ProUI

MUMBAI: LokmanyaTilak Terminus, considered to be the city’s worst face presented to a visitor, is on track for a facelift. Central Railway has decided to build a travelator to link LTT and Kurla suburban railway station, to ease commuters’ woes.

CR plans to initiate the bidding process for the project after the Santa Cruz-Chembur Link Road, scheduled to be completed by the end of this year, is opened. LTT is considered to be the city’s most inaccessible station because of its poor road and suburban rail connectivity and a large number of auto and taxi drivers outside it who are infamous for fleecing and even assaulting commuters.

CR’s divisional railway manager Mukesh Nigam said, “We plan to build a 700m-long moving walkway to connect LTT to Kurla station. Passengers will then be able to cover this distance with luggage in tow in 5 to 7 minutes. But we will able to firm up plans only after the SCLR project is complete.” Work on the travelator can only begin after railway land is cleared of construction material and debris from the much-delayed SCLR project, and a proper vehicular traffic pattern is established.

Though built as a modern terminus, travelling to and from LTT is a commuter’s nightmare. Commuters, especially women, have had nightmarish experiences at LTT. In November last year, a starlet was taken for a “long ride” by auto drivers from LTT and assaulted before she managed to escape. “A cartel of drivers is in cahoots with local police and RTO. It is difficult to break the cartel unless the RTO launches a drive to weed out unscrupulous elements,” said activist Anil Galgali. He said several autos fleece passengers with pre-decided fares and don’t ply by meter. Principal secretary (transport) Shailesh Sharma said, “We plan to streamline the auto service outside LTT by introducing a prepaid stand.” But a prepaid taxi service started at LTT a few months back hasn’t deterred rogue cabbies, sources said. A L Quadros, whose union manages the prepaid taxi service at LTT, said, “There is chaos . We have complained several times to the transport department and railways, but the situation has not changed. The RTO and traffic cops too have done precious little to keep the notorious drivers at bay.” An activist said, “Passengers arriving by early-morning or late-night trains have no option but to depend on autos and taxis. They are often gullible victims for rogue drivers who even enter the platform premises.”

A senior CR official said, “Though final estimates are yet be prepared, the project is likely to cost Rs 9 crore.” CR also plans to increase platforms at LTT to 12 from the existing five.

A development proposal of Rs. 16 crore has been submitted to the Railway Board

Mangalore Central Railway Station may get an additional high-level platform and a third foot overbridge if the proposals of the Southern Railways to add these facilities at a cost of Rs. 16 crore in 2014-15 are approved by the Railway Board.

The facilities proposed also include laying of two new lines and a pit line which would enable it to handle more trains.

The information was disclosed by Additional Divisional Railway Manager of Palakkad Division Mohan A. Menon at a tri-monthly meeting chaired by MP Nalin Kumar Kateel to review the progress of railway projects in Dakshina Kannada.

Mr. Menon said the highest amount of Rs. 3.75 crore was being sought for the construction of a new foot overbridge and extension of the second foot overbridge, followed by Rs. 2.70 crore for a 540m pit line (a track with a pit under it all along to clean coaches); Rs. 2.55 crore for a new 540m platform; Rs. 1.71 crore for platform shelter and vacuum de-watering; Rs. 1.35 crore for a concrete apron for tracks to keep them clean; Rs. 1.29 crore for office accommodation and store; Rs. 73 lakh for two new lines; Rs. 50 lakhs for signalling arrangements; Rs. 50 lakh for improvement to circulating areas and Rs. 27 lakh for a compound wall, among others.

He noted that proposals worth Rs. 17 crore sent to the Railway Board were not cleared for the year 2013-14 and fresh proposals are being sent with modifications for the year 2014-15.

Mr. Menon expressed the inability of Railways to extend the Mumbai CST-Mangalore Junction Express train up to Mangalore Central station owing to the crowding of trains during afternoons.

The station would be able to handle more trains when the proposed facilities are added, he said. Extension of the proposed push-pull Bhatkal-Mangalore Junction train was also made at the meeting.

Mr. Menon said Kerala Industrial and Technical Consultancy Organisation (KITCO) has been appointed as consultants for the development of world class stations in Kerala and Mangalore. KITCO had come out with perception maps and it would hold meetings with stake holders.

The railway manager offered to inspect the Mangalore Station with regard to complaints of failure to maintain cleanliness. He also promised to look into the failure of authorities to provide sign boards and application forms in Kannada under the Tribhasha scheme of the railways to include local language.

He said the problems regarding wrong location of the pre-paid autorickshaw kiosk at Mangalore Junction railway station could have been avoided had the Railways been taken into confidence in advance. With the railways insisting on shifting the kiosk to prevent movement of the public being hit, the introduction of pre-paid autorickshaw service has been delayed.

Railway Protection Force of Northern Railway caught Manoj (Monu) R/O Gobindpuri, New Delhi for indulging into the touting activities for cornering reserved accommodation in the name of Cancer patients from Railway Reservation Centre, Okhala.  After intensive enquiries , it was revealed that two persons named Abhishek & Govind, residents of Bhagalpur, Bihar were involved in the touting activities by producing fake documents in name of cancer patients.  During investigation by RPF/Hazrat Nizamuddin, Abhishek was arrested from Okhala Reservation Centre o­n 23.7.13.  Later,on the basis of his statement, 275 forged certificates and 8 rubber stamps in the name of different doctors of A.I.I.M.S. were seized from him.  His other fellow tout Gobind was later arrested with the help of local police/Bhagalpur.

All the  accused have been sent in legal custody by Hon’ble court/Tis Hazari.

In order to clear extra rush and ‍for the convenience of the rail passengers, Northern Railway has decided to extend the  run  of the train no. 04009/04010 Delhi Sarai Rohilla- Bhatinda- Delhi Sarai Rohilla Special  train as per the under-mentioned  programme:-

The run of 04009 Delhi Sarai Rohilla- Bhatinda special train has been extended with immediate effect upto 07.08.2013 when departing from Delhi Sarai Rohilla, while in return direction, the 04010 Bhatinda- Delhi Sarai Rohilla special train will be extended from 02.08.2013 to 08.08.2013 when departing from Bhatinda with composition of o­ne A.C. 2 Tier, o­ne A.C. 3 Tier, Five Sleeper Class, Six General Class and Two Second Class cum Luggage Van coaches in both directions with same timings and stoppages.

MUMBAI: LokmanyaTilak Terminus, considered to be the city's worst face presented to a visitor, is on track for a facelift. Central Railway has decided to build a travelator to link LTT and Kurla suburban railway station, to ease commuters' woes.CR plans to initiate the bidding process for the project after the Santa Cruz-Chembur Link Road, scheduled to be completed by the end of this year, is opened. LTT is considered to be the city's most inaccessible station because of its poor road and suburban rail connectivity and a large number of auto and taxi drivers outside it who are infamous for fleecing and even assaulting commuters.CR's divisional railway manager Mukesh Nigam said, "We plan to build a 700m-long moving walkway to connect LTT to Kurla station. Passengers will then be able to cover this distance with luggage in tow in 5 to 7 minutes. But we will able to firm up plans only after the SCLR project is complete." Work on the travelator can only begin after railway land is cleared of construction material and debris from the much-delayed SCLR project, and a proper vehicular traffic pattern is established.Though built as a modern terminus, travelling to and from LTT is a commuter's nightmare. Commuters, especially women, have had nightmarish experiences at LTT. In November last year, a starlet was taken for a "long ride" by auto drivers from LTT and assaulted before she managed to escape. "A cartel of drivers is in cahoots with local police and RTO. It is difficult to break the cartel unless the RTO launches a drive to weed out unscrupulous elements," said activist Anil Galgali. He said several autos fleece passengers with pre-decided fares and don't ply by meter. Principal secretary (transport) Shailesh Sharma said, "We plan to streamline the auto service outside LTT by introducing a prepaid stand." But a prepaid taxi service started at LTT a few months back hasn't deterred rogue cabbies, sources said. A L Quadros, whose union manages the prepaid taxi service at LTT, said, "There is chaos . We have complained several times to the transport department and railways, but the situation has not changed. The RTO and traffic cops too have done precious little to keep the notorious drivers at bay." An activist said, "Passengers arriving by early-morning or late-night trains have no option but to depend on autos and taxis. They are often gullible victims for rogue drivers who even enter the platform premises."

A senior CR official said, "Though final estimates are yet be prepared, the project is likely to cost Rs 9 crore." CR also plans to increase platforms at LTT to 12 from the existing five.

Mallikarjun Kharge, Minister for Railways, laid the foundation stones of the Rohtak-Meham-Hansi new rail line and shifting of Rohtak-Makrauli section of Rohtak-Gohana-Panipat rail line from Hansi and Rohtak respectively today.

Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Chief Minister, Haryana, presided over both the functions in the presence of Oscar Fernandes, Minister of Road Transportation and National Highways, Deepender Singh Hooda, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), Kuldeep Singh Bishnoi, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), Ranbir Singh Prajapati, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), Shadi Lal Batra, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), Bharat Bhushan Batra, MLA, Rohtak, Vinod Bhayana, MLA, Hansi, Savitri Jindal, MLA, Hissar,  Anand Singh Dangi, MLA, Meham, Shakuntala Khatak, MLA, Kalanaur, Ram Kishan Fouji, MLA, Bawani Khera and Ram Niwas Ghorela, MLA, Barwala on the occasion.

Northern Railway will achieve another milestone in bringing direct and shorter rail connectivity between the developing industrial townships of Rohtak and Hissar by constructing a new rail line from Rohtak to Hansi via Mehem. This new rail line was been sanctioned in 2012-13 at an estimated cost of Rs 406.87 crores on cost-sharing basis with the state of Haryana.

Rohtak and Hissar are connected by railways via two routes, that is Bhiwani and Jakhal, the distance of which is 142.56 km and 210.60 km respectively. Once the new broad gauge link between Rohtak-Hissar via Hansi is completed, the distance will be reduced to 93.919 km, thus reducing cost of travel with corresponding reduction in travel time.

The new rail line from Rohtak to Hissar via Hansi will have 4 stations — Bahu Akbarpur, Kharkhara, Bahalbah and Sorkhi. Covering the three districts of Rohtak, Bhiwani and Hissar, the rail line will benefit residents of surrounding villages. There will be seven major bridges and 96 minor bridges including four road-under-bridges and 37 level-crossings in this rail project. As this region is in proximity to the National Capital Region and is marked by dense population, the commissioning of the new rail line will be very beneficial.

Presently the Rohtak-Gohana-Panipat railway line runs via Makrauli. Due to several operational conveniences it has been proposed to shift Rohtak-Makrauli line. Its immediate benefit is that its alternative route, the Rohtak-Samargopalpur line will provide a third line between the two stations along the main line. Another important factor is that once this line gets operational no engine reversal will be required on the Delhi-Panipat and Rewari-Panipat routes and a blind curve of 2 km and eight existing level crossing gates will be eliminated.

Along with these benefits, another platform will be provided at Rohtak and two road–over–bridges already sanctioned will not be required to be built. The existing line will be dismantled and a road will be constructed in its place. The relocated line will run parallel to Rohtak-Jind line and the proposed North bypass of Rohtak before reconnecting at kilometer 8.89 with Rohtak-Panipat line. To facilitate running of traffic from Jind-Panipat via Samargopalpur, thus avoiding Rohtak, one Y-junction is proposed connecting Samargopalpur station and alternate route.

The new Rohtak-Mehem–Hansi rail line and shifting of Rohtak-Makrauli Line of Rohtak-Gohana-Panipat Section will upgrade Northern Railway’s capacity to increase its fleet of trains on these sections.

LUCKNOW: Before initiating construction of metro project, the metro cell officials have asked for detailed report on various underground services like water supply pipeline, sewer lines, electric cable wires which may be at the risk of getting damaged once metro track construction begins.All local agencies like Lucknow Municipal Corporation, Jal Sansthan, Lucknow Electricity Supply Administration (LESA) have been put on the task to furnish details about electricity cables, sewerage and water supply lines, storm water drainage system underneath and telecommunication lines and cables.LDA officials said that since these pipelines have been put after a lot of effort and are integral to the lives of common people, special care needs to be taken that these services' infrastructure don't get harmed in the process of laying tracks for metro rail. These need to be kept operational during the construction phase as it is a long, approximately 7-8 years project. The details are being sought to carry out construction without disturbing the underground amenities.

However local agencies did not rule out frequent occurrences of damaged pipelines and sewer lines in the process of metro construction in the wake of past track record. They said they are prepared for some sort of repair work every now and then.

Admitting that protecting the underlying services from getting disturbed was a major task before LMC, its senior official said that they have instructed Jal Sansthan to prepare map reports of all kinds of sewer and pipe lines on the metro route. Also, maps of nullahs, drainage and storm water drains would also be reviewed. The major challenge would be to maintain consistent water supply which might come in teh way of metro's construction.

On the other hand, LESA said that the underground cables supplying to substations are very important for power supply, so much precaution needs to be taken that they are not damaged. However, the department said that it would cooperate with the authority for any kind of development work and has already asked for providing drawings of these cable network.

Amritsar:
Limited number of platforms, large number of trains and Railways' adamant approach in keeping Shatabdi Express parked on platform No. 1 for a better part of the day is causing inconvenience to thousands of passengers arriving in the holy city daily. Other trains are consequently made to wait for hours on the outskirts of the city.The Railways had to recently pay Rs 32,000 to Jatinderpal Singh on the directions of the Amritsar Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum. He said he was travelling with his family in Hirakund Express from Ambala to Amritsar on March 27, 2011. However, the train was stopped at the unscheduled Manawala station, near Amritsar. While other trains were allowed to cross, the train they were in remained standing for over 2:30 hours.The platform No. 1 of the Amritsar railway station is booked for a larger part of the day. The passengers are either forced to use the overbridge or take risks to cross the tracks on foot. No other train is allowed to enter the platform No. 1 as Shatabdi Express and Swaran Shatabdi Express remain parked for nearly 11 hours. Members of the Sis Ganj Sahib Sewak Jatha, a Delhi-based Sikh religious organisation, had taken up the matter by writing a communiqué to then Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee some time back.Manmohan Singh, a passenger, said he had been observing for over two years that the Shatabdi trains were invariably parked on the platform No. 1, causing inconvenience to the passengers, especially the infirm and aged. He said these trains could easily be taken to a yard like other trains for maintenance and washing.Shatabdi Express arrives from Delhi at 10.25 pm and remains parked on the platform until it leaves for the same destination at 5 am. Similarly, Swaran Shatabdi Express remains parked on the platform No. 1 after it arrives from Delhi at 1:25 pm till 4:55 pm when it again departs for Delhi. All major amenities, including waiting halls, toilets for handicapped, bathrooms, ticket windows, enquiry, dispensary and platform ticket window facilities and offices of the Railways are located on the platform No. 1.Railways officials maintained that the trains were parked on the platform No. 1 for security reasons and had costly furniture. Beside, offices of Railways employees were situated on the same platform that made surveillance quick and reliable, added the officials.

Mallikarjun Kharge, Minister for Railways, laid the foundation stones of the Rohtak-Meham-Hansi new rail line and shifting of Rohtak-Makrauli section of Rohtak-Gohana-Panipat rail line from Hansi and Rohtak respectively today.

Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Chief Minister, Haryana, presided over both the functions in the presence of Oscar Fernandes, Minister of Road Transportation and National Highways, Deepender Singh Hooda, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), Kuldeep Singh Bishnoi, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), Ranbir Singh Prajapati, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), Shadi Lal Batra, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), Bharat Bhushan Batra, MLA, Rohtak, Vinod Bhayana, MLA, Hansi, Savitri Jindal, MLA, Hissar,  Anand Singh Dangi, MLA, Meham, Shakuntala Khatak, MLA, Kalanaur, Ram Kishan Fouji, MLA, Bawani Khera and Ram Niwas Ghorela, MLA, Barwala on the occasion.

Northern Railway will achieve another milestone in bringing direct and shorter rail connectivity between the developing industrial townships of Rohtak and Hissar by constructing a new rail line from Rohtak to Hansi via Mehem. This new rail line was been sanctioned in 2012-13 at an estimated cost of Rs 406.87 crores on cost-sharing basis with the state of Haryana.

Rohtak and Hissar are connected by railways via two routes, that is Bhiwani and Jakhal, the distance of which is 142.56 km and 210.60 km respectively. Once the new broad gauge link between Rohtak-Hissar via Hansi is completed, the distance will be reduced to 93.919 km, thus reducing cost of travel with corresponding reduction in travel time.

The new rail line from Rohtak to Hissar via Hansi will have 4 stations — Bahu Akbarpur, Kharkhara, Bahalbah and Sorkhi. Covering the three districts of Rohtak, Bhiwani and Hissar, the rail line will benefit residents of surrounding villages. There will be seven major bridges and 96 minor bridges including four road-under-bridges and 37 level-crossings in this rail project. As this region is in proximity to the National Capital Region and is marked by dense population, the commissioning of the new rail line will be very beneficial.

Presently the Rohtak-Gohana-Panipat railway line runs via Makrauli. Due to several operational conveniences it has been proposed to shift Rohtak-Makrauli line. Its immediate benefit is that its alternative route, the Rohtak-Samargopalpur line will provide a third line between the two stations along the main line. Another important factor is that once this line gets operational no engine reversal will be required on the Delhi-Panipat and Rewari-Panipat routes and a blind curve of 2 km and eight existing level crossing gates will be eliminated.

Along with these benefits, another platform will be provided at Rohtak and two road–over–bridges already sanctioned will not be required to be built. The existing line will be dismantled and a road will be constructed in its place. The relocated line will run parallel to Rohtak-Jind line and the proposed North bypass of Rohtak before reconnecting at kilometer 8.89 with Rohtak-Panipat line. To facilitate running of traffic from Jind-Panipat via Samargopalpur, thus avoiding Rohtak, one Y-junction is proposed connecting Samargopalpur station and alternate route.

The new Rohtak-Mehem–Hansi rail line and shifting of Rohtak-Makrauli Line of Rohtak-Gohana-Panipat Section will upgrade Northern Railway’s capacity to increase its fleet of trains on these sections.

MADURAI: As announced in the 2013-14 railway budget, two passenger train services have been extended in the Madurai railway division. While the Madurai - Kollam - Madurai passenger has bee extended up to Punalur from Thursday (August 1), the Madurai - Dindigul - Madurai passenger will be extended to Palani from August 2.An official statement from the Southern Railway said that train number 56700/56701 Madurai - Kollam -Madurai passenger will be extended to Punalur. Train number 56700 Madurai - Kollam passenger leaving Madurai on Wednesday 11.15pm and arriving Kollam on August 1 by 9.05am will be extended to Punalur as Madurai - Punalur passenger and the train will reach the station by 11.10am.Meanwhile train number 56701 Kollam - Madurai passenger will start from Punalur as Punalur - Madurai passenger at 3.50pm on August 1 and arrive Kollam at 5.40pm. It will leave Kollam at 6.10pm and reach Madurai at 6.20am the next day. The train will stop at all stations between Kollam and Punalur viz. Kilikollur, Chandanattop Halt, Kundra, Kundra East Halt, Ezhukone, Kottarakara, Kuri Halt and Auvaneeswaram.In the same way, train number 56710/56709 Madurai - Dindigul - Madurai train is extended to Palani. The inaugural and regular service of train number 56710 Madurai - Palani Passenger and train number 56709 Palani - Madurai passenger will commence from August 2. Train number 56710 Madurai - Palani passenger will leave Madurai at 7.35am and arrive Dindigul at 8.55am. It will leave Dindigul at 9am to reach Palani at 10.45am. Train number 56709 Palani - Madurai passenger will leave Palani at 5.05pm and arrive Dindigul at 6.10pm; it will leave Dindigul at 6.15pm and reach Madurai at 8.15pm. The trains will stop at Kudal Nagar, Samayanallur, Sholavandan, Vadipatti, Kodaikkanal Road, Ambaturai, Dindigul, Akkaraippatti, Oddanchatram and Chatrapatti.

State minister for electricity and prohibition and excise, Natham R Viswanathan, Dindigul MP, N S V Chitthan and other dignitaries are expected to flag off the extended service of train number 56710 Madurai - Dindigul Passenger to Palani at Dindigul railway station at 9am on August 2, the railway statement observed.