Title - Ban on ore transport affects South Western Railway Mysore division revenue

MYSORE: Due to the blanket ban on the movement of export-quality ore by the state government, the goods earning of South Western Railway (SWR, Mysore division) has come down by 20.91%, and the goods earnings, which was Rs 429.86 crore last year (2010-11), has come down to Rs 339.98 crore this year (2011-12). This has affected the total earning of the division by 12%. The total earning of the division, which was Rs 592.44 crore last year, has come down to Rs 518.26 crore (2011-12).But the division has registered improvement in its performance in originating loading, passenger earnings and performance efficiency during 2011-12. The division has achieved originating loading of 6.104 million tonnes (6.2%), higher than the target of 5.750 million tonnes set for the division, and 22.2% higher than 4.996 million tonnes during 2010-11."We have transported 4.92 crore of passengers during 2011-12 as compared to 4.2 crore of last year. The passenger earnings at Rs 156.02 crore have shown a reasonable increase. This is an increase of 10% and has also exceeded the target (Rs 154.15 crore). Earnings from other coaching and sundry stood at Rs.9.12 crore and Rs13.14 crore, respectively. Through ticket checking, we have collected a fine of Rs 24.40 lakh during the current year as compared to Rs 15.35 lakh -- 60.62% increase against the target (Rs 15.19 lakh), and 58.88% increase against previous year. It also achieved 90.74% punctuality in respect of mail and express trains, and 92.58% punctuality in respect of passenger trains. No single incident of rail roko was staged at Mysore railway station in the last two years," added Vinod, divisional railway manager (Mysore division).
New lines
"During 2012-13, the division will conduct new surveys between Haveri and Sirsi and Shimoga-Shikaripura-Ranebennur. The division has sent a proposal to the Planning Commission for new lines between Gadag and Haveri. During the financial year, the division will complete the new lines between Sakharayapatna-Kanivehalli, Kanivehalli-Chikamagalur, and Hiresave-Shravanabelagola. The doubling work between Ballakere-Birur and Birur-Shivani will also be completed. A survey for electrification between Mysore-Hassan-Mangalore (including Hassan-Arasikere), Bangalore-Tumkur-Hubli-Londa-Vasco (including Birur-Talaguppa) and Chikjajur-Bellary will be conducted during the financial year," he added.The division has also planned escalator, air-conditioned dormitory and video-based complaint and grievance registration kiosk at the Mysore station. Battery-operated buggies for the benefit of physically challenged and senior citizens at important stations will also be set up. The division has taken steps to ensure adequate hygiene in coaches. The division has also introduced mechanized cleaning system at coaching depots of Mysore and Arasikere.
Better facilities
"In order to ensure transparency, Service Registers and Annual Performance Appraisal Reports have been made available to the employees through website. Divisional News Letter will be published from May to communicate information of the division to the entire division. The division will soon appoint 972 group D staff," the DRM said.In recognition of exemplary performance Anthonydoss, Gangmate/ SSE/ PW/ MYS, and Sanjay R Karekar, SI/ RPF/ DVG, will be conferred Railway Minister's Award this year, said Vinod.On the occasion, the DRM awarded 110 staff for their "meritorious work" and 14 group award (consisting of 157 employees) for their "exceptional team work".