ProUI

It may be time for Railways to abandon rake sharing arrangement

What is in a name, or rather a name-board on some trains? “Plenty of confusion,” many travellers would say, because destination boards on coaches could be utterly misleading and could bring on an adrenaline rush, especially for passengers at an intermediate station where stoppage is barely a minute.While for the Railways, it is standard practice under the Rake Sharing Arrangement (RSA) to use rakes of one train that has completed its journey for another going to a completely different destination, for passengers the combined display boards can be misleading.“Displaying dual destination boards on a train can only add to a passenger’s anxiety,” said consumer activist T. Sadagopan.For instance, the Chendur express heading for Chennai leaves with the board Tiruchendur-Chennai Egmore-Mannargudi-Mayiladuthurai, though it does not go to Mayiladuthurai.In fact, this train has an RSA with the Mannai Express and the Mannargudi-Mayiladuthurai passenger too. Its first run is from Tiruchendur to Chennai Egmore from where it is operated to Mannargudi as Mannai Express and then as the Mannargudi-Mayiladuthurai passenger special.Or take the Train no 56041 passenger that starts from Tirupathy and arrives at Puducherry and immediately morphs as the Pondicherry-Egmore passenger (Train No. 56038) even while retaining a display board that says ‘Tirupathy-Puducherry-Chennai Egmore. “A layman waiting at an intermediate station could mistake it as a direct train to Chennai Egmore,” Mr. Sadagopan said.In slightly different circumstances, passengers can get confused when pairing trains are simultaneously stationed at different platforms of a station. For instance, Jagadeesh and Saravanan were at Chennai Egmore last week to board the Pallavan Express. On seeing the train on a platform being attended to by mechanics, they thought the train was being turned around for the journey.On realising that something was amiss well past departure time, they cross-checked with a station official to find that the ‘real’ Pallavan express had already left from a different platform.Railway officials say the RSA system is a pro-passenger measure, as it helps Railways run more number of services on diverse routes by optimising usage of tracks and reducing the idling time of rakes. For instance, the RSA helped operationalise over 3,800 regular express trains and close to 4,000 specials in 2012-13.According to a Southern Railway official, the RSA has helped circumvent coach shortage as a stumbling block for operating more number of services and meeting the aspirations of the travelling public.The RSA pattern where many trains are linked by the same rake has resulted in a practice where the rakes of an express train are used for a train to another destination at the platform itself. “When a rake does not go to the maintenance pit lines, boards that display names of both trains are necessary,” an official explained.However, to avoid confusion, Southern Railway is pitching for hinged belly board design where more than one train can be displayed individually and names can be changed at the platform before the next train starts. “It is expected that this new design will solve the problem to a large extent”, he said.The Research Design and Standards Organisation is also designing micro processor operated LED train indication boards. “Once the design is standardised, Railways will provide it in a phased manner,” an official said.

JHS-CNB doubling to be completed in 3 phases

रामनगर। रामनगर से हावड़ा के लिए रेल सेवा शुरू जाने समेत विभिन्न मांगों को लेकर सोमवार को ऊधमसिंह नगर से आए सैकड़ों व्यापारियों के साथ स्थानीय संगठनों ने रेलवे स्टेशन पर धरना-प्रदर्शन किया। इससे पूर्व जुलूस निकाला गया और बाद में पूर्वोत्तर रेलवे के अधिकारियों को मांगपत्र भेजा गया।
प्रांतीय उद्योग व्यापार मंडल और देवभूमि उद्योग व्यापार मंडल के संयुक्त नेतृत्व में आयोजित धरने के दौरान व्यापारियों ने पूर्वोत्तर रेलवे पर क्षेेत्र की उपेक्षा का आरोप लगाया। केशव कुमार पासी ने नई हावड़ा-लालकुआं रेल को रामनगर से चलाने, गूलरभोज-लालकुआं के बीच टांडा पर हॉल्ट बनाने और रात में रामनगर-लालकुंआ के लिए रेल आरंभ करने की मांग की। धरना प्रदर्शन का नेतृत्व बाजपुर के समाजसेवी केशव कुमार पासी ने किया।
प्रदर्शन में व्यापार मंडल अध्यक्ष राजीव सैतिया काशीपुर, व्यापारी नेता काशीपुर दीपक वर्मा, अनिल अग्रवाल, मनमोहन अग्रवाल, दिनेश चंद्रा, अभिषेक अग्रवाल, बलविंदर सिंह, पीसी जोशी, सुमित्रा बिष्ट, नीलम गुप्ता, डा. धनेश्वरी घिल्डियाल, रईस अहमद, देवेंद्र वर्मा, मोहित अरोरा, हरदयाल सिंह, सुशील सिंघल, भरतभूषण विद्यार्थी, नईम, रज्जू भैया, पवन कुमार, प्रवीन अरोरा, किरन शर्मा, शाकील अहमद आदि शामिल रहे। कहा गया कि इस मुद्दे को लेकर आंदोलन जारी रखा जाएगा।

BANGALORE: Facing trouble in a running train? Help is just a call or SMS away -- the women's helpline 9731666725 works 24/7. Just mention the train name, number, bogie number and nature of the complaint.

The helpline, which began operating early this year, is dedicated to South Western Railway in Karnataka. But very few commuters are aware of the number, and railway authorities are doing their best to spread the message to all passengers of the state.

Divisional railway manager (DRM), South Western Railway, Anil Kumar Agarwal said they've displayed the helpline number across railway stations in Karnataka. "It was launched nearly six months ago. We've received more than 100 calls on eve-teasing and other harassment. We act as soon as we receive the complaint. The Railway Protection Force attends to the problem at the next station," he said.

SP SN Sidramappa said police equipped with rifles are sent into some bogies, particularly at night. "The police personnel visit all the bogies. A police chowki manned by two policemen is active outside Bangalore City railway station. Very soon, we'll start similar counters in other railway stations," he said.

A second line

Railway authorities also introduced a helpline for Southern Railway commuters -- 090031617110. Those using a landline can dial 044-90031617110.

"The security control of Southern Railway, located in Chennai, will receive the call and act accordingly. Most often, women call us with complaints of eve-teasing and physical harassment in running trains," a security personnel said.

When youth pushed out gutsy girl

On July 25, 2012, a 19-year-old girl was seriously injured when she was pushed out of a running train by four men, after she resisted their attempts to molest her. The horror unfolded in the Yeshwantpur-Mysore Express. She was pushed out when the train reached Maddur, and fell 25 feet below on the dry bed of the river Shimsha. She was hospitalized for several weeks.

Crimes on board — South Western Railway*

Robberies

2011 - 31

2012 - 47

2013 - 35

Dacoities

2011 - 05

2012 - 03

2013 - 01

Thefts

2011 - 500

2012 - 480

2013 - 350

(* Till July)

(Source: Southern Railways)

The Railway track doubling work between Ernakulam Town Station and  the Marshalling Yard which was proposed to begin this January is stuck in a rut.

The 1.5-km line that connects Ernakulam Junction and Town stations and the ‘D’  Cabin located at the Marshalling Yard was mooted as a solution to the rail traffic congestion between Ernakulam and Kottayam.

However, six months after the proposed work was set to begin, the project remains a non-starter.

According to the officials with the construction wing of the  Thiruvananthapuram Railway division, the doubling work currently undertaken at Podanur Junction in Palakkad has put a halt to the plans in Ernakulam.

“Whenever, doubling works takes place in one section, the Railways does not approve undertaking similar work in another section as it would affect the  Rail traffic. The work will possibly begin only next year,” the officials said.

 

Alternative Measures

If doubling work is undertaken, the traffic will be disrupted at the Ernakulam Junction and Town stations. This will require alternative measures. Traffic signals will have to be shut down in the section besides carrying out a lot of technical work at both the stations. “We have received  sanction for the work. However, unless we get a nod, the work cannot be kicked off,” the official said.

The doubling work was proposed by the Railways nearly 10 years ago. However,  a lot of technical and alignment issues had delayed the project.

“We have worked out a solid plan to be undertaken once the work begins so as to cause minimal disruption in rail traffic, the official said.

The work is part of the doubling between Ernakulam and Mulanthuruthy stretch. If the 1.5-km stretch is laid, passenger trains arriving from Kottayam and towards Ernakulam will be speeded up. This will also avoid  unnecessary detainment of trains.

The SCR will temporarily augment the following express trains with one additional Sleeper coach to make available 6,048 additional  berths for the benefit of wait-listed  passengers.

Train 12764 Secunderabad-Tirupati Padmavati Express on August 12, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19; Train 12763 Tirupati-Secunderabad Padmavati Express August 13, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20; Train 12731 Secunderabad-Tirupati Bi-weekly Express on August 13 and 14; Train 12732 Tirupati-Secunderabad Bi-weekly Express on August 14 and 15; Train 17603 Kacheguda-Yesvantapur Express from August 12 to 19; Train 17604 Yesvantapur-Kacheguda Express from August 13 to 20; Train 17401 Tirupati-Machilipatnam Express from August 12 to 19; Train 17401 Machilipatnam-Tirupati Express from August 13 to 20; Train 17256 Hyderabad-Narsapur Narasapur Express from August 13 to 19; Train 17255 Narsapur-Hyderabad Narsapur Express from August 14 to 20; Train 17429 Hyderabad-Tirupati from August 12 to 19; Train 17430 Tirupati-Hyderabad from August 13 to 20; Train 12770 Secbad-Tirupati Seven Hills Bi-weekly Express on August 13 and 17; Train 12769 Tirupati-Secbad Seven Hills Bi-weekly Express on August 16 and 18; Train 12761 Tirupati-Karimnagar Weekly Express on August 14; and Train 12762 Karimnagar-Tirupati Express on August 15.

बसंती कालोनी रेलवे ओवरब्रिज से आवाजाही शुरू होने के बाद नीचे से गये रेल फाटक को रविवार-सोमवार की आधी रात बंद कर दिया गया। रेलवे की इस मनमानी के खिलाफ अंचल के दो सौ से अधिक दुकानदारों ने विक्षोभ प्रदर्शन किया और पटरी पर उतरकर हावड़ा-मुंबई रेल मार्ग को चार घंटे तक ठप कर दिया। इस बीच रेल अधिकारियों से लेकर आरपीएफ के जवानों से आंदोलनकारियों की झड़प हुई। कांग्रेस व बीजद के नेताओं ने आंदोलनकारियों का समर्थन करते हुए फाटक नहीं खोलने पर आंदोलन को जारी रखने की चेतावनी दी। रेलवे व स्थानीय प्रशासन के उच्चाधिकारियों से वार्ता व भरोसे के बाद आंदोलन स्थगित किया गया।
रेलवे प्रशासन ने बसंती फाटक की पटरी के नीचे खुदाई करने के साथ-साथ इसे स्थायी रूप से आधी रात में बंद कर दिये जाने की खबर फैलते ही सोमवार की सुबह स्थानीय मार्केट कमेटी से जुड़े कमलजीत सिंह, रासबिहारी सामल, अशोक अग्रवाल, जी महंती, बाबू सेनापति, रीना सरकार समेत दो सौ से अधिक दुकानदारों ने बसंती बाजी राउत चौक पर टायर जलाकर विक्षोभ प्रदर्शन किया। इस मुद्दे पर रविवार की शाम सर्वदलीय बैठक तथा डीएम द्वारा फाटक स्थायी रूप से बंद नहीं करने की चिट्ठी लिखने के बाद भी चोरी छिपे आधी रात में रेलवे द्वारा की गई मनमानी से आक्रोशित लोगों ने रेल पटरी जाम कर दिया। दोनों तरफ लाल झंडा लगाकर आंदोलनकारी पटरी पर बैठ गये। जीआरपी डीएसपी दिलीप पाल, इंस्पेक्टर एम हांसदा, आरपीएफ ओसी राकेश मोहन, एआरएम मनोरंजन दास आदि मौके पर पहुंचे, लेकिन तत्काल फाटक खोलने में असमर्थता जताई, जिससे इनके बीच झड़प हुई।

Kolkata: A young Rabindranath Tagore aboard a train, Mahatma Gandhi at a platform and other such rare photographs that tell the story of Indian Railways are part of an exhibit here to commemorate 160 years of the country`s railway system.

Inaugurated Monday at the Academy of Fine Arts, an oeuvre of over 200 snaps depicting historic moments in the development of the railways - the lifeline of the country - will take one back in time to 1853 when the first train chugged into Thane from Mumbai (then Bombay) in Maharashtra.

"There are 210 photographs 1853 onwards that will be on display. Most important ones are those of Mahatma Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Tagore etc. that highlight their association with the railways," RN Mahapatra, chief public relations officer, Eastern Railways said.

Pieced through archives of Indian Railways, various zonal railways and the archives of the National Rail Museum, the exhibition contains selected photographs of the first express train, landmark buildings linked to railways like the Howrah station among others.

Also frozen in time are black and white snaps of Bhagat Singh, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi.

Kolkata: A young Rabindranath Tagore aboard a train, Mahatma Gandhi at a platform and other such rare photographs that tell the story of Indian Railways are part of an exhibit here to commemorate 160 years of the country`s railway system.

Inaugurated Monday at the Academy of Fine Arts, an oeuvre of over 200 snaps depicting historic moments in the development of the railways - the lifeline of the country - will take one back in time to 1853 when the first train chugged into Thane from Mumbai (then Bombay) in Maharashtra.

"There are 210 photographs 1853 onwards that will be on display. Most important ones are those of Mahatma Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Tagore etc. that highlight their association with the railways," RN Mahapatra, chief public relations officer, Eastern Railways said.

Pieced through archives of Indian Railways, various zonal railways and the archives of the National Rail Museum, the exhibition contains selected photographs of the first express train, landmark buildings linked to railways like the Howrah station among others.

Also frozen in time are black and white snaps of Bhagat Singh, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi.

Terminal Station of Sirpurkaghaznagar-Hyderabad Express and Originating Station of Hyderabad-Bidar Express Changed



South Central Railway will change the terminal station of Sirpurkaghaznagar-Hyderabad Express and originating Station of  Hyderabad-Bidar Express with effect from 15th August, 2013 as detailed below:-



1) Train No. 17012 Bellampalli-Hyderabad Express will terminate at Secunderabad  instead of Hyderabad. This  train  departs Bellampalli at 11 00 hrs and arrives Secunderabad at 17 00 hrs o­n the same day.



2) Train No. 17010 Hyderabad-Bidar Express will depart from Secunderabad  instead of Hyderabad..  Accordingly, Tr. No. 17010 Secunderabad-Bidar Express will depart Secunderabad at 17 30 hrs and arrive Bidar at 21 15 hrs o­n the same day. In the return direction, Tr. No. 17009 Bidar-Hyderabad Express will terminate at Hyderabad as at present.