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Trichy: A special train to promote awareness on biodiversity and safe environment which chugged into the city a few days back is drawing a large number of people. A large number of students were in attendance at the Trichy railway junction on Tuesday to see the exhibits on the train, named Science Express-Biodiversity Express.SEBS, a specially designed 16-coach AC train, is stationed at Trichy railway junction from Sunday. The train, which commenced its trip from Delhi's Safdarjung station on April 9, arrived at Trichy junction on August 4 in its fifth phase of travel across the country. On the third and penultimate day, more than 21,000 students from various schools and colleges lined up at the junction station to explore the train. The experience was joyous as well as rewarding to the students. "I feel as if I was exploring the entire nation because I have got abundant information about birds, animals, society, and culture of India. I also became aware about various kinds of pollution. Henceforth, I would do my best to protect our environment particularly in our city," said K Madhanraj, a class 10 student of St Joseph School at Ayyampatti in Trichy.Ironically, the place where the train is stationed is close to Ariyamangalam composite yard where piles of garbage dumped for many years is polluting the air nearby.Teachers, who accompanied the students, felt that the visit would help the students understand concepts about biodiversity easily. "It was very useful for both the students and the teachers. The information about the consequence of deforestation, climate change and etc were highly informative and educative," Jennifer, a teacher from Periyar matriculation school, in Trichy said.

On the first day, 11,457 visitors checked into the train. The figure, which was 15,117 on Monday, surged to 21,236. Considering its popularity, a demand has been made to extend its stay in Trichy so that the students from neighbour district could also benefit.

The train will be stationed here for four days till August 7. The next destination for this special train is Koodalnagar railway station in Madurai.

SEBS is a collaborative endeavour of the department of science and technology and ministry of environment and forests.

A railway staff BK Madhavan who took his daughter to visit the train said "We got the chance to know about various things related to their subjects at one go because it is impossible to go everywhere across the country to see such things.

Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) V Dinesh Reddy on Thursday warned Samaikyandhra agitators of stringent action if they go ahead with their proposed rail roko agitation in Seemandhra regions. "For the impending rail roko we have appealed to them (protesters) in view of the Supreme Court direction (and on the likely misery that will cause to the travelling public) to withdraw from their move," Reddy said in Hyderabad. "We are fully prepared to tackle the rail roko. Lot of forces (from within the state) and central paramilitary forces have already been deployed and we are in full control of the situation. We will also keep vigil by aerial survey," he said warning of initiating stern measures against those indulging in squatting on tracks and rail roko and resorting to violence. Referring to the ongoing protests by united Andhra Pradesh supporters in Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra districts, which entered ninth day on Thursday, the DGP said, "In AP, the law and order situation is well under control. The police is in total grip of the situation. No need for any worry at any point of time and there isn't any marked violence."

Samaikyandhra agitators have announced that they will go ahead with their proposed agitation for a united Andhra Pradesh. The AP police chief further said no permission has been granted to anyone to hold rallies in Hyderabad city and also warned of stern action against the AP non-gazetted officers (APNGOs), if they picket government offices. "I have appealed to everyone that as long as the protests are within the walls of democratic norms we have no objection. We have appealed to them not to take law into their hands. Once if law is taken into hands and if there is any violence, it is the primary duty and responsibility of police to protect the rights of the individuals," Reddy added. Those who are agitating have the right in a democratic way but those rights will not go to the extent of infringing the rights of others. We will take very serious view of such acts, he said. Replying to a query on reported threats to the people of non-Telangana regions staying in Hyderabad, the DGP said, "We assure their safety. The police is ever vigilant." To a question on the visit of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi to the city on August 11, Reddy said, "The fact is that we have not made any statement on banning his visit...so he is welcome and we are making all arrangements (for his visit)." Modi is scheduled to address a meeting here on August 11.

जोधपुर ।
करीब तीन महीने तक पटरी पर खड़े रहने के बाद डीजल मल्टीपल यूनिट (डीएमयू) ट्रेन का मंगलवार को ट्रायल किया गया। इस ट्रेन को जोधपुर से भीलड़ी तक चलाकर देखा गया कि कहीं कोई दिक्कत आती है या नहीं। ट्रायल रिपोर्ट के बाद इसके संचालन की रूपरेखा तय की जाएगी। रेलवे फिलहाल इसे जोधपुर से भीलड़ी के बीच चलाने की योजना बना रहा है। इसी के तहत ट्रायल किया गया। 

2900 यात्री बैठ सकेंगे इस रैक में जोधपुर को मिला डीएमयू ट्रेन का रैक देश में अपनी तरह का पहला रैक है।

इसमें 2900 यात्री बैठ सकेंगे, जबकि पहले चल रहे कोच में 2100 यात्री बैठ पाते हैं।

रेलवे ने पहली बार डीएमयू ट्रेन में यात्रियों की सुविधा के लिए टॉयलेट का प्रावधान भी किया है। रेलवे की 34 ट्रेनें चलाने की योजना 

उत्तर-पश्चिम रेलवे जोन में ऐसी 34 ट्रेनें चलाने की योजना है। पहला रैक जोधपुर को मिला। इनके लिए मेड़ता रोड में शेड तैयार किया जा रहा है।

समदड़ी-भीलड़ी मार्ग पर ब्रॉडगेज होने के बाद जोधपुर से ज्यादा ट्रेनें नहीं चल सकीं। इसलिए रेलवे प्रशासन ने भीलड़ी तक डीएमयू चलाना तय किया है।

1600 हॉर्स पावर का रैक

अब तक डीएमयू ट्रेन 1400 हॉर्स पावर की होती थी, जोधपुर को मिला रैक 1600 हॉर्स पावर का है। चेन्नई में हुआ था तैयार ।यह रैक गत एक मई को ही चेन्नई स्थित रेलवे कोच फैक्ट्री से तैयार होकर निकला व 3 मई को यहां पहुंचा

Procedures to identify a suitable land to rehabilitate families residing at the railway quarters at the Ernakulam Junction railway station premises in connection with Metro Rail work is in its final stage.

The Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) along with the Railways had identified land near the eastern entry complex. Sources said that talks are on to solve the disputes regarding land acquisition in the area, with both SIDCO and KSEB laying claims on it.

According to the KMRL official spokesperson,18 flats will be constructed for railway employees. The land where the railway quarters is situated has been acquired for the construction of the metro station.

“Eighteen families will be evicted for the purpose in the initial stages. The Railway Officers Club will also be demolished for the construction of the station. Talks are on in this regard. We expect to acquire the land soon and commence the construction,” he said.

However, according to Railway officials, they are planning to evict the families within two weeks. “We plan to evict them before Onam to our railway quarters. The construction of the quarters by the KMRL is expected to take at least two years. Hence, we will be providing temporary facilities for the time being. They will be shifted to the railway quarters at Ernakulam North and Irumbanam. We have met the families and will hold the final talks in this regard next week. If they are not satisfied with the quarters there, we will approach the KMRL to find an alternative,” Ernakulam Railway Area Manager P L Ashok Kumar said.   “Most children living at the railway quarters in the Ernakulam Junction premises go to schools closer to their homes. If the families are forced to rehabilitate to the North Station or Irumbanam, it may be a problem. So we have requested the KMRL to build the quarters near the Junction,” he said.

The state government has given sanction to take over 3.14 acres near Ernakulam Junction railway station.

Soil testing

Soma Constructions, the contractors for the the DMRC who has been awarded the work between Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium to south railway station, has begun soil testing at various locations on the Ernakulam Junction Railway  Station premises. “We have finished soil testing in one location near the railway track.

We are currently taking up the work in another area. A total of four areas on the South Railway Station Road will be subject to soil testing. Demolition of the railway quarters will begin at a later stage only, the officials said.

NEW DELHI: More than 12,000 refund claims have been pending for over three months with the Railways owing to a spurt in ticket cancellations, Lok Sabha was informed today.

While 8,161 refund cases were pending for more than three months in 2010-11, it has gone up to 12,076 till June 30 this year, Minister of State for Railways Adhir Ranjan Choudhury said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

The main reasons attributed for the pendency of refund cases are increase in the number of cancellations during peak periods, delayed submission of refund claims and time consuming process of verification of genuineness of claims by checking the reservation charts among others.

Choudhury, however said, pendency and disposal of refund cases are monitored at the highest level at the zonal headquarters and Railway Board and periodic drives are conducted to clear the backlog of refund cases.

MUMBAI: Three eunuchs stabbed two passengers of the Konark Express at Kalyan railway station when they refused to give them Rs 20 on Tuesday morning. One of the victims, Panchnani Bohra, is admitted to Sion Hospital in critical condition.

The eunuchs-Shreya Shaikh (29), Jenifar Shaikh (20) and Simran Shaikh (25)-had also forcibly taken money from three passengers before attacking the duo.

This is the second time in the last two months when eunuchs have attacked passengers of a long-distance train.

The Kalyan Government Railway Police arrested the three accused on Wednesday from Vithalwadi area in Ulhasnagar. The eunuchs are residents of Bangalipura slums near Wadala station.

Bohra and his friend Abhimanyu Das were on their way to Mumbai from Odisha when the incident occurred. In his complaint, Das said, "The eunuchs were standing on the platform just outside the compartment door. They told the passengers that they must pay Rs 20 if they wanted to alight. The eunuchs even snatched money from three passengers. They asked us to pay but we refused."

This didn't go down well with the accused. "First, they thrashed Das and Bohra and then stabbed them. While Das sustained gashes on his leg, Bohra suffered serious injuries on the chest," said Kalyan GRP inspector SG Nirmal.

GRP officials rushed the duo to Rukminibai Hospital in Kalyan. Bohra was later shifted to Sion Hospital.

"CCTV cameras had captured the eunuchs in the act. We sent their photographs to different police stations and got a tip-off about their location on Wednesday," said Kalyan GRP senior inspector Somnath Tambe.

Das and Bohra are residents of Gajam district in Odisha and work in Mumbai. Das is maried with two kids; Bohra's wife is eight months pregnant, said sources.

Procedures to identify a suitable land to rehabilitate families residing at the railway quarters at the Ernakulam Junction railway station premises in connection with Metro Rail work is in its final stage.

The Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) along with the Railways had identified land near the eastern entry complex. Sources said that talks are on to solve the disputes regarding land acquisition in the area, with both SIDCO and KSEB laying claims on it.

According to the KMRL official spokesperson,18 flats will be constructed for railway employees. The land where the railway quarters is situated has been acquired for the construction of the metro station.

“Eighteen families will be evicted for the purpose in the initial stages. The Railway Officers Club will also be demolished for the construction of the station. Talks are on in this regard. We expect to acquire the land soon and commence the construction,” he said.

However, according to Railway officials, they are planning to evict the families within two weeks. “We plan to evict them before Onam to our railway quarters. The construction of the quarters by the KMRL is expected to take at least two years. Hence, we will be providing temporary facilities for the time being. They will be shifted to the railway quarters at Ernakulam North and Irumbanam. We have met the families and will hold the final talks in this regard next week. If they are not satisfied with the quarters there, we will approach the KMRL to find an alternative,” Ernakulam Railway Area Manager P L Ashok Kumar said.   “Most children living at the railway quarters in the Ernakulam Junction premises go to schools closer to their homes. If the families are forced to rehabilitate to the North Station or Irumbanam, it may be a problem. So we have requested the KMRL to build the quarters near the Junction,” he said.

The state government has given sanction to take over 3.14 acres near Ernakulam Junction railway station.

Soil testing

Soma Constructions, the contractors for the the DMRC who has been awarded the work between Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium to south railway station, has begun soil testing at various locations on the Ernakulam Junction Railway  Station premises. “We have finished soil testing in one location near the railway track.

We are currently taking up the work in another area. A total of four areas on the South Railway Station Road will be subject to soil testing. Demolition of the railway quarters will begin at a later stage only, the officials said.

New Delhi: Smart card to be launched by Indian Railways. The introduction of “Go-India” smart Card on Pilot basis was announced in the Railway Budget 2011-12 and the work of Go-India project (Phase I) has been sanctioned in June 2013.

The modalities for the go-India smart Card Project have been finalized for implementation in the financial Year 2013-14 on the Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah sectors on a Pilot basis.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

NEW DELHI: More than 12,000 refund claims have been pending for over three months with the Railways owing to a spurt in ticket cancellations, Lok Sabha was informed today.

While 8,161 refund cases were pending for more than three months in 2010-11, it has gone up to 12,076 till June 30 this year, Minister of State for Railways Adhir Ranjan Choudhury said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

The main reasons attributed for the pendency of refund cases are increase in the number of cancellations during peak periods, delayed submission of refund claims and time consuming process of verification of genuineness of claims by checking the reservation charts among others.

Choudhury, however said, pendency and disposal of refund cases are monitored at the highest level at the zonal headquarters and Railway Board and periodic drives are conducted to clear the backlog of refund cases.

Sonepat:
BJP MLA from Sonepat Kavita Jain has written a letter to Union Railway Minister Mallikarjun Khadke expressing resentment among people against the railway authorities for not fulfilling their longstanding demands, despite repeated pleas.She said if the railway authorities continued its neglecting attitude, people would be left with no option except to block the Delhi-Ambala railway track in support of their demands.Copies of the earlier communications with former railway ministers and other senior railway officers had also been enclosed with the letter.In the letter, she had pointed out that the scheduled visit of the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) to Sonepat was being repeatedly postponed on one pretext or the other for the past one year and it had disillusioned members of the Dainik Rail Yatri Sangh.She had also mentioned about the pending demands of daily rail commuters in the letter that included stoppage of the Shan-e-Punjab, Pooja Express, Swaraj Express, Sachkhand Express and Pathankot Express trains at Sonepat; new passenger trains between 9.15am to 2.15 pm from Delhi to Panipat and between 3pm to 6.25pm from Panipat to Delhi and increase in number of compartments in the scheduled passenger train.

Other demands include toilets in EMU trains, a foot-over bridge near the old anaj mandi, increase in number of ticket counters, opening of an internet café, early completion of the Jind-Gohana-Sonepat railway line and upgrade of the hospital at the Sonepat railway station.