for
rationalisation of passenger fares as operational costs have gone up many times since the last hike, "National Federation of Indian Railwaymen (NFIR) General Secretary G Raghavaiah told PTI after meeting Trivedi here.

Apart from NIFR, All-India Federation of Railwaymen delegation also met Trivedi separately and suggested fare hike to tide over the financial "crisis".

However, both the NIFR and AIFR were not in favour of hiking general second class fare.

"We told the Minister to increase the fare in sleeper and AC classes and not in general class," AIFR General Secretary Shiv Gopal Mishra said.

Justifying the demand for fare hike, Raghavaihah said "today if a passenger is paying Rs 100 in a bus for travelling certain distance, it would cost him just Rs 24 in the train journey for the same distance," he said.

"But we are against hike in second class fare. The hike in second class fare can be taken up in the next phase," the NIFR leader said.

Asked about Trivedi's response, Raghavaiah said "the Minister's response seems to be positive as he assured us to actively consider it."

Besides railways' financial position, union delegations also took up the issue of filling up a large number of vacancies in railways and anomaly in the recommendation of the Sixth Pay Commission.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Railway-unions-seek-hike-of-train-fares/Article1-745301.aspx

^^ They are for hike in sleeper class but not in second class. Second class is sitting and more people can sit in single coach compared to sleeper class 72 beds.

I am okay with not increasing fare in unreserved 2nd class. only the absolute poor travel in it and in very difficult conditions. the service they get does not deserve a higher fare.

Mamata reduces railways cash reserve to Rs75 lakh from Rs13,431 crore

DNA / Ashutosh Kumar / Thursday, September 15, 2011 9:00 IST

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerji has left Rail Bhawan for Writers’ Buildings in Kolkata. But her stint has left the Indian Railways staring at a financial meltdown.

The downward spiral that began in Lalu Yadav’s time in 2008 saw the cash reserves of Indian Railways falling drastically from a healthy Rs13, 431 crore to a paltry Rs75 lakh today.

This is perhaps the biggest fall in finances for the railways since Independence. Chances are it will severely erode its ability to foot the salary and pension bills of its employees.

Figures culled out from the Railway Convention Committee report by DNA show that between 2008 and 2010, Railways lost a whopping Rs552 crore on an average every month. Look a little harder and it translates into a loss of nearly Rs18 crore per day!

Officials in Rail Bhawan are scrambling to find finances. They are worried that the meltdown will hurt plans to expand services and improve passenger amenities. This downward spiral seems to be headed the Air India way.

The decline, according to the Railway Convention Committee, is because of lack of cost rationalisation initiatives. The committee in its report said: “This has more to do with the rationalisation of tariff by the ministry of railways than its own performance. Railways should endeavour to recover the cost fully from its services keeping in view the fact that staff cost has gone up considerably after the implementation of the sixth pay commission.”

Ministry officials are now sharpening their claws to attack the West Bengal CM’s record during her brief stint as railway minister in the UPA-2 government.

Ironically, the same babus were her most vocal supporters while she literally ran the railways into the ground. They nodded obediently when she refused to increase passenger fares in the three consecutive railway budgets that she presented.

“Our operating costs have gone up significantly. The government has raised diesel prices. The railways consumes 240 crore litres of diesel annually. Already, Rs55,000 crore is the annual outgo towards the sixth pay commission and Rs18,000 crore as arrears. We are facing heavy losses on iron ore loading, which is one of our main commodities. If other revenue options are not tapped, things will be beyond redemption,” a senior ministry official told DNA.

Before the West Bengal elections the same officials had vehemently argued that even a 10 per cent increase in passenger fares would fetch a “paltry Rs2,500-3,000 crore”, which was “inconsequential”.

That suited Mamata’s electoral priorities, which was focussed on maa, mati, manush with the assembly elections in sight. With over 300 new trains launched during her stint, and a marginal increase in revenue, she kept harping on benefits to the humble manush. This led to a severe resources crunch and in the 2011-12 rail budget the ministry could not allocate funds for passenger amenities.

No wonder, plans for capital intensive safety projects like anti-collision devices are receding into the horizon and lives are being lost in train accidents. Envisaged 10 years back, it has still not been implemented nationwide due to paucity of funds. Incidents like the one in Tamil Nadu on Tuesday could have been easily avoided had the ACDs been in place. Over 300 people have lost their lives in train accidents since May 2009.

Mamata’s successor from her party Dinesh Trivedi is now searching for a magic bullet to resolve this unprecedented crisis. Besides passengers, Trivedi is also worried about footing the salary and pension bill for 13.75 lakh employees and 12 lakh pensioners.

In fact, a desperate Trivedi also pitched for a hike in passenger fares during the meeting of the full Planning Commission in August. Trivedi is also facing internal pressure “from the zones and the divisions” to take a decision “on generating revenues,” a senior official told DNA.

Not to be left behind, the unions are also up in arms. The All India Railwaymen Federation has written to Trivedi suggesting urgent corrective measures. Its general secretary SG Mishra told DNA that “we have suggested to the minister that the government compensate the Railways for the subsidies it gives to passengers. We also want AC class ticket-fares to be hiked immediately.”

Moral of the story: bringing politics into enterprises, especially a public service, doesn’t pay, except to the politician.


URL of the article: http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_mamata-reduces-railways-cash-reserve-to-rs75-lakh-from-rs13431-crore_1587291-all

why blame her... you put a tool so powerful in the hand of a politician, what do you expect them to do?

I am okay with not increasing fare in unreserved 2nd class. only the absolute poor travel in it and in very difficult conditions. the service they get does not deserve a higher fare.

Ya, that 2nd class is seating and short distances only used by poor. While sleeper class is for long distance and encourages migration.. This is used by middle class so fare needs to be increased

Ya, that 2nd class is seating and short distances only used by poor. While sleeper class is for long distance and encourages migration.. This is used by middle class so fare needs to be increased

No one will die if he pay 10-15% on overly subsidized fares that too once or twice in a year.

Its amazing how people are parroting politician's words.

For those who thinks i am against poor just imagine what will be the effect on poor or on aam admi if railways increases some fare but enhance its infrastructure, safety and services.

Govt. run telecom companies like BSNL/MTNL have low tariff but even poor people goes for private reliance, airtel, vodaphone etc.

Why??????

dude, reliance etc are as cheap as BSNL.

the point does not become invalid just because politicians say it. on long distance trains there is only one compartment for 2nd class passengers and people travel like sardines in inhuman conditions. the increase in revenues from that is negligible. but it will be a burden on the very poor people who travel these classes.

I challenge you to undertake a 6 hour journey in 2nd class and then come here tell us if you think a fare hike is justified.

dude, reliance etc are as cheap as BSNL.

the point does not become invalid just because politicians say it. on long distance trains there is only one compartment for 2nd class passengers and people travel like sardines in inhuman conditions. the increase in revenues from that is negligible. but it will be a burden on the very poor people who travel these classes.

I challenge you to undertake a 6 hour journey in 2nd class and then come here tell us if you think a fare hike is justified.

Well, I have traveled in 2nd class, several times. Including a 26hr journey from Mumbai to Lucknow. It was painful (26 hrs!), to say the least. Lot of people travel in 2nd class not because they can't afford higher fare, but because there's no availability in sleeper class. Have you tried to find reservation in any of the popular routes in sleeper class? It's impossible to get unless you reserve way in advance.

I know a number of people from my ancestral village who work in Mumbai, who would fit the definition of poor (typically construction workers). They often end up traveling in 2nd class instead of sleeper because they couldn't make plans way in advance and can't afford higher classes (AC, 1st class, etc).

2nd class railway fares have not been increased in 8 years! In the same time when price of everything, including basic necessities that poor people use, has more than doubled. I'm sure even poor people can afford to pay a little more. With extra revenue, railways can improve safety / service - something that I'm sure the poor also won't mind paying a little extra for.

If passenger service is not loss making, like it is today, perhaps railways can add capacity (more trains / coaches) on popular routes. With more availability in sleeper class, you'll see the crowd in 2nd class going down.

With current fares in railways, adding more passenger service means adding to the loss!

Lot of people travel in 2nd class not because they can't afford higher fare, but because there's no availability in sleeper class. not a lot but a few. there are 12-13 sleeper coaches for one II class coach correct ?
would you punish the many poor who travel on this class to get at a handful of higher income passengers ?

your availability experience is contrary to what is normal, it is 3 A/C and 2 A/C that is filled up fastest, because of the very few seats available, sleeper class is available for much longer.

not a lot but a few. there are 12-13 sleeper coaches for one II class coach correct ?
would you punish the many poor who travel on this class to get at a handful of higher income passengers ?

your availability experience is contrary to what is normal, it is 3 A/C and 2 A/C that is filled up fastest, because of the very few seats available, sleeper class is available for much longer.

So many people travel in 2nd class since sleeper class gets filled up. There is limited room in sleeper coaches, while 2nd class coach has no limit. Everyone who doesn't get a place in sleeper and "has" to travel gets stuck in 2nd class - even if there's only 1 or 2 of such coaches! Hence the enormous overcrowding in those. Point is not to punish the poor. On the contrary, it is to create more sleeper capacity so people who can afford can move out of 2nd class and give the poor more breathing room. I'm sure most won't mind if 10% extra fare would eventually accomplish that.

No one has real data to show how many of the people traveling in 2nd class could "afford" higher fare, but at least from anecdotal evidence from my personal experience, many.

You're right about A/C coaches getting filled up early because of fewer seats. But that doesn't mean sleeper doesn't get filled up (at least on popular routes) weeks in advance. Secondly, it actually proves the point that people can afford to pay more, so you see more and more traveling in AC classes.

I'm sure most people would agree that incomes have gone up in last 6-8 years, even for poor people. So people should be able to afford to pay more. This is yet another example of this govt's wasteful spending/subsidy in the name of protecting the poor.

Raising 2nd class fares probably won't raise much revenue, but it will break a bad precedent set by Lalu years ago.

Ya, that 2nd class is seating and short distances only used by poor. While sleeper class is for long distance and encourages migration.. This is used by middle class so fare needs to be increased

:doh:

No decision on AC economy class in trains

The fate of the proposed economy class AC trains seems to be uncertain with the railway ministry yet to make a move to implement the project.

The railways decided to launch a new class of AC travel, the economy AC-III, in long-distance passenger trains when Mamata Banerjee helmed the Rail Bhawan. The idea was to provide AC comforts to passengers at moderate price. It was conceptualized on the pattern of former railway minister Lalu Prasad's Garib Rath, which proved an instant hit among passengers.

According to a Railway Board official, the project, though delayed, has not been shelved. The railways has already introduced new economy AC-III class in the non-stop Duronto trains. "We intend to introduce this in all mail and express trains," he said.

As per the approved plan, journey in the AC-III economy class is likely to be cheaper by Rs 50 compared to the existing AC-III fare. The plan envisaged an increase in the coach capacity from 64 to 72 berths. The Integral Coach Factory at Chennai was even given work order for such coaches. Unlike Garib Rath berths, however, the economy AC-III berths would be more comfortable for passengers, the official said.

The railways recently introduced a fully air-conditioned train between Sasaram and New Delhi. The coaches of this train were like the AC-III economy class coaches. Later, however, these coaches were replaced with Garib Rath coaches and the railways has moved a proposal to realize Garib Rath fare from passengers travelling by this train. TNN

http://www.deccanheraldepaper.com/pdf/2011/09/17/20110917a_008100004.jpg

number of people killed doesnt include people killed while crossing track like mumbai local trains alone kills 2500 ppl on track every year

2500 ppl on track every year

Are u serious?? :O

2500 ppl on track every year

Are u serious?? :O

I thought the figure was more like 2-3 persons daily. 2500 seems unlikely

2-3 would be just in Mumbai !!

all over India that number is probably correct. kolkata suburban railway claims a similar number of darwin award candidates daily. after all each year IR transports the equivalent of the world population and then some. 2500 is quite a small number in comparison.

2500 ppl on track every year

Are u serious?? :O

only last year it was less than 3000. average death on mumbai tracks is 3000 per year :bash:

Central and Western Railway was forced to release under the Right to Information Act that at least 20,706 people have died in the last five years; an average of 10 each day. The request was filed by Mumbai activist Chetan Kothari.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mumbai_Suburban_Railway#Fatalities
Railway drive reduces track deaths in Mumbai



http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_railway-drive-reduces-track-deaths-in-mumbai_1437120


finally common sense prevails. I am sure when they construct a wall 100% around the tracks the total yearly death rate will reduce to less than 1000.

This is what i am talking about. Common sense.

If mumbaikars played by the rules and used foot bridges the bulk of the deaths would stop.

Now to target those "heros" who hang out of trains even if there is space inside for the fun of it.

http://www.deccanheraldepaper.com/pdf/2011/09/20/20110920aN014100002.jpg

^^ good. hope that reduces number of accidents.. but how will railway pay them without increasing fares? now no elections nearby and best time to hike fares. there is competition between bomb blasts and railway accidents which one will happen more :bash:

TVs to light up Shatabdi travel

The journey on board the Shatabdi Express is no longer going to be boring. The railways is planning to provide each passenger seat in executive class as well as chair car an 8inch LCD screen and the passengers can choose from a bouquet of entertainment comprising Bollywood movies, songs, news channels and sports channels.

The New Delhi-Chandigarh Shatabdi Express would be the first train to be part of this unique infotainment initiative by Northern Railway.

Apart from the 80-odd television channels, passengers aboard the Shatabdi would also have the option to enjoy music from all over the world.

Speaking to TOI, Chandigarh railway station superintendent Praveen Kumar said, "The pilot project was started in March and would be extended to all Shatabdi trains starting from New Delhi from early October.''

Gurleen Kaur, a frequent traveller on Shatabdi and a resident of Sector 18 in Chandigarh, said, "One usually gets bored reading newspapers on the morning Shatabdi. The idea of being able to surf and watch news, entertainment and movie channels or listen to one's favorite music during the three-hour train ride is sure to be welcomed by the passengers.'' TNN

Railways changes track, may award contract to Bhel

The railway ministry may award a R26,000-crore contract for supply of coaches and locomotive components to Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (Bhel) on a nomination basis, going back on its earlier plan to invite bids from private firms under the public-private partnership (PPP) model.

The contract involves setting up of engine components and coach factories at West Bengal’s Dankuni and Kanchrapara regions, respectively, and long-term supply of coaches and components to the Indian Railway.

Over the last 15 months, the railways had been testing the projects under the PPP mode. It had shortlisted nine international engineering firms, including Alstom, Bombardier, Siemens, GE, Hitachi and Hyundai-Rotem, for financial bidding. Some of these players had even tied up with Indian firms, including Bhel and Titagarh Wagons. However, after shortlisting bidders, the railways restarted the process of due diligence and kept postponing financial bids.

The transporter is learnt now to have written a letter to Bhel, seeking its consent for accepting the projects on a nomination basis, under which a company doesn’t have to compete with other firms or submit any bid.

“We are evaluating award of projects on a nomination basis. We are in talks with Bhel for this purpose as we have had a previous relationship with the company. However, nothing has been decided so far,” railway board chairman Vinay Mittal told FE, refusing to elaborate. Emails sent to Bhel remained unanswered.

The proposal being considered by railways is in violation of the Central Vigilance Commission norms that discourage any government agency from awarding contracts on a nomination basis. In 2006, the Supreme Court had also ruled that nomination in government contracts should be adhered to only when there is no substitute available or the bids offered by companies are unfavourable.

The latest move of the railway ministry has come at a time when the government is working on removing corruption in procurement of goods and services by its constituents. A group of ministers on corruption has even taken note of report of a committee that revealed elements of graft in purchases made by railways. Government officials said railways should not change the nature of R21,000-crore Kanchrapara project from PPP without cabinet approval. “A minister cannot unilaterally alter a cabinet decision,” one of them said.

http://www.financialexpress.com/news/railways-changes-track-may-award-contract-to-bhel/848320/0

Work on long-delayed Palakkad coach factory to start Oct 22

The long-delayed Palakkad Coach factory, cleared by the rail ministry a few years ago, is finally going to materialise with the foundation stone to be laid Oct 22, Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi said.

He was speaking to reporters after a four-hour meeting with the Kerala cabinet and top officials here Monday.

“This project has been pending for a very long time and now the state government has also cleared the land required for the project and, hence, the foundation stone will be laid Oct 22nd at Palakkad,” said Trivedi.

The coach factory is to come up on 426 acres near Palakkad and, with this, more than 100 ancillary units are also likely to come up in and around the project area.

“The railways is facing a financial crunch, and if we are to clear long-pending budget proposals of the last two decades, we require around Rs.1.60 lakh crore; hence, we have decided to clear projects if the state government also chips in,” said Trivedi.

Trivedi and Minister of State for Railways K.H. Muniyappa and a team of 40 top railway officials, including the railway board chairman, took part in the marathon discussion.

“We are now awaiting the project report for setting up a rail component factory at Shertallai," Trivedi said. "This will manufacture various components for the railways. Various models are being looked into and the state also has to chip in. If it is a public-private partnership model, things would be very fast.”

http://www.newkerala.com/news/2011/worldnews-70247.html

^^ good. hope that reduces number of accidents.. but how will railway pay them without increasing fares? now no elections nearby and best time to hike fares. there is competition between bomb blasts and railway accidents which one will happen more :bash:

Railway needs to invest in system to improve the safety. The people employed in IR per km is way too high compared to world standards. This is going the burden the alrady overburdened finances of railways.

1. The Indian railways is over staffed :bash::bash: yes they need people in some vital areas but recruiting more good for nothing employees is not the way out.

2. Most of the IR employees are corrupt, don't work, lazy.

3. The railways run by politicians don't hike fares for populist reason then how on earth they gonna pay these people + every now and then they get bonus :bash::bash: at the cost of Indian public instead of giving bonus to these employees govt. should invest this in increasing facilities, safety etc.

4. The game is simple politicians want to bankrupt the railways so that they can sell it out (privatize) and make billions out of it.

5. As railways is one of the biggest land owners in India because of its real estate value many have an eye on it.

6. Politicians will earn while common public will suffer.

7. The solution is that railways should outsource instead of recruiting reduce its work force to form a lean n mean organization.

On Railways menu, a food court at New Delhi station


By the end of this year, passengers at the New Delhi Railway Station can grab a quick bite at the food court that promises to offer a variety of Indian, Chinese, fast food as well as street food options.

A space of over 900 square metres is being done up on Platform 1 that will have seven outlets and a seating capacity of 80 customers.

Though tenders for the outlets are likely to be floated this week, a few popular local vendors have already been shown the space and are in talks with the Railways. The outlets will have Indian street food such as chole bhature, chaat and tikkis, paranthas and a fast food outlet — most likely Subway or McDonalds, South Indian food, bakery and an ice cream stall.

To get authentic Indian and street food and to keep the rates reasonable, local vendors are being roped in, officials said. For the parantha stall, vendors from Old Delhi’s paranthewale gali are being invited to bid for the tenders. Officials said initially about seven local vendors were shortlisted and shown the space, they will now have to participate in the bidding process.

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“This will be more of a multi-cuisine restaurant where customers can pay at a single counter and take coupons for their choice of food. While private players will be roped in for the outlets, there will also be an in-house Railways departmental unit that will sell packaged food and beverages and also act as the accountant for the entire restaurant,” said a senior Railways official working on the project. “This is primarily an experiment with quality and even in the bids those vendors with years of experience in a certain cuisine or food specialty will be given preference over fly by night vendors. Also considering that established vendors will be drawn in for the outlets, the idea is to ensure that items are available at market-driven prices.”

Ashwani Lohani, Divisional Railway Manager, Northern Railway, told Newsline, “As of now we are developing the food court space on Platform 1 and are carrying out the civil and electrical works. In the meantime, the tenders should be floated in the next two days and the bids finalised in another two months’ time.” Lohani said the passengers can look forward to the food court by the end of this year.

Officials said the outlets will be given out on a revenue sharing basis with a minimum guarantee fee of Rs 9 lakh per annum.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/on-railways-menu-a-food-court-at-new-delhi-station/848994/0


Railway sets cleanliness rules for pantry cars, platforms

Ashraf Jamal
September 20, 2011

ALLAHABAD: For maintaining cleanliness in trains and the station premises, Indian Railways has launched a Catering Waste Management System. The new system sets the procedure for collection and disposal of waste arising out of pantry car services and static units placed at the station premises.


Mani Anand, executive director/tourism and catering in the railway board, had sent letters in this regard to the general managers of all the zonal railways, including North Central Railway, on September 13, 2011. Instructions were also given to all zonal railways to encourage eco-friendly packaging material for service of food and beverages at stations and on trains.

The procedure order elucidated on handling waste and its disposal in pantry car services. It mentioned that in all pantry cars, big-sized plastic/steel refuse bins, with a proper cover preferably, which need not be touched by hands for opening, should be placed at such locations so that it does not contaminate the food processes and storage areas.


The refuse bins should be emptied periodically and washed daily with a disinfectant and dried before next use. Further, there should be provision of placement of big size plastic bags inside the refuse bins to collect the waste. In case of licensee operated service, the refuse bins/plastic bags shall be supplied by the licensees.

All waste materials arising out of preparation of food, if any, in pantry cars should be collected in the refuse bins. All bearers/waiters will collect the waste material like empty casserole containers, mineral water bottles/pouches, glasses, cutlery, napkins, in the respective coaches after makings services to the customers and will collect the wastes in the same container.


They should under no circumstances throw away material in the vestibule in the coach. They should not throw the waste material from the running train. The refuse bins will be prominently painted in three colours viz green (for biodegradable waste), white (for recyclable waste) and black (all other waste).

The sanitary workers nominated by the designated department at the platform will collect these bags along with other waste of the station and will dispose them of along with regular waste so as to ensure its clearance from the stations.

The above-mentioned instructions have also been issued for static catering units at stations. In addition, under no circumstances, any material should be thrown outside the stalls/catering units. In case any catering waste is found lying around 2 m of the stalls, the responsibility will be fixed on the static catering units at the platform. The waste material collected in the plastic bags should be secured properly so as to not litter the area while transporting the plastic waste bags.

Further, the Railway Board has also instructed for frequent inspections at various levels and ensure that the rules are adhered to strictly.

http://www.waste-management-world.com/index/from-the-wires/wire-news-display/1503671064.html

India offers to develop Botswana's rail network

By IANS,

Gaborone (Botswana) : India has offered technical assistance to develop and strengthen rail network and other mode of transportation in the southern African country of Botswana.

Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jyotiraditya Scindia offered Indian assistance during a bilateral meeting with Botswana's Vice President Mompati S. Merafhe Monday night here, a statement from the ministry said Tuesday.

Scindia, who is on an official visit to the country, also emphasised the need for diversifying and increasing bilateral trade.

"The current level of bilateral trade of $64 million between the two countries needs diversification and deepening," Scindia said.

The present trade basket is dominated by a few commodities like semi-precious stones, and drugs and pharmaceuticals.

The minister said there was huge potential to enhance bilateral trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.

Some Indian firms, including government-run infrastructure firms RITES and IRCON of the Indian Railways, have already provided technical consultancy services to Botswana for various infrastructure projects.

Scindia also held bilateral meetings with Mokgweetsi E. Masisi, minister of presidential affairs and public administration of Botswana.

During the meeting, Masisi sought cooperation of India in IT and communication, particularly e-services.

The minister said India was committed to increasing economic engagement with Botswana and entire African region.

He pointed out that Indian firms have invested over $33 billion:cheers: in African countries in sectors like telecom, automobiles, IT, pharmaceuticals and agriculture.

However, Scindia said there was immense scope to take the present levels of trade and investment between India and Africa to new heights.

"The proposed 'India-Africa Business Council' would lead to enhanced partnerships," he said.

Scindia said India would like to play an important role in meeting the objectives of National Development Plans of Botswana, which are geared towards diversification of the economy.

"Potential areas for cooperation between India and Botswana are agriculture, medium and small scale industries, IT-enabled services, education and healthcare," the statement added.

http://twocircles.net/2011sep20/india_offers_develop_botswanas_rail_network.html

WTF 1 lakh more employees, any fare increase will go to the bonuses, salaries of new employees and pensions of retired employees. IMO they need to take a bold step and increase fare of all classes by at least 20-25% min and 30-35% max if they want to survive bankruptcy!

Panel to speed up satellite imaging project

The Rs 110-crore Satellite Imaging for Rail Navigation project of the Indian Railways, which has been going on for the past four years may be heading towards completion, as the Railway Board has constituted a committee to oversee the project. However, officials are still not in a position to say when it would be finally installed and re-define train travel.

"The board has constituted a committee and has also sanctioned Rs 110 crore for the prject," said V Ramachandran, DG, Research Designs and Standards Organisation. Satellite Imaging for Rail Navigation (SIMRAN) is RDSO's project to navigate train movement in Indian Railways. Once the project is put into usage, a simple SMS would help a passenger to know the exact location of the train. Tested on combination of technologies, SIMRAN is a joint effort of RDSO and IIT-Kanpur, and has been in an experimental stage.

The system works on technologies like GPS, GSM and RF, all of which facilitate mobile communication and radio navigation. It will be through these technologies that exact location of trains, in between stations, will be traced without any manual interference. To meet the purpose, an equipment needs to be installed in the engine to monitor the location and speed of the train. Through devices like web and display boards at the station, information will be provided to the passengers.

Global Positioning System (GPS) is a radio navigation system. Equipment with a GPS receiver will provide reliable positioning, navigation, and timing to railways and also to passengers. And, information through the system will be provided in all weather conditions, all the time, and everywhere.

Besides, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and Radio Frequency (RF) technologies are also in-built in SIMRAN. These technologies will help the drivers to navigate their way and derailment can also be checked through this system. GPS is used extensively in transportation systems worldwide, providing navigation for aviation, ground and maritime operations. Besides, GPS has also proved its worth in disaster relief and emergency services for its location and timing capabilities. SIMRAN will be a vital link to derailment detection devices and will communicate with control server from the derailment devices. TNN

Rail land leases at a standstill

FinMin order on prior permission wasn’t noted till well after rail Budget and nothing much has moved since.

The already strained railway finances may be dented by another Rs 600 crore this financial year, owing to a lack of communication within the government.

The Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) is supposed to earn Rs 600 crore, according to the rail budget for 2011-12; it had brought in Rs 350 crore last year. Only, its hands have been tied from earning a single paisa. For, in March, the Union ministry of finance had declared that its approval was mandatory for any government department to lease any land.

“At the time of setting the budgetary target, we were not aware of the finance ministry move,” said a senior official in the railways ministry. And, so, RLDA has not issued any tender or started any bidding process for rail land since the finance ministry notification. The last tender-related notice was issued on April 21, but then withdrawn; it had called for offers to commercially develop railway land at Bandra in Mumbai. When asked, RLDA officials declined to comment . The last commercial dealing they did was to auction land at Sarai Rohilla in Delhi for around Rs 1,500 crore.

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/rail-land-leases-atstandstill/449949/

Only Indian railways can do this.,, looks to quiet old news!

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Indian train travels 980km in wrong direction... without any rail staff noticing

Passengers furious as they end up FIVE HOURS away from destination

More than a thousand furious rail passengers stormed a station office after they noticed the train they were on had gone 980km in the WRONG direction.

As the packed service pulled into the Indian city of Warangal people on board went berserk as they realised they were five hours away from where they should have been and no staff on board had noticed.

The train departed the southern town of Tirupati heading for the eastern city of Bhubaneswar.

It was when it arrived at an interchange at Vijayawada it went wrong, as it was due to swing north to its eventual destination of Varanasi, one of India's holiest cities.

India's signalling system is run on codes but instead of entering the three-letters for its next intended stop Bhubaneswar (BBS) staff put in the code for Bilaspur (BSP) sending the train in completely the wrong direction.

Experts were amazed the service did not crash as it went for 600 miles on the completely wrong track.

'Though the journey was agonising, we thank our stars that the train did not run into another train,' an angry passenger said.

Embarrassed staff, some of whom were apparently asleep on that leg of the journey, also blamed an unfamiliar route because they were running a special service to Varanasi and many had never been there before.

Before the mistake was noticed the express crossed three of India's huge railway divisions.

But when they grasped what had happened the authorities brought the train back to where it should have been for its onward journey to Varanasi.

Warangal station superintendent Jaya Kumar requisitioned the nearest spare train to change the direction of the special service after almost all those on board rushed his office.

'I do not know as to who allowed the train to enter Warangal section. But once Vijayawada division cleared the signal for the special train, we allowed it to travel back,' he told The Times of India.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2039667/Indian-train-travels-980km-wrong-direction-rail-staff-noticing.html#ixzz1YZzK1avC

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/09/20/article-2039667-0E01480C00000578-250_468x286.jpg

Indian train travels 980km in wrong direction... without any rail staff noticing

As per the above news it is not 980 Kms it is 250 kms in wrong direction.

Experts were amazed the service did not crash as it went for 600 miles on the completely wrong track.

Another important thing that the train did not go on wrong track.

Fact is this is IRCTC Special Train from Tirupathi to Bhubaneswar.

But someone in the Staff had made a mistake in the Destination name as it is BBS and spelled it incorrect BSP.

So, the train after reaching Vijawada should be sent to BBS via RJY and VSKP went towards warangel.

which traveled 250 kms in other direction.

After reaching warangel few passengers noticed it and pulled the chain and then railway staff noticed the mistake and they sent the train back to Vijawada and back to BBS.

but the above article says that it is 980 KMS and in wrong track.

Wrangle and Vijawada is Busy route no train can go on Wrong Track anywhere in India without a crash.

Train turns up at wrong station after losing its track

A humorous incident took place in Andhra Pradesh, when an express train lost its way and reached a wrong destination. The railway authorities realised the fault after the passengers of the train yelled about the change in the route of the train's path.

According to the reports, it was one of the special trains run by Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) to connect with the pilgrim places. It has come to notice that the express train was planned from Tirupati to Varanasi via Bhubaneswar. It started from Tirupati on Tuesday at around 7 pm and reached Vijaywada at 8:30 am on Wednesday. Reports states that the train went into the Kazipet station in Warangal at around 1 pm.

However, after the passengers informed the authorities, the divisional officers at Secunderabad alerted immediately about the issue. The officer asked the authorities at Vijaywada to revert the train back to its original destination - Bhubhaneshwar, via Vizag.

Reports reveal that there was much delay in the train, as the divisional heads at Guntakal, Vijayawada and Secunderabad divisions took nearly 3 hours of teleconference to over the issue of wrong route. It has also come to light that the Guntakal authorities issued the code Bilaspur station (BSP) instead of Bhubaneswar (BBS), while handling the train chart. Following the route the Vijaywada official guided the train to that wrong route.

Defending the issue the officials at the Vijaywada station said, "We have allowed the train to take the Warangal section as it was the original route for Bilaspur. There was no fault on our part." Realising the mistake, the authorities of brought back the train to Vijayawada and proceeded it to its original route journey to Varanasi via Bhubaneshwar. The official also said, "No senior official could not notice the mistake immediately as it was not a scheduled train."

Mr Jayakuma, superintendent at Warangal Station then arranged a separate engine to change the direction of the train. He stated, "I do not know as to who has allowed the train in Warangal section. But once Vijayawada division cleared the signal for the special train, we allowed it travel back."

One of the passengers from the train said, "Though the journey was agonizing, we thank our stars that the train did not run into another train though it had taken the wrong route."

http://www.yreach.com/mumbai/news/breaking-news/flash-news/train-turns-up-at-wrong-station-after-losing-its-track.html

AC double-decker train gets safety clearance
NEW DELHI: The first ever air conditioned double-decker train is likely to be launched shortly on the Howrah-Dhanbad route as it has obtained all necessary clearances from the Chief Commissioner Railway Safety (CCRS) after successful trial runs.

"The problems encountered during trial runs like coaches touching the edge of the platform have been sorted out and the Howrah-Dhanbad AC double-decker train with eight coaches would be flagged off soon," said a senior Railway Ministry official.

The train will have complete sitting accommodation with each coach having a capacity of 128 passengers as compared to 78 passengers in Shatabdi chair cars, thus increasing the sitting space by almost 70 per cent.
Though the AC double-decker coaches are designed to run between 130 km and 160 km per hour, CCRS clearance has been given to run the train between 100 km and 110 km per hour.

While the width of normal coach is 3,245 MM, AC double- decker coach has 3,135 MM width.
"The kinetic profile of double-decker coaches were infringing upon certain platforms during the initial trial runs. That is why those platforms were being modified on Howrah-Dhanbad route," he said.

The official added that railways conducted successful trial runs after the modification of platforms and space for the two decks has been generated by optimally using the well space between the two bogies.
The fare structure and timings of the first AC double-decker train are being worked out, he said. out, he said.

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/00277/TH30_DOUBLE_DECKER__277769f.jpg

Source : Link (http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-09-08/news/30130609_1_double-decker-coaches-howrah-dhanbad-route-double-decker-train)

^^ This colour looks much better compared to Red and Yellow

That image is for posterity - both color scheme looked ok to me! the finishing - that's another deal - you can see the typical low quality RCH blockiness and roughness - but its still superior to the blue and white dabbas that dominate the fleet.

Source : Link (http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-09-08/news/30130609_1_double-decker-coaches-howrah-dhanbad-route-double-decker-train)

:banana: Good it will be middle segment between AC chair car and second class..


Only Indian railways can do this.,, looks to quiet old news!

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Indian train travels 980km in wrong direction... without any rail staff noticing

Passengers furious as they end up FIVE HOURS away from destination


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2039667/Indian-train-travels-980km-wrong-direction-rail-staff-noticing.html#ixzz1YZzK1avC


I was wondering how 980km is travelled in just five hours?? A high-speed train? :lol:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Pitroda-to-give-modern-touch-to-railways/articleshow/10073550.cms

Pitroda to give modern touch to railways
TNN | Sep 22, 2011, 07.07AM IST
NEW DELHI: The government on Wednesday constituted an expert committee headed by Sam Pitroda to recommend ways and means to modernize Indian Railways. The focus of the panel, which is to submit its interim report in December, will be on modernization of tracks, signalling, rolling stock, stations and terminals.

Deepak Parekh, HDFC Bank chairman , M S Verma, former SBI chairman , Raghuram, professor at IIM- Ahmedabad , Rajiv Lal, IDFC managing director, and Vinayak Chatterjee, chairman of Feedback Infrastructure Services, will be members of the committee. "We are looking at the Railways to be taken to the fourth generation. We have set up a committee which will look into the modernisation in railways," railway minister Dinesh Trivedi said while announcing the decision to constitute the panel.

He said the economy would grow at about 8% provided Indian Railways grow at 10% or 12%. Railways was and will definitely be the engine of growth, he added.

Referring to the Vision 2020 document, Pitroda said, "This document had envisaged modernisation. Now the time is ripe to take this vision for execution at a high speed. The basic ground work for modernisation was done during (former railway minister) Mamata Bannerjee's regime."

Railways had earlier constituted a high-level committee on safety, under the chairmanship of nuclear scientist Anil Kakodkar, which will suggest ways to prevent rail accidents.

Asked where the funds will come for modernisation, Pitroda said, "We realise that when we talk about modernisation. If we want to improve the infrastructure, then railways cannot do that alone. Railways is capable of running trains. But investments have to come from private sector for modernisation of coaches, wagons and new track laying. We require private funding. We require massive funding."

Giving details of the committee's task, Pitroda said, "This is the right time to look into Mamata's Vision 2020 document and focus on its execution. Our job is to look into key areas - track, signalling and rolling stock."

That double decker is supposedly of recent design and execution. But the condition of its fit and finish and overall design aesthetics points to the real problem of IR and its management. How can a rail car design in 2011 look like a tinkered local metal shop output. Awful to say the least. The design is a drunk who drew out doodles while stumbling. In today's day and age there are computers, precision machinery, metal stamp machines, CAD, 3D visualization tools, aerodynamics and what not. Has any of these been used.. sadly the answer is no. We have the same retarded age old IR designs, the same grey-white roof line, the exposed wheels and under carriage accoutrements, the same door entry and handles with god-awful steps to climb into, bad moldings, bad paint jobs (when Hyundai cars have glossy enamel coat finish that look like works of art).

I hope this vision 2020 does not extend to vision 2050 or later. Time for a wholesale revamp of IR. When roads and airports are improving by leaps and bounds, the IR is stuck in some time warp. Tis Time for massive investments and inspired design and execution. the IR current train needs to be nuked and a fresh start made. Get the umpteen engineering and industrial design colleges in India to work on the problem as a national challenge.

NEW DELHI: With an aim of giving a boost to the transportation of cars, steel and consumer goods, railways have decided to run double-stack container trains between Gurgaon and Mundra Port in Gujarat.

The service will be made operational this month. "All necessary preparations including approval from Research Designs and Standards Organisation and safety clearance to run the double-stack container train in this route are complete now," said a senior Railway Ministry official.

The 19 feet high double-stack train will ensure fast clearance of containers from the port thereby increasing the traffic handling capacity of the port.

"The double-stack container service will give boost to the transportation of cars, steel, medicines and consumer goods for export and import in the 1198 km long Gurgaon-Mundra route," he said.

There has been a constant demand from the industry for such trains as it saves time in moving goods and reduces haulage charge for the operator.

The 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.

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

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

"The double-stack container movement helps in reducing terminal congestion and congestion on road as the bulk of consumer goods will be carried in containers rather than lorries thereby saving fuel," the official said.

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

Railways also give a discount of 25 per cent on haulage cost for the double-stack container movement. 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, railways have to raise the overhead electric wire along the route to ensure the double-stack container operation


Source: The Economic times, dated 21-Sep-2011 (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/railways/green-light-for-gurgaon-mundra-double-stack-container-train/articleshow/10062624.cms)

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Pitroda-to-give-modern-touch-to-railways/articleshow/10073550.cms
...
Deepak Parekh, HDFC Bank chairman , M S Verma, former SBI chairman , Raghuram, professor at IIM- Ahmedabad , Rajiv Lal, IDFC managing director, and Vinayak Chatterjee, chairman of Feedback Infrastructure Services, will be members of the committee. "We are looking at the Railways to be taken to the fourth generation. We have set up a committee which will look into the modernisation in railways," railway minister Dinesh Trivedi said while announcing the decision to constitute the panel.
...


Is Mr. Trivedi from a telecom side, mentioning 2G, 3G, 4G etc. :lol:
Anyway on another note, I was not aware there was something like 2G, 3G associated with the Railways... what is this supposed to mean?

^^
Just a guess

1G - Steam
2G - Diesel
3G - Electric
4G - EMU high speed train :lol:

Railways is capable of running trains. But investments have to come from private sector for modernisation of coaches, wagons and new track laying. We require private funding. We require massive funding."

Who will do massive funding for railways? SBI or any bank will take that risk?

That double decker is supposedly of recent design and execution. But the condition of its fit and finish and overall design aesthetics points to the real problem of IR and its management. How can a rail car design in 2011 look like a tinkered local metal shop output. Awful to say the least. The design is a drunk who drew out doodles while stumbling. In today's day and age there are computers, precision machinery, metal stamp machines, CAD, 3D visualization tools, aerodynamics and what not. Has any of these been used.. sadly the answer is no. We have the same retarded age old IR designs, the same grey-white roof line, the exposed wheels and under carriage accoutrements, the same door entry and handles with god-awful steps to climb into, bad moldings, bad paint jobs (when Hyundai cars have glossy enamel coat finish that look like works of art).

I hope this vision 2020 does not extend to vision 2050 or later. Time for a wholesale revamp of IR. When roads and airports are improving by leaps and bounds, the IR is stuck in some time warp. Tis Time for massive investments and inspired design and execution. the IR current train needs to be nuked and a fresh start made. Get the umpteen engineering and industrial design colleges in India to work on the problem as a national challenge.

I dont think that is a new design. 1980's flying ranee train double decker coaches old drawings are used for this double coaches.

One big change is those were not A/B i.e air braked coaches and they had maroon color. Now it is A/B and color coaches. I guess this was discussed much before.:)

From IRFCA

Mumbai-Surat flying rane

http://i54.************/2ymimjc.jpg

http://i55.************/2hnut1g.jpg

Source : Link (http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-09-08/news/30130609_1_double-decker-coaches-howrah-dhanbad-route-double-decker-train)

Deleted

I dont think that is a new design. 1980's flying ranee train double decker coaches old drawings are used for this double coaches.

One big change is those were not A/B i.e air braked coaches and they had maroon color. Now it is A/B and color coaches. I guess this was discussed much before.:)

From IRFCA

Mumbai-Surat flying rane



Are these Mumbai-Surat double decker trains still running?

^^ Yes - http://indiarailinfo.com/train/459?kkk=1316685266742

Here is a couple of years old pic

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2765/4306796226_56dceca1ba_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/47023258@N08/4306796226/)
flying rani express (http://www.flickr.com/photos/47023258@N08/4306796226/) by Ashwin WAP5 (http://www.flickr.com/people/47023258@N08/), on Flickr

I dont think that is a new design. 1980's flying ranee train double decker coaches old drawings are used for this double coaches.

One big change is those were not A/B i.e air braked coaches and they had maroon color. Now it is A/B and color coaches. I guess this was discussed much before.:)

From IRFCA

Mumbai-Surat flying rane

http://i54.************/2ymimjc.jpg

http://i55.************/2hnut1g.jpg

What is now being started is first A/C double decker train... non-ac was there before

I saw a programme about a lady touring India & on one part she travelled on the Indian Railway and commented that there were 1 million employees yet no single toilet cleaner.

She said that is shocking.............IT IS SHOCKING!

it's the passengers who are at fault.

^^Edit: passengers are as much at fault as the railways themselves

Bye Bye Rail Ticket Print-outs, Hi VRM

Source (http://techcircle.vccircle.com/500/bye-bye-rail-ticket-print-outs-hi-vrm/)
In a move to take Indian train travel to the next level, government owned IRCTC that operates one of the most visited travel booking sites in the country has launched virtual tickets with the Virtual Reservation Message (VRM).

VRM is seen as a revolutionary step since passengers will no longer have to carry physical tickets or Electronic Reservation Slip (ERS) with them while travelling on trains. All they need now is VRM (which is basically a picture of the e-ticket) plus a valid photo ID proof to travel on trains.

Earlier passengers needed either a physical ticket, or an ERS coupled with a valid photo ID proof. The VRM will basically replace the ERS in the sense that instead of taking print-outs every time you are travelling, you can simply save a copy of the ticket on your mobile, laptop, tablet or other devices and show it to the ticket collector for authenticating your reservation. This is additionally helpful since online reservation is growing rapidly in India.

We had earlier written about a mobile ticket booking application launched by the Indian Railways which enable users to book their railway tickets through their mobile phones.

In related news, an expert group under the chairmanship of Sam Pitroda, adviser to the Indian PM has been formed by the Indian government to further drive Railways’ modernisation plans.

The committee will outline strategies for modernisation of Railways with a focus on track, signalling, rolling stock, stations and terminals; using ICT for improving efficiency and safety; augmenting existing capacities of Railways through indigenous development; reviewing projects and addressing Public Private Partnership issues.

It will also address issues connected with organisation, management and resource mobilisation and professionalisation of manpower on Indian Railways. The committee will be based at Delhi and is expected to submit its report in December 2011.

^^Edit: passengers are as much at fault as the railways themselves

toilets are invariably clean when the journey starts and cleaned at least once during a 24 hr trip. what more can IR do ?
nobody can keep toilets clean if passengers do not flush or throw garbage in it.

if IR is at fault for something it is the littering inside compartments because they do not provide waste bins as they should.

toilets are invariably clean when the journey starts and cleaned at least once during a 24 hr trip. what more can IR do ?
nobody can keep toilets clean if passengers do not flush or throw garbage in it.

if IR is at fault for something it is the littering inside compartments because they do not provide waste bins as they should.

IR is no saint in this!! Problem lies with both IR and people....

People:

1. Don't flush the toilet
2. Use toilet in station
3. Throw garbage in the toiler

again chicken and egg story

IR

1. Many trains runs w/o water for KMs together
2. Cleaning toiler 24hours once is absurd! It needs to cleaned every 7-8hours.. thats why certain stations are called cleaning stations like the one at Vijayawada or Erode etc.,
3. But many trains makes round trip w/o cleaning.. for example if Bhopal shadabdi is late by 10minutes at Bhopal, then turn around time to Delhi will be less and they will not clean the toilet...
4. Toilet disposing system!! pathetic... let us see how the new DRDO version works.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

On garbage part!!

There is dust bin in railway compartment, you can see below wash basin. But they never clean that and people never use that. Even AC compartment passengers prefer to come and throw their garbage through doors rather than using the dustbin.

The railway ministry on Thursday announced naming of Yesvantpur-Mysore Express as 'Malgudi Express'

The railway ministry on Thursday announced naming of Yesvantpur-Mysore Express operating between Mysore and Bangalore as 'Malgudi Express'. Thanks to the intervention of the Union foreign affairs minister S M Krishna, the railway ministry named the train after the legendary writer's fictional town Malgudi. The ministry has advised that train No.17303/17304 Mysore-Yesvantpur-Mysore daily express be named 'Malgudi Express' with immediate effect. Accordingly, the train has been notified as Malgudi Express, the Mysore division of the South Western railway said

:banana::banana::banana:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Named-after-Malgudi/speednewsbytopic/keyid-780982.cms

IR

3. But many trains makes round trip w/o cleaning.. for example if Bhopal shadabdi is late by 10minutes at Bhopal, then turn around time to Delhi will be less and they will not clean the toilet....

This never happens dude. Shatabdis are always cleaned before retirn trios though the cleaning takes place at platform itself. But toilets are always cleaned. For long route ones like TN and others cleaning takes place at several (almost all) stops enroute. perhaps except the ones which arrive at late night.

IR is no saint in this!! Problem lies with both IR and people....

People:

1. Don't flush the toilet
2. Use toilet in station
3. Throw garbage in the toiler

again chicken and egg story

IR

1. Many trains runs w/o water for KMs together
2. Cleaning toiler 24hours once is absurd! It needs to cleaned every 7-8hours.. thats why certain stations are called cleaning stations like the one at Vijayawada or Erode etc.,
3. But many trains makes round trip w/o cleaning.. for example if Bhopal shadabdi is late by 10minutes at Bhopal, then turn around time to Delhi will be less and they will not clean the toilet...
4. Toilet disposing system!! pathetic... let us see how the new DRDO version works.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

agreed, except the not cleaned in return trips part. you might have witnessed an exception if you did. people presented one extreme, I presented the other to balance it out. ;)


On garbage part!!

There is dust bin in railway compartment, you can see below wash basin. But they never clean that and people never use that. Even AC compartment passengers prefer to come and throw their garbage through doors rather than using the dustbin. dustbins, and clean ones at that should be there in each of the 9 parts that make up a sleeper compartment and similarly for other classes. it's unrealistic to expect people to walk the whole length of a crowded compartment to throw rubbish in a rusty bucket that looks like it was used for faeces disposal in akbar's time.

Bye Bye Rail Ticket Print-outs, Hi VRM

Source (http://techcircle.vccircle.com/500/bye-bye-rail-ticket-print-outs-hi-vrm/)

:banana:

Berth availability up at major ECR stations

East Central Railway (ECR) has introduced a new passenger profile management system with a view to increasing the berth availability at the stations from where long-distance trains originate. Under this system, berths would not remain vacant on the running mail and express trains.

According to ECR chief commercial manager (CCM) Dipak Chhabra, a random survey in 35 mail and express trains originating from different stations of the zone revealed that the quota of berths allotted to small stations mostly remained vacant. In contrast, several passengers did not get berths at originating stations, he said.

It has now been decided to cut the quota of small stations and allot the same to the originating stations. In the entire ECR, the number of berths, including those in AC coaches, would go up by 1,090 under the Tatkal scheme at originating stations. The availability for normal bookings would increase by 2,012, Chhabra said.

According to sources, the "occupancy analysis" was done in Patna-Pune Express, Patna-Howrah, Vaishali Express, Jayanagar-Delhi Garib Rath, Janshatabdi Express, Sanghmitra Express, Lichhavi Express, Raptisagar Express, Saptkranti Express and Barauni-Guwahati Express trains, among others.

The new passenger profile management system is already being followed in a few mail and express trains. TNN

India Inc's big guns on panel to modernise Indian Railways

Indian Railways, under fire for its shoddy finances and rising accidents, has formed a committee comprising big guns from the corporate world and other experts to advise it on how can modernise its operations.

The committee consists of HDFC Chairman Deepak Parekh, IDFC boss Rajiv Lal, Vinayak Chatterjee, chairman of Feedback Infrastructure Services Ltd and Ranjan Jain, adviser (Infrastructure) in the Railway Board. Chaired by technocrat Sam Pitroda, this panel will focus on areas such as modernisation of tracks, signaling systems, rolling stock, increasing capacities, reviewing projects and also address public-private partnership issues.

Last week, the railways formed a panel on safety headed by the former Atomic Energy Commission chairman, Anil Kakodkar and comprising Delhi Metro chief E Sreedharan to suggest ways to manage the growing traffic and recommend safety measures.

The Indian Railways had a dismal record of one accident in every 2.5 days in 2010-11. Its finances have also steadily deteriorated over the years, diving to a paltry Rs 75 lakh last year from Rs 13,431 crore in 2008. Since 2009, the railways had formed as many as seven committees to improve its state of affairs, but they have not achieved much. But experts say the induction of illustrious people with vast experience in diverse sectors as advisers can only help the railways.

Abhaya Agarwal, executive director at Ernst and Young, said a committee comprising Pitroda and Parekh could help generate the right political will necessary for implementing reforms and addressing sticky issues like fare revision. "Ideas created by a committee will help in attracting attention of the PMO and other government arms," said Agarwal, who leads the public-private partnership (PPP) practice at E&Y. Economic Times

-NrzoZsolyc&feature

^^ good interiors ..i dont know how long will it take for IR to implement these....

^^

Nice Video on DD coaches. :cheers:

An automatic door would have given a kind of satisfaction to our Indian railways standard. Also these coaches should go for mass production!

And I have doubt how these coaches can be hauled by existing WAP version of locos.

For example, Chennai-Bangalore Brindavan express have 24 coaches.

21*100 = 2100 people is capacity of the train excluding the luggage vans etc., With this much capacity of passengers and coaches, WAP4 locos are hauling the trains all the way.

But Shadabdi trains have less no. of coaches.. even Bhopal shadabdi have only 10coaches if I am correct...

so how these AC DD coaches will economically and operationally helpful for railways?

Instead of 10coach Shadabdi they will run 5-6 one?

Still those old toilets . . . they could have done a little better.

most people want those old toilets.

Does THE "tatti" litter on THE tracks below or there is some other disposal method used in these new DD AC coaches

These coaches have control discharge toilet system. IR is working on other green toilet technology and under trials

These coaches donot seem to have automatic doors

even LHB shatabadi coaches also donot have automatic doors. Donot know why IR hates automatic doors

4 posts in a row, kya baat hai Babaji

padhey likhe log hai bhai!! Tashan hai

Badiya hai :cheers:

padhey likhe log hai bhai!! Tashan hai

aap ki asli naam kya mastram hai ?

aap ka asli naam kya Dayanbaba hai?

aap ki asli naam kya mastram hai ?

even LHB shatabadi coaches also donot have automatic doors. Donot know why IR hates automatic doors

are these the ones that are made in germany?? i travelled in delhi-amritsar shatabdi last year and the coaches were new and simply fantastic .. very comfertable ..

New plan for modernisation of ND railway station
(Source: ET (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/railways/new-plan-for-modernisation-of-nd-railway-station/articleshow/10079347.cms))

With a Rs 10,000-crore plan to give a facelift to New Delhi railway station making little headway, Railways are working on a fresh proposal to give an "international feel" to the facility as originally envisaged at a fraction of the earlier estimated cost.

"The new proposal will replace the earlier plan and involves an investment of a little over Rs 150 crore, which is a fraction of Rs 10,000 crore as envisaged for converting it into a world class one," according to senior railway officials.

A presentation in this regard has already been made before the Railway Board including the Railway Minister.

The proposal also includes converting Old Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin stations with matching modern day requirements and passenger-friendly features.

The total anticipated cost for transforming all the three stations has been pegged at Rs 250 crore.

"Railway Board, however, feels that the cost can be further rationalised and has asked Northern Railway to fine tune the proposal in line with the available resources," officials said.

Northern railway sources felt the modernisation programme of the three station needs to be expedited in view of the rising traffic and increased passenger rush.

New Delhi station alone handles over 300 trains and seven lakh passengers per day, making it one of the busiest stations in the country.

The new proposal includes separation of arrival and departure areas, regulating entry and exit at the main gates, modern high capacity parking lot, food courts, lounge etc.

made in kapurthala LHB coaches after tech transfer. but these coaches donot have automatic doors.

are these the ones that are made in germany?? i travelled in delhi-amritsar shatabdi last year and the coaches were new and simply fantastic .. very comfertable ..

aap ka asli naam kya Dayanbaba hai?

what is dayanbaba ? :lol:

I thought you would know who or what mastram is, never mind.

New plan for modernisation of ND railway station
(Source: ET (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/railways/new-plan-for-modernisation-of-nd-railway-station/articleshow/10079347.cms))

With a Rs 10,000-crore plan to give a facelift to New Delhi railway station making little headway, Railways are working on a fresh proposal to give an "international feel" to the facility as originally envisaged at a fraction of the earlier estimated cost.

"The new proposal will replace the earlier plan and involves an investment of a little over Rs 150 crore, which is a fraction of Rs 10,000 crore as envisaged for converting it into a world class one," according to senior railway officials.
..........



so basically the following won't ever happen now?:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/37630_452463856412_708471412_6733422_8218323_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/37630_452463861412_708471412_6733423_7358586_n.jpg

I don't know whether to be sad at this epic disappointment, or be happy that crores of tax payers' money will be put to some other good use... now don't say they'd have been looted, coz that could have happened in both the cases :P... considering the recent appreciation by CAG that NDRS modernization phase I was carried out in time and within budget, hope that the same officers are in charge of the next phase.

Why cant they spend 10,000 crore for the railway station in Capital? :bash:
we only have 1 capital. At least the capital must have a good looking railway station.

it's okay! if the same money is utilized to make unmanned crossings safer, build ROBs and RUBs, install toilets on all trains which do not make all stations and tracks decorated with shit, and use the money for modernization/up-gradation of tracks etc. it will be even better. that's why I said that the team which managed the face-lift phase I of the NDRS should be given the task for the next phase too.

problem in India is as much of maintenance as well. If we would have got that station, the maintenance would have required private will and skill, like it happens at T3. and chances were most likely that it would have crumbled apart due to ill-maintained premises as well as corruption. let's hope for the best!

I think the plan to downsize is myopic. Indian Railways need massive amounts of money for upgrade. But every Rupee spent is worth it. The majority of Indians travel by rail. Upgrading this key infrastructure will lift the living standards of everyone. The image of the nation is also at stake. India is well on its way to being a dominant economic force in the world. In PPP terms it could be number 3 in the world shortly. But one look at the current Indian railways and you know that there is a huge gap in such a claim. There is a massive need to upgrade and you have to invest in order to grow. This would enable the workforce in India to be continuously and gainfully employed for the next decade.

All the major cities in India deserve railway stations that rival world class airports. We need to upgrade the lowly, rotten railway train. If they could look like the ones in the renovated railway station depiction that would be awesome. Every time I see a photo/picture of IR train I cringe since they look like some decrepit 3rd world junk pile still plying in the 21st century. There are tons of bright engineering people in India who if given the chance can create some awesome engineering work and create a brand new state of the art railway train (yes with modern non-drip toilets). Put them to work immediately. Don't need TGV/LHB/Japan/GE.

Other pressing needs for IR are fixing unmanned crossings with ROBs and RUBs - would go a long way in safety. Upgrading signals & tracks, adding more new lines, trains, railway stations would suck up a huge amount of money. But these are necessary if we want to play in the big leagues. We simply have to make bold moves and sacrifice a little in order to win the long term game.

I would be happy if that kind of money is spent on modernizing the rolling stock rather than a single railway station. An average family spends around 10-15 hours travelling in a train and less than an hour at a particular station. If this money is diverted to enhancing railway safety and averting collisions I would be more than happy that my tax money is being well spent.

I don't know whether to be sad at this epic disappointment, or be happy that crores of tax payers' money will be put to some other good use... now don't say they'd have been looted, coz that could have happened in both the cases :P... considering the recent appreciation by CAG that NDRS modernization phase I was carried out in time and within budget, hope that the same officers are in charge of the next phase.

chairs in platform?? :bash: When Indian railways will change with this crap arrival and departure system? The modern railway station should never have chairs, petty shops on the platforms.

There should be a big departure hall (1st floor) with access to each platform (ground level) from the hall. Before 10mintues arrival of the train, the gate for that platform should be opened.

Arrival crowd should take the under ground path and exit the railway station! This way it will become easy for crowd management in bigger terminals like New Delhi, Delhi RS, Mumbai CST, Howrah, Chennai central etc.,

^^ agreed..
Most of our railway stations are not that bad... Just badly maintained. Minor upgrades and better maintenance will make a huge diff.

Edit: I was responding to Planned chaos

India eyes cheap China tech for railway expansion

After the private telecom and power sector being benefited from Chinese supplies of instruments, India is contemplating leveraging Chinese experience through a “potential cooperation” in the railway sector.

The two countries are slated to share their experience in expansion and management of railway network during the first two-day India-China Strategic Economic Dialogue, starting in Beijing on Monday. In fact, the chairman of the Railway Board will be accompanying the Indian delegation, led by Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia.

The Chinese side will be led by Zhang Ping, the chairman of China’s National Development and Reform Commission.

“Discussions during the 1st Strategic Economic Dialogue will focus on plan formulation and implementation in India and China, the global economic outlook, efficient use of water resources, energy efficiency and pricing and potential cooperation in the railway sector,” said a communique issued by the Ministry of External Affairs.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/India-eyes-cheap-China-tech-for-railway-expansion/851650/

Rs 267-crore for 15-km Agartala-Bangladesh Railway project

ndia has sanctioned Rs 267-crore Railway project linking Agartala with Akhaura in Bangladesh to facilitate easier surface communication between the Northeast region and Kolkata, official sources said.

The 15-km railway track will link Agartala with Bangladesh’s southeastern city of Akhaurah, also an important railway junction connecting the Chittagong port, resource-rich Sylhet and Dhaka.

A high power delegation of Indian Railways led by Chandar Prakash, Advisor (projects) met Tripura Chief Secretary S K Panda on Saturday last and informed him about the sanctioning of fund for going ahead with the 15 km-long Agartala-Akhaura link.

Of the 15-km railway tracks, 10 km is on the Bangladesh side and 5 km on the Indian side, official sources said.

While Railway construction on the Bangladesh side would be supervised by the External Affairs Ministry, the Indian side would be taken care of by the Ministry of DONER.

The entire project would be completed by 2014 and Agartala would be connected with Chittagong port and Ashuganj river port in Bangladesh making surface communication better for carriage of goods from mainland India.

“The total proposed project cost is estimated at Rs.267 crore. The Indian Railway Construction Company (IRCON) would lay the new railway tracks on both sides of the border,” a State government official told reporters.

An official of the Northeast Frontier Railways (NFR) told IANS : “Rs.146.34 crore is expected to be given by External Affairs Ministry to lay the new track (10 km) on the Bangladesh side while the remaining cost of the Indian side is likely to be borne by DoNER (Development of North Eastern Region)Ministry.”

The official said: “With the establishment of the new railway link, Northeast India would be connected to the Chittagong international sea port through railway.”

The rail link between Agartala and Akhaurah is being set up as per the agreement between Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina during her visit to India in January last year.

Agartala is the newest station of the Indian Railways, and came up on the country’s rail map in October 2008.

“There were seven to eight old rail links between India’s West Bengal and Assam states and Bangladesh. The services were suspended after the 1965 India-Pakistan war when Bangladesh was Pakistan’s eastern wing. Currently only three rail links are operational between India’s West Bengal and Bangladesh,” the NFR official said.

“Due to poor traffic, non-viability and various other reasons, several railway connections between India and Bangladesh had been suspended,” he added.

Surface connectivity is an important factor as the land-locked Northeastern States are surrounded by Bangladesh, Myanmar, Bhutan and China and the only land route to these States from within India is through Assam and West Bengal. But this route passes through hilly terrain with steep roads and multiple hairpin bends.

For ferrying goods and heavy machinery from abroad and others parts of the country, India has for long been seeking land, port and rail access to the Northeast through Bangladesh.

Agartala, for instance, is 1,650 km from Kolkata and 2,637 km from New Delhi via Guwahati and West Bengal, whereas the distance between the Tripura capital and Kolkata via Bangladesh is just about 350 km.

http://www.sentinelassam.com/northeast/story.php?sec=2&subsec=9&id=90650&dtP=2011-09-23&ppr=1#90650

^^ Good. Hope that will bring down prices of food and other goods in northeast india due to cheaper mode of transport.

Of the 15-km railway tracks, 10 km is on the Bangladesh side and 5 km on the Indian side, official sources said.

The entire project would be completed by 2014 and Agartala would be connected with Chittagong port and Ashuganj river port in Bangladesh making surface communication better for carriage of goods from mainland India.

The official said: “With the establishment of the new railway link, Northeast India would be connected to the Chittagong international sea port through railway.”

The rail link between Agartala and Akhaurah is being set up as per the agreement between Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina during her visit to India in January last year.

Agartala is the newest station of the Indian Railways, and came up on the country’s rail map in October 2008.

“There were seven to eight old rail links between India’s West Bengal and Assam states and Bangladesh. The services were suspended after the 1965 India-Pakistan war when Bangladesh was Pakistan’s eastern wing. Currently only three rail links are operational between India’s West Bengal and Bangladesh,” the NFR official said.

“Due to poor traffic, non-viability and various other reasons, several railway connections between India and Bangladesh had been suspended,” he added.

chairs in platform?? :bash: When Indian railways will change with this crap arrival and departure system? The modern railway station should never have chairs, petty shops on the platforms.

There should be a big departure hall (1st floor) with access to each platform (ground level) from the hall. Before 10mintues arrival of the train, the gate for that platform should be opened.

Arrival crowd should take the under ground path and exit the railway station! This way it will become easy for crowd management in bigger terminals like New Delhi, Delhi RS, Mumbai CST, Howrah, Chennai central etc.,

That is good idea to have it in first floor. They can even make arrangement for taxis and autos to drop passengers directly from first floor :cheers:

Five youths on train top crushed to death (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Five-youths-on-train-top-crushed-to-death/articleshow/10120440.cms)
TNN | Sep 26, 2011, 02.36AM IST
AJMER/JAIPUR: Five youths travelling on the roof of Gwalior-Udaipur intercity train were killed when they were crushed under a bridge in the wee hours of Sunday. The youths boarded the train from various stations to participate in the entrance examination of Patwari slated for the day.

In January this year, three youths were killed and six others injured in a similar incident while traveling on the roof of the same train in Ajmer-Bhilwara section. The repetition of the incident shows that the Ajmer division of north western railways (NWR) has failed to learn any lessons from it.

"These youths were traveling on the Gwalior-Udaipur Intercity Express for reaching different examination centres to participate in the Patwari entrance examination," said Lalit Bohra, chief public relations officer, North Western Railway talking to TOI on Sunday.

The incident took place at 1.25 am on Sunday when the youth got crushed under a railway bridge. "It was so gruesome that GRP found blood stains at various places upto a distance of hundred kilometres," Bohra said.

According to railway sources, the staff in the train were unaware of the accident till the train reached the Bhilwara railway station where other passengers on the roof started screaming.

"We have been making announcements on platform that passengers should not travel on roof top. Our team had also attempted to take them down but the youths opposed it," said Suresh Maharaniya SHO, GRP, Ajmer.

Sources said that as the train left the Ajmer railway platform, the youths sitting on the roof smashed into the footover bridge of Gadi Malyan some two km from the main platform.

The railway authorities came to know about it nearly three hours after the accident.

Preliminary investigations also found that there was no light on the overbridge. "We were shouting for the help but train was speeding and nobody heard us. Finally, at Bhilwara railway station the accident came to the notice of railway authorities," an eyewitness claimed.

The deceased included Ramesh Kumar (21) a resident of Hanumangarh, Kamlesh (19) of Chomu village near Jaipur, Shiv Parsad (22) of Manhorpura Jaipur, Parmeshwar (20) from Sikar and Anil (22) from Sikar.

The seriously injured were referred to JLN hospital and some were taken to Bhilwara government hospital.
we need separate thread for railway accidents :ohno:

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/railways/Indian-Railways-to-get-its-most-powerful-diesel-locomotive/articleshow/10126745.cms

NEW DELHI: Locomotive major Electro-Motive Diesel Monday said it has completed the design for a high-horsepower locomotive for the Indian Railways.

According to the company, the new design - WDG5 - would be developed into the most powerful diesel locomotive in the country with a power output of 5,500 bhp.

"This diesel locomotive has an output of 5,500 bhp, which will make it the strongest diesel locomotive ever to run on the Indian rail network," the company said in a statement.

The company further said that the locomotive has a tractive effort of 560 kn and can pull more load at higher speeds with less emissions than engines which are currently in use.

"We have great confidence that the WDG5 will be the locomotive of tomorrow for Indian Railways (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/search.cms?query=Indian%20Railways)," said Glen Lehmann, chief marketing officer, international, Electro-Motive Diesel.

The design entails the usage of modern technologies like electronic fuel injection and more.

"It includes electronic fuel injection, radial grids and high adhesion, lightweight fabricated bogies," Lehman said.

The interiors of the locomotive would have crew-friendly features and modern controls.

"It has modern driver interface and crew-friendly features, such as an air conditioned cab and toilet, which is another first for the Indian Railways' fleet."

The new design was completed in collaboration with the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/search.cms?query=Research%20Designs%20and%20Standards%20Organisation) (RDSO) and Diesel Locomotive Works (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/search.cms?query=Diesel%20Locomotive%20Works) (DLW) of the Indian railways.

Currently, the company provides service support to Indian railways' locomotive facilities at multiple locations.

^^ This was reported a year ago, looks like a cut and paste job.

NEW DELHI: Railways is finalising a draft legislation for a project that envisages running trains with the speed of 300 kms per hour on some selected routes across the country.

The Bill is likely to be introduced in the winter session of Parliament.

"We are in the process of setting up the National High Speed Rail Authority (NHSRA), an autonomous body, to implement and monitor the high speed train project in the country and for this a legislation is required to set up the Authority," said a senior Railway Ministry official.

According to the proposed NHSRA Bill, 2011, the nine- member Authority will have a chairman and eight members. There will be four full-time members including Member Project, Member Finance, Member Engineering and Member Planning.

"Stakeholders of the high speed rail corridor project will also have four representatives as part-time members in the NHRSA," the official said.

The NHSRA is being proposed to be set up on the lines of the National Highway Authority and it would be under the Railways Ministry.

The selection of chairman and members of the NHSRA would be done by the Public Enterprise Selection Board (PESB) with the approval of Appointment Committee of Cabinet.

The draft of the Bill is being sent to Law Ministry, Urban Development Ministry, Finance Ministry and Planning Commission for their views. "The final draft of the NHSRA would be sent to the Cabinet for its approval before introducing it in Parliament," said the official.

Railways have identified six routes to conduct feasibility study for running high speed trains. Currently railways is awarding contracts to global consultants for conducting feasibility studies of the proposed routes.

State governments and financial institutions are stakeholders of the high speed rail corridor project.

According to an estimate, it will cost about Rs 100 crore to construct one km dedicated high speed corridor. As per the preliminary report, ridership revenues would be able to cover the operating cost of the project.

Railways plan to make the high speed rail corridor into a catalyst for India's economic growth, a stimulus for the development of satellite towns and reduction of migration to cities.

"We have chosen three foreign consultants to carry out studies in three corridors out of the six identified routes for conducting pre-feasibility studies for developing high speed rail corridors," the official said.

UK-based consultant Mott McDonald has been engaged to conduct the pre-feasibility study of the longest Delhi-Agra- Lucknow-Varanasi-Patna (991 km) route, while Spanish consultant Eneco has been hired to carry out studies in the shortest Howrah-Haldia (135 km) route.

"French consultant Systra, which has done the studies for Pune-Mumbai-Ahmedabad (650 km) route, submitted the report to the Railway Ministry and the report is being examined now," he said.

A consultant for study of Delhi-Chandigarh-Amritsar (450 km) route will be selected soon as the global bid is under finalisation.

While tenders for Hyderabad-Vijayawada-Chennai have been invited and are under evaluation, bids for Chennai-Bangalore- Ernakulum will be invited shortly.

During the Rail Budget 2010, then Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee announced construction of high speed passenger rail corridors. These projects will be executed through PPP mode.

The new rail minister certainly has got a vision for rialways. He should be aware of the dirty trics of bureaucracy who are always avest to change and don't want to loose the control. Once he is in aposition to call their folly he will surely deliver goods to rail infra in India.

Five youths on train top crushed to death (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Five-youths-on-train-top-crushed-to-death/articleshow/10120440.cms)
TNN | Sep 26, 2011, 02.36AM IST

we need separate thread for railway accidents :ohno:

didnt we report a similar incident when hundreds of youths who were going for some police employment program in UP got injured and 4 or 5 died - because they were travelling on the roof and got swapped by a low hanging bridge?
Its sad - but we're a glutton for punishment :(

Fund crunch holds up Railways' cleanliness plan

The fund crunch has hit many plans of passenger amenities at Lucknow division of Northern Railway. Among them is the plan to upgrade the profile of on board cleanliness which is hanging in a limbo for more than two years now.

The plan, On-Board Hygiene Services (OBHS), was conceptualized by Railways about two years back. While Railways is mum on the delay, sources say "lack of funds" has kept it in abeyance.

Passengers always complain about lack of on board cleanliness on long distance trains. Then, there is problem of dirty toilets. Under OBHS, private cleanliness staff will be deployed in select trains. Passengers can inform the on board staff anytime during the journey about lack of cleanliness in coaches and toilets. The staff will have to immediately attend to passengers' complaints.

Officers connected with the project in Lucknow said the plan could not take off in long distance trains due to shortage of funds. As per a year-old estimate by officers, Railways would have to spend Rs 350 on the cleanliness of a single coach in one trip. In a year, it was to cost about a crore. But now, the cost must have shot up.

The plan is meant only for AC coaches. Lucknow division had planned to introduce it in five select trains including the Gomti Express, Unchahar Express and Chandigarh Express. All these are day-time trains. "Trains with maximum usage of toilets by passengers were selected," sources said. The plan proposes presence of at least four OBHS staff on board a train. To meet the requirement, private cleanliness staff will have to be deployed in coaches, which, in turn, will increase the cost. Railways, in the past, had thought about raising money for the project by allowing coaches to be used for advertisements. But later, that was shelved.

The plan, if takes off, will improve passenger amenities in long distance trains. But even Railway officials do not seem to know when it will be implemented. TNN

July debut for Tatanagar entrance 2

The Chakradharpur railway division has set a July 2012 date for the opening of Tatanagar railway station's second entrance, which authorities hope will decongest South Eastern Railway's second busiest station after Howrah with a daily footfall of 45,000 passengers and the only A-list station under Chakradharpur.

Confirming that the gateway would make a July 2012 debut, Chakradharpur divisional railway manager Achal Khare said work on the new entrance had already begun. "A major activity is the second entrance point from the Burmamines-end, work for which has already begun. We have a lot of plans for Tatanagar," he said.

Tatanagar station manager A.K. Agarwal said the engineering and construction wing of railways had prepared a blueprint of the new project. "The second entry to Tatanagar is an ambitious project for sure. Necessary efforts will be made to ensure that the project gets complete within the stipulated deadline," added Agarwal.

Various facilities including ticket counters, parking space and public lavatories will come up at the Burmamines-end. A proposed foot overbridge from the Burmamines end will connect different platforms.

Railway officials informed that over 100 railway quarters, located close to Star Talkies in Burmamines, were demolished to pave way for the second entry. The railway authorities had also sought permission from the forest department to cut the trees at the Burmamines end. Railway authorities recently inspected the old overbridge, to be used as a footbridge by passengers when the new entrance gets functional.

The second entrance will give smooth entry to passengers from Sakchi, Golmuri, Baridih, Sidhgora, Telco, Tinplate, Agrico and other localities. At present, they are required to cross the new overbridge to reach Tatanagar via Station Road, not an easy trek considering traffic snarls they had to encounter, thanks to encroaching vegetable vendors.

Railway sources said steps were also being taken to modify the railway yard.

http://in.news.yahoo.com/july-debut-tatanagar-entrance-2-000000522.html

Railways contemplating setting up Station Authority of India.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/railways/railways-contemplating-setting-up-station-authority-of-india/articleshow/10158813.cms

In a bid a to shore up its finances, the Ministry of Railways is contemplating setting up Station Authority of India on the lines of Airport Authority of India for creation of additional facilities at the stations and making them commercially more viable.

"We can have Station Authority of India like Airport Authority of India (AAI). We have not exploited the stations at all. We can have multiplexes, shopping complexes, libraries, parking lots and offices at stations," Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi said at the inaugural ceremony of the International Railway Equipment Exhibition here.

There are more than 7000 railway stations across the country.

"AAI provides so much of logistics and comforts and it is slushed with money. Why can't railways have a similar body for modernisation of stations?" Trivedi asked.

On the fare hike issue, the Minister said, "It is very easy to increase the fare but we have to think out of the box. Fare hike is the easiest thing to do and I do not think we should have easy options."

Pitching strongly for private sector participation in the railways sector, he said, "I do not think railways can be modernised by increasing passengers fares and freight rates. We need total participation of the private sector."

"We will not achieve 8 per cent GDP growth unless Indian Railways grows by 10 to 12 per cent. Modernisation of signalling system, track, stations, freight terminals are the need of the hour. We have to redifine railways with a modernisation plan," he said.

Ahhh one more layer of bureaucracy. Another addition to Sick PSU's.

Mamata Banerjee wins Bhowanipore assembly bypoll (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Mamata-Banerjee-wins-Bhowanipore-assembly-bypoll/articleshow/10156613.cms)
IANS | Sep 28, 2011, 02.00PM IST
KOLKATA: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee was on Wednesday all set to enter the state legislative assembly for the first time as a legislator after registering a thumping victory in the Bhowanipore assembly constituency by-poll with a 54,000-vote margin.

Banerjee's Trinamool Congress also snatched Basirhat (Uttar) assembly seat from the Left Front.

"Mamata Banerjee has won from Bhowanipore assembly constituency. The victory margin is 54,213 votes," said a senior election official.

The Trinamool Congress chief's nearest rival was Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM) candidate Nandini Mukherjee, a computer science professor.

Public works department minister Subrata Bakshi had quit the seat to make way for Banerjee seeking her maiden entry to the state assembly.
Sayonara didi :wave: Thanks for flightlike durontos for which u will be remembered.. And thanks from bangalore for bangalore-guntakal electrification and goa-bellary doubling :)

-NrzoZsolyc&feature

wow amazing train specially the interior !:)

First Double Decker to run from 1st October : ER prepared train schedule


एक अक्तूबर से डबल डेकर एसी

- धनबाद से सुबह पांच बजे खुलेगी हावड़ा के लिए, फिलहाल स्टॉपेज कहीं नहीं -

धनबाद : यात्रीगण कृपया ध्यान दें. दुर्गापूजा के मौके पर एक अक्तूबर से धनबाद से हावड़ा के बीच डबल डेकर एसी ट्रेन चलने लगेगी. इस्टर्न रेलवे मुख्यालय ने यह निर्णय लिया है. समय का भी निर्धारण कर लिया गया है.

यह ट्रेन हावड़ा से दिन के 3:20 बजे खुलेगी, जो शाम 7 :40 बजे धनबाद पहुंचेगी. फिर यार्ड में सर्विसिंग के बाद सुबह 5:00 बजे धनबाद से खुलेगी, जो 9:15 बजे हावड़ा पहुंचेगी. यह ट्रेन 110 किमी प्रति घंटा की रफ्तार से चलेगी. धनबाद से हावड़ा का किराया 315 रुपये होगा. फिलहाल अभी इस ट्रेन की धनबाद से हावड़ा के बीच स्टॉपेज तय नहीं की गयी है. कुछ दिनों तक चलने के बाद स्टॉपेज तय किया जायेगा.

दस कोच वाली ट्रेन में प्रति कोच में 128 सीट होगी. वर्ष 2010 से 11 के बीच एक दर्जन बार हावड़ा से धनबाद के बीच इस ट्रेन को ट्रायल में चलाया गया था, लेकिन विभिन्न स्टेशनों पर शेड व प्लेटफॉर्म में ऊंची व चौड़ी कोच में रगड़ाने से हरी झंडी नहीं मिल रही थी. दिक्कते दूर होने के बाद सितंबर के प्रथम सप्ताह में रेलवे बोर्ड ने हरी झंडी दी.

http://www.prabhatkhabar.com/node/65422

-NrzoZsolyc&feature

I would like to travel on lower compartment.. so low seating u will feel like ferrari :lol:

I would like to travel on lower compartment.. so low seating u will feel like ferrari :lol:

:lol:

First double decker from Howrah - dhanbad from October 1


http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/6108/24314812.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/36/24314812.jpg/)

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

India's first superfast double-decker train flagged off

Source (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/10200140.cms)
Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi Saturday flagged off the country's first double-decker superfast train from Howrah in West Bengal to Dhanbad in Jharkhand.

The 12383 Up/12384 Dn fully air-conditioned Howrah-Dhanbad Express will run five days a week.

"It has much more comfort level than other trains. It is India's first double-decker train," said a senior Eastern Railway official.

The train, comprising nine coaches, including seven air-conditioned double-decker chair cars, will have 128 seats in each coach and two generator cars.

It will have a maximum permissible speed of 110 kmph. The diatance between Howrah and Dhanbad is about 270 km.

It will start from Dhanbad at 5.00 a.m. every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and arrive at Howrah four hours later at 9.15 a.m.

From Howrah, it will start at 3.20 p.m. on every Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and reach Dhanbad at 7.40 p.m.

First AC double-decker train flagged off from Bengal

Source (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/first-ac-double-decker-train-flagged-offbengal/451142/)
With the Railways flagging off its first air-conditioned (AC) double-decker chair-car train between Howrah and Dhanbad on Saturday, it has moved into a technological upgrade. Subsequently, India moves into the league of Europe and North America where multi-deck trains are a reality for more than a decade.

“Although India had started it first double-decker non-AC coaches on the Mumbai-Surat line way back in the 70s, it could not really take off,” said a railway official. The double-decker trains are not entirely a new phenomenon in India. For running passenger coaches on diesel traction, tracks have technical standard dimensions which can stand the load of double-decker coaches. “Sleeper-type double-decker trains are also expected by March 2012,” he added.

The double-decker trains are designed indigenously by Research Development and Standard Organisation and developed by Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala. The coaches run on diesel traction for now. The train will consist of nine coaches, including seven AC double-decker chair-cars, with 128 seats in each coach. “With 65-70 per cent increase in the carrying capacity, the railways would be able to double its earnings.”

This train will stop at Barddhaman, Durgapur, Asansol, Barakar and Kumardhubi on both ways en-route, though the permissible speed is only 110 km/hour. “The overall height of double-decker coaches has been increased marginally (four-and-a-half inches) keeping in view the constraints such as overhead structures, bridges, electric traction equipment and platforms. These can be used without modifying any of the fixed structures, except for clearing some minor infringements,” the official said.

Space for the two decks has been generated by optimally using the well space between the two bogies. The base of the coach is also below the platform level, said the official. It is using end-on-generation configuration where power for train lighting and air-conditioning is supplied by two power cars, attached at both ends of the train to save the power.

The new AC design has features such as stainless steel body, high-speed Eurofima design bogies with air springs and many other safety-related measures. The coaches are fitted with control discharge toilet system.

When it comes to carrying freight trains, the double-decker option is available for container flats, which are run on Rewari-Kandla port route in India.

Running double-decker freights or container trains on electric traction can be done by increasing the height of overhead electric lines and approvals by the ministry in overhauling the roads over bridges and other structures, said the railway official. As electric traction can bear more axle load and is fuel-efficient, the eastern corridor in dedicated freight corridor is being constructed accordingly.

LtV7Nlv-BAs

DOtq-8SCB_w

A9lIuN3jU0Q

They need to draw yellow lines on railway platforms like they do on metro platforms

Daytime video

slBLDA3Qafk

I haven't travelled LD for a long time in India so this question is posed out of ignorance - but can anyone tell me - to what extent modernisation of railway stations has brought about the ease and convenience for passengers accessing the trains ?

Are there waiting halls on upper floors and 'gates' for people to climb down to, to get to the trains (when it is on the platform and not before)?

I find many stations, especially long distance terminals to be milling with people both waiting for multiple trains on the same platform which brings about quite a bit of confusion I must say.

That Video of the double decker, shows how clueless IR Babus are when it comes to train aesthetics. The whole train looks like circus clown outfit, with garish colors/stripes. The engine is white, then we have two rail cars one in the front and one at the end of different height.

Here are some examples of a double decker in the US..

http://railroadpictures.net/Trains/Caltrain/IMG_0195_tn0480.jpg

http://railroadpictures.net/Trains/Caltrain/IMG_6988_tn1024.JPG

Saw some pictures of the inside of these A/c double decker bogies. Seats face alternating direction(2nd Class Sitting type) - meaning - There's very little leg room. Also - the seats are much much narrower than normal A/c Chair cars.

Best you can describe these trains is - double decker garib-raths.

There are some 2nd class sitting type bogies where all seats face the same direction - and these are far more comfortable than alternating direction arrangement. Gives you more legroom. They could have done the same here.

Cross Posted from TN Chaibar:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=84361148&postcount=11803

Intersting Read:

"I am arrive by passenger train Ahmedpur station and my belly is too
much swelling with jackfruit. I am therefore went to privy. Just I
doing the nuisance that guard making whistle blow for train to go off
and I am running with lotaah in one hand and dhoti in the next when I
am fall over and expose all my shocking to man and female women on
platform. I am got leaved at Ahmedpur station. This too much bad, if
passenger go to make dung that dam guard not wait train five minutes
for him. I am therefore pray your honour to make big fine on that
guard for public sake. Otherwise I am making big report to papers."


Okhil Chandra Sen wrote this letter to the Sahibganj divisional
railway office in 1909. It is on display at the Railway Museum in New
Delhi. It was also reproduced under the caption Travellers Tales in
the Far Eastern Economic Review.

Any guesses why this letter is of historic value?
.
.
It led to the introduction of TOILETS in trains in India.....!!!!

So please don't think any idea is stupid and discard it. Always Speak up.

That Video of the double decker, shows how clueless IR Babus are when it comes to train aesthetics. The whole train looks like circus clown outfit, with garish colors/stripes. The engine is white, then we have two rail cars one in the front and one at the end of different height.


There are MANY things wrong with this AC Double Decker but engine color and height of lead and trailing cars is not any of them.

Even in the US, the engine does not always match the cars behind it. Also, look at any random Amtrak consist and you will find both single and double decker cars.

The design of this new double decker is not much different than the existing double decker trains running in India, except these are air conditioned.

barrykul, OMG what an ugly engine that is ! you want IR to copy that ? :puke:

India's first superfast double-decker train flagged off

http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/7854/10216414.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/685/10216414.jpg/) Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

It has obtained all necessary clearances from the Chief Commissioner Railway Safety (CCRS) after successful trial runs. "The problems encountered during trial runs like coaches touching the edge of the platform have been sorted out and the Howrah-Dhanbad AC double-decker train with eight coaches would be flagged off soon," said a senior Railway Ministry official.

http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/7111/102164222.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/638/102164222.jpg/) Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

The train has complete sitting accommodation with each coach having a capacity of 128 passengers as compared to 78 passengers in Shatabdi chair cars, thus increasing the sitting space by almost 70 per cent. Though the AC double-decker coaches are designed to run between 130 km and 160 km per hour, CCRS clearance has been given to run the train between 100 km and 110 km per hour.

http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/9616/10216432.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/703/10216432.jpg/) Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)


After the train is launched on the Howrah-Dhanbad route, the next AC double-decker train will run on the Delhi-Jaipur line as an inter-city service. However, the width of the double-decker coaches for the Delhi-Jaipur route has been reduced to 3,050 MM as against the 3,135 MM width of the coaches running from Howrah to Dhanbad.

http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/2834/10216422.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/819/10216422.jpg/) Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

That Video of the double decker, shows how clueless IR Babus are when it comes to train aesthetics. The whole train looks like circus clown outfit, with garish colors/stripes. The engine is white, then we have two rail cars one in the front and one at the end of different height.

Here are some examples of a double decker in the US..



Actually, the two (disproportionate) end coaches are power cars where diesel generators are used to produce electricity for the AC coaches. It is the same technology that is prevalent in Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Garib Rath trains.

IR is ages behind, when it comes for coach power supply. Getting head on generation (electricity supplied by the locomotive) is being experimented for many years without adoption in mass scale.

It is also possible that the babus are corrupt and they still want to procure the end on generator/selfgen instruments to take care of their favorite contractors :lol:

The design of this new double decker is not much different than the existing double decker trains running in India, except these are air conditioned.

Doesn't make it right! ;)

barrykul, OMG what an ugly engine that is ! you want IR to copy that ? :puke:

What's ugly about it? Anyways, that's just personal opinion.

This is the other CalTrain engine type:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2793/4384575844_8657c24726.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/munidave/4384575844/)
Caltrain Engine 923 at the Millbrae Intermodal Station serving BART Caltrain & samTrans in Millbrae, California. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/munidave/4384575844/) by munidave (http://www.flickr.com/people/munidave/), on Flickr

Anyways, on these electric routes, they shouldn't even bother with engines and use EMUs. Even double decker EMUs are possible.

this looks beautiful to you ? :lol:

http://railroadpictures.net/Trains/Caltrain/IMG_0195_tn0480.jpg

this looks beautiful to you ? :lol:

http://railroadpictures.net/Trains/Caltrain/IMG_0195_tn0480.jpg

Why are you laughing? What are you, 12? It is all a matter of personal opinion.

Anyways, I wouldn't call it beautiful but I don't think it's ugly either.

^^going by your logic the older one gets the more moronic one becomes :smug:

Barrykul's picture (of the train from Amrika) reminds me of Chewbaca's face from Star Wars
khikhikhikhi :lol::lol::lol: (40+ year old acting like a spoilt brat)

But to give credit to Barry - I like mean looking Locos. Honest !

Why are you laughing? What are you, 12? It is all a matter of personal opinion.

Anyways, I wouldn't call it beautiful but I don't think it's ugly either.

India's first superfast double-decker train flagged off





http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/7111/102164222.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/638/102164222.jpg/) Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)





This facing each other seats are only at the exact middle of the coach. Like half seats look forward and half seats look backward. This is the arrangement in shatabdis too, where only in middle seats face each other. Like this:

LLLLLLLLLLLL JJJJJJJJJJJJ

-NrzoZsolyc&feature

Yes Ghanta Ghanti Ghantam, thanks for taking us for idiots and taking pains to explain things in such elementary manner ! We thought the seats were upside down but you clarified everything. You rock

This facing each other seats are only at the exact middle of the coach. Like half seats look forward and half seats look backward. This is the arrangement in shatabdis too, where only in middle seats face each other. Like this:

LLLLLLLLLLLL JJJJJJJJJJJJ

Barrykul's picture (of the train from Amrika) reminds me of Chewbaca's face from Star Wars
khikhikhikhi :lol::lol::lol: (40+ year old acting like a spoilt brat)

But to give credit to Barry - I like mean looking Locos. Honest !
this, (http://www.catnip.co.uk/capecod/photos/cod60.jpg) is a mean looking loco, that ^^ is a dumb looking loco. :D

this looks beautiful to you ? :lol:



shunting loco will look like this in Indian railways.:lol:

WAP engines and WDP4 locos rocks.:cheers:

IR is doing really good in locos.. we have only bad system and coaches.

Param-Mahaan Dayalbaba,

Jai Hanuman Ki Jai.
The pic you posted looks like an open mouthed Hanuman ;)

More please.


this, (http://www.catnip.co.uk/capecod/photos/cod60.jpg) is a mean looking loco, that ^^ is a dumb looking loco. :D

barrykul, OMG what an ugly engine that is ! you want IR to copy that ? :puke:

Sirjee, that ain't the point. No, I don't like the loco (that is an old one, replaced by the new one in the next picture), but my illustrative point was same height, loco and coaches, not some mismash of toy part put together.

To be fair, the interior of the new IR double decker is good, I like the seats. The outside paint job is a joke. Worse still is the metal work dents and warts. Today's engineering calls for stamped sheet metal but Kapurthala workshop cuts corners by having it "Hand crafted".

Arul: WDP4 is an old GM design loco under tech transfer to IR. {The EMD GT46PAC is a passenger-hauling diesel-electric locomotive with AC electric transmission designed by General Motors Electro-Motive Division and built by both GM-EMD and under license by Diesel Locomotive Works (DLW) of Varanasi, India for Indian Railways as their classes WDP-4, WDP-4B and WDP-4D.}

if you had bothered to find out about the double decker project in stead of this knee-jerk "amerika is a soopa powah", you might have known that those coaches are not new built ones but AC conversions of ones from 90's and earlier.

also, as someone explained only the coaches at the 2 ends are of different height and that's because these are the generator cars.

and I quite liked the colour, in a dusty environment like India there are restrictions on using very light colours like snow white, especially on older bodies.

They need to draw yellow lines on railway platforms like they do on metro platforms

yes sweety, they do something better. different coloured tiles at the edge of the platform.

http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/2834/10216422.jpg

Sirjee, that ain't the point. No, I don't like the loco (that is an old one, replaced by the new one in the next picture), but my illustrative point was same height, loco and coaches, not some mismash of toy part put together.

To be fair, the interior of the new IR double decker is good, I like the seats. The outside paint job is a joke. Worse still is the metal work dents and warts. Today's engineering calls for stamped sheet metal but Kapurthala workshop cuts corners by having it "Hand crafted".

Arul: WDP4 is an old GM design loco under tech transfer to IR. {The EMD GT46PAC is a passenger-hauling diesel-electric locomotive with AC electric transmission designed by General Motors Electro-Motive Division and built by both GM-EMD and under license by Diesel Locomotive Works (DLW) of Varanasi, India for Indian Railways as their classes WDP-4, WDP-4B and WDP-4D.}

I am not denying the technology transfer factor.

Be happy that alteast with the technology transfer India could produce its own 150-180KMPH capacity locos. Building swanky coaches, auto doors, better crowd control system is not rocket science for a big country like India. But it is a rocket science for Indian railways.

The new DD coaches are not bad. The exterior is looking much better than the lalu's greeny garib rath or didi's vomit on duranth trains. Some improvement is better than usual red or blue dabbas! let us welcome it instead of whinning about IR should staright away produce Eurostar, Japanese/Chinese high speed trains like technology.

With this DD coaches IR have sucessfully moved from 1965 to 1970's comparing with other countries.:cheers:

.

To be fair, the interior of the new IR double decker is good, I like the seats. .}

yes the interior is looking good. But they took nearly 1.5yrs to produce this 7-8 coach DD train. I wonder when these trains will be on Mumbai-Ahmedabad/Pune, Delhi-Amritsar/Lucknow, Chennai-Bangalore sectors etc.,

and at least get them to run these at near their top speed.

^^going by your logic the older one gets the more moronic one becomes :smug:

Hmmm...

Sirjee, that ain't the point. No, I don't like the loco (that is an old one, replaced by the new one in the next picture), but my illustrative point was same height, loco and coaches, not some mismash of toy part put together.


How often do you ever see a "double decker" loco to mach a double decker consist? Please provide an example. The photos you've showed simply have large locos and are not of that height because they pull double decker cars.

The mix and match of coaches was already explained.

BTW, there is a new EMD based engine on the way, the WDG5, 5500HP.

if you had bothered to find out about the double decker project in stead of this knee-jerk "amerika is a soopa powah", you might have known that those coaches are not new built ones but AC conversions of ones from 90's and earlier.


What? Rebuilts? Looks like new builds to me. Plus, if they were old one's converted then why would they have the problem they did with being too wide?

I am not denying the technology transfer factor.

Be happy that alteast with the technology transfer India could produce its own 150-180KMPH capacity locos. Building swanky coaches, auto doors, better crowd control system is not rocket science for a big country like India. But it is a rocket science for Indian railways.

The new DD coaches are not bad. The exterior is looking much better than the lalu's greeny garib rath or didi's vomit on duranth trains. Some improvement is better than usual red or blue dabbas! let us welcome it instead of whinning about IR should staright away produce Eurostar, Japanese/Chinese high speed trains like technology.

With this DD coaches IR have sucessfully moved from 1965 to 1970's comparing with other countries.:cheers:

It is not vomit on turanth trains.. It is camouflage colouring on durontos like on military clothing :)

I haven't travelled LD for a long time in India so this question is posed out of ignorance - but can anyone tell me - to what extent modernisation of railway stations has brought about the ease and convenience for passengers accessing the trains ?

Are there waiting halls on upper floors and 'gates' for people to climb down to, to get to the trains (when it is on the platform and not before)?

I find many stations, especially long distance terminals to be milling with people both waiting for multiple trains on the same platform which brings about quite a bit of confusion I must say.

it was there in NDLS for example but people still go wait on the platforms. walking the stairs with luggage while braving the crowds is difficult.

BTW, there is a new EMD based engine on the way, the WDG5, 5500HP.


the diesel electric need to be retired, once we have all electric traction nationwide.

The news on IR Electric Locos is more encouraging. 3 phase loco technology (WAP7), Use of IGBT (on WAG9I), etc are in the right direction. BTW, IGBT is a technology with an Indian Author (Dr Jayanth Baliga, IIT Alumni, inventor of IGBT and one of the eight heroes of semi conductor revolution). There is work ongoing to get a WAP7I.


What? Rebuilts? Looks like new builds to me. Plus, if they were old one's converted then why would they have the problem they did with being too wide?

Yes, this was claimed to be a new build. The shell is stainless steel apparently, all hand welded and finished, thus the uneven surface. Some elements of LBH coach technology was used. The Interiors are new. The Toilets are low discharge.

Eventually, the IR should get to something similar to the US Amtrak Acela Express Trains (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acela_Express) for the long haul - Shatabdi, Rajdhani and other assorted express trains. These trains can run at 240 kmph though they average around half that speed. So, for Indian Railways if they can get to 150-160 kmph average that would be great, since it would reduce travel time a lot and improve movement of people and goods which would boost the economy.

In order to get there however, they have to revamp manufacturing processes at IR loco/railcar depots, strengthen the tracks and signals, close out unmanned crossings and rationalize the current number of trains.

@barrykul:

You cannot discard diesel engines ever. Not even after complete electrification. They will be the most important asset of the railway in case of a war. 1 bomb on the power station or a power-distribution substation and the over head lines will be out power. What do you do then. By the time you restore it the war will be over.

But yes - complete electrification will save costs - but that should not mean retiring of diesel engines.

Double-decker train clips overhead wires

KOLKATA: Passengers on the country's first and only air-conditioned double-decker train had a narrow escape on Tuesday morning after one of its coaches clipped the overhead electric wires while entering Howrah station at 9.05am.

Thankfully, power to the wires tripped immediately. The train was stranded at the Tikiapara yard for nearly 40 minutes until it was towed by a diesel locomotive.

"It seems that the overhead wires had sagged slightly under the foot overbridge at Tikiapara. As the train passed, the wires touched the roof of a coach and power tripped. An inquiry is being conducted. Normal services resumed on that line by 10am," said Partha Sarathi Mandal, divisional railway manager, Howrah.

The train, which runs between Howrah and Dhanbad, was flagged off from Howrah by railways minister Dinesh Trivedi last Saturday.

The air-conditioned, eight coach double-decker rake had arrived in Howrah last year but could not start commercial run due to its unique design. Its coaches extend well below the platform level. During trials, it was noticed that the sides of the coaches scraped against the platform edges. Platforms at nearly all stations along the route were cut to accommodate the train. The coaches are slightly taller than conventional ones.:nuts:

Keeping this in mind, the commissioner of railway safety imposed restrictions on the running of this train. It cannot enter the Sealdah yard or cross the Vivekananda Bridge in Bally. Speed restrictions are in force when it crosses the Howrah yard because there is a risk of the train oscillating from side to side or touching the overhead wires at high speed.

Ever since it began its commercial run, the train's movement is being closely monitored. Officers are now trying to find out why the wires sagged. "The situation is under control and the train will continue to run as per schedule," Mandal said

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Double-decker-train-clips-overhead-wires/articleshow/10237912.cms

^^

So we have to wait and see for a decade to know whether DD coaches will have some design changes to accomodate it in coventional platform or the PFs will be remodelled to accomodate the DD coaches in other sectors.

Typical - Babudom.

First the trains were pulled out because the sides of the train were chipping the station platforms!
Now the trains were pulled out because its touching overhead electric wires.
Next we'll hear the train will be pulled because it slammed into a low-overhanging bridge!

Dont these people have ANY quality controls at ALL?

Railways' earnings up by over 10% (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/railways-earningsby-over-10/148502/on)



The Railways has earned Rs 48,947.17 crore during April-September this year as compared to Rs 44,337.86 crore during the same period last year, registering an increase of 10.40%.

The total goods earnings have gone up from Rs 29,448.55 crore during April-September 2010 to Rs 32,439.00 crore during the same period this year, an increase of 10.15%.

The total passenger earnings during first six months of the current financial year were Rs 14,017.69 crore as compared to Rs 12,688.79 crore during the same period last year, registering an increase of 10.47%.
The revenue earnings from other coaching amounted to Rs 1,377.76 crore during April-September 2011 as against Rs 1,234.56 crore during the same period last year, an increase of 11.60%.

The total approximate number of passengers booked during April-September 2011 was 4,120.75 million compared to 3,906.95 million during the same period last year, showing an increase of 5.47%.

almost 8 billion passengers in a year :eek:

about 15% more than the world population.

ET (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/railways/powerful-5500-horsepower-diesel-locomotives-to-roll-out-next-year-to-move-more-freight/articleshow/10256439.cms)
Powerful 5500 horsepower diesel locomotives to roll out next year to move more freight

NEW DELHI: With the aim of moving more freight at higher speeds, the Railways plan to roll out technologically advanced 5500 horsepower (HP) diesel locomotives early next year.

The new high HP locos will also have air-conditioning and toilet facilities for the engine drivers, a first of its kind in the Indian Railways.

"The 5500 HP locos are being manufactured at Diesel Locomotive Works at Varanasi and we are expecting the first lot early next year," said a senior Railway Ministry official involved with the modern loco project.

Called as WDG5, the locos, which will have a new design, will be equipped with several technlogically advanced features including those to guard against accidents.

Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi has said, "AC and toilet facilities in the driver's cabin are aimed at providing the required comfort to locomotive drivers," according to the official.

WDG5 has been designed by Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) and Diesel Locomotive Works at Varanasi with the help of US-based Electro-Motive Diesel.

"They are likely to replace two conventional locos of 3300 HP each to move freight trains because of their high HP and tractive power," said the official, adding they will have solid state or electrically driven equipment to save power and improve reliability.

ET (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/railways/powerful-5500-horsepower-diesel-locomotives-to-roll-out-next-year-to-move-more-freight/articleshow/10256439.cms)
Powerful 5500 horsepower diesel locomotives to roll out next year to move more freight

NEW DELHI: With the aim of moving more freight at higher speeds, the Railways plan to roll out technologically advanced 5500 horsepower (HP) diesel locomotives early next year.

The new high HP locos will also have air-conditioning and toilet facilities for the engine drivers, a first of its kind in the Indian Railways.

"The 5500 HP locos are being manufactured at Diesel Locomotive Works at Varanasi and we are expecting the first lot early next year," said a senior Railway Ministry official involved with the modern loco project.

Called as WDG5, the locos, which will have a new design, will be equipped with several technlogically advanced features including those to guard against accidents.

Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi has said, "AC and toilet facilities in the driver's cabin are aimed at providing the required comfort to locomotive drivers," according to the official.

WDG5 has been designed by Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) and Diesel Locomotive Works at Varanasi with the help of US-based Electro-Motive Diesel.

"They are likely to replace two conventional locos of 3300 HP each to move freight trains because of their high HP and tractive power," said the official, adding they will have solid state or electrically driven equipment to save power and improve reliability.

Currently engine doesn't have a toilet facility??? How then is the engine staff supposed to ease themselves during the journey!

Railways identifies 305 sites for commercial usage
(Source: ET (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/railways/railways-identifies-305-sites-for-commercial-usage/articleshow/10287957.cms))

Railways, which recently leased one of its vacant land at a prime location in Delhi to a private builder for about Rs 1,650 crore, has identified more than 300 sites for commercial usage across the country.

Currently, the Railways has approximately 43,000 hectares of vacant land which is not required for operational purposes. These sites are being offered to private developers for commercial purpose.

About 167 of the 305 identified sites will be used for development of multi-function complex (MFC) and 138 others for commercial development, Railway sources said.

"The list is not final. Identification of such vacant land is an ongoing process," they said.

A number of these locations fall in West Bengal -- the home state of former Railway minister Mamata Banerjee and her successor Dinesh Trivedi.

A glance through the list of these sites reveal that 38 out of the 138 locations marked for commercial development across the country are in West Bengal.

Railways had earned a major dividend early this year when it leased 15.5 hectare land in Sarai Rohilla in Delhi to realty firm Parsvnath for about Rs 1,650 crore.

It is expecting a similar cash flow through leasing the identified sites which will help the largest public undertaking to partially tide over its financial crisis.

The MFCs will provide multiple facilities like shopping, food stalls/restaurants, book stalls, PCO booths, ATMs, medicine, parking space and other similar amenities to rail users at Railway stations.

On the other hand, projects for commercial development would be for residential and non-residential purposes.

"But, no permission can be given for building of a factory on these lands," sources said.

Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA), a statutory authority under the Ministry of Railways set up in 2007, has been entrusted with the responsibility of leasing out these vacant Railway land for the purpose of generating revenue by non-tariff measures.

The vacant land in different sites have been identified by the Railways itself.

Railway zones send details of the vacant land identified for mopping up additional revenue through non-conventional sources to the Railway Board which entrust it to RLDA for further action.

The RLDA through detailed spot study of the sites decide the commercial potential of the land, its earning capacity, market demand and public perception to decide for what commercial purposes it was fit for, they said while explaining the procedure.

Two big sites measuring 12,220 hectares and 10,032 hectares have been identified in Asansol division of West Bengal for MFC purposes, they said.

Giving status report of these sites, the sources said while on some proposed sites bids are to be invited soon in others consultancy process is on and in some places it is under inspection and study.


^^ Good development to realize additional revenue while hoping there are no land scams to be unearthed later as a result of all this :nuts:

European tracking system to prevent rail accidents
(Source: ET (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/railways/european-tracking-system-to-prevent-rail-accidents/articleshow/10289166.cms))

Faced with recurring train mishaps, Railways has expedited the process for installing the Train Protection and Warning System (TPWS) - an advanced European technology - on an 800-km long stretch.

Estimated to cost about Rs 50 lakh per km, the TPWS technology ensures automatic application of emergency brakes in case the loco driver jumps a red signal.

"The TPWS trial is at the final stage and we are planning to install TPWS after certain modifications in the rail routes which have automatic signalling system," a senior Railway Ministry official said.

As per the plan, Railways will install the TPWS on some of the busiest routes including the Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Kolkata route in the first phase.

"The work for the 800 km in the automatic signalling routes has already been sanctioned. Plans are afoot to include about 2,000 km more route in the next phase," he said.

TPWS will also cover the suburban rail route of Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai. The trial of TPWS is going on the 200 km Delhi-Agra route and the 60 km Chennai-Gumudipundi route under a pilot project for which the Railways has earmarked Rs 250 crore.

"The bid for installing TPWS would be opened shortly and after finalising the bid, the work will be awarded on the selected 800-km long route," the official said.

While one of the components of the TPWS is to be installed in the loco cabin, another is to be fitted in the signal pole along the rail track.

Of the total 2,763 train accidents between 2000 and 2010, more than 50 per cent of these have been attributed to failure of railway staff.

what happened to the indigenous collision control devices?

Currently engine doesn't have a toilet facility??? How then is the engine staff supposed to ease themselves during the journey!

Well, what do you think?

what happened to the indigenous collision control devices?

Indian Railways having a Total Track of 113,617 Kilometres ( Per the I R Year Book 2009-2010 ) at say US$ 100,000 per KM this will be a US$ 11.3617 Billion “Deal”.

Remember, the signalling equipment manufactured by the Indian Railways or the Indian Companies – as opposed to the Foreign Based-Owned Companies – do not offer any “incentives”!

So the Indian Railways will go “Phor the Phoren”!

Take, Do the Talk!

Cheers :cheers:

^^
why indulge in rumour mongering when you don't know the reality ?

what happened to the indigenous collision control devices? unfortunately it had some teething problems which could not be rectified even after a lot of effort.

basically it tended to stop trains moving in opposite directions even when they were not on the same track. this could not be ironed out.

if we had our GPS system (IRNSS) in place we could have gone for space based location system which would not have needed a sensor every few km. GPS won't do because we get civilian signal which has low resolution. you need a military grade signal to build a collision avoidance system on it. unfortunately IRNSS is still 4-5 years away.

Currently engine doesn't have a toilet facility??? How then is the engine staff supposed to ease themselves during the journey!

they have to use the rest room in stations or go to other coaches when the train stops!


but loco pilots on section like Chennai-Vijaywada where Tamilnadu express, Rajdhani runs non-stop for nearly 430-450KM for about 6hrs need to piss when the train is running!

they have to use the rest room in stations or go to other coaches when the train stops!


but loco pilots on section like Chennai-Vijaywada where Tamilnadu express, Rajdhani runs non-stop for nearly 430-450KM for about 6hrs need to piss when the train is running!

Well, the engine being referred to is primarily a freight hauler so they won't have coaches or stop at stations.

Pak wants 50 Indian engines, Railways says no

Rail diplomacy between India and Pakistan seems to be going offtrack. The Indian Railways remains cool to Pakistan’s proposal to take 50 train engines on lease from India. “Domestic demand remains high. Any commitment to Pakistan at this stage would mean a compromise on domestic
requirement,” said Rajeev Mehrotra, managing director of Rail India Technical and Economic Services, which supervises overseas operations.

According to news reports from Islamabad, Pakistan has decided to lease 50 railway engines from India to restart defunct services. The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by its railway minister, Ghulam Ahmed Bilour, last month, Urdu daily Jang reported. Bilour reportedly said Pakistan needs 200-300 locomotives.

Over 300 of Pakistan Railways’ 500 locomotives are out of order, leading to a loss of Rs 25 billion a year, authorities said.

In India, railway officials are not in favour of the deal with Pakistan, for the “corporate risk” it entails. “Relations with Pakistan being what they are, there will always remain the apprehension that India will not get its money back,” a railway ministry official said.

The officials also said they had received no official communication on the proposal while external affairs ministry officials said they had “no idea”.

The Indian Railways has 4,214 electric and 6,000 diesel engines. Two hundred engines roll out of each of its two public sector manufacturing units every year. It is massively short of its Vision 2020 target of 1,200 engines annually.

But despite this, tenders for the supply of engines to Bangladesh and Myanmar are currently being processed. Hindustan Times

^^
why indulge in rumour mongering when you don't know the reality ?

unfortunately it had some teething problems which could not be rectified even after a lot of effort.

basically it tended to stop trains moving in opposite directions even when they were not on the same track. this could not be ironed out.

if we had our GPS system (IRNSS) in place we could have gone for space based location system which would not have needed a sensor every few km. GPS won't do because we get civilian signal which has low resolution. you need a military grade signal to build a collision avoidance system on it. unfortunately IRNSS is still 4-5 years away.

MY Friend you don't know the reality .. there are lots of much simple collision prevention techniques such as use of GPS ( which resolution is good enough) combined with simple track detection , also there is a radio ranging system combined to all that. Similar system has been proved to work and I Personally know 2 Indian startups who have shown their products to the Railways officials .. The problem is that they just don't want or have any inclination to implement any type of system. If the aim is collision prevention then there are much cheaper methodologies and you don't need a European system which is a signals based system designed for trains running at 300 km / hr.

This is a simple case of giving large orders so that they can get greater percentage as kickbacks !! :bash:

Not sure if this has been shared already ... it's about 4 weeks old:

GPS-based information system in Howrah, Mumbai Rajdhanis
(Source: ET (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/railways/gps-based-information-system-in-howrah-mumbai-rajdhanis/articleshow/10027577.cms))

A GPS-based passenger information system will be installed in the Mumbai and Howrah Rajdhanis from this month, enabling passengers to find out the exact location, speed and arrival time of trains on real-time basis.

GPS receivers are being acquired to be installed and once the installation is completed, the Satellite Imaging for Rail Navigation (SIMRAN) system will be operational in four trains (two rakes each of Mumbai Rajdhani and Howrah Rajdhanis), a senior Railway Ministry official said.

Developed by the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) in collaboration with IIT-Kanpur, SIMRAN will replace the manual tracking system by connecting about 8,000 trains and 8,177 stations through GPS across the country in a phase-wise manner.

"Intensive trials are being carried out before installing it in four Rajdhani trains," he said, adding, "One can even track these Rajdhani trains on Internet after the system becomes operational."

Railways has earmarked Rs 160 crore to implement the GPS-based system which aims at providing information to the public through Internet, SMS, call centres and train indication boards at stations.

It will also give information to onboard passengers through the provision of display system inside the coaches.

Currently, to keep track of trains, station masters call up the control room at the divisional headquarters every time a train passes their station. Because of this manually controlled system, the information is sometimes inadequate.

"Railways have already taken the brandwidth from the ISRO and a satellite hub has been created near New Delhi station to receive data," the official said.

As per the plan, Railways is to install the GPS devices in all locomotives and stations to receive dynamic data on train movement through satellite.

Name of the incoming train, speed, time duration and all relevant information required by passengers will be made available automatically once the system becomes operational for all trains.

Digital mapping of 8,177 stations of Indian Railways have so far been done. "All our control offices are now computerised. The system will be utilised for tracking freight trains as well," the official said.

Other advantages of SIMRAN is that locomotive running information shall be available in the server which can be analysed to improve its efficiency.

Train running information like location, speed, direction on real-time basis can be analysed to improve the train running in a particular section.

Digital map of the railway station can also be used for linking various station data, yard information, signal information, city and hospital information which will be useful during any emergency.

what happened to the indigenous collision control devices?

Railway safety products shall be designed to be fail safe.These kind of products need to follow some standards. The widely accepted standards are european standards. The product developed in India mostly do not follow these standards. Neither we have decent standards to follow. All RDSO does is copy paste these same standards without capturing the full meaning. Thus we end up developing cheap and unsafe product which are not fail safe. These kind of products can not be installed over railways systems. I suppose Theis is basically the reason for the failure of much publicised ACD device.

MY Friend you don't know the reality .. there are lots of much simple collision prevention techniques such as use of GPS ( which resolution is good enough) combined with simple track detection , also there is a radio ranging system combined to all that. Similar system has been proved to work and I Personally know 2 Indian startups who have shown their products to the Railways officials .. The problem is that they just don't want or have any inclination to implement any type of system.

the bolded part is the problem, if you bring in track detection then it is similar to this euro system and have exorbitant costs. higher grade signal from a space based geolocation system is the only way to avoid all that. the other one, based only on devices mounted on locos are not foolproof.

coming to the startups, as far as I know, no demo'ed device has ticked all the boxes, none were not 100% error free. if you are absolutely sure that those worked please send an email to news channels like times now, they will definitely pick up your story.

Neither we have decent standards to follow.

:lol:

@dayalbaba

Track detection ( Image processing) is totally different from the European system they want to buy anyways the guys involved int he work have been lobbying with babus for quite sometime now and they just received an order for demo device.

The problem is that unless you can warm the hands of some railway official there is no way you can get into this market !! IR is the just pathetic how it works.

BTW India has a lot of companies capable of executing this project , the standards followed can be European but you cannot buy off the shelf european product if you want to install in all of IR system and that is what the babus want and the PSU's don't give a damn !!

Not sure if this has been shared already ... it's about 4 weeks old:

GPS-based information system in Howrah, Mumbai Rajdhanis
(Source: ET (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/railways/gps-based-information-system-in-howrah-mumbai-rajdhanis/articleshow/10027577.cms))

A GPS-based passenger information system will be installed in the Mumbai and Howrah Rajdhanis from this month, enabling passengers to find out the exact location, speed and arrival time of trains on real-time basis.

GPS receivers are being acquired to be installed and once the installation is completed, the Satellite Imaging for Rail Navigation (SIMRAN) system will be operational in four trains (two rakes each of Mumbai Rajdhani and Howrah Rajdhanis), a senior Railway Ministry official said.

Developed by the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) in collaboration with IIT-Kanpur, SIMRAN will replace the manual tracking system by connecting about 8,000 trains and 8,177 stations through GPS across the country in a phase-wise manner.

"Intensive trials are being carried out before installing it in four Rajdhani trains," he said, adding, "One can even track these Rajdhani trains on Internet after the system becomes operational."

Railways has earmarked Rs 160 crore to implement the GPS-based system which aims at providing information to the public through Internet, SMS, call centres and train indication boards at stations.

It will also give information to onboard passengers through the provision of display system inside the coaches.

Currently, to keep track of trains, station masters call up the control room at the divisional headquarters every time a train passes their station. Because of this manually controlled system, the information is sometimes inadequate.

"Railways have already taken the brandwidth from the ISRO and a satellite hub has been created near New Delhi station to receive data," the official said.

As per the plan, Railways is to install the GPS devices in all locomotives and stations to receive dynamic data on train movement through satellite.

Name of the incoming train, speed, time duration and all relevant information required by passengers will be made available automatically once the system becomes operational for all trains.

Digital mapping of 8,177 stations of Indian Railways have so far been done. "All our control offices are now computerised. The system will be utilised for tracking freight trains as well," the official said.

Other advantages of SIMRAN is that locomotive running information shall be available in the server which can be analysed to improve its efficiency.

Train running information like location, speed, direction on real-time basis can be analysed to improve the train running in a particular section.

Digital map of the railway station can also be used for linking various station data, yard information, signal information, city and hospital information which will be useful during any emergency.
every other smartphone has gps, one gps for one train is no big deal. Very much required, better late than never.

jaadu, could you tell us a bit more about how track detection via image processing is supposed to work ?

jaadu, could you tell us a bit more about how track detection via image processing is supposed to work ?

Err, if you do a google search there are umpteen examples. IR and its RDSO arm are not technically advanced to do the kind of research that is required to solve problems. Better to give IITs, NITs and other advanced colleges the job. As mentioned the IR babus and politicians are not looking to solve the issue, they are interested in making money for themselves.

Talking about train collision avoidance system, cars like mercedes benz s class already have them and if you are in an impending collision then they apply brakes automatically. The field of detection, avoidance are actively researched and advances are being made. Recently, some excellent progress has been made in self driving vehicles for example.

There are many companies that supply Railway satellite communication equipment. Each railway engine fitted with one of these can communicate its speed, location via gps and other data. A central system can then monitor where exactly each railway engine is located on their rail network. If they find two on the same track they can remotely brake/halt the system.

Of course some accidents cannot be avoided, like if a train jumps track or an unmanned crossing has unexpected traffic.

every other smartphone has gps, one gps for one train is no big deal. Very much required, better late than never.

For a smartphone its surely no big deal nowadays to have GPS. But for our technically challenged IR, any technical upgrades/innovation is sill a big deal :nuts:

^^ Just map and gps is enough. Like an ipad or android tablet. They can see the upcoming curve and curve radius etc. Railway track map is easy to generate and upload also.

Currently engine doesn't have a toilet facility??? How then is the engine staff supposed to ease themselves during the journey!

nopes they dont.

Many a times a LP (loco pilot) is seen easing himself by getting down on the tracks and doing what remaining 55% of indian population does.

For express trains the LPs ease themselves at railway stations and halts come & go after every 3-4 hrs so not much of a problem (plus an LPs duty is of max 6 hrs with 2 hrs extension on request)...

Err, if you do a google search there are umpteen examples. IR and its RDSO arm are not technically advanced to do the kind of research that is required to solve problems. Better to give IITs, NITs and other advanced colleges the job. As mentioned the IR babus and politicians are not looking to solve the issue, they are interested in making money for themselves.

Talking about train collision avoidance system, cars like mercedes benz s class already have them and if you are in an impending collision then they apply brakes automatically. The field of detection, avoidance are actively researched and advances are being made. Recently, some excellent progress has been made in self driving vehicles for example.

There are many companies that supply Railway satellite communication equipment. Each railway engine fitted with one of these can communicate its speed, location via gps and other data. A central system can then monitor where exactly each railway engine is located on their rail network. If they find two on the same track they can remotely brake/halt the system.

Of course some accidents cannot be avoided, like if a train jumps track or an unmanned crossing has unexpected traffic.

this system is very much in use in Konkan railway and NFR (n.e.frontier railway (maldatown onwards eastwards). in KR they dont allow non-ACD fitted locos whereas in NFR they allow (which is WASTE!). Now NR and ER are also developing this technique.

Asia's second longest tunnel 11 km on jammu and kashmir railway line finished. It reduces distance between qazigund to banihal.

^^ whoa???? this seems highly extraordinary task similar to making 30 runs in an over. itwas to be completed by late-nov. in sept 15 some 80 m stretch was remaining and at 2m/day with 1 day/10days for refreshing (changing drill bits, shifting of utilities, constructing power lines etc) it will take 3-4 weeks more from now. Source?

^^ Just map and gps is enough. Like an ipad or android tablet. They can see the upcoming curve and curve radius etc. Railway track map is easy to generate and upload also.

ain't you a regular genius ghantam ? :lol: you think the GPS device in your phone is enough for ACD if fitted on trains ! :nuts: :ohno:

barrykul, that's the problem with people whose only source of information is google. your example of merc has me ROFLing. what is the distance required for a merc to stop after applying brakes ? what is the same distance for a train ?
it's not practically feasible for a train ACD to be based on a pulse doppler system which is tested on cars.

There are many companies that supply Railway satellite communication equipment. Each railway engine fitted with one of these can communicate its speed, location via gps and other data. A central system can then monitor where exactly each railway engine is located on their rail network. If they find two on the same track they can remotely brake/halt the system.
it is not at all difficult to build a GPS locator system which would talk with each other via a central grid. there are any number of govt and private makers who can do it. but it will not serve the purpose.
as I said earlier, civilian GPS signal is not accurate enough to build a ACD, clearly you did not understand. I suggest you first try to understand why that is so.

^^ Wtf is this acd? U think it is fashion if u talk something others cant understand? Running train is not special theory of relativity :bash: steve jobs said keep it simple. Merc runs double the speed of old ir bullock carts. 20 percent safety related posts are vacant due to fund shortage which is no rocket science. Currently only 2 gps are there one of usa and one of china. Stop licking ir.

dude, you are unique sample. ACD is anti collision device. :lol:

quoting steve jobs doesn't cover for the lack of your arguments. :D

barrykul, that's the problem with people whose only source of information is google. your example of merc has me ROFLing. what is the distance required for a merc to stop after applying brakes ? what is the same distance for a train ?
it's not practically feasible for a train ACD to be based on a pulse doppler system which is tested on cars.
it is not at all difficult to build a GPS locator system which would talk with each other via a central grid. there are any number of govt and private makers who can do it. but it will not serve the purpose.
as I said earlier, civilian GPS signal is not accurate enough to build a ACD, clearly you did not understand. I suggest you first try to understand why that is so.

Dude, GPS signals can provide 3-5m accuracy (Newer Garmin GPS receivers with WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) capability can improve accuracy to less than three meters on average). Soon India is going to have INRSS GPS coverage, so the issue of accuracy will eventually be solved. GPS and accuracy have been solved with software triangulation algorithms and with precise atomic reference clocks you can get a fairly good idea where you are.

In the MERC example, granted trains take more distance to brake/halt which means your margins increase more i.e. if you find a train going in the opposite direction on the same track your alert mechanism should take more distance into account. BTW Anujb says the following: "this system is very much in use in Konkan railway" see a few posts above.

Anyways, I have some idea about LBS (location based service) there are more qualified researchers in universities like IITs, NITs and so on. An adequate system can be devised if the IR babus get into "mission mode", however their priorities are into making money.

Oh while you ROFL maybe you skills can be used to clean up the trains, rolling over the floor....

^^ :rofl:

Oh while you ROFL maybe you skills can be used to clean up the trains, rolling over the floor....
And station platforms too..

India's longest railway tunnel opens to traffic
Srinagar, Oct 14 (PTI)

In what can be termed as a milestone for the Railways, India’s longest railway tunnel on Friday was opened for transportation between two prominent regions in Jammu and Kashmir.

http://www.deccanherald.com/images/editor_images1/2011/10/15/tunnel-250.jpg

This 10.96 -km-long tunnel will also be the second longest railway tunnel in the entire Asia.
It pierces through the Pir Panjal mountain range in the state. Senior Railway officers from the north-Railway zone and state government officials marked their presence at the opening ceremony.

After the railway service comes into action it is believed that it would reduce the travel distance between Qazigund in Kashmir and Banihal in Jammu by 11 km.

Presently, the train operates only from Qazigund to Baramulla district. Kashmir is yet to get connected to Jammu through train services while work is in progress for the same.
The 300-km-long Srinagar-Jammu road remains blocked frequently during winter due to snowfall and landslides which interferes with the movement of passengers from the two prominent cities of the northern state of the country.

The longest railway tunnel, which is aligned straight from north to south, is believed to be 100 per cent water-proof and is also equipped with fire fighting system throughout its length.

Giving details, manager of Hindustan Construction Corporation S Yala said,” The construction of the tunnel commenced in November 2005 and was completed in 2011. The total cost of the tunnel was accounted to Rs 391 crore.

The train would take just 6.6 minutes to travel the distance from Banihal in the south side of the mountain to Qazigund in the north side and thus would take passengers from Jammu region to reach areas juxtaposed to Kashmir in just six minutes.

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/197903/indias-longest-railway-tunnel-opens.html

^^ what traffic does it open to? :bash:

^^ what traffic does it open to? :bash:

They have put old photo.

^^ dude see jusbrl thread in this forum for details. They just met two ends of the tunnel. Lot more work including track laying before they open to traffic

Dude, GPS signals can provide 3-5m accuracy (Newer Garmin GPS receivers with WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) capability can improve accuracy to less than three meters on average). Soon India is going to have INRSS GPS coverage, so the issue of accuracy will eventually be solved. GPS and accuracy have been solved with software triangulation algorithms and with precise atomic reference clocks you can get a fairly good idea where you are.

In the MERC example, granted trains take more distance to brake/halt which means your margins increase more i.e. if you find a train going in the opposite direction on the same track your alert mechanism should take more distance into account. BTW Anujb says the following: "this system is very much in use in Konkan railway" see a few posts above.

Anyways, I have some idea about LBS (location based service) there are more qualified researchers in universities like IITs, NITs and so on. An adequate system can be devised if the IR babus get into "mission mode", however their priorities are into making money.

Oh while you ROFL maybe you skills can be used to clean up the trains, rolling over the floor....

dude, it's IRNSS not INRSS and if you bothered to read my posts before replying you might see that I mentioned the need for IRNSS a couple of pages back. unfortunately it's not coming online soon but is at least 2-3 years away. even 2-3 metre accuracy is not enough, you need better than 1m resolution WAAS is just above that limit.

if konkan railway ACD is based upon a pulse doppler system then that is the reason why it has not been accepted for implementation throughout India, because PD CANNOT address all the needs of a rail ACD. it has limited use.
^^ :rofl:


And station platforms too..

good to see you practicing already. with ghantam rolling over garbage Indian railway platforms would soon be spic and span. :D

edit : just watched a news report on the KR ACD, the collision distance is adjustable to 3-10 m. I don't think it is meant to avoid train collisions.

^^ dude see jusbrl thread in this forum for details. They just met two ends of the tunnel. Lot more work including track laying before they open to traffic

wise guy thats the toughest job. laying of tracks and finishing touches doesnt even count

wise guy thats the toughest job. laying of tracks and finishing touches doesnt even count

I was :bash: bashing the newspaper reporter for mentioning as tunnel opens to traffic. Maybe he meant the tunnel opened for pedestrian traffic :lol: by the by gentem is not for genius but it is short for gentleman..

Indian Railways plans to revamp catering policy across the country (http://www.hospitalitybizindia.com/detailNews.aspx?aid=11960&sid=1)

Indian Railways announce K. K. Srivastava as Member Traffic, Railway Board (http://www.breakingtravelnews.com/news/article/indian-railways-announce-k.-k.-srivastava-as-member-traffic-railway-board/)

Indian Railways announces 6 percent increase in freight charges (http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/NAT-TOP-indian-railways-announces-6-percent-increase-in-freight-charges-2503370.html)

India's impressive railway stations
Last updated on: October 13, 2011 11:03 IST

India has over 7,000 railway stations. These stations facilitate the smooth operations of trains that travel across the country carrying 30 million passengers and 2.8 million tonnes of freight everyday.
While many stations in India need to be upgraded to offer modern amenities, some stations in India are quite impressive.

Here's a list of the best and busiest stations in India...

1) Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (Maharashtra)
http://im.rediff.com/money/2011/oct/11stn1.jpg
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in Mumbai is the busiest railway station in India.

Headquarters of the Central Railway, it is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. It serves as a terminal for long distance trains and suburban railway services.

2)New Delhi Railway Station (Delhi)
http://im.rediff.com/money/2011/oct/11stn4.jpg
The New Delhi Railway Station is the second busiest station in India.

It handles over 300 trains each day and over 360,000 passengers everyday. Before the new station was established after 1911, the Old Delhi Railway Station served the entire city.

3)Chennai Central station (Tamil Nadu)
http://im.rediff.com/money/2011/oct/11stn2.jpg
Hailed as the Gateway to the South, Chennai Central station is most important rail hub in South India.

Designed by the architect Henry Irwin, it is also the main hub for the Chennai Suburban Railway system as well.


4)Howrah Station (West Bengal)
http://im.rediff.com/money/2011/oct/11stn3.jpg
Howrah Station has the largest railway complex in India. It is one of the four inter-city train stations serving Howrah and Kolkata.


5)Lucknow station (Uttar Pradesh)
http://im.rediff.com/money/2011/oct/11stn6.jpg
The station is renowned for its architectural excellence, influenced by both Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. The station looks impressive with domes, arches and pillars.



6)Vashi railway station (Maharashtra)
http://im.rediff.com/money/2011/oct/11stn8.jpg
The swanky Vashi railway station is a landmark in Navi Mumbai.

Besides being one of the biggest stations in Navi Mumbai, the building is a commercial complex with many offices and business establishments.



7)Kharagpur Railway station (West Bengal)
http://im.rediff.com/money/2011/oct/11stn9.jpg
Kharagpur also has one of the biggest railway workshops in India with the longest railway platform in the world.


8)Secundarabad railway station
http://im.rediff.com/money/2011/oct/11stn12.jpg
Secunderabad railway Station is a major intercity rail station and a commuter rail hub in the Hyderabad urban area.

It was built in 1874 by the Nizam of the Hyderabad state.


9)Trivandrum Central (Kerala)
http://im.rediff.com/money/2011/oct/11stn7.jpg
It is the largest and busiest railway station in Kerala in terms of passenger movement and an important rail hub in South India.

It is also the most profitable station under Southern Railway division.


10)Coimbatore Junction (Tamil Nadu)
http://im.rediff.com/money/2011/oct/11stn11.jpg
It is a major railway junction in South India and the second busiest railway station in Tamil Nadu in terms of passenger movement.


11) Bengaluru city station (Karnataka)
http://im.rediff.com/money/2011/oct/11stn10.jpg
Bengaluru City railway station is an important hub of the South Western Railway.


Source
http://www.rediff.com/business/slide-show/slide-show-1-indias-impressive-railway-stations/20111013.htm?print=true

even 2-3 metre accuracy is not enough, you need better than 1m resolution WAAS is just above that limit


Please, don't raise false assumptions on ACD, 1 m accuracy and such. Your contention that it takes a long distance to brake the train means that 1m is nothing in the scheme of things. There are other "good enough" measures that can implement ACD system. Each engine can be fitted with a device that can emit a dedicated encoded beam that can be tracked over some distance. I am sure there are enough bright people in India who can figure out such a scheme. The problem is that the IR lacks mission goals, its personnel are barely capable and even if they are the IR babus would ensure that the scheme does not get implemented since there is no money in it for them.

India's impressive railway stations
Last updated on: October 13, 2011 11:03 IST
India has over 7,000 railway stations. These stations facilitate the smooth operations of trains that travel across the country carrying 30 million passengers and 2.8 million tonnes of freight everyday.
While many stations in India need to be upgraded to offer modern amenities, some stations in India are quite impressive.

Please, we don't need drivel from the Desi Dork Media. Most of these buildings are ancient British buildings, crumbling, very poor amenities and not in keeping with the 21st century norms. Instead of concentrating on the "Is"ness of things we should concentrate on the "Ought"ness of things. IR railway stations require a massive upgrade, in keeping with trends in other nations ( including some not so advanced countries). Railway staions in Mumbai, Chennai, Bluru, Hbad, Kolkatta, N. Delhi, etc are ancient relics and not in keeping with India's large Metro centers. There is no use in patting ourselves on our backs and high five such ancient infrastructure. We have to ask ourselves why we are lagging behind and why the current dispensation in power are not delivering.

India's impressive railway stations
Last updated on: October 13, 2011 11:03 IST


2)New Delhi Railway Station (Delhi)
http://im.rediff.com/money/2011/oct/11stn4.jpg
The New Delhi Railway Station is the second busiest station in India.

It handles over 300 trains each day and over 360,000 passengers everyday. Before the new station was established after 1911, the Old Delhi Railway Station served the entire city.

Source
http://www.rediff.com/business/slide-show/slide-show-1-indias-impressive-railway-stations/20111013.htm?print=true



Its not New Delhi railway station :bash::bash::bash:

I really like Lucknow and Trivandrum stations.. Never seen them before!!

India's impressive railway stations
Last updated on: October 13, 2011 11:03 IST

India has over 7,000 railway stations. These stations facilitate the smooth operations of trains that travel across the country carrying 30 million passengers and 2.8 million tonnes of freight everyday.
While many stations in India need to be upgraded to offer modern amenities, some stations in India are quite impressive.
...


These meaningless lists are usually compiled by bored 'journalists' to fill up content pages, who have nothing better to do, and obviously have no clue as to what really an impressive station is supposed to mean. Needless to say, they have not seen or experienced truly impressive stations in rest of the world.

October 16, 2011:
With poor management of finances and safety standards and a series of accidents involving loss of lives and property, the Indian railway system is in a terrible mess. It is paying a heavy price for the spate of populist measures introduced by successive railway ministers, including the announcement of new passenger trains every year at the cost of freight movement and passenger safety.

The much needed reform of the railways remains suspended with only ambitious announcements from time to time relating to high-speed trains, world class stations, dedicated freight corridors, and so on.

For years together, there have been instances when this monolith did not have a full-time Minister and the system had to run almost on auto-pilot.

POOR SAFETY RECORD
The safety record of the Indian Railways has been abysmal. During the decade 2001-11, there were 2,431 rail accidents, including 120 collisions and 1,410 derailments with death toll crossing 1,000. Human error was said to be the major cause in most of the accidents as the Railways failed to provide improved facilities for the running staff and to upgrade training facilities.

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India had lamented in its report for 2010-11 that the Railways were not able to fill all the safety category vacancies.

The over-used tracks and stressed train crew were the cause of several accidents on heavily used train routes. There is also over-congestion on certain sections.

The CAG has also been critical about the on-going Corporate Safety Plan (2003-13) of the Railways with a fund outlay of Rs.31,835 crore as the Railways could not fully achieve the target of phase I that was completed in 2008.

It failed to provide the facilities at level crossings for road users' safety etc. The targets for replacement of over-aged locomotives, technological improvement on maintenance of tracks and bridges etc. also could not be achieved.

As Mr R. C. Acharya, a former Member (Mechanical) of the Railway Board, has pointed out, successive rail ministers over the last decade have committed huge financial resources for hundreds of unviable projects, starving the railways of funds for replacing over-aged assets while introducing hundreds of new trains, crowding out the profit-making freight business.

After the series of recent accidents, the Railway Minister, Mr. Dinesh Trivedi, in typical knee-jerk fashion, set up a new railway accident committee, the fifth in as many decades.

Instead, it would have been worthwhile reviewing the fate of the recommendations made by the earlier committees. According to railway sources, the various safety-related works would require around Rs70,000 crore.

FINANCIAL BANKRUPTCY
After prolonged dithering on implementing the much-needed tariff reforms and augmenting internal reserves to generate the investments needed to augment capacities and implement safety measures, the Indian Railways now finds itself in a state of financial bankruptcy. The cash reserves with the system have now dropped to Rs 75 lakh from Rs 39,412 crore accumulated in the five years to 2008-09.

Unfortunately, persisting on the populist track, successive railway ministers have left passenger tariffs untouched for eight years in a row despite rising operating costs and with scant regard for the mounting deficits in the system.

The operating ratio of the railway, which was brought down to 75.9 in 2007-08, is now inching close to 100 and the system is expected to incur a loss during the current fiscal.

In a report placed before Parliament on August 5 this year, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) recommended a review of passenger fare structure to ensure that pricing does not result in a below the cost return. The CAG suggested rationalisation of freight and passenger tariffs through some form of pre-determined non-discretionary inflation-indexing.

Recently, in an unprecedented move, railway employees have voiced their support for an across-the-board increase in train fares to strengthen the financial position of the country's largest public utility. For they fear that, hamstrung by the populist policies of successive ministers, the system could go the Air India way and may default in paying salaries.

TIME TO CHANGE TRACK
Clearly, it is time for the Indian Railways to shun the populist track. Basic housekeeping and upgradation and modernisation of infrastructure and services should receive top priority.

With huge increases in salaries and pensions of railway employees following the implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission Report, serious efforts are needed to improve the productivity of railway employees.

According to reports, the worsening situation has now forced the Railway Ministry to look for external advice to stop it from plunging into a deeper crisis. It is understood that the non-executive chairman of HDFC, Mr Deepak Parikh, is set to be roped in by the Railway Ministry to head a committee to rectify the Railways' deteriorating finances.

However, this is not the first time the Railways is going in for a panel to improve its financial health. Way back in 2001, a committee was appointed under the chairmanship of the former Deputy Governor of Reserve Bank of India, Dr Rakesh Mohan. But the recommendations of that panel on running the railways on commercial lines still remain on paper, even after a decade. What is needed is the political will to improve the situation.

I guess Kachiguda station is more impressive that Secunderabad station ..

http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/1565212.jpg

there are a lot more than listed here. specially better than the "New Delhi" station mentioned here. there is Habibganj station which is spanking clean and designed beautifully as well but doesnt find a mention.

The vashi station looks more like a jail/some fortress in a sci-fi movie from that angle.

http://im.rediff.com/money/2011/oct/11stn8.jpg

Railways running out of steam
S. D. Naik

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/multimedia/dynamic/00810/BL17NAIK2_810181f.jpg
Successive railway ministers have left passenger tariffs untouched for eight years in a row, despite rising operating costs.

Poor financial management, and falling safety standards that have resulted in a series of accidents indicate that the Railways is paying a heavy price for the spate of populist measures.

October 16, 2011:
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article2543470.ece?ref=wl_industry-and-economy

^^
This situation is not tenable anymore. IR needs to raise the fares promptly. It is ridiculously low compared with World standards, countries like China have higher fares/km. The problem with socialist themes is that they target the wrong people. I bet that 80-90% of the crowd are well to do people. Only a small percentage cannot afford high cost travel. These "poor" people can be targeted by the ID card and given a direct discount on fares. The rest better pay a fair share of operating costs.

^^ Rlys is indeed finally thinking of raising fares, though they are still not absolutely sure about it as seems from the following:

Upper class train fares may go up
(Source: ET (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/railways/upper-class-train-fares-may-go-up/articleshow/10376916.cms))

After the recent hike in freight rates by six per cent, upper class train journey may also become costly with the Railways finalising plan to rationalise passenger fares to tide over its financial problems.

"We are trying to see how can we do some rationalisation of passenger fares...That process is on," Railway Finance Commissioner Pompa Babbar told PTI.

However, Babbar hastened to add, "We are trying to see how not to burden the poor people and how not going for massive hike, perhaps something here and there."

Asked whether the proposed hike has to wait for the coming Rail Budget or it may take place even before that, she said, "It is possible anytime."

Pressed further on the issue, she said, "When we withdraw money from the consolidated fund of India, we need to go to Parliament for withdrawal of the fund. But for passenger hike, we need not go to Parliament. We do not need any approval for it (fare hike) from Parliament."

The Railways' move comes against the backdrop of suggestions from the Planning Commission that a revision has not been touched for over eight years now.

To a question as how economically viable for Railways is not to raise fares for so many years, she said, "Every organisation has a system of cross-subsidisation. But only taking passenger (fare hike) side, it will be taking a lopsided view of railway working."

with so many quotas for the not so poor in the upper classes, its laughable whenever they say they dont want to burden the poor

^^
This situation is not tenable anymore. IR needs to raise the fares promptly. It is ridiculously low compared with World standards, countries like China have higher fares/km. The problem with socialist themes is that they target the wrong people. I bet that 80-90% of the crowd are well to do people. Only a small percentage cannot afford high cost travel. These "poor" people can be targeted by the ID card and given a direct discount on fares. The rest better pay a fair share of operating costs.

They should increase all express train fares and leave passenger trains untouched so that it will not burden poor people.l.

If fares are not increased by atleast 15-20% soon, IR will have the same fate as Air India.After 2012 the entire political game will be towards electioneering and hence IR should increase the fares now.

http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/PUBLICATIONS/HT/HM/2011/10/19/Article//007/19_10_2011_007_006.jpg

India to increase LHB coach production

Indian Railways plans to switch its entire coach production to the LHB design by the end of the 2012-17 five year plan, according to Minister of State for Railways KH Muniyappa.

Approval has been given for upgrading the Kapurthala Rail Coach Factory and the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai to increase the production of LHB coaches.

The LHB design was acquired from Germany under a technology transfer agreement, and offers a longer service life with higher comfort, capacity and safety than indigenous designs. LHB coaches currently cost up to Rs10m more than ICF designs, but this is expected to reduce with volume production.

http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/india-to-increase-lhb-coach-production/archiv/2011/10.html

Plan panel pushes for early completion

The Planning Commission is considering the early execution of five major railway projects in the Himalayan region, as it has directed the railway ministry to prepare a blueprint of the estimate on funds, technical inputs and prospective time for their completion.

The commission now plans to allocate funds for the projects in the 12th Five Year Plan that starts from April 2012. “We will include these in the category of projects having national importance,” a senior official said. “It will enable them to raise funds,’ he told Business Standard.

The railway projects include the 125-km Rishikesh-Karanprayag railway line involving a project cost of Rs 4,295 crore, the 154-km Rs 2,791-crore Tanakpur-Bageshwar line (both in Uttarakhand), the Rs 13,631-crore Jammu-Akhnoor-Poonch railway link covering 233 km in Jammu and Kashmir, the 498-km Bilaspur-Mandi railway link in Himachal Pradesh and the 110-km Rupai-Parasuramkund railway link in Arunachal Pradesh.

These five main railway projects are part of the 14 such Himalayan-region projects that have been hanging fire for long because of strategic issues.

Among them five were found to be feasible and of strategic importance, as it evolved from a meeting between officials from the defence ministry along with its counterparts in Railways and senior officials from the Planning Commission.

“The work on them could start during the 12th FYP,” a senior official said.

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/plan-panel-pushes-for-early-completion/453022/

Plan panel pushes for early completion

The Planning Commission is considering the early execution of five major railway projects in the Himalayan region, as it has directed the railway ministry to prepare a blueprint of the estimate on funds, technical inputs and prospective time for their completion.

The commission now plans to allocate funds for the projects in the 12th Five Year Plan that starts from April 2012. “We will include these in the category of projects having national importance,” a senior official said. “It will enable them to raise funds,’ he told Business Standard.

The railway projects include the 125-km Rishikesh-Karanprayag railway line involving a project cost of Rs 4,295 crore, the 154-km Rs 2,791-crore Tanakpur-Bageshwar line (both in Uttarakhand), the Rs 13,631-crore Jammu-Akhnoor-Poonch railway link covering 233 km in Jammu and Kashmir, the 498-km Bilaspur-Mandi railway link in Himachal Pradesh and the 110-km Rupai-Parasuramkund railway link in Arunachal Pradesh.

These five main railway projects are part of the 14 such Himalayan-region projects that have been hanging fire for long because of strategic issues.

Among them five were found to be feasible and of strategic importance, as it evolved from a meeting between officials from the defence ministry along with its counterparts in Railways and senior officials from the Planning Commission.

“The work on them could start during the 12th FYP,” a senior official said.

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/plan-panel-pushes-for-early-completion/453022/


These are all very important project if govt. approves them in reality with full funds support (not issuing some token amount just for the sake of it) i will vote for congress despite everything.

State keen on fast CST to airport rly corridor

MUMBAI: The state government is pushing hard for better rail connectivity via a fast corridor from south Mumbai to the new international airport planned at Navi Mumbai.

It has proposed a special purpose vehicle with the Indian Railways to execute and implement this project, which will have fully air-conditioned train services. The project cost has been estimated at Rs 1,500 crore for the 60-odd km line. Lack of a rail link between the airport site and south Mumbai prompted chief minister Prithviraj Chavan to expedite the project.

The state government on Tuesday sought World Bank aid to fund the project. T C Benjamin , principal secretary in the urban development department , made a detailed presentation of the conceptual plan before senior World Bank officials , which reportedly got a positive reception. The World Bank is already financing part of the Mumbai Urban Transport Project Part I and II, which involve capacity expansion on the suburban rail system. "Besides expanding the capacity on the harbour route between Panvel and CST, we also have to look at the demands created by the new airport," Benjamin said.

The fast corridor will originate from Carnac Bunder adjacent to CST on P D'Mello Road, said a senior railway official . The line can either be elevated or go underground between Carnac Bunder and Sewri, from where it will run along the ground parallel to the existing harbour line. "A new bridge will have to be built over Vashi bridge to connect the line to Navi Mumbai," said the railway official and added the CM has given an assurance that additional FSI will be allowed for commercial use to make the project financially viable.

The stations and other finer details are still to be finalised. Railway officials said they have been assured by the government that project-affected persons will be taken care of. Once the project is approved, a feasibility study will ascertain fare and the duration of services.

New Connection

The state has proposed an SPV with the railways for the fast corridor project

Only fully AC train services would run on the route

The estimated project cost is 1,500 crore for the 60-odd-km line

The state has sought World Bank's help for funding the project

Project Details

It would expand the capacity on the harbour line between Panvel and CST
The fast corridor would originate from Carnac Bunder, adjacent to CST, on P D'Mello Road It will pass through MPT land, and either be elevated or go underground between Carnac Bunder and Sewri From Sewri, it will run parallel on ground to the existing harbour line A new bridge will have to be built over Vashi to connect the line to Navi Mumbai

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/State-keen-on-fast-CST-to-airport-rly-corridor/articleshow/10409816.cms


Gujarat, Railways join hands for 288-km regional rail system

The state government will set up a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to launch its ambitious regional railway project to connect towns around Ahmedabad, covering 288 kilometres. The decision, taken on Tuesday, is part of the Integrated Public Transport Service (IPTS) project.

The plan is being seen as an extension of the metro rail link between Ahmedabad, Dholera and Gandhinagar. This regional rail system (RRS) is designed on the lines of Mumbai and Hyderabad suburban rail system.

The state government and the Ministry of Railways held a meeting late on Tuesday to freeze plans for the SPV joint venture to take up the RRS project, which is likely to cost up to Rs 5,000 crore. This will not only network Ahmedabad with Sanand, but go right up to Anand near Vadodara.

“The joint venture is modelled on the Andhra Pradesh regional rail system. The state government and the ministry of railways will hold the same equity in the company,” highly placed sources told The Indian Express.

Besides, the railways and the government have agreed to share the cost of the immovable railway infrastructure in respect of routes on an equal proportion to a certain cap of expenditure, which will be decided by each party, added the source. Both the parties have also agreed to share the profit and losses.

The estimated cost as per the first Detailed Project Report (DPR) in 2005 was Rs 2,500 crore. However, now the cost has escalated considerably and considered approximately anywhere between Rs 4,000 crore to Rs 5,000 crore.

Regional Rail System (RRS) for Ahmedabad was an outcome of the IPTS study for Ahmedabad city to identify the solutions for urban transport problem in the city. The DPR for the Regional Rail System for Ahmedabad was initiated by GIDB in 2003 through Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and RITES. The objective was to give incentives to people to stay in satellite townships of Ahmedabad by ensuring that they reach their work places using an suburban rail-based transport system.

The project will use the existing Right of Way of Indian Railways, passing through the city by upgrading, modernising and integrating the existing railway facilities. It will create its separate tracks and suburban train stations at 1.5-2 kms with operating frequency of one train every 10 minutes during peak hours.

The existing railway assets proposed to be upgraded as Regional Rail System are on the following corridors: Corridor 1 Barejadi–Ahmedabad Jn–Kalol Jn (43.49 km); Corridor 2 Ahmedabad Jn–Naroda (9.47 km).

The DPR was submitted by DMRC in October 2005 after which discussions were initiated by the Ministry of Railways for the implementation of the project on the Public-Private Partnership model. As per the suggestion of the Railway Board, the DPR was revalidated and submitted by RITES in 2009.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/gujarat-railways-join-hands-for-288km-regional-rail-system/862036/0

Is Railways finally taking a cue from airline's pricing policies?!

Train fares may get demand-based
(Source: ToI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Train-fares-may-get-demand-based/articleshow/10421906.cms))

Hinting at a revision in passenger fares in the near future, Union railway minister Dinesh Trivedi said a "dynamic pricing policy" was being considered since it was flexible and based on demand.

The proposal has come as a course correction for the state-run transporter, which is reeling under a financial crisis and whose passenger fares have not been raised over the past eight years, thanks to popular pressure. Trivedi said, "We are considering a dynamic pricing policy for passenger fares. We have done it in freight tariff." He, however, emphasized that the fares would be revised "intelligently" to cushion the poorest of the poor. Hinting that "affordability" will be one of the factors that will determine the fares, he said, "Why should a person travelling in the northeast pay the same as one travelling from Mumbai to Surat?"

But admitting the need for urgent intervention, Trivedi said, "We don't want to go the Air India way."

This is first time that Parliament's standing committee, consultative committee and employees' federations have all demanded a fare revision." He conceded that subsidizing passenger fare had put constraint on the railways' development activities. "We are aware and are addressing the situation. We have done it in freight three days ago, and it has not hurt anybody. So, we will do it (passenger fare hike) intelligently," Trivedi said. The railways had hiked the freight tariff rate by 6% on October 15 under the dynamic freight policy.

The minister said the railways was considering many options to put its house in order as its financial health was crucial for the country to achieve an 8% growth in the 12th Five Year Plan. "For the economy to grow at 8%, railways must to grow at 12%," he said, adding that his department would drive the economy, ably assisted by the private sector. Trivedi, however, admitted that the transporter must improve passenger services like hygiene, food quality, punctuality and safety ahead of the fare revision.

The railways is also considering a revenue model of using stations as a hub for commercial activity by constructing duty-free shops, multiplex, food plaza and library in station complexes. "We have to develop a revenue model for commercial utilization of our stations. We are planning to constitute the Station Authority of India on the lines of Airports Authority of India," Trivedi said.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/bl_logo_h55.gif
Bangalore, Oct. 20:

The Railway Minister, Mr Dinesh Trivedi, on Thursday flagged off the first BEML-made stainless steel EMU (electrical multiple unit) for suburban trains and the 100-tonne stainless steel wagon. The wagon will be deployed on the proposed freight corridor.

The defence enterprise has designed and produced them at its Bangalore complex for Indian Railways.
Model Metro station

The Minister also inaugurated BEML's model of a Metro station outside its facility to coincide with the launch of the Bangalore Metro rail service.

BEML is making the coaches under licence from its Korean partner, Rotem.
OHE car

On the same occasion, Mr K. H. Muniyappa, Minister of State for Railways, dedicated to the nation BEML's eight-wheel OHE car.

The car will be deployed on rail tracks for repair of overhead electric lines.

Keywords: stainless steel EMU, electrical multiple unit, suburban trains, stainless steel wagon,

Link To The news (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article2555896.ece)

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOIKM/2011/10/20/1/Img/Ad0010808.png

BEML is demanding that it is India's first stainless steel EMU,if it is true then MRVC's ICF rakes(which ICF demands as Stainless Steel EMU) are not stainless steel EMU's.Please someone clarify it.

To prevent misuse of tatkal tickets, after banning agents from booking between 8-9 am, Rlys is now planning to restrict individual users to just 2 tickets during this same period.

Railways to curb misuse of Tatkal facility (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Railways-to-curb-misuse-of-Tatkal-facility/articleshow/10427837.cms)

In the last few decades Indian Railways have taken huge strides in providing a variety of facilities in transportation of goods to rail users at affordable rates, along with many options for traveling facilities to passengers as well.For the movement of freight, in addition to the conventional wagons, tankers, etc, the facility of carrying goods by containers has been provided which has been appreciated by all. As the containers also have the advantage of being truly the means of multimodal transport, it can be carried by planes, ships, trains as well as trucks. With the world shrinking into a global village, the facility of transportation by containers has benefited many. By this mode, material received from overseas can be transferred from ships to the Railways at the port itself and carried to any corner of the country in bulk and vice-versa.



There is a constant endeavour around the world to evolve environment friendly methods by which the transportation cost also remains affordable.One such measure is the running of double stack container trains.The idea of the double container train was first tried out in the west in 1984, since then there has been a 100 fold increase in the market for this mode of transport. One of the main factors of this popularity has been the steep rise in the prices of petroleum and its products, making long haul transportation by trucks unfeasible.



The first double stack container train was run in India on 23.3.2006 between Jaipur and Pipavav Port in Gujarat, a distance of 950 km. Recently safety and other clearances have been obtained and now it will be possible to run the double stack containers from Patli near Gurgaon upto Mundra Port in Gujarat, bringing the National Capital Region on the double stack container circuit. The first Double Stack train was flagged off on 21.10.2011 at 1600 hrs. from Patli by GeneralManager, Northern Railway Sh. S.K. Budhalakoti . The event was also attended by Divisional Railway Manager, Northern Railway, Delhi Division Sh. Ashwani Lohani.This is the first double stack container train over Northern Railway and the second double stack container route over Indian Railways. Since the National Capital Region handles more than a million containers per annum, this train will be extremely beneficial to all. The running of this train is also a part of the train operations proposed in the Railway Budget of this year.



The route followed by the train would be Patli, Ringus, Phulera, Ajmer, Palanpur, Samakhiali, Gandhidham and Mundra Port.

The double stack container trains will be 19 feet high and run on non-electrified/ Diesel routes. The 19 feet high double stack container trains were first run on the on the Jaipur-Mundra port route in 2009. The earlier double stack container trains, which were introduced between Jaipur and Pipavav were of 17 ft height, as the individual container was 8’6” in height. With the commissioning of the Rewari-Ringus-Phullera section in 2009 and the adjustment of all clearances over the track right upto Gurgaon, it has been possible to make this route operational for double stack of hi-cube containers (9’6”). For this one foot-over-bridge has been removed at Patuadi, near Gurgaon.



The goods that are expected to be carried in these trains will be cars, steel, consumer goods and medicines.The running of the double stack container trains on 1198 KM long Gurgaon-Mundra route, will have a positive impact on the environment as the haulage charges will be more competitive vis-à-vis road transport, becoming the preferred mode of transportation for many. Thus pollution and road congestion caused by trucks and lorries carrying containers will also decrease.



The running of double stack container trains will have several benefits which will ultimately benefit the consumers.These are :



·The operators of container trains will be given a rebate of 50% for top layer of containers thus reducing the unit cost of haulage.

·Terminal congestion will be minimized as the dwelling time of containers at terminal and ports will be reduced as more and more containers will be on the move.

·The rolling stock requirement of locos and container flat wagons will also be reduced substantially as double the number of containers will be carried in one go.

·The number of trains will be reduced as double the number of containers will be carried at one time reducing the strain of route capacity.

·The overall transit time of containers will also be reduced.

·Since the containers are non-conventional hi-cube containers 9’6” high, each train will carry 180 TEUs (boxes), this will help in their faster evacuation, thus lowering transportation costs.

source (http://www.nr.indianrailways.gov.in/view_detail.jsp?lang=0&id=0,4,268&dcd=1275&did=131920791717941CDE095F3E4073E8F6BDC22D90EED83.web103)

Images for the above ^^ function
http://www.nr.indianrailways.gov.in//uploads/images/1319207724191-AA.jpg

Plan panel pushes for early completion

The Planning Commission is considering the early execution of five major railway projects in the Himalayan region, as it has directed the railway ministry to prepare a blueprint of the estimate on funds, technical inputs and prospective time for their completion.

The commission now plans to allocate funds for the projects in the 12th Five Year Plan that starts from April 2012. “We will include these in the category of projects having national importance,” a senior official said. “It will enable them to raise funds,’ he told Business Standard.

The railway projects include the 125-km Rishikesh-Karanprayag railway line involving a project cost of Rs 4,295 crore, the 154-km Rs 2,791-crore Tanakpur-Bageshwar line (both in Uttarakhand), the Rs 13,631-crore Jammu-Akhnoor-Poonch railway link covering 233 km in Jammu and Kashmir, the 498-km Bilaspur-Mandi railway link in Himachal Pradesh and the 110-km Rupai-Parasuramkund railway link in Arunachal Pradesh.

These five main railway projects are part of the 14 such Himalayan-region projects that have been hanging fire for long because of strategic issues.

Among them five were found to be feasible and of strategic importance, as it evolved from a meeting between officials from the defence ministry along with its counterparts in Railways and senior officials from the Planning Commission.

“The work on them could start during the 12th FYP,” a senior official said.

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/plan-panel-pushes-for-early-completion/453022/

This is very good initiative by planning commission. We can not delay construction railways lines of strategic importance. It should also be kept in mind to creat some efficient way of project implementation. Otherwise if this project is handelled by IR we will end up in long delays and substandard work which will ultimetely defeat the very purpose of these lines. Something on the lines of DMRC may be created for efficient project implementation. Later on it may be handed over to IR for O&M activities.

Images for the above ^^ function
http://www.nr.indianrailways.gov.in//uploads/images/1319207724191-AA.jpg

I get the point about doubling the containers for efficient transport. What I don't get is the following: I see well dressed top management, shiny shoes, clean well pressed shirts, with the ostensibly well fed paunch hanging out, immaculate belt and well pleated trouser slacks, doing the pooja inauguration. However, the train engine is filthy. How can this be permitted. You would expect for an inauguration function everything is cleaned, well washed, spic and span and things look great. No. The callousness of these IR babus is galling. They don't give a hoot. It is well within their powers to demand a clean railway engine. Are these guys blind. Where is the accountability, pride in workmanship, pride in a nation?

I get the point about doubling the containers for efficient transport. What I don't get is the following: I see well dressed top management, shiny shoes, clean well pressed shirts, with the ostensibly well fed paunch hanging out, immaculate belt and well pleated trouser slacks, doing the pooja inauguration. However, the train engine is filthy. How can this be permitted. You would expect for an inauguration function everything is cleaned, well washed, spic and span and things look great. No. The callousness of these IR babus is galling. They don't give a hoot. It is well within their powers to demand a clean railway engine. Are these guys blind. Where is the accountability, pride in workmanship, pride in a nation?

If these traits would have been present in our babus, the current sad state of affairs would not have happened in the first place :(

I get the point about doubling the containers for efficient transport. What I don't get is the following: I see well dressed top management, shiny shoes, clean well pressed shirts, with the ostensibly well fed paunch hanging out, immaculate belt and well pleated trouser slacks, doing the pooja inauguration. However, the train engine is filthy. How can this be permitted. You would expect for an inauguration function everything is cleaned, well washed, spic and span and things look great. No. The callousness of these IR babus is galling. They don't give a hoot. It is well within their powers to demand a clean railway engine. Are these guys blind. Where is the accountability, pride in workmanship, pride in a nation?


Completely agree with you. These guys have no passion towards their work. They are baboos in the real sense of the word. They're there because they somehow landed there, somebody put them over there......not to work for the railway. Just to enjoy the perks of bureaucracy.

yeah its funny how very few of the bureaucrats actually aim for something they like. Rest just want to enjoy the power and position that comes along with the post.

Well, it's a freight hauler, gotta have that tired and dirty look to it! ;)

Seems there are at least two engines in that consist. Any more pics of the orange one? Looks like it might have been a tad cleaner.