ProUI

Consequent to the implementation of the hi-tech Integrated Security Scheme (ISS) at Tiruchi Junction recently, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) authorities have made some internal adjustments for the management of the new security measure.As per the original scheme of things, the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) of the RPF was entrusted with the responsibility of wholly managing the ISS, which has four key components — Closed Circuit Television Surveillance System with Internet Protocol based cameras, Access Control, Personal Baggage Screening System, and Bomb Detection and Disposal System.Conscious of the crucial role of the BDDS that remains in a state of readiness to act in times of emergency, the authorities had now made some adjustments for managing the state-of-the-art ISS.Accordingly, the task of monitoring the movements in the platforms and station premises through the surveillance camera-based CCTV system, had now been entrusted with the RPF Tiruchi post situated adjacent to the junction.In addition to managing the CCTV component, personnel at the Tiruchi have been instructed to manage the personal baggage screening system.

The BDDS, which had been divested of the responsibility of managing the ISS, would now concentrate on the bomb detection and disposal.

The range of anti-sabotage equipment supplied under the ISS including bomb suits and bomb suppression blankets would be maintained by the BDDS.

The latest adjustment was aimed at keeping the BDDS for the stated purpose it had been constituted — for bomb detection and disposal — and not to deviate from its original duty, say RPF officers here. Since the services of BDDS personnel would be required, any moment to deal with emergency situation, they had been taken out from the task of watching the movements from the CCTV system.

Instead, personnel of the Tiruchi post would be posted in the centralised control room from where they would monitor the movements taking place in the platforms and station premises through the CCTV system.

The five monitors installed inside the control room are connected with the 29 surveillance cameras deployed at strategic points in the Junction to cover the platforms, subway, circulating, and booking areas besides the outer areas to enable the personnel watch the movements round-the-clock.

Adjustment

The latest adjustment for ISS management would soon be put in place following a direction from the RPF headquarters from Chennai to all divisions falling within the Southern Railway zone, say the officers.

Tiruchi is the sixth major station in the Southern Railway zone to be brought under the scope of the ISS that was conceived by the railway administration in the aftermath of the Mumbai terror attacks in November 2008. Additional strength is expected to be deputed to the Tiruchi post by drawing manpower from other places to manage the CCTV and baggage screening systems round-the-clock, said an officer.

The BDDS that was carrying out random checks at different stations falling within the limits of Tiruchi Division has now been instructed to conduct anti-sabotage checks on a daily basis at chosen stations following a directive from the zonal headquarters, say RPF sources.

Meanwhile, measures were put in place to install under vehicle scanners, also given under the ISS, at Tiruchi Junction. The scanners would be installed at the main entrance and at the Kallukuzhi entrance of the station.

R. RAJARAM writes that the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad will now focus on its core duties

All 24 property owners of land acquired for Adambakam MRTS (Mass Rapid Transit System) station will receive compensation shortly.The revenue department conducted an award enquiry into land acquisition for Adambakkam railway station in December 2012. The release of the money is expected to complete the acquisition of private lands measuring 3,038 sq. m. near Adambakkam station.At a meeting recently, the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) directed the special tahsildar for land acquisition to release money and take possession of the land required for Adambakkam MRTS station.However, some legal wrangles continue to obstruct the development of the MRTS link between Velachery and St. Thomas Mount. Land acquisition for a standalone alignment of 500 metres and for Puzhuthivakkam station is yet to be completed.The process was expected to be completed by February but legal proceedings delayed the acquisition and alienation of over 23,466 sq. m. of land needed for the Velachery-St. Thomas Mount line.A writ petition pertaining to the project by residents had already delayed the project by 18 months. The CMDA is trying to convince the court that the project is crucial to the development of the metropolitan area. “We have filed our counter,” said a CMDA official. Work on improving the Adambakkam station may be taken up after the land acquisition process is completed. But work on the other incomplete portions of the 5-km stretch will be delayed further.Private land measuring 6,550 sq. m. along the standalone rail alignment and 8,462 sq. m. near Puzhuthivakkam station were identified, but the acquisition is likely to be delayed because of opposition by 27 land owners affected by the standalone alignment and seven affected by work on Puzhuthivakkam railway station.The land acquisition process resumed last year after a Court stay was vacated. Residents began protesting after the original alignment was changed a few years ago.

Hon'ble Minister for Railways awarded to Officers and Staff of East Central Railway

Surprise Inspection of Hajipur Station by Shri Madhuresh Kumar, Genral Manager

The Superfast Express Train No. 12241/12242 presently running between Chandigarh- Amritsarvia Morinda – Sirhind will be routed via New Morinda – Sanehwal – Ludhiana, the newly constructed rail line with revised timingsfrom 19.04.2013 as per the  following schedule:-
With the opening of new rail line i.e. New Morinda – Sanehwal – Ludhiana the 12241 Chandigarh - Amritsar Superfast Express Train (Via New Morinda-Sanehwal) will depart from Chandigarh at 05.30 p.m. instead of 06.50 p.m. to reach Amritsar at 09.10 p.m. instead of 11.15 P.M. the same day. In the return direction, the 12242 Amritsar- Chandigarh Superfast Express Train (Via New Morinda-Sanehwal) will depart from Amritsar at 05.20 a.m. to reach Chandigarh at 09.05 a.m. instead of 09.45 a.m. the same day.
The detailed timings of 12241/12242 Chandigarh – Amritsar Superfast Express after opening of New Morinda – Sanehwal new line are as under:-
12241 Chandigarh – Amritsar

Station

12242 Amritsar – Chandigarh

Arr.

Dep.

Arr.

Dep.



1730

Chandigarh

0905



1742

1744

Sahibzada Ajitsingh Nagar Mohali

0834

0836

1905

1910

Ludhiana

0715

0720

2006

2008

Jalandhar City

0622

0624

2039

2040

Beas

0550

0551

2110



Amritsar



0520

The 12241/12242 Chandigarh- Amritsar- Chandigarh Express train (on newly constructed route via New Morinda- Sanehwal) will stop at Mohali, Ludhiana, Jalandhar City and Beas stations enroute in both the directions and the existing stoppage at Sirhind will be discontinued from 19.4.2013.

Due to line block in connection with engineering work between Tiruninravur – Tiruvallur o­n down slow line o­n 19/20.4.2013, T.No.43801 Chennai Beach – Arakkonam local leaving Chennai Beach at 01.20 hrs. will be diverted to run o­n fast line and will not stop at Veppampattu and Sevvapet Roadrailway stations.

The commissioning of renovated platforms 6 and 7 at Tiruchi junction has brought in yet another useful facility to the commuters.The Railways has now laid a new trolley path connecting all the seven platforms at the station. This has enabled the movement of the battery car transporting the differently abled, sick and senior citizens to all the platforms. Till now, the battery car was operated only up to platform 3.The travelling public, ever since the introduction of the battery car facility in the junction a few years ago, have been urging the Railways to take steps for laying a path to enable the battery car to transport the passengers to all the platforms.‘The laying of the trolley path will immensely benefit the hapless differently abled and the elderly people’, says P.Arul Jose, president, Tamil Nadu Retired Government Employees Association.Tiruchi junction receives many trains during the peak hours. Considering the volume of traffic, one battery car is not adequate enough to cater to the needs of the commuters. The Railways should take the initiative for the introduction of one more battery car at Tiruchi junction.Besides, the Tiruchi Railway Division should also extend this facility to all other major railway stations including Thanjavur, Kumbakonam, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Velankanni and Nagore, Mr. Jose says. The Railways should rope in public sector undertakings and service organizations in this project, he adds.

There has always been a good demand for the battery car from the commuters. Now, with the commissioning of the new path leading till platform number 7, a large number of people have begun to opt for this facility, says V. Pradhap, driver of the battery car. The new path will also pave way for shifting the heavy luggages and parcels up to platform 7.

VISAKHAPATNAM:East Coast Railway Sports Association (ECoRSA) defeated Metro CC by nine wickets in the first division clubs league of the VDCA here on Wednesday.In the institutions league, Naval Dockyard beat Andhra Medical College by two wickets in a low-scoring match while Brandix defeated VCPTL by nine wickets.The scores: I Div. clubs: Metro CC 102 in 33.1 overs (D.S.K.S. Nikhil 43, P.A.V.N. Raju three for 16) lost to E.Co.R.S.A. 107 for one in 18.3 overs (R.P. Anil 52, K. Kumaraswamy 31).Institutions league: Andhra Medical College 118 in 20 overs (M. Pravin 36, Venkatesh three for 22) lost to Naval Dockyard 119 for eight in 16.3 overs (Sai Pradeep three for nine); VCTPL 107 for seven in 20 overs (Uday Bhaskar Reddy 34, Anand Kumar 26) lost to Brandix 108 for one in 14.4 overs (Sajith 66 n.o., Chandrasekhar 41 n.o.). — Special Correspondent

WR will introduce new 19411/19412 Ahmedabad- Ajmer Intercity Express from 22nd April, 2013 Ex Ahmedabad and from 23rd April, 2013 Ex Ajmer. Train No. 19411 Ahmedabad- Ajmer Intercity Express will depart from Ahmedabad at 09.10 hrs from 22nd April, 2013 to reach Ajmer at 18.45 hrs the same day.            In its return direction, Train No. 19412 Ajmer -Ahmedabad Intercity Express will depart from Ajmer at 06.25 hrs from 23rdApril, 2013 to reach Ahmedabad at 15.35 hrs the same day.            The train will halt at Sabarmati, Mahesana, Unjha, Sidhapur, Palanpur, Abu Road, Sirohi Road, Falna, Marwar & Beawar stations in both the directions.            It will consist of AC Chair car, Second seating and Second class general coaches.The booking of train No. 19411 will open from Saturday, 20th April, 2013.

WR will introduce new 22829/22830 Bhuj-Shalimar (Howrah) via Bilaspur- Katni from 20th April, 2013 Ex Shalimar (Howrah) and from 23th April, 2013 Ex Bhuj.



Train No. 22830 Shalimar (Howrah)-Bhuj Weekly Express will depart from Shalimar (Howrah) at 20.25 hrs every Saturday from 20th April, 2013 to reach Bhuj at 16.40 hrs o­n Monday.



In its return direction, Train No. 22829 Bhuj – Shalimar (Howrah) Weekly Express will depart from Bhuj at 13.40 hrs every Tuesday from 23rd April, 2013 to reach Shalimar (Howrah) at 10.05 hrs every Thursday.



The train will halt at Santragachi, Kharagpur, Tatanagar, Chakradharpur, Rourkela, Jharsuguda, Raigarh, Champa, Bilaspur, Anuppur, Shahdol, Katni Murwara, Damoh, Saugor, Bina, Vidisha, Bairagarh, Shujalpur, Ujjain, Nagda, Ratlam, Vadodara, Anand, Ahmedabad, Dhrangadhra, Samakhiali, Bhachau, Gandhidham & Adipur stations in both the directions.



It will consist of AC 2 tier, AC 3 tier; II class sleeper and II class general coaches.



The booking of Train No. 22829 will open from Sunday, 21st April, 2013.