ProUI

Patna: Concerned over frequent Maoist attacks on railway property as well as planting of bombs on railway tracks or inside coaches, the East Central Railway (ECR) has decided to raise bomb detection squads to strengthen security measures in the Reds-prone areas. The ECR has witnessed several incidents of planting bombs under its five divisions during the past six years.

According to RPF chief security commissioner, ECR, Sanjay Kumar, railways had been mulling over the issue for long for elaborate security on railway premises and on running trains. The recent attack on a passenger train near Jamui by Naxalites seems to have hastened the decision on bomb detection squads. Railways had hitherto been depending on the state government for detection of bombs or their defusal if found on tracks or coaches of passenger trains, Kumar said.

According to ECR CPRO Amitabh Prabhakar, ECR GM Madhuresh Kumar has approved the plan for bomb detection squads. A sum of Rs 1 crore has been initially sanctioned to procure the required kits and giving advanced training to RPF personnel, he said.

Sources said the ECR has chalked out a comprehensive plan to introduce bomb detection squads firstly in Maoist-infested Dhanbad division, followed by Danapur, Sonepur and Mughalsarai divisions. An ECR security official entrusted with the task to raise bomb detection squads, said railways would incur an expenditure of about Rs 5 crore to fully raise and train the bomb detection squads in ECR. The squads would make railways more prompt in detecting or defusing any bomb, strengthening security,

ECR has at present seven sniffer dogs, which are being used in Dhanbad and Danapur divisions during the movement of VIP passengers and at the time of departure of Rajdhani and other premier passenger trains. However, railways intends to increase the number of sniffer dogs so that they could be readily available in each division of ECR, an RPF official of Patna Junction said.

That apart, railways has asked RPF personnel to keep a tab on CCTVs installed at all major stations of ECR to ensure tight security on railway platforms, the CPRO said, adding about 500 RPF personnel are engaged in train escort duty.

मुम्बई. ए.के. सिंह को पश्चिम मध्य रेलवे के जबलपुर मंडल  का नया डीआरएम बनाया गया है. सिंह अनिल गुप्ता की जगह लेंगे. इसके अलावा शैलेन्द्र कुमार को पश्चिम रेलवे के मुम्बई सेंट्रल मंडल का नया डीआरम (मंडल रेल प्रबंधक) बनाया गया है. वे संदीप साइलस की जगह लेंगे. रेलवे बोर्ड द्वारा जारी नए मंडल रेल प्रबंधकों की सूची में सुनीत शर्मा का भी समावेश है. शर्मा को मध्य रेलवे के पुणे मंडल का मंडल रेल प्रबंधक बनाया गया है. रेल घूसकांड के सामने आने के कारणे नए मंडल रेल प्रबंधकों की सूची काफी दिनों से अटकी पड़ी थी, जिसे शनिवार को जारी कर दिया गया.

प्रतापगढ़। साकेत एक्सप्रेस के पार्सल यान से चोरों ने लाखों रुपये का सामान पार कर दिया। इसकी भनक किसी को भी नहीं लगी। इसमें आधा दर्जन स्थानीय व्यापारियों का सामान था। ट्रेन के स्टेशन पहुंचने पर इसकी जानकारी व्यापारियों को हुई तो हड़कंप मच गया। सभी के पैकेट से कुछ न कुछ सामान गायब हुआ है। आरपीएफ ने गायब सामानों की सूची तैयार की है।
शहर के व्यापारी अरुण कुमार, बब्बू सहित पांच और मऊआइमा के एक व्यापारी मो.कयूम ने मुंबई से कपड़े और सौंदर्य प्रसाधन संबंधी सामान बुक कराए थे। सामान कई पैकेटों में बंधा था। ट्रेन आने से पहले व्यापारी स्टेशन पहुंच गए। पार्सल यान से सामान उतरने लगा तो खाली डिब्बे देख वे चौंक गए। सामान गायब होने की सूचना आरपीएफ को दी गई। आरपीएफ ने व्यापारियों से बात कर बिल्टी की रसीद देखी और लिस्ट बनाई तो पता चला कि लगभग साढ़े तीन लाख रुपये का सामान गायब हुआ है। मऊआइमा के व्यापारी मो.कयूम ने बताया कि उसके पैकेट में महंगे कपड़े थे। एक-एक पैंट चार से पांच हजार रुपये की थी। व्यापारियों ने बताया कि ट्रेन की खिड़की काटने के बाद चोरों ने पैकेट की सील काटी और जिस पैकेट में महंगे सामान थे उन्हें उठा ले गए। डिब्बे में कुछ सामान बिखेर भी दिए। आरपीएफ को आशंका है कि घटना नैनी के आसपास हुई होगी।
ट्रेनों के पार्सल यान से पहले भी चोरी की घटनाएं हो चुकी हैं। इसके पहले पद्मावत एक्सप्रेस से लखनऊ और कानपुर के बीच में लाखों का माल गायब कर दिया गया था। यही नहीं इन स्थानों पर अक्सर महंगे सामान ट्रेन की खिड़की काटकर गायब कर दिए जाते हैं। साकेत एक्सप्रेस ट्रेन में भी नैनी के आसपास के इलाके में ऐसी घटनाएं घटी हैं। व्यापारियों ने बताया कि इलाहाबाद से इस डिब्बे में गार्ड बैठकर आया था। सामान भरा होने के कारण खिड़की की तरफ उसका ध्यान नहीं गया। इसी से अंदाजा लगाया जा रहा है कि चोरी नैनी के आसपास ही हुई है। सामान की बुकिंग कराने वाले व्यापारी चोरी होने के बाद भी सामान ले जाने की जल्दी में दिखे। कई व्यापारी रिपोर्ट दर्ज कराने के भी इच्छुक नहीं थे। लगता है कि वे भी सामान लाने और ले जाने में खेल करते हैं। सामान चोरी होने से वे परेशान तो थे लेकिन वे स्टेशन से अपना सामान जल्द हटाने में जुटे थे। आरपीएफ के सिपाहियों ने भी उनसे सेटिंग कर सामान ले जाने के लिए कह दिया। सिर्फ मो. कयूम ही रिपोर्ट दर्ज कराने के लिए आरपीएफ थाने में दोपहर तक रुके रहे। उसने बताया कि सामान की पक्की रसीद आ रही है। इसके बाद ही कितने का सामान गायब हुआ है, सही जानकारी हो सकेगी।

अगर आपको हावड़ा जाने वाली ट्रेनों में सफर करना हो तो पहले ट्रेन की पोजिशन जान लें। इस रूट की सभी ट्रेनें 5 से 6 घंटे लेट से बिलासपुर पहुंच रही हैं। मुंबई, पुणे से आने वाली ट्रेनों को भुसावल से इटारसी होते हुए परिवर्तित मार्ग से नागपुर आना पड़ रहा है। बारिश से नागपुर के आगे 400 मीटर तक पटरी के नीचे की मिट्टी बह गई है। इसके कारण ट्रेनें परिवर्तित मार्ग से चल रही हैं। हावड़ा से आने वाली ट्रेनें रविवार को तो समय से चलीं, लेकिन सोमवार को इनके भी लेट पहुंचने की आशंका है।
महाराष्ट्र में भारी बारिश के चलते जनजीवन अस्त-व्यस्त है। इसका असर रेल यातायात पर भी पड़ा है। नागपुर के आगे सिंधी और तुलजापुर के बीच 400 मीटर पटरी के नीचे की मिट्टी पानी में बह गई है। इसके चलते हावड़ा-मुंबई मुख्य मार्ग पर रेल यातायात शुक्रवार की आधी रात से प्रभावित है। इस रूट की तमाम ट्रेनों को परिवर्तित मार्ग व्हाया इटारसी से चलाया जा रहा है। सभी ट्रेनों को 212 किलोमीटर का सफर अतिरिक्त तय करना पड़ रहा है। यही वजह है कि शनिवार की तरह रविवार को भी मुंबई से आने वाली ट्रेनें 5 से 6 घंटे लेट होकर बिलासपुर पहुंच रही हैं। रविवार की शाम से रात 10 बजे तक बिलासपुर पहुंचने वाली सभी ट्रेनें देर रात को बिलासपुर पहुंची। पुणे हावड़ा-आजादहिंद, मुंबई-हावड़ा मेल, शालीमार, अहमदाबाद-पुरी एक्सप्रेस 5-5 घंटे लेट से नागपुर पहुंची। सभी ट्रेनें बिलासपुर पहुंचने तक 6 घंटे लेट हो गईं। हटिया और पुरी एक्सप्रेस भी 4-4 घंटे लेट होकर यहां आईं। हावड़ा से मुंबई जाने वाली ट्रेनें रविवार को निर्धारित समय पर बिलासपुर पहुंची, जिनके नागपुर के आगे लेट होने की आशंका है।

Heavy rains that lashed Wardha disrupted the train traffic as the ballast under the Railway track and bank including minor bridge was washed out completely between Sindi and Tuljapur station on Nagpur–Wardha section of Nagpur division.The Central Railway authorities today succeeded in restoring, after three days, one line (down) between Nagpur and Wardha section which was completely washed out due to heavy rains on July 19.The Hyderabad-Nizamuddin Dakshin Express was the first train to arrive in Nagpur and proceed to destination. Today, all the trains passing through in all the four directions will run on proper route and the second line (up line) was likely to be restored later in the day, official sources of Nagpur division of Central Railway, said here.Central Railway General Manager B P Khare along with Divisional Railway Manager, Nagpur division, Brijesh Dixit and other officers, engineers and others camped there to restore the line. Khare left for Mumbai last night.

Heavy rains that lashed Wardha disrupted the train traffic as the ballast under the Railway track and bank including minor bridge was washed out completely between Sindi and Tuljapur station on Nagpur–Wardha section of Nagpur division.

Six special trains with material like boulders, ballast, sand and two Accident Relief trains were rushed to the spot. More than 500 labours started the restoration work with the help of JCBs and other equipments. More than 500 wagons of boulders, ballast and quarry were being utilised for the restoration work.

The trains were diverted via Itarsi, Khandwa and Bhusawal, sources added.

Ministry of Railways is stepping forward in installing TCPS system on experimental basis by Feb-2014 in Vikrabad-Bidar Section.

Guwahati: The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has called upon the general public, including students, to avail of the various concessions provided under the concession rules.

NFR PRO Nripen Bhattacharya said that lack of public awareness has meant that various schemes including free travelling facilities to students and the ‘Izzat’ monthly season tickets (MTS) have virtually secured no response in Assam, mainly in Guwahati area.

Girls up to graduation level in BA/BSc/BCom and boys up to 12th standard, including students of Madrasa, can avail of free MTS in general second class between their places of residence and school within range of 150 km during the school season. The tickets have to be renewed every month.

“However, in recent years not even a single inquiry has been received at the Guwahati railway station regarding the facility. This is mainly due to the fact that people are not aware. In contrast, such schemes are very popular in many other States,” Bhattacharya said.

He also added that other schemes like the ‘Izzat’, whereby persons with monthly income not exceeding 1,500 working in unorganised sectors can avail of MTS at a nominal charge of Rs 25 for journeys up to maximum 100 km.

“There are some people who use the Izaat tickets, but their numbers are very less. We want more people to avail of that scheme,” Bhattacharya said.

He said that a person coming from Ghagrapar to Guwahati have to spend around Rs 40 and change buses for a one-way journey. “A similar journey can be undertaken at almost free and in much more comfort in a train. But we find very few takers,” the senior official said.

Bhattacharya added there are a plethora of such concession schemes, including patients suffering from ailments like cancer, thalassemia, heart or kidney ailments who can avail of various schemes along with one escort.

Besides, concession schemes also exist for students studying outside the State (who can avail 50 per cent concession during holiday season), and for farmers, widows of defence personnel, artists and farmers, among others.

Improved security in Thiruvananthapuram Central and Ernakulam Junction

The Integrated Security System (ISS) will be implemented in Thiruvananthapuram Central and Ernakulam Junction stations soon as part of Railways’ efforts to step up security, ensure safety of the travelling public, and avert terror attacks.

The state-of-the-art security system will be installed in the two railway stations close on the heels of the commissioning of the ISS in the Kozhikode station. The system is being implemented in 195 stations across the country at a cost of Rs.344.31 crore, and will be managed by the elite Railway Protection Force (RPF).

The ISS will be set up at a cost of Rs.3.3 crore in Thiruvananthapuram and Rs.3.5 crore in Ernakulam.

Under the system, a centralised control room like the modern city police control room will be set up in the retiring room on the first floor of the Central station building to monitor the movement of all those who enter the platforms, yards, circulating area, and station premises through a network of surveillance cameras.

“The work on the control room began on Tuesday, and we hope to commission the ISS here in three months,” Rajnish Kumar Tripathi, Divisional Security Commissioner, RPF, told The Hindu.

The ISS comprises a closed-circuit television surveillance system (CCTV), access control, personal and baggage screening system, explosive detection and disposal system, and system integration.

High-tech gadgets, including vehicle scanners to detect explosive substances in vehicles entering and leaving the station and multi-zone doorframe metal detectors to scan those entering the station, have been proposed.

Vehicle scanners will be installed at the main and second entry in Thiruvananthapuram after modifying the circulating area. In addition, two baggage scanners at the two entries and a parcel scanner that can even detect contraband and explosives will be installed at the parcel office.

The current baggage scanner in the station will be shifted to another station. As many as 79 cameras will be installed on the platform and station premises. Video analytical software and facial recognition will enable the RPF to closely monitor the railway premises.

In Ernakulam Junction, the control room will function from the GCDA building at the second entry to the station. The installation of 67 cameras and the wiring have been completed. Two baggage scanners, two vehicle scanners, and a parcel scanner will be set up. All the work will be completed in a month.

The Divisional Security Commissioner said all unmanned multi-entry and exit points at stations, a major security threat, would be plugged. When the work was over, the RPF personnel would be provided on-job training to take care of the ISS.

Thiruvananthapuram Central and Ernakulam Junction are among the 202 railway stations that have been classified ‘important and sensitive’ on the rail network.

SINDI: With 500m railway track hanging in mid-air, sleepers damaged and electric poles twisted out of shape by a cloudburst on Friday night, some 1,000 workmen and officials of Central Railway are racing to restore train services near Sindi station. The earliest estimate for trains to start running on at least one track is Monday afternoon, with complete normalcy on both tracks not expected until Thursday. The stretch of damaged tracks is used by all trains passing via Nagpur in every direction.

The Uttarakhand-like floods hit the crucial stretch of tracks a kilometre away from Sindi station. Flooding in Pipra nullah and one more stream 200 metres away reached its peak at 7.45pm on Friday. The rushing nullah water damaged 500m tracks, left six overhead electric poles (OHE) twisted out of shape, and washed away the entire earthen foundation on which the railway tracks rest.

The bridge over Pipra nullah was also washed away, leaving the tracks hanging and bent. The optical fibre network cable laid along the tracks was also damaged.

On Sunday morning, work to restore the tracks was underway on a war footing. At least 12-15 heavy earthmoving machines were at work, putting boulders in place and dumping soil and ballast to fill the four-metre wide gap left beneath the tracks by flood waters. Six inflatable air bags were deployed to lift the tracks and allow work to continue below it. Two freight trains were standing ready with boulders and ballast required to rebuild the foundation from the ground up.

The workers were also pushing metal clips into the foundation to stabilize it as much as possible. Simultaneously, work to restore the OHE poles was also going on. By 5.45pm on Sunday, sources said electric works had been completed.

The mishap site looked chaotic with at least 1,000 men and officials from medical, electrical, signalling, engineering, mechanical, commercial and operating departments of the railways at work simultaneously. Gangmen and trolleymen have been summoned from the entire division to work in eight-hour shifts.

The spot is inaccessible for vehicles, and the earthmoving machines made their way along the nullah through farms.

“We are facing a disaster situation similar to Uttarakhand. Our aim is to first restore one track for traffic,” Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Brijesh Dixit told at the mishap site. It may take another two-three days to open the other line.

“On Friday and Saturday, it was a tightrope walk for staff at work along the tracks hanging over the receding waters of Pipra nullah 40-feet below. Any error would have landed the workers straight in the nullah,” said Rajesh Dwivedi, senior divisional mechanical engineer (SrDME), Nagpur.

Dixit said this is perhaps the first time in 160 years of railways that train traffic to the entire country passing through centrally located Nagpur came to a grinding halt for so many hours. Even the Railway Board has expressed serious concern about the incident. Central Railway general manager BP Khare too visited the spot on Sunday afternoon.

Dixit, who was among the first to reach the mishap site at around 11pm, and is camping there since Friday, suspects that opening the gates at Bor or Wadgaon dam might have contributed to the flood. “The sudden cloudburst coupled with opening of two gates of a nearby dam led to the tragedy,” said Dixit.

However, Wardha district collector N Navin Sona denied any dam gates were opened. “Water running off from nearby hillocks at Khadki flowed through Pipra causing the floods. A 30-feet road between Sindi and Seldoh too has been washed away due to the Pipra floods,” Sona said.

Sona added that Sindi Railway recorded 245mm rain on Friday. The erratic rainfall distribution coupled with cloudburst led to flooding of two streams near the railway tracks, he said.

Dixit said a four-member team consisting of safety, engineering, electrical and traction department heads will probe reasons behind the tragedy. He also said they are contemplating coming up with a permanent solution at the spot to avoid such a situation in the future.

Meanwhile, train traffic was disrupted for the third day, with 12 express and passenger trains originating from Gondia and Nagpur cancelled on Sunday. However, seven trains including Vidarbha, LTT, Azad Hind, Mail, Duronto and Sevagram Express were running via Bhusawal, Khandwa, Itarsi and Nagpur. The Jabalpur-Amravati Express was being terminated at Nagpur.

The Nagpur-Nanded-Mumbai Nandigram Express for Monday has been cancelled. Over 39 trains coming from South and West direction have been routed through Bhusawal while another seven trains passed via Badnera, Amravati and Narkhed, without touching Nagpur. Dixit said passengers coming from Delhi to Nagpur are being accommodated in trains coming from Bhusawal.

Inagural of Jaipur-Alwar-Jaipur Exp.