ProUI

Rail services were disrupted today on the Jammu-Pathankot route as the ABVP activists stopped a train at the Kathua railway station protesting the recent clashes at Kishtwar district.Demanding sacking of the Minister of State for Home, Sajjad Ahmed Kitchloo over the Kishtwar incident, the activists of ABVP blocked the railway tracks and raised anti-government slogans, police said.The Ahmedabad-bound train from Jammu was stopped for a brief period by the activists at the Kathua station. However, the rail services were restored when the protesters left the spot.Several political parties, including BJP, have blamed Kitchloo for the clashes between the two communities and demanded a high-level probe by independent authority.Meanwhile, VHP condemned the communal violence in Kishtwar and asked the Centre to take immediate steps in this regard, otherwise it would have "far reaching repercussions"."The killing of five jawans by the militants along the LoC is a well-planned conspiracy and the terrorists were responsible for the communal clashes in Kishtwar yesterday," VHP spokesperson Prakash Sharma said in a statement here."The Centre should take urgent measures to protect the minority communities and should or otherwise the incident would have far reaching repercussions," Sharma added.Clashes between two communities left two people dead and at least 20 injured, several business establishments and vehicles gutted in arson in Kishtwar district where curfew was clamped and Army called in to assist the local administration in maintaining law and order yesterday.

Guntur (AP): Anti-Telangana activists on Sunday held protests on railway tracks here delaying at least two long-distance trains, police said.

Seshadri Express and Janmabhumi Express were delayed for at least two hours due to the agitation which was part of the ongoing protests in Seemandhra region against Centre's decision to carve out separate Telangana out of Andhra Pradesh.

Interestingly, Andhra Pradesh DGP V Dinesh Reddy on Thursday warned Samaikyandhra agitators of stringent action if they went ahead with their proposed rail roko agitation in coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions.

The agitators squatted on the railway track and raised slogans demanding resignations of public representatives and ministers hailing from Seemandhra regions to bring pressure on Congress government at Centre to rescind its decision on creation of Telangana.

They relented only after passengers from the held up trains requested them.

Former Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader Dr Umareddi Venkateswarlu, who recently joined YSR Congress, alleged that Congress president Sonia Gandhi allowed bifurcation of state with an ulterior motive to consolidate Congress base in the separate state.

He was speaking at YSR Congress satyagraha camp here.

New Delhi  -- Near the Old Delhi railway station is a congested location with a quirky name. 'Pul Mithai' - a bridge with a sweet connection that goes back to the late 18th century. Pul Mithai is the stretch on Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Marg from Pili Kothi to the junction where it meets Qutb Road and Azad Market road with two railway lines passing below it. It was in 1783 that thousands of Sikhs led by Sardar Baghel Singh laid siege to the Red Fort during Shah Alam II's reign. The Mughal emperor, through his court official Munshi Ram Dyal and Begum Samroo, sought a "settlement.' In lieu of 'returning' the Red Fort, Baghel Singh would trace all the sites in Delhi connected with Sikh gurus and build gurdwaras there. He would stay for four years and get a cut from tax collected by Mughals for expenditure of his soldiers. "You conquer a city and you celebrate. Baghel Singh distributed sweets from this bridge to poor people," explains Dr Mohinder Singh of National Institute of Punjab Studies. Today, retailers selling spices, dry fruits and grains from under temporary canopies occupy the stretch that is filthy and most of the times occupied by cars parked haphazardly. Compared to four decades ago, the number of retailers has reduced but the clutter remains. However, there is no explanation as to why there was a bridge here in 1783 when the first railway line came up only about in 1860s.

Dhanbad, Aug. 10: The new chief security commissioner of East Central Railway, A.K. Pathak, is planning to groom Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel under his jurisdiction into a formidable force that can take on Naxalites.

Pathak, who took charge on August 7, said that he was committed to reining in rebel attacks in his zone. “We will co-ordinate with state police, CID and top government officials to ensure that the railways remains safe,” he said.

The senior railway official also said that RPF personnel would be trained like paramilitary troops and bomb disposal squads would be constituted in many areas. This apart, he promised to upgrade RPF gear during his tenure.

“Unless security personnel are equipped with latest gadgets and arms, they cannot fight criminals and Naxalites, who target railways from time to time,” said the chief security commissioner.

He added that tenders to revamp RPF gear were floated in the past, but were never executed.

After taking commando training in 1992 at BSF camp in Hazaribagh, Pathak went on to join engineering services and later moved to RPF.

MARGAO: Minister of State for Railways Adhir Rajan Chowdhury, on Saturday,  assured to re-start the skybus project of the Konkan Railway Corporation (KRC) by overcoming the financial problem.  Commenting  on the skybus project, which has been the failure, the minister said that “despite having financial implications,  the KRC had tried the new phenomena and later viewed  it as non-viable  for  it could not fetch the expected revenue  and that led to  the scrapping of the project.”

“I feel that the KRC should have a re-look at this phenomena as this is one of salient features of the KRC,’’ he opined.

Acknowledging  the  `wonderful’  service being provided by the Konkan Railway Corporation (KRC), the minister  said  it needs to emulated by the railway sectors.

Chowdhury, during his  first  Goa  visit as the minister, inspected the innovation of the KRC including the anti-collision device (ACD).

The Minister said that “though the KRC had financial  problems, the officials  tried to  give best of the services  to the commuters and they need to be praised for that.”

He visited the Margao railway station and later Verna station. He inspected the  ACD.

The managing director of KRC, Banu Tayal, informed that the management had added skybus to the urban transport act  to enable to  get  the necessary certificate for commencing the project.

“The  necessary changes are effected  in the  urban  transport act and the Railway Safety Commission  would see about it later,’’ he said  adding nearly Rs 100 crore are required for  the research works.

Tayal informed that the   Indian Railway  has already financed the KRC and urged the  state government “to pitch in for the KRC effective skybus project.”

Palampur:
Train services in the Kangra valley, on the Pathankot-Joginder Nagar 120-km rail track, remained suspended for the second day today following heavy landslides at different points between Guler and Kangra. Several retaining walls on the track have also developed cracks.Official sources today said heavy rain and flash floods in the past two days had caused extensive damage to the rail track at many points between Ranital, Koparlahar and Kangra, forcing railway authorities to cancel many trains on this route.The Railways have managed to run four trains between Pathankot and Guler section, but beyond Guler, the rail track is yet to be repaired.Meanwhile, hundreds of passengers, particularly daily commuters, are the worst hit as no train is plying regularly on this route for the past one month. Residents of Palampur, Baijnath, Paprola, Kangra, Nagrota Bagwan and Joginder Nagar have been facing inconvenience in the absence of train services.The British had laid down the Kangra valley narrow gauge railway line in 1932, linking all important and religious towns of Kangra and Mandi districts.Unfortunately, the Indian Railways have not added even a single brick to this track in the past 79 years. With a manifold increase in the population and increase in the tourist traffic to the Kangra valley in the past 25 years, the Railways have failed to come up to the expectations of local people.

The same century-old and outdated engines and coaches are still plying on this track.

MUMBAI: Central Railway’s (CR) power-conversion project to change from Direct Current (DC) to Alternating Current (AC) has failed to gain traction although its deadline was extended on numerous occasions. Central Railway’s DC-AC power conversion project has failed to gain traction even though the deadline has been revised on numerous occasions in the past.

The switchover is the key to improving energy conservation and the performance of suburban and long-distance trains. While Western Railway (WR) effected the turnaround in February 5, 2012, CR stretches-Kalyan-Thane and Thane-LTT (fifth and sixth line)-are yet to be converted to AC.

The authorities have failed to get their act together. Commissioner of Railway Safety (Central Circle) Chetan Bakshi has insisted on implementation of a few crucial things before granting a clearance.” said a CR official. The then Union railway minister had announced that CR would be able to complete the DC-AC conversion by March 31, 2013 end of financial year 2012-13. However, four months after the March deadline passed, CR is struggling to switch to AC even up to LTT. Many officials concede that the railway board’s electrical directorate has done a botched job. Some officials also resent the intervention of the commissioner of railway safety (CRS), others claim that the queries raised by him are “relevant”.

“The CRS has refused to budge from his stand as he does not want to compromise on safety. His main concerns are lack of adequate gap between the overhead wire and the roof of foot overbridges, road overbridges and the Parsik tunnel. Many officials are also wary of undertaking the switchover work in monsoon,” a CR official said. For the stretch below the FOBS and ROB, CRS is happy to grant approval provided the CR authorities obtain clearance from the railway board. However, at Parsik tunnel, he has refused to grant approval unless adequate gap is maintained between OHE and base of the roof.

An official said, “A height of the 4.69 meter between the railway level and the OHE wire has to be maintained in AC section. CRS has found that the OHE wires at 70 meters in the tunnel are at an increased height. CRS has fears that Pantographs will graze against the tunnels surface, thus affecting operations and also safety

The only solution is to lower the tracks keeping into factor the maximum moving dimension of a train. His fears are not unfounded as 25 pantographs as many as 8 trains were damaged after grazing the tunnel surface for similar reason in May 2013.These trains were withdrawn from services, leading to major disruption on CR.

A CR official said, “We have taken a block on Sunday to lower the tracks so concerns raised by CRS are addressed. An inspection by CRS will be carried out in next couple of weeks.”

Officials feel they can clear the hurdles.

“We hope to switching to AC from Kalyan to LTT by August-end,” said CR public relations officer Atul Rane.

i. The project, the cost

CR has yet to switch to 25 KV Alternating Current between Kalyan-CST and Panvel-CST, spanning across 1,681-km tracks.

Cost: Rs 796 crore

ii. Original deadline

March 2012-13

Sept 2012: Kalyan-Thane-LTT stretch

iii. Revised deadline

May 2013: Revised deadline for Kalyan-Thane and Thane-LTT section.

iv. The problem

Since the section will switch to AC, adequate gap has to be maintained between base of the bridge/tunnel and the Over Head Wires. CRS, central circles wants this to be sorted out as he feels that inadequate height can lead to operations problems.

v. How it will improve your ride

Apart from energy savings, CR will be able to add more services because of improved speed while the maximum speed under the DC system is 80 kmph, AC-compatible rakes can clock 100 kmph.

Currently, AC compatible locomotives cannot ply south of Kalyan, while DC locomotive cannot run North of this station. Around 44 long distance trains that leave from LTT everyday have to spend 20 minutes on an average at Igatpuri or Bhusaval to change the locomotive. On switching to AC, mail/express trains will make savings of this many minutes.

Palampur:
Train services in the Kangra valley, on the Pathankot-Joginder Nagar 120-km rail track, remained suspended for the second day today following heavy landslides at different points between Guler and Kangra. Several retaining walls on the track have also developed cracks.Official sources today said heavy rain and flash floods in the past two days had caused extensive damage to the rail track at many points between Ranital, Koparlahar and Kangra, forcing railway authorities to cancel many trains on this route.The Railways have managed to run four trains between Pathankot and Guler section, but beyond Guler, the rail track is yet to be repaired.Meanwhile, hundreds of passengers, particularly daily commuters, are the worst hit as no train is plying regularly on this route for the past one month. Residents of Palampur, Baijnath, Paprola, Kangra, Nagrota Bagwan and Joginder Nagar have been facing inconvenience in the absence of train services.The British had laid down the Kangra valley narrow gauge railway line in 1932, linking all important and religious towns of Kangra and Mandi districts.Unfortunately, the Indian Railways have not added even a single brick to this track in the past 79 years. With a manifold increase in the population and increase in the tourist traffic to the Kangra valley in the past 25 years, the Railways have failed to come up to the expectations of local people.

The same century-old and outdated engines and coaches are still plying on this track.

Debaraj Panda, an officer of 1985 batch of the Indian Railway Traffic Service has joined as New Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) in Sambalpur Division of East Coast Railway. Prior to this new posting Panda was serving as Chief Freight Transportation Manager (CFTM) of East Coast Railway at Bhubaneswar.  Thereafter, he has worked in various important capacities in Adra, Waltair and Khurda divisions of South Eastern Railway and East Coast Railway.  He worked as Chief Vigilance officer in East Coast Railway Head quarters office. He also served in IRCTC as Group General Manager at Kolkata and as Chief Passenger Transportation Manager (CPTM) of East Coast Railway head quarters office. Apart from the above, he has also undergone training in strategic Management at Paris and Johannesburg.

MUMBAI: Central Railway’s (CR) power-conversion project to change from Direct Current (DC) to Alternating Current (AC) has failed to gain traction although its deadline was extended on numerous occasions. Central Railway’s DC-AC power conversion project has failed to gain traction even though the deadline has been revised on numerous occasions in the past.

The switchover is the key to improving energy conservation and the performance of suburban and long-distance trains. While Western Railway (WR) effected the turnaround in February 5, 2012, CR stretches-Kalyan-Thane and Thane-LTT (fifth and sixth line)-are yet to be converted to AC.

The authorities have failed to get their act together. Commissioner of Railway Safety (Central Circle) Chetan Bakshi has insisted on implementation of a few crucial things before granting a clearance.” said a CR official. The then Union railway minister had announced that CR would be able to complete the DC-AC conversion by March 31, 2013 end of financial year 2012-13. However, four months after the March deadline passed, CR is struggling to switch to AC even up to LTT. Many officials concede that the railway board’s electrical directorate has done a botched job. Some officials also resent the intervention of the commissioner of railway safety (CRS), others claim that the queries raised by him are “relevant”.

“The CRS has refused to budge from his stand as he does not want to compromise on safety. His main concerns are lack of adequate gap between the overhead wire and the roof of foot overbridges, road overbridges and the Parsik tunnel. Many officials are also wary of undertaking the switchover work in monsoon,” a CR official said. For the stretch below the FOBS and ROB, CRS is happy to grant approval provided the CR authorities obtain clearance from the railway board. However, at Parsik tunnel, he has refused to grant approval unless adequate gap is maintained between OHE and base of the roof.

An official said, “A height of the 4.69 meter between the railway level and the OHE wire has to be maintained in AC section. CRS has found that the OHE wires at 70 meters in the tunnel are at an increased height. CRS has fears that Pantographs will graze against the tunnels surface, thus affecting operations and also safety

The only solution is to lower the tracks keeping into factor the maximum moving dimension of a train. His fears are not unfounded as 25 pantographs as many as 8 trains were damaged after grazing the tunnel surface for similar reason in May 2013.These trains were withdrawn from services, leading to major disruption on CR.

A CR official said, “We have taken a block on Sunday to lower the tracks so concerns raised by CRS are addressed. An inspection by CRS will be carried out in next couple of weeks.”

Officials feel they can clear the hurdles.

“We hope to switching to AC from Kalyan to LTT by August-end,” said CR public relations officer Atul Rane.

i. The project, the cost

CR has yet to switch to 25 KV Alternating Current between Kalyan-CST and Panvel-CST, spanning across 1,681-km tracks.

Cost: Rs 796 crore

ii. Original deadline

March 2012-13

Sept 2012: Kalyan-Thane-LTT stretch

iii. Revised deadline

May 2013: Revised deadline for Kalyan-Thane and Thane-LTT section.

iv. The problem

Since the section will switch to AC, adequate gap has to be maintained between base of the bridge/tunnel and the Over Head Wires. CRS, central circles wants this to be sorted out as he feels that inadequate height can lead to operations problems.

v. How it will improve your ride

Apart from energy savings, CR will be able to add more services because of improved speed while the maximum speed under the DC system is 80 kmph, AC-compatible rakes can clock 100 kmph.

Currently, AC compatible locomotives cannot ply south of Kalyan, while DC locomotive cannot run North of this station. Around 44 long distance trains that leave from LTT everyday have to spend 20 minutes on an average at Igatpuri or Bhusaval to change the locomotive. On switching to AC, mail/express trains will make savings of this many minutes.