ProUI

Multiplicity of authority, absence of a unified law governing urban transport and resistance to change – these are among the several issues facing the road transport system in the National Capital Region, according to a Parliamentary Standing Committee report on Transport, Tourism and Culture. In the report, which was tabled in the Rajya Sabha, the Committee has noted that the creation of NCR has posed newer challenges for a seamless, accessible, safe, affordable and comfortable transport in the region as a large number of non-destined vehicles, commercial and private, pass through Delhi every day to reach other States.The Committee, which examined issues related to regulation and management of public transport system in Delhi after the gruesome gang-rape of a paramedic student in a moving bus on December 16 last has noted that there are as many as 27 agencies and authorities involved in operationalising transport in Delhi. “The bus in which the incident happened was able to move freely throughout the city that night without being noticed or stopped at several barriers put up by the Delhi Police. Subsequent investigations revealed that the bus was plying without the mandatory permit to carry passengers and had been challaned several times in the past, and let off each time. It was mainly due to fragmented authority and lack of coordination between various agencies involved in managing, regulating and implementing transport related Acts and Rules in the National Capital,” the report said.

The absence of a unified law for governing urban transport in the country, the Committee has noted, is a challenge and so is the existing arrangement for enforcing rules. “There is an absence of an effective and integrated formal enforcement mechanism having a shared mandate/authority from all the concerned – NCT Government, State Governments, Union Ministries of Urban Development and Home Affairs and various agencies such as the NDMC, municipal corporations, DDA, DMRC, DTC, Delhi Police etc..,” the report added.

Citing an example of no convergence, the report pointed out that while in Delhi the Union Ministry of Urban Development is concerned with planning, traffic management is with the Delhi Police, which is under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Delhi Government’s Transport Department is responsible for issuing licences and registering vehicles under the Motor Vehicle Acts and Rules. From planning to enforcement, each Ministry/Department performs its duties exclusively without formal coordination between them.

The Committee has recommended the setting up of a Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA) with jurisdiction over National Capital Region at the earliest. “The Committee finds that an interim solution for the problems in public transport system in the National Capital Region is the proper and planned traffic management, stricter licensing system, integration of bus services with metro and effective utilisation of ring railways in the entire region,” the report said.

The Committee has frowned upon the tendency of different agencies to work in isolation instead of teaming up for sustainable solutions. It said it noticed a “perceptible resistance” on the part of various authorities and to affect any change in the existing control over different aspects of public transport system.

“They appeared to be unwilling to forego their authority, even while each authority is working at cross purposes. There is a lack of clear vision and coordination regarding how the transport network should be designed, developed and implemented. Individual agencies such as the NCT Government, Union Ministry of Urban Development, Ministry of Home Affairs/Delhi Police, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC), the Indian Railways appear to be making their plans in isolation. As a result, services of different modes do not complement each other,” the report submitted.

The Committee has also called for reviewing the role and performance of the National Capital Region Planning Board in addressing transportation issues and recommended that a Central Motor Vehicle Acts/Rules may be implemented uniformly for the entire NCR in consultation with the State Governments.

Central Railway announced Six Additional Special Trains as Ganpati Festival Special Trains 2013 from CST, LTT Mumbai. The booking for the trains .........

MANGALORE: Indian Railways has renumbered six trains including the Chennai Egmore - Mangalore Central - Chennai daily express. Train numbers 16107/16108 Chennai Egmore - Mangalore Central - Chennai (daily) express will be re-numbered as 16859/16860 with effect from September 1. Train numbers 16865/16866 Karaikal - Ernakulam - Karaikal (daily) express will be renumbered as 16187/16188 with effect from September 1.Train number 12653 Puducherry - Mangalore Central (weekly) express will be renumbered as train number 16857 with effect from September 7 and train number 12654 Manglore Central - Puducherry express will be renumbered as train 16858 with effect from September 8. Train numbers 16857/16858 will run via Coimbatore Junction and will not stop at Podanur. Extension of these trains to Puducherry from and to Tiruchchirappalli will be notified later.Train 12998/12997 Hapa - Tirunelveli - Hapa (bi-weekly) express will be renumbered as 19578/19577 with effect from November 1 and 4 respectively.

दनकौर

दनकौर रेलवे स्टेशन जिले का सबसे बड़ा रेलवे स्टेशन है। रोजाना यहां से हजारों की संख्या में लोग अलग-अलग जगह सफर करते हैं, लेकिन मूलभूत सुविधाओं के अभाव में यात्रियों को यहां काफी परेशानियों का सामना करना पड़ता है। अधिकारियों की उदासीनता एवं लापरवाही के कारण स्टेशन का बुरा हाल है। पीने के पानी की पर्याप्त व्यवस्था न होने की वजह से लोगों को काफी तकलीफ होती है। वहीं, सफाई-सफाई और टॉयलेट बंद होने की वजह से लोगों इनका इस्तेमाल नहीं कर पा रहे हैं।

रोजाना हजारोें लोग करते हैं सफर : उत्तर रेलवे के दिल्ली-हावड़ा रूट पर अजायबपुर और वैर के बीच स्थित दनकौर स्टेशन विभाग की उपेक्षा का शिकार है। यहां से प्रतिदिन हजारों की संख्या में यात्री वैर, चोला, सिकंदरपुर, खुर्जा, अलीगढ़, कमालपुर, डाबर, टुंडला, हाथरस, सासनी, मारीपत, बोडाकी, दादरी, गाजियाबाद, साहिबाबाद, विवेक विहार, दिल्ली और कानपुर के लिए ट्रेन पकड़ते हैं।

नहीं रुकती एक्सप्रेस ट्रेनेें : स्टेशन पर एक्सप्रेस ट्रेनों का स्टॉपेज नहीं होने की वजह से यात्रियों को पैसेंजर ट्रेनों का ही सहारा लेना पड़ता है। स्थानीय लोग कई बार यहां एक्सप्रेस ट्रेनों को स्टॉपेज देने की मांग कर चुके हैं। इस संबंध में लोग सांसद सुरेंद्र नागर से भी मिले हैं, लेकिन अभी तक इस बारे में कोई ध्यान नहीं दिया गया है।

खराब पड़े हैं हैंडपंप : यात्रियों का कहना है कि स्टेशन पर पेयजल की कोई व्यवस्था नहीं है। प्लेटफॉर्म पर लगाए गए हैंडपंप खराब पड़े हैं। इस वजह से लोगों को पानी खरीदकर पीना पड़ रहा है।

बंद पड़े हैं शौचालय : यहां लोगों के लिए शौचालय तो बने हैं, लेकिन इनपर हमेशा ताला लटका रहता है। इस कारण लोगों को परेशानी होती है। खासकर महिलाओं को ज्यादा दिक्कत झेलनी पड़ती है।

[ जारी है ]

नहीं जलती लाइटें : रात के समय स्टेशन पर अंधेरा छा जाता है। यात्रियों का कहना है कि अंधेरा होने के बाद आए दिन यहां लोगों के साथ लूटपाट और चेन स्नैचिंग की घटनाएं होती रहती हैं। इसे लेकर लोग कई बार प्लेटफॉर्म पर लाइट की व्यवस्था करने की मांग कर चुके हैं, लेकिन अधिकारी इस तरफ ध्यान नहीं दे रहे हैं।

क्या कहते हैं लोग

यहां बने शौचालयों पर हमेशा ताले लटकते रहते हैं। इस वजह से लोगों को काफी दिक्कत होती है। इसकी शिकायत कई बार स्टेशन मास्टर को की गई है , लेकिन कुछ नहीं हुआ। - नीतिश कुमार , स्टूडेंट

स्टेशन पर कहने को तो कई हैंडपंप लगे हुए हैं , लेकिन उनमें से कई हैंडपंप कुछ महीनों से खराब पडे़ हैं। जिसके चलते पीने के पानी की यहां समस्या बनी हुई है। - कांति भड़ाना

स्टेशन पर एक ही टिकट विंडो होने के चलते टिकट लेने में काफी परेशानी होती है। जिसकी कई बार रेलमंत्री से भी शिकायतें की जा चुकी हैं। - कपिल गौड़

स्टेशन पर रात के समय लाइटें भी नहीं जलती हैं , जिसके चलते यहां हमेशा अंधेरा छाया रहता है। इस वजह से आए दिन यहां लूटपाट और चेन स्नैचिंग जैसी घटनाएं घटती हैं। - नीरज नागर वर्जन

सभी समस्याओं की तरफ ध्यान दिया जा रहा है। कुछ समस्याओं का जल्द निस्तारण हो जाएगा। - एचआर मीणा , स्टेशन मास्टर , द नकौर

It is high time for the Central Railway to start thinking about every node. There is a single track already laid from Karjat to Panvel which is currently used for only one outstation train and goods’ trains.

This track definitely can be used to at least begin a shuttle service. There are many people travelling to reach Panvel and then head towards CST. Why have adequate steps not been taken for people living between these stations, especially between Karjat and Panvel?

Many requests have been made till date and even an approval is taking shape but when, that is uncertain? People travelling on this route have to shell out approximately Rs60 to 70 per day on a return fare which is approximately more than Rs2,000 monthly.

There is an option to begin services on a single track line currently. There could be at least three services in the morning and three in the evening for the daily office going people. This will not only give them relief in relation to time management, but also save them the extra money they all spend while travelling, just to reach Panvel.

At the moment, Central Railway and Harbour Line is running several trains for other routes, but not on this route. If this train starts, it will definitely be a boon for the fast developing nodes, as there is a lot of construction work going on and this service will surely relieve passengers from their daily travelling. The station infrastructure is already in place, only a little maintenance is required.

It will be helpful for all those who are now compelled to travel for such a long time.

This is a humble request to the railway ministry to look into this option and help all those depending on this route.

Guwahati:  The General Manager of North East Frontier Railway (NFR) Ranjit Singh Virdi has come under the scanner of Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) for his alleged involvement in a three-year-old case related to irregularities in procurement of perfume dispensers for air conditioned coaches.

The CVC has issued a charge sheet against Virdi asking him to respond to allegations leveled against him, official sources said today.

Calls made to Virdi, a 1972 batch officer of Indian Railways Service of Mechanical Engineers (IRSME), seeking his comments did not elicit any response.

The Vigilance Directorate under the Ministry of Railways has initiated an inquiry into the alleged irregularities in purchase of perfume dispensers on the basis of a media report, the sources said.

After completion of inquiry, the report was sent to Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) for necessary action.

Acting on the Railways Board’s Vigilance Directorate’s report, the CVC has issued the charge sheet against the official, the sources said.

Sources also said that Virdi was also not in the race for the position of Railway Board Chairman, at the time of retirement of the then Chairman Vinay Mittal, as being reported in some sections of media.

At present, Arunendra Kumar (a 1971 batch IRSME officer), is acting as interim Chairman of Railway Board since Mittal’s retirement on June 30.

Virdi is eligible for becoming a Member in the Board, the sources said.

Virdi was appointed General Manager of NFR, one of the 16 zonal railways, in June last year.

It is pertinent to mention that Kul Bhushan, Member Electrical who has been given additional charge of Member Traffic, could not figure in the list of probables who could be considered as interim Chairman of Railway Board due to a CBI inquiry initiated against him in connection with irregularities in the award of a commercial contract.

JAMMU, Aug 26: Chamber of  Commerce and Industry Jammu has stressed that  double-lanning work of  Railway track between  Jallandhar and  Jammu be expedited.
During interactive meeting with the Railway authorities headed by Chairman Passenger Services Committee, Railway Board,  Jagdish Chander , P K Patnayak and Uppan Kumar Members of the Board, N C Goel, DRM Northern Railways Firozepur, Upjeet Singh-DCM and DTM, R N Meena here today, the president of the CCI Jammu Y V Sharma projected several burning issues related to the Railway services in the region. He strongly pointed out that the double lanning work  on the track was going on snails pace and it should be expedited and both the tracks be made operational at the earliest. Moreover, electrification of the track between Jammu and Jallandhar section be completed on war-footing.
The CCI members further requested that  there should be second entrance to the Railway Station Jammu for properly managing the rush of passengers and it should be approachable from eastern, as well as the western side of the station for the benefit of the commuters. They pointed out that in view of  the visit of  lakhs of pilgrims, Jammu Station was declared to be the Model Railway Station but nothing has been done so far in this direction.
They said tickets are not available to the passengers and  Railway computers always show no vacancy and at least two new Shatabdi trains  ( morning and evening) from Jammu to Delhi, two more trains on Mumbai route and one each for Ahmedabad and Jaipur  may be sanctioned. They also demanded direct train between Jammu and  Bangalore    and Jammu to Chandigarh and back. The CCI members stressed for another foot / over bridge from Jammu plate form No. 3 to the circulation area. They suggested that like airport, trolley system should be introduced at Jammu Railway Station. Various other problems related to additional facilities and cleanliness were taken up by the CCI team.
Mr Goel assured that one more platform is being constructed at Jammu  and two sets of escalators are going to be installed soon. He also assured that all the pending issues would be resolved. Sham Langar vice president and Arun Gupta, secretary general also spoke on the occasion. Anil Gupta (jvp), Deepak Aggarwal (secy) and B B Gupta ( treasurer) were also present.

Southern Railway authorities have decided to run special trains to clear extra rush of passengers during Onam festival. Advance reservation for the special trains will commence from Wednesday.

The Ernakulam-Chennai Central-Ernakulam Superfast special train (Train No 06346) will leave Ernakulam Junction at 7 pm on September 5 and 12 to arrive Chennai Central at 7.45 am next day. The Chennai Central-Ernakulam Junction Superfast Special (Train No 06345) will leave Chennai Central at 9 pm on September 6 and 13 to arrive Ernakulam Junction at 8.30 am next day. The composition of the trains will be one AC 2-tier, two AC 3-tier, 11 Sleeper Class, two general second class and two luggage-cum-brake van coaches. The trains will have stops at Aluva, Thrissur, Ottapalam, Palakkad, Coimbatore, Tirupur, Erode, Salem, Jolarpettai, Vaniyambadi, Gudiyattam, Katpadi and Arakkonam. The train no. 06346 will also stop at Perambur while the train no 06345 will stop at Ernakulam Town.

Similarly, authorities will run the Chennai Central-Tirunelveli special train (Train No 06745) that will leave Chennai Central at 3.15 pm on September 13 and will arrive Tirunelveli at 11 am next day. The trains will have one AC 2-tier, two AC 3-tier, 10 sleeper class, six general second class and two luggage-cum-brake van coaches. The train will stop at Arakkonam, Katpadi, Gudiyattam, Vaniyambadi, Jolarpettai, Salem, Erode, Tiruppur, Coimbatore, Palakkad, Thrissur, Aluva, Ernakulam Town, Kottayam, Tiruvalla, Chengannur, Kayankulam, Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram, Neyyattinkara, Kulitturai, Eraniel, Nagercoil Town and Valliyur.

27-08-2013
SWR

22-08-2013

SWR TO RUN EXPRESS SPECIALS BETWEEN VASCO-DA-GAMA—VELANKANNI-VASCO-DA-GAMA (Tr. NOs. 07315/07316) FOR 02 TRIPS IN EACH DIRECTION IN VIEW OF VELANKANNI FESTIVAL
..
For the convenience of Pilgrims attending VELANKANNI FESTIVAL, South Western Railway has decided to run Express Specials between VASCO-DA-GAMA—VELANKANNI--VASCO-DA-GAMA (Tr. Nos.07315/07316) for 02 Services in each direction, as per the following details :--
Accordingly, Train No.07315 VASCO-DA-GAMA—VELANKANNI EXPRESS EXPRESS will depart from VASCO-DA-GAMA station at 14-00 hrs.on 28th August, 2013 & 01stSept. 2013 and arrive at VELANKANNI station at 19-15 hrs.,the next day. (Total : 02 Specials o­nly).
En route, the Express Special will arrive/depart Madgaon at 15-00/15-02 hrs;HUBLI Jn. at 19-40/19-50 hrs;Tumkur at 03-20/03-25 hrs.;YESVANTPUR at 05-10/05-25 hrs.and depart at Jolarpettai “A” Cabinat 08-45 hrs.
In the return direction, Train No.07316 VELANKANNI-VASCO-DA-GAMA EXPRESS SPECIAL will depart from VELANKANNI station at 23-45 hrs., on 29th August, 2013 & 02ndSept. 2013 and arrive at VASCO-DA-GAMA station at 05-30 hrs., the next day. (Total : 02 Specials o­nly).
Enroute, the Express Special will depart at Jolarpettai “A” Cabin at 08-25 hrs; arrive/depart at YESVANTPUR Jn. at 13-00/13-25 hrs; Tumkur at 14-40/15-10 hrs; HUBLI Jn. at 22-20/22-40 hrs; and arrive/depart at Madgaon at 04-58/05-00 hrs.
The Express Special will have total 17 coaches, comprising ofOneAC 3-tier coach, Six Second Class Sleeper coaches, Eight General Second Class coaches &Two Second Class luggage-cum-brake vans.

******

South Central Railway has introduced a system of recognizing and awarding its employees for their exemplary work in ensuring safety of train operations from the month July, 2013.  Nine employees were selected as Men of the Month-July, 2013 and they were awarded at a function held at Zonal Railway Training Institute (ZRTI), Moula Ali today (27th July, 2013).  Shri S.P. Sahu, Chief Safety Officer, SCR was the Chief Guest o­n the occasion. Shri John Prasad, Chief Traffic Manager (General & Strategic Planning), SCR and Shri Satyanarayana, Principal,  Zonal Railway Training Institute, Moula Ali were present. Safety officers, Trainees / teaching faculties of  ZRTI and Safety Counselors attended the function in large number.

Shri S.P.Sahu, Chief Safety Officer, SCR,  handed over the Man of the Month Award (Certificate and Cash)  to  nine employees belonging to various safety categories. Speaking o­n the occasion Shri Sahu said that the system of  identifying and rewarding those staff whose timely and vigilant action help prevent  possible mishap, avoid loss of life and damage to railway properties is introduced from the month July, 2013. Out of several entries received from Divisions, he said, nine employees were selected for the Man of the Month Award for the July, 2013. He called upon the staff  involved in operations and system maintenance  to continue their dedicated service in order to eliminate accidents and ensure safety of passengers, he added.

Shri John Prasad, Chief Traffic Manager (General & Strategic Planning), SCR, while addressing the audience, hoped that recognizing the good work of the employees with awards will go a long way in boosting their morale and will also encourage others to excel in safety.



List showing MAN OF THE MONTH awardees  with Citation
for the month July, 2013
1) Shri T. Prasad, Yard Porter, Sattenapalli , Guntur Division: o­n 10th July, 2013,while working as Gateman at Level Crossing No.39, Shri Prasad noticed an unusual sound while Train No. 57652 Passenger was passing through the gate. After the passage of the train, he immediately checked the condition of the rails in gate area and found a rail breakage of about 8 inches. He, at-once, alerted the Dy. Station Superintendent / Sattenapalli not to start the Train. No.12806 Secunderabad-Visakhapatnam Janmabhoomi Express which was ready to be dispatched.
2) Shri D. Venkateswarlu, Gateman / Guntur Division: o­n 20th July, 2013, Shri D.Venakteswarlu, while o­n duty at Gate No.273 between Santamagulur and Savalyapuram observedsmoke emanating from 5th vehicle from Brake Van of a Goods trains while it was passing through the Level Crossing gate. Heinformed to Savalyapuram Station where the wagon was checked and was found that it was due tohot axle. The affected wagon was detached at Savalyapuram.
3) Shri Keerthi Kumar,  Electrical Singnal Maintainer / Rechni Road / Secunderabad Division:On 3rdJuly, 2013,while carrying out the maintenanceof signaling gadget near Level Crossing. No. 66 Shri Keerthi Kumar noticed a rail breakage at mainline. Immediately, he alertedthe Signal and Engineering Staff and Dy.Station Superintendent for remedial action. Due to his alertness and timely action, a serious mishap was averted and the detention to traffic was minimized.     
4) Shri Md. Mazar, Loco Pilot/Sanatnagar, Secunderabad Division: o­n 11th July 2013, while working a goods train, Shri Md. Mazar detected hot axle in a goods train running o­n the up line towards Ghatkesar. He immediately informed guard of that goods train. The train was stopped at Ghatkesar, checked and found hot axle in the 20thwagon from Brake Van. The wagon was detached at Ghatkesar.
5) Shri A. Vincent Raj, Deputy Station Superintendent / Peddempet, Secunderabad Division: o­n 16th July 2013,while o­n duty, Shri A. Vincent Raj detected hot axle in a goods train.Immediately he informed Deputy Station Superintendent / Ramagundam. The train was stopped at Ramagundam for checking and found hot axle in a wagon. The wagon was detached at Ramagundam.
6) Shri K. Eswara Rao, Loco Pilot / Rajahmundry, Vijayawada Division: o­n 2nd July 2013, while working a goods train, Shri K. Eswara Rao experienced a lurch and informed Station Manager / Narsipatnam Road as well as Station Manager / Gullipadu after stopping the train at Gullipadu home signal. Engineering staff attended and noticed rail breakage.
7) Shri P. Kamalesh, Assistant Loco Pilot / Rajahmundry, Vijayawada Division: o­n 2nd July 2013 while working a goods train along with Shri K. Eswara Rao, Loco Pilot experienced a lurch and informed Station Manager / Narsipatnam Road as well as Station Manager / Gullipadu after stopping the train at Gullipadu home signal. Engineering staff attended and noticed rail breakage.
8) Shri D. Ramu, Pointsman / Nidadavolu, Vijayawada Division: o­n 3rd July 2013, while o­n duty, Shri T. Ramu noticed a brake binding in train number 12864 Yeswanthapur-Howrah Express while passing Nidadavolu. He immediately informed to the guard of Yeswanthapur-Howrah Express, who checked the same between Nidadavolu and Chagallu stations and found ‘Roller Bearing’ failure in the Pantry Car coach. The section was cleared with caution speed and the coach was detached at Chagallu station.
9) Shri J. Venkata Rao, Assistant Loco Pilot / Rajahmundry, Vijayawada Division: o­n 16th July, 2013 while working a goods train, Shri J. Venkata Rao observed a crack for about 20 inches near side bearer between wheel no. 3 & 5 of bogie 1 in rear loco, o­n arrival at Navabpalem, during feel round check up. Immediately, he informed all-concerned through Loco Pilot and the loco was detached at Navabpalem station. The Multiple Unit locos were moved to Vijayawada Loco Shed for repairs.