ProUI

The State government formally approved the Bangalore Commuter/Suburban Rail System (CRS) earlier this week.V Manjula, Commissioner, Department of Urban Land Transport, said on Saturday that the department was now in the process of preparing a detailed project report (DPR) for Phase I-A of the CRS.“We have received the approval from the government for Phase I-A of the CRS and are in the process of preparing the DPR,” she confirmed.As per the RITES (Rail India Technical and Economic Service) report, submitted in August 2012, Phase I-A will provide electrified train facilities on the two routes of Bangalore-Bangarpet and Bangalore-Mandya. However, putting a spanner in the aspirations of the State government to start the commuter rail system, the Railways has said it cannot fund the project in Bangalore. While it has given its ‘in-principle’ approval for the project, the Railways has said it will not absorb any financial burden for the project.

Rail systems facing loss

According to sources in the Railway Board, all the suburban railway systems in the country are making losses. So, speculations are rife over the Railways bearing portions of the cost to start the project.

Manjula said the department had already approached the Railways for a partnership deal on the project, but elicited no response.

“We will approach the Railways again and seek their support,” she said.

While the initial cost estimate for Phase I-A is put at Rs 174 crore, not factoring in the Binny Mills land cost, the final figures of the financial burden are yet to be estimated.

With the minimum infrastructure available for starting the Commuter/Suburban Rail System along the two lines, the government appears to have favoured this portion of the project before Phase I.

‘Acquire Binny Mill’

Meanwhile, in its suggestions, the Railways has also made it clear that the State government would have to acquire the Binny Mill land for the CRS. The RITES report had said: “To put in simple and plain words, without the Binny Mill land, there may not be a Commuter/Suburban Rail System.”

It is said the Railways does not want to share any of its platform infrastructure for the CRS at the City Railway Station as it would hamper the existing services to and from the heart of the City.


The two routes for Phase I-A as per the route map generated by DULT

  * Bangalore City-Nayandahalli-Jnanabharathi-Kengeri-Hejjala-Bidadi-Ramanagara
  * Bangalore City-Bangalore Cantonment-Bangalore East- Krishnarajapuram-Whitefield-Devanagonthi-Malur

The State government formally approved the Bangalore Commuter/Suburban Rail System (CRS) earlier this week.V Manjula, Commissioner, Department of Urban Land Transport, said on Saturday that the department was now in the process of preparing a detailed project report (DPR) for Phase I-A of the CRS.“We have received the approval from the government for Phase I-A of the CRS and are in the process of preparing the DPR,” she confirmed.As per the RITES (Rail India Technical and Economic Service) report, submitted in August 2012, Phase I-A will provide electrified train facilities on the two routes of Bangalore-Bangarpet and Bangalore-Mandya. However, putting a spanner in the aspirations of the State government to start the commuter rail system, the Railways has said it cannot fund the project in Bangalore. While it has given its ‘in-principle’ approval for the project, the Railways has said it will not absorb any financial burden for the project.

Rail systems facing loss

According to sources in the Railway Board, all the suburban railway systems in the country are making losses. So, speculations are rife over the Railways bearing portions of the cost to start the project.

Manjula said the department had already approached the Railways for a partnership deal on the project, but elicited no response.

“We will approach the Railways again and seek their support,” she said.

While the initial cost estimate for Phase I-A is put at Rs 174 crore, not factoring in the Binny Mills land cost, the final figures of the financial burden are yet to be estimated.

With the minimum infrastructure available for starting the Commuter/Suburban Rail System along the two lines, the government appears to have favoured this portion of the project before Phase I.

‘Acquire Binny Mill’

Meanwhile, in its suggestions, the Railways has also made it clear that the State government would have to acquire the Binny Mill land for the CRS. The RITES report had said: “To put in simple and plain words, without the Binny Mill land, there may not be a Commuter/Suburban Rail System.”

It is said the Railways does not want to share any of its platform infrastructure for the CRS at the City Railway Station as it would hamper the existing services to and from the heart of the City.


The two routes for Phase I-A as per the route map generated by DULT

  * Bangalore City-Nayandahalli-Jnanabharathi-Kengeri-Hejjala-Bidadi-Ramanagara
  * Bangalore City-Bangalore Cantonment-Bangalore East- Krishnarajapuram-Whitefield-Devanagonthi-Malur

CHENNAI: Many passengers often think twice before buying food from vendors on a train. Some of them reject such items outright, ignoring their gnawing hunger or raging thirst. Why? Because several of them have seen vendors handling the food or beverages near toilets on the coaches. Many who have consumed such food have complained about food poisoning or other problems. With most sleeper coaches not having storage space, caterers stash food and beverages near the toilets before they selling them to passengers. Plastic crates filled with packed meals and snacks are stashed near the doors or toilets or in the vestibule connecting coaches. Vendors pick up the crates and sell food and beverages to passengers on all coaches. This is a common sight on trains leaving Chennai Central or Egmore stations after 7pm. Many vendors blame the lack of space to keep food items. "We are forced to keep them near the doors or toilets because that is where there is some space," said one who sells tea on Chennai-Thiruvananthapuram Mail.

Food loaded either at Central or at Katpadi is stashed near toilets before being sold to passengers. "Earlier, they used to collect orders and supply food when the train reached Katpadi after 9pm. But, they seem to have stopped this practice. Instead, caterers load food and sell it till the supply is exhausted," said A Kumar, a frequent traveller.

Southern Railway has hired private contractors to supply food on trains without pantry cars after the railways took over catering from Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation.

A senior railway officer in charge of commercial operations said they always insisted that food not be loaded on to trains. "According to the rule, the contractor should take order and then supply or sell food to passengers through windows. There is no designated storage space on coaches to keep food items. Following complaints, we have ensured food is not opened and handled near toilets or doors of coaches."

"New coaches attached to Shatabdi or Jan Shatabdi come with mini-pantry where food can be stored and reheated. This is incorporated in coaches designed for day trains. But coaches used for express trains do not have space for storing food because such trains are supposed to have pantry cars," he added. Southern Railway has only 84 pantry cars which are used for 55 trains.

Officials of health and commercial departments conduct periodic checks to ensure food is not contaminated. "Toilets are not used if food is stored nearby. Several inspections are being done to ensure that hygiene is maintained," said Southern Railway chief public relations officer V J Accamma.

CHENNAI: Many passengers often think twice before buying food from vendors on a train. Some of them reject such items outright, ignoring their gnawing hunger or raging thirst. Why? Because several of them have seen vendors handling the food or beverages near toilets on the coaches. Many who have consumed such food have complained about food poisoning or other problems. With most sleeper coaches not having storage space, caterers stash food and beverages near the toilets before they selling them to passengers. Plastic crates filled with packed meals and snacks are stashed near the doors or toilets or in the vestibule connecting coaches. Vendors pick up the crates and sell food and beverages to passengers on all coaches. This is a common sight on trains leaving Chennai Central or Egmore stations after 7pm. Many vendors blame the lack of space to keep food items. "We are forced to keep them near the doors or toilets because that is where there is some space," said one who sells tea on Chennai-Thiruvananthapuram Mail.

Food loaded either at Central or at Katpadi is stashed near toilets before being sold to passengers. "Earlier, they used to collect orders and supply food when the train reached Katpadi after 9pm. But, they seem to have stopped this practice. Instead, caterers load food and sell it till the supply is exhausted," said A Kumar, a frequent traveller.

Southern Railway has hired private contractors to supply food on trains without pantry cars after the railways took over catering from Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation.

A senior railway officer in charge of commercial operations said they always insisted that food not be loaded on to trains. "According to the rule, the contractor should take order and then supply or sell food to passengers through windows. There is no designated storage space on coaches to keep food items. Following complaints, we have ensured food is not opened and handled near toilets or doors of coaches."

"New coaches attached to Shatabdi or Jan Shatabdi come with mini-pantry where food can be stored and reheated. This is incorporated in coaches designed for day trains. But coaches used for express trains do not have space for storing food because such trains are supposed to have pantry cars," he added. Southern Railway has only 84 pantry cars which are used for 55 trains.

Officials of health and commercial departments conduct periodic checks to ensure food is not contaminated. "Toilets are not used if food is stored nearby. Several inspections are being done to ensure that hygiene is maintained," said Southern Railway chief public relations officer V J Accamma.

It has been a long wait for the passengers for the journey on a day train from Tuticorin. The much awaited rail service was announced in the Railway Budget in February 2013, many passengers said.As soon as the rail service was announced, many welcomed it in Tuticorin, M.Piramanayagam, secretary, Tuticorin District Passengers Welfare Association, said. Passengers started making enquiries about the introduction of the Tuticorin–Chennai Link Express as announced in the budget, he said.

The eight-bogie train from Tuticorin was expected to connect the Guruvayur-Chennai Express at Vanchi Maniyachi. With this in mind, representations were made to the railway authorities, seeking speedy introduction of the day train from Tuticorin.

He also added that the association had made a plea to the authorities to introduce special and additional train services to Tuticorin ahead of the annual feast of Our Lady of Snows Shrine Basilica slated for August 5.

It has been a long wait for the passengers for the journey on a day train from Tuticorin. The much awaited rail service was announced in the Railway Budget in February 2013, many passengers said.As soon as the rail service was announced, many welcomed it in Tuticorin, M.Piramanayagam, secretary, Tuticorin District Passengers Welfare Association, said. Passengers started making enquiries about the introduction of the Tuticorin–Chennai Link Express as announced in the budget, he said.

The eight-bogie train from Tuticorin was expected to connect the Guruvayur-Chennai Express at Vanchi Maniyachi. With this in mind, representations were made to the railway authorities, seeking speedy introduction of the day train from Tuticorin.

He also added that the association had made a plea to the authorities to introduce special and additional train services to Tuticorin ahead of the annual feast of Our Lady of Snows Shrine Basilica slated for August 5.

मुंबई

मध्य, पश्चिम आणि हार्बर मार्गावर रविवारी सकाळी ११ ते दुपारी ४ वाजेपर्यंत मेगाब्लॉक घेण्यात येणार आहे. पश्चिम रेल्वेवर रविवारी सकाळी १०.३५ ते दुपारी ३.३५ वाजेपर्यंत मरिन लाइन्स ते माहीमपर्यंत डाऊन स्लो लोकल फास्ट डाऊन मार्गावर धावतील. काही लोकल रद्दही करण्यात येणार आहेत.

हार्बर मार्गावर कुर्ला आणि सीएसटी​ स्टेशनदरम्यान अप आणि वडाळा आणि माहीमदरम्यान अप आणि डाऊनवर सकाळी ११.३० ते दुपारी ३.३० वाजेपर्यंत सीएसटी ते अंधेरी/वांद्रे ते सीएसटी सेवा खंडित राहणार आहे. अप हार्बर मार्गावर कुर्लावरून सीएसटीसाठी सुटणाऱ्या लोकल सकाळी ११.०८ ते दुपारी ३.२३ वाजेपर्यंत मेन लाइनवरून चालवण्यात येतील.

पश्चिम रेल्वेवर मरिन लाइन्स ते माहीमपर्यंत सकाळी १०.३५ ते दुपारी ३.३५ वाजेपर्यंत मेगाब्लॉक घेण्यात येणार आहे. या काळात डाऊन स्लो मार्गावरील लोकल फास्ट मार्गावरून चालवण्यात येतील.

कल्याण ते बदलापूर सेवा खंडित...

कल्याण आणि अंबरनाथ स्टेशनदरम्यान दुपारी २ ते ३.३० वाजेपर्यंत अप आणि डाऊन मार्गावर मेगाब्लॉक घेण्यात येणार आहे. कल्याणवरून सुटणाऱ्या डाऊन मार्गावरील लोकल दुपारी १.३२ ते ३.१७ आणि बदलापूरहून सुटणाऱ्या अप मार्गावरील लोकल दुपारी १.४९ ते दुपारी ३.२२ वाजेपर्यंत खंडित करण्यात आल्या आहेत. प्रवाशांच्या सुविधेसाठी बदलापूर आणि कर्जतदरम्यान विशेष शटल सेवा चालवण्यात येणार आहे.

मुंबई

मध्य, पश्चिम आणि हार्बर मार्गावर रविवारी सकाळी ११ ते दुपारी ४ वाजेपर्यंत मेगाब्लॉक घेण्यात येणार आहे. पश्चिम रेल्वेवर रविवारी सकाळी १०.३५ ते दुपारी ३.३५ वाजेपर्यंत मरिन लाइन्स ते माहीमपर्यंत डाऊन स्लो लोकल फास्ट डाऊन मार्गावर धावतील. काही लोकल रद्दही करण्यात येणार आहेत.

हार्बर मार्गावर कुर्ला आणि सीएसटी​ स्टेशनदरम्यान अप आणि वडाळा आणि माहीमदरम्यान अप आणि डाऊनवर सकाळी ११.३० ते दुपारी ३.३० वाजेपर्यंत सीएसटी ते अंधेरी/वांद्रे ते सीएसटी सेवा खंडित राहणार आहे. अप हार्बर मार्गावर कुर्लावरून सीएसटीसाठी सुटणाऱ्या लोकल सकाळी ११.०८ ते दुपारी ३.२३ वाजेपर्यंत मेन लाइनवरून चालवण्यात येतील.

पश्चिम रेल्वेवर मरिन लाइन्स ते माहीमपर्यंत सकाळी १०.३५ ते दुपारी ३.३५ वाजेपर्यंत मेगाब्लॉक घेण्यात येणार आहे. या काळात डाऊन स्लो मार्गावरील लोकल फास्ट मार्गावरून चालवण्यात येतील.

कल्याण ते बदलापूर सेवा खंडित...

कल्याण आणि अंबरनाथ स्टेशनदरम्यान दुपारी २ ते ३.३० वाजेपर्यंत अप आणि डाऊन मार्गावर मेगाब्लॉक घेण्यात येणार आहे. कल्याणवरून सुटणाऱ्या डाऊन मार्गावरील लोकल दुपारी १.३२ ते ३.१७ आणि बदलापूरहून सुटणाऱ्या अप मार्गावरील लोकल दुपारी १.४९ ते दुपारी ३.२२ वाजेपर्यंत खंडित करण्यात आल्या आहेत. प्रवाशांच्या सुविधेसाठी बदलापूर आणि कर्जतदरम्यान विशेष शटल सेवा चालवण्यात येणार आहे.

Lahore: At least 13 people, including a woman and two children, were killed today when a motorcycle rickshaw they were travelling in was crushed by a moving train at a railway crossing in Pakistan's Punjab province.The motorcycle rickshaw carrying 14 people was crossing the railway line in Sheikhupura, about 40 kilometres from here, when it was hit by a Lahore-bound train coming from Karachi, rescue work spokesman Jam Sajjad told PTI.

Lahore: At least 13 people, including a woman and two children, were killed today when a motorcycle rickshaw they were travelling in was crushed by a moving train at a railway crossing in Pakistan's Punjab province.The motorcycle rickshaw carrying 14 people was crossing the railway line in Sheikhupura, about 40 kilometres from here, when it was hit by a Lahore-bound train coming from Karachi, rescue work spokesman Jam Sajjad told PTI.