ProUI

It will end isolation of Kashmir Valley at winter and usher in growth in the region, says Manmohan

Waving a green flag, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi scripted a red letter day on Wednesday, launching a rail project to connect Kashmir with Jammu and the rest of the country.First, they inaugurated the newly constructed station at Banihal, the last one in Jammu, and then the 11.215-km Pir Panjal tunnel, before boarding the train they themselves flagged off.They travelled through the country’s longest transport tunnel, which links the valley to Jammu and opens up a new horizon of development in the State, ending its isolation from the rest of the country at winter.They enjoyed the 12-minute ride to Qazigund with 100 students, mostly girls, of the Banihal Higher Secondary School, and made the 17.8-km ride back to Banihal, passing through the tunnel, the second longest in Asia. Those who accompanied them were Governor N.N. Vohra, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge and Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad.

Dr. Singh and Ms. Gandhi interacted with the students and assured them of a prosperous future.

Hailing the Banihal-Qazigund section, which IRCON International executed at a cost of Rs.1,672 crore, as an engineering marvel, Dr. Singh said its importance was far greater as it would end the isolation of the valley at winter and speed up people-to-people contact across the country, besides boosting tourism. The rail link would make Jammu and Kashmir an integral part of the country’s development, he said, highlighting the scope for more growth in trade in commodities among various regions.

Dr. Singh asked the Railways to complete the Katra-Banihal section at the earliest so that the people and the region could be better linked to the rail network nationwide.

The Katra-Banihal section, comprising the highest bridge across the Chenab river, is considered the toughest portion of the Jammu-Srinagar-Baramulla link. It is expected to be completed by December 2017.

The Chief Minister exuded confidence that the return of UPA III would ensure the completion of the remaining section of Banihal to Katra and the whole rail link project.

Describing the rail project as part of the United Progressive Alliance’s efforts at developing the State, Dr. Singh said 34 of the 67 projects announced in 2004 had so far been executed. He said Rs.7,215 crore had been sanctioned for completing the rest. A sum of Rs.1,000 crore had been allocated for skills development and employment generation for the State’s youth.

Ms. Gandhi said the linking of the Jammu region to the Kashmir Valley was the fulfilment of a dream that seemed impossible. The project was a matter of pride because the Railways had to overcome several challenges. It would usher in a new era of development and boost handicraft and tourism and create jobs for youth and an opportunity for the people living on the edge, especially women, to change their lifestyle.

Roads and highways were also being developed, with priority for rural roads, she said.

Mr. Abdullah said the project would change the lives of the people by boosting trade and tourism. It would not only connect the two regions of the State but also the hearts of the people.

The first train connecting the Kashmir valley with the southern Jammu region has begun its journey in Indian-administered Kashmir.The newly-built 18km (11-mile) stretch connects Banihal in Jammu with Qazigund in the valley.However, Banihal is yet to be connected to India's huge railway network.Officials say that is likely to happen in 2017 when the Banihal station will be linked with Udhampur, 121km (75 miles) away.The ambitious train project aims to link the region with India's vast railway network, easing travel between Srinagar and the rest of the country.It also aims to provide an all-weather surface link between Srinagar and Jammu region where the present road link frequently gets cut in bad weather.The new stretch is added to the 118km (73-mile) train line that already runs through the valley, connecting Baramullah in the north with Qazigund in the south.

Multi-million dollar tunnel

The train link will eventually connect all of Jammu and Kashmir with India's vast rail network The train was flagged off by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Congress party chief Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday.

For the launch, the station at Banihal was decorated with flowers and garlands, and an eight-coach train, carrying schoolchildren and officials, travelled to Qazigund in 25 minutes.

The train passes through an 11km multi-million dollar tunnel which cuts through the Pir Panjal mountain range.

On Tuesday, PM Singh and Mrs Gandhi laid the foundation of a power project in Kishtwar.

Separatists observed a two-day strike to coincide with their visit, saying the Kashmir dispute could not be resolved by economic grants and infrastructure projects.

On the eve of the prime minister's two-day visit to the disputed territory, militants killed eight soldiers in the deadliest such attack there in five years.

Kashmir, claimed by both India and Pakistan, has seen an armed insurgency against Indian rule since 1989.

In recent years violence has abated from its peak in the 1990s, but the causes of the insurgency are still far from resolved.

After a lull in violence for a few years, militant activity has risen in recent weeks, with busy marketplaces often targeted.

Two policemen were shot and killed by militants in Srinagar over the weekend.

The PM said the products of the Kashmir Valley would reach the rest of India through this railway link as will products from the rest of the country to the valley.


Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Wednesday that the new rail tunnel linking the troubled Kashmir Valley and Jammu region will help develop Jammu and Kashmir.Addressing hundreds in Urdu in Banihal, Jammu region, after inaugurating the rail link, Manmohan Singh said, “Today, we are dedicating a marvellous and wonderful feat of engineering crafted across the Himalayas."He added, “Despite difficult geographical conditions and adverse weather, this longest tunnel in the country has been completed within seven years."This is not just an engineering marvel, but an all weather link between the valley and the rest of Jammu and Kashmir.

"This will usher in a new era in the development of the state, providing welfare and employment to the people here."

The prime minister said the products of the Kashmir Valley, including handicrafts and fruits, would reach the rest of India through this railway link as will products from the rest of the country to the valley.

The rail bridge between Udhampur and Banihal would be the highest railway bridge in the world.

He said the rail tunnel was a part of his UPA government's commitment to develop Jammu and Kashmir.

He said the state had got in recent times 14 new colleges, nine ITIs and five India Reserve Police battalions, providing employment to locals.

“I want to assure the people of Jammu and Kashmir that (my) government will extend all possible support for the development of the people here."

As he spoke in Urdu, Manmohan Singh struck a chord with the people at the rally. He was cheered each time he spoke about ushering development in the state.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi told the rally that the “hardships faced by the people of the state during the winter months are now a thing of the past.

"Today’s inauguration of the all weather link between Jammu and the valley is a part of the UPA’s commitment to the peace and progress of the people here."

Gandhi said the National Conference-Congress government in the state had done commendable work in the last five years.

"The people in Kashmir are fed up with violence. They want peace and development.

"The large turnout of people during the Panchayat elections in the state is a proof of the people’s desire for peace and development.

“I know very well that painful incidents happen here occasionally, but our democracy has enough scope to sort out issues through dialogue and negotiations."

Manmohan Singh and Gandhi will fly to Udhampur army base on their way to New Delhi.

Jammu: Indian Railways added another feather in its cap with the historic milestone of connecting Kashmir valley with the Jammu region. The  Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh dedicated the newly constructed railway line between Banihal (Jammu region)-Qazigund (Kashmir valley) section to the nation  by flagging off  the first DEMU train from Banihal through the Pir Panjal tunnel- the longest transportation tunnel of India, from Banihal Railway station in Jammu & Kashmir today.  Chairperson, UPA, Smt. Sonia Gandhi,  Governor of J&K, Shri N.N. Vohra,  Minister for Railways, Shri Mallikarjun Kharge, Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Shri Ghulam Nagi Azad Chief Minister of  J&K, Shri Omar Abdullah,  and Dy. Speaker, Vidhansabha, J&K, Shri Sartaj Madani were also present on the occasion. Ircon International Ltd., a PSU under the Ministry of Railways, has been the principal executing agency for Northern Railway to execute the work of Dharam-Qazigund Section of USBRL Project which includes Banihal-Qazigund section and Pir Panjal Tunnel.The Kashmir Valley railway ( Qazigund-Baramulla section) is a 119 km long modern railway line that became completely operational in October 2009. So far it is an island railway, not yet connected to the Indian Railway network. It connects Baramula in the western part of Kashmir to Qazigund at the other end of the Valley, via Srinagar. With today’s dedication of this challenging project to the nation, the extension of this railway line beyond the Pir Panjal Mountains in to the Jammu region has been achieved with trains running on the new railway section of Qazigund-Banihal. The 17.7 km long rail link paves way for the future railway connectivity of Kashmir region with the national railway network.  

On 28th December, 2012, the first trial run train was operated on this section of Qazigund-Banihal which is 17.7 kms long, of this 6.5 km is on cutting and embankment including bridges. This section mostly consists of a 11.2 km long, Tunnel T-80 which pierces through the Pir Panjal range, providing a direct rail connection between the Kashmir Valley and Jammu region.  About 11,78,500 cubic meters of earthwork in cutting and filling has been done. The maximum depth of cutting on this section is 15.20 meters and maximum height of embankment is 16.70 meters. 39 bridges have also been constructed in this section which include two major bridges, 30 minor bridges and 7  Road Over Bridges/Road Under Bridges. The total expenditure of Rs. 1691.00 cr. has been incurred by the railways to complete this section.   Tunnel T-80 has been provided the State of the Art systems with CCTV cameras at every 62. 5 m, linear fire detection system, fire fighting system with fire hydrants at every 125 m, emergency telephone with communication to control room at every 250 m, fire extinguishers and fire alarm at every 250 m, air quality monitoring system at every 500 m, escape route signs to guide the shortest escape route in emergency at every 50 m, emergency lighting and normal lighting and public address system. A 3.0 m wide road along the track for rescue and maintenance purpose has been constructed with a 772.0 m long escape tunnel to provide additional escape route.  Tunnel ventilation system has been  provided which consists of 25 fans along the tunnel, installed in the ceiling of tunnel in groups of 5 each.   Falling in difficult and mountainous terrain, the State of Jammu & Kashmir has always been a challenge to transportation providers. Other factors which increase the difficulty in providing modes of mass transportation is that the area is geologically unstable, prone to tremors and earthquakes, with deep gorges alternating steep between rocky mountains. For any construction activity, the weather is quite inclement too. Long months of incessant rains and heavy snow can put life on hold for many. But there is a positive fall out of this difficulty too. The residents of these areas have evolved fine traditions in handicrafts in the periods of being home bound and have made established themselves as the finest craftsmen in the world.

Northern Railway has worked in these circumstances and has created the most modern railway line in the Kashmir Valley which provides economical, all weather connectivity. This is something the residents appreciate, especially when other facilities grind to a halt in deep snow. While building this railway line, Northern Railway did not only have to cope with the difficult terrain, geology and the weather. Since it was found to be imperative to complete this railway line at the earliest, construction was started simultaneously at different sites and as the stretch in the Kashmir valley rail link was completed before the rail link which would connect it to the remaining Indian Railway network, all rolling stock and other equipments required for construction and running of trains was transported by road and reassembled once it had reached there. But the result is gratifying.

On commissioning of this section, the first rail link will be established between the Jammu Region and Kashmir Valley providing all weather connectivity with significantly reduced travel time through the Pir Panjal mountains. This will be an alternative connection between the two regions for the Jawahar Tunnel too, which is often snow bound during the winter months. With this section the distance between Banihal-Qazigund section has been reduced to 17.7 kms by railway line instead of 35 kms long road length.

With the completion of this section the Kashmir Valley has come a step closer to being connected to the remaining Indian Railway network, signifying the dedication and resolution of Northern Railway in providing rail connectivity to the farthest corners in its jurisdiction.

The Prime Minister also travelled in the train from Banihal to Qazigund along with a group of school children. (Full text of PM’s speech is available on the PIB website i.e. pib.nic.in)

Also on the occasion, the UPA Chairperson, Smt. Sonia Gandhi released a book titled “Pir-Panjal Railway Tunnel – a dream Realized” compiled by project team to commemorate the completion of this engineering marvel which gives an insider perspective to the challenging task of construction of Pir-Panjal Railway Tunnel through mighty Himalayas.

Local representatives of people also attended the function. Chairman, Railway Board, Shri Vinay Mittal, Member Engineering Railway Board,  Shri Subodh Jain. General Manager Northern Railway Shri V.K.Gupta, CMD IRCON, Shri Mohan Tiwari were among those present on the occasion.

राज्यात पावसाने दोन दिवसांपूर्वी घातलेल्या थैमानातून कोकण रेल्वे मार्ग तूर्त तरी सुटला असून ही रेल्वे सुरळीत आणि सुरक्षित धावत आहे. या मार्गावर दरडी कोसळण्याची भीती अधिक असल्याने कोकण रेल्वेने पावसाळ्यापूर्वी केलेल्या विविध उपाययोजनांमुळे आतापर्यंत एकही दरड कोसळण्याची घटना न घडल्याने प्रशासनाने सुटकेचा नि:श्वास सोडला आहे. यापूर्वी २०१० ला १५ ठिकाणी दरड कोसळल्या होत्या. त्यानंतर हळूहळू हे प्रमाण कमी झाले. त्यामुळे २०११-११ व २०१२-५ ठिकाणी दरड कोसळल्याची नोंद आहे. त्यानंतर कोकण रेल्वेने शॉर्टक्रीटींग (दरडीच्या ठिकाणी सिमेंट क्रॉक्रिटचा लेप देणे) रॉकबोल्टींग ( मोठय़ा खडकांना एकमेकात घट्ट जुळवून ठेवणे) मायक्रो पायलिंग (माती घसणार नाही यासाठी तिची एकसंध बांधणी करणे) गॅबियन पध्दतीची जाळी, दरडीच्या ठिकाणी पायऱ्यांचा उतार, रेल्वे मार्गालगचे पावसाळी नाले रुंदीकरण, दरड कोसळण्याच्या ठिकाणी प्रवाशांना उतरण्यास लागणाऱ्या पायऱ्या, अशा अनेक उपाययोजना केलेल्या आहेत. त्यामुळे कोकण रेल्वे सुरळीत धावत आहे. यात रोहा ते वीर दरम्यान रेल्वेचा ताशी किलोमीटर वेग ९० ठेवण्यात आला आहे. त्यानंतर तो कमी करुन ७५ किमी आहे. एखाद्या ठिकाणी पाऊसाचा जोर वाढल्याचे दिसल्यास मोटरमनला हा वेग ४० किमी पर्यंत कमी करण्याची मुभा देण्यात आली आहे.

The first train connecting the Kashmir valley with the southern Jammu region has begun its journey in Indian-administered Kashmir.The newly-built 18km (11-mile) stretch connects Banihal in Jammu with Qazigund in the valley.However, Banihal is yet to be connected to India's huge railway network.Officials say that is likely to happen in 2017 when the Banihal station will be linked with Udhampur, 121km (75 miles) away.The ambitious train project aims to link the region with India's vast railway network, easing travel between Srinagar and the rest of the country.It also aims to provide an all-weather surface link between Srinagar and Jammu region where the present road link frequently gets cut in bad weather.The new stretch is added to the 118km (73-mile) train line that already runs through the valley, connecting Baramullah in the north with Qazigund in the south.

Multi-million dollar tunnel

The train link will eventually connect all of Jammu and Kashmir with India's vast rail network The train was flagged off by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Congress party chief Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday.

For the launch, the station at Banihal was decorated with flowers and garlands, and an eight-coach train, carrying schoolchildren and officials, travelled to Qazigund in 25 minutes.

The train passes through an 11km multi-million dollar tunnel which cuts through the Pir Panjal mountain range.

On Tuesday, PM Singh and Mrs Gandhi laid the foundation of a power project in Kishtwar.

Separatists observed a two-day strike to coincide with their visit, saying the Kashmir dispute could not be resolved by economic grants and infrastructure projects.

On the eve of the prime minister's two-day visit to the disputed territory, militants killed eight soldiers in the deadliest such attack there in five years.

Kashmir, claimed by both India and Pakistan, has seen an armed insurgency against Indian rule since 1989.

In recent years violence has abated from its peak in the 1990s, but the causes of the insurgency are still far from resolved.

After a lull in violence for a few years, militant activity has risen in recent weeks, with busy marketplaces often targeted.

Two policemen were shot and killed by militants in Srinagar over the weekend.

തിരുവനന്തപുരത്തു നിന്ന് മുംബൈയിലേക്ക് വരികയായിരുന്ന നേത്രാവതിയില്‍ പാളത്തിലേക്ക് തള്ളിനിന്ന പാറതട്ടി കൊങ്കണ്‍ പാതയില്‍ ഗതാഗതം മുടങ്ങി. ചൊവ്വാഴ്ച കാലത്ത് പത്തു മണിയോടെ അഡാവ്‌ലിയയ്ക്കും വിലാവ്‌ഡെയ്ക്കും ഇടയിലായിരുന്നു സംഭവം. വണ്ടിയുടെ എന്‍ജിനില്‍ തട്ടിയ പാറ പിന്നീട് പിന്നിലുള്ള അഞ്ചു ബോഗികളിലും ഉരഞ്ഞു നിന്നു. സംഭവത്തില്‍ ആര്‍ക്കും പരിക്കില്ലെന്ന് റെയില്‍വേ അറിയിച്ചു. പുറത്ത് മഴ പെയ്യുന്നതിനാല്‍ വാതില്‍പ്പടിയില്‍ യാത്രക്കാര്‍ ഇല്ലാതിരുന്നതിനാലാണ് അപകടം ഒഴിവായതെന്ന് രത്‌നഗിരിയിലെ റെയില്‍വേ പ്രൊട്ടക്ഷന്‍ ഫോഴ്‌സ് ഉദ്യോഗസ്ഥര്‍ പറഞ്ഞു.

ഈ പ്രദേശത്ത് പാറ പാളത്തിലേക്ക് വീഴാതിരിക്കാന്‍ കമ്പിവലയിട്ടിരുന്നു. കനത്ത മഴയില്‍ നിലം പതിച്ച പാറയുടെ ഒരു ഭാഗം പാളത്തിലേക്ക് നീണ്ടു കിടന്നു. നേത്രാവതിയുടെ എന്‍ജിനില്‍ തട്ടിയ പാറ പുറകിലുള്ള ജനറല്‍, എ.സി. കമ്പാര്‍ട്ടുമെന്റുകളിലും ഉരഞ്ഞു. മൂന്നു മണിക്കൂര്‍ പണിപ്പെട്ട് പാറ നീക്കിയശേഷമാണ് വണ്ടി മുംബൈയ്ക്കു തിരിച്ചത്. ഇതുമൂലം ദാദര്‍-മഡ്ഗാവ് ജനശതാബ്ദി എക്‌സ്​പ്രസ്സ്, ഗോവ-നിസാമുദ്ദീന്‍ സമ്പര്‍ക്കക്രാന്തി തുടങ്ങി നിരവധി വണ്ടികള്‍ വൈകി.

'നേത്രാവതിയുടെ വലതു ഭാഗത്താണ് പാറ ഉരഞ്ഞത്. വണ്ടിയുടെ വാതില്‍ക്കല്‍ ആരെങ്കിലും നിന്നിരുന്നെങ്കില്‍ തീര്‍ച്ചയായും അപകടം പറ്റിയേനെ. അഞ്ചു ബോഗികളുടെ വാതില്‍ പടികള്‍ ചതഞ്ഞിട്ടുണ്ട്. ലോക്കോ പൈലറ്റ് പെട്ടെന്ന് വണ്ടി നിര്‍ത്തിയത് ഭാഗ്യമായി -'ഒരു ആര്‍.പി.എഫ്. ഉദ്യോഗസ്ഥന്‍ പറഞ്ഞു.

जबलपुर. कोटा से आए नवागत वरिष्ठ वाणिज्य प्रबंधक ने अचानक स्टेशन पहुँच कर गुप्त रूप से स्टेशन पर स्थित प्रतीक्षालय, वेटिंग रूम, आरक्षण केन्द्र, कैंटीन सहित टिकिट विंडो, पार्सल कार्यालय का निरीक्षण किया. इस दौरान उन्हें कई खामियाँ नजर आई लेकिन उन्होंने इसकी भनक किसी को नहीं लगने दी और फिर दोबारा स्टेशन पहुँच स्टेशन प्रबंधन से जुड़े कर्मियों की क्लास लेते हुए जमकर फटकार लगाई.

उल्लेखनीय है कि नवागत सीनियर वाणिज्य प्रबंधक इस वक्त स्टेशन स्थित रिटायरिंग रूम में ठहरें हैं. बुधवार की सुबह नवागत सीनियर डीसीएम राजेश शर्मा स्टेशन का निरीक्षण करने आने की ख़बर स्टेशन प्रबंधन को लगी. उसके बाद प्रबंधन से जुड़े लोग व्यवस्था दुरुस्त करने में जुट गए. उन्हें यह नहीं मालूम था कि साहब पहले ही व्यवस्था देख कर चले गए हैं. जब साहब पहुँचे तब अधिकारी सोचे की साहब बेहतर व्यवस्था देख खुश होंगे लेकिन उन्होंने एक-एक की क्लास लेते फटकार लगाते हुए व्यवस्था सुधारने हिदायत दी और कहा कि दोबारा लापरवाही नजर आई तो कड़ी कार्रवाई की जायेगी. इस दौरान उन्होंने चेकिंग स्टाफ को भी फटकार लगाते हुए रेल राजस्व बढ़ाने के सख्त निर्देश दिए.

After a long time, the railway portfolio has come to a minister from the south.  The last South Indian to hold the portfolio was C K Jaffer Sherieff from 1991 to 1995. Then for a brief period, it was Suresh Kalmadi - a Kannadiga settled in Maharashtra - who held independent charge of the portfolio. Since then it has remained in the east with Ram Vilas Paswan, Nitish Kumar, Lalu Prasad (all from Bihar), Mamata Banerjee, Dinesh Trivedi and Mukul Roy (all from West Bengal)  holding the portfolio from 1996 to 2012. In the past nine months, it  was held by C P Joshi and Pawan Bansal for brief periods.

Now Mallikarjuna Kharge of Karnataka  would run the railways in the final year of the UPA government.  However there have been ministers of state from southern states, but they had limited operational powers under dominating railway ministers.

All the southern states have been complaining of neglect by the railways, as the ministry was long held by ministers from north and eastern India. Yet some of the southern stalwarts who held the portfolio have done good work.  Kengal Hanumanthaiah initiated the proposal of linking Kashmir to Kanyakumari in the 1970s. His dream has become a reality four decades later with the completion of the railway tunnel under Pir Panjal mountain range which separates Kashmir valley from rest of the country. However one small stretch remains in Jammu which when completed will allow a train to run from Kanyakumari to Srinagar from next year. Jaffer Sherieff came up with the One Gauge project where he gave a push to conversion of meter and narrow gauge tracks into broad gauge. There are some stretches left. Another railway minister from south, though elected from Bihar, was George Fernandes whose dream project was Konkan railways.

Kharge is frank that he has a limited window to take up such mega projects.  The railway budget for the current year has already been approved by the parliament, and there is little scope to announce new projects.

Unlike railways, the southern states have had ministers holding road transport and shipping portfolios more often. Now road transport has been given to Oscar Fernandes, who has promised to clear up the mega road projects which have been stuck due to lack of bidding contractors. Fernandes has got cabinet approval for road building companies to sell their stakes midway through project time and he hopes there will be more liquidity. During UPA1, this portfolio, along with shipping, was held by DMK's T R Baalu, whose obsession was the Sethusamudram project, subject to litigation and agitation. Now shipping is with G K Vasan of Congress under whose watch the Vallarpadom project got completed. 

With three key transport infrastructure ministries with Congress politicians from the south, it would be interesting to see if Kerala and other southern states pitch for more funds for their projects. There are Congress chief ministers in Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.


Tailpiece:  Congress is bargaining hard with Jharkand Mukti Morcha to support a JMM-led government in the state, which is under President's rule now. Congress wants JMM to cede at least seven of the 14 Lok Sabha seats for the 2014 general elections, apart from having a deputy chief minister from the Congress. While RJD would be part of government in Jharkand, in neighbouring Bihar, Congress is supporting RJD's rival Janata Dal (united).

नवी मुंबईतील १६ रेल्वे स्थानकांची डागडुजी करायची कुणी यावरून गेली अनेक वर्षे वाद सुरू असून सिडकोने आता या स्थानकांची दुरुस्ती करण्याचा निर्णय घेतला आहे. नवी मुंबईतील सर्व रेल्वे स्थानकांचे दायित्व सिडकोकडे असताना सिडको या स्थानकांकडे दुर्लक्ष करीत असल्याचा प्रवाशांचा आरोप आहे. काही दिवसांपूर्वी बेलापूर रेल्वे स्थानकात प्रवाशांनी उत्स्फूर्त रेल रोको आंदोलन केल्यानंतर सिडकोला आपल्या या मालमत्तेची डागडुजी करण्याची आठवण झाली आहे.
जून १९९३ रोजी नवी मुंबईतील पहिली रेल्वे सेवा मानखुर्द ते वाशी अशी सुरू झाली. ही सेवा सुरू करण्यात सिडकोचा सिंहाचा वाटा असून सिडकोने या प्रकल्पासाठी ६७ टक्के खर्च केला आहे. एखाद्या शासकीय महामंडळाने रेल्वे सेवा सुरू करण्यासाठी इतका मोठा खर्च करण्याची देशातील ही पहिली घटना आहे. त्यानंतर सिडकोने दिलेल्या आर्थिक सहकार्यावर नवी मुंबईतील रेल्वे सेवेचे जाळे पूर्ण झाले आहे. नऊ वर्षांपूर्वी ठाणे-तुर्भे रेल्वे सेवा सुरू होऊन हा त्रिकोण पूर्ण झाला. रेल्वे स्थानकावरच व्यावसायिक संकुल उभारून सिडको या प्रकल्पावर झालेला खर्च काढण्याच्या तयारीत होती, मात्र ही योजना फोल ठरली. त्यामुळे ठाणे-तुर्भे रेल्वे मार्गावर अशा व्यावसायिक संकुलांना फाटा देण्यात आला. नवी मुंबईतील रेल्वे सेवेत अध्र्यापेक्षा जास्त हिस्सा असताना सिडको प्रशासन मात्र रेल्वे स्थानकांकडे दुर्लक्ष करीत असल्याचे चित्र आहे. रेल्वे स्थानकातील गैरसोयींची तक्रार सिडकोकडे नेल्यास तेथील अधिकारी रेल्वे प्रशासनाकडे बोट दाखवीत तर रेल्वेकडे हा पाढा वाचल्यास रेल्वे प्रशासन सिडकोकडे प्रवाशांना पाठवीत होते. त्यामुळे या स्थानकांतील समस्या दिवसेंदिवस वाढू लागल्या होत्या. पावसाळ्यात तर स्थानकात पाण्याचा धबधबा तयार होत असल्याचे दृश्य ऐरोली, कोपरखैरणे, तुर्भे या स्थानकांत दिसून येत होते. जगातील अनेक रेल्वे स्थानकांचे संकल्पचित्र नजरेसमोर ठेवून कोटय़वधी रुपये खर्च करून बांधण्यात आलेल्या या स्थानकातील लाद्या गायब होण्याच्या घटना घडत आहेत. येथील सुरक्षारक्षक नावाला असून त्यांची या रेल्वे स्थानकातील भुरटय़ा चोरांबरोबर युती असल्याचे चित्र आहे. अस्वच्छता तर या स्थानकांच्या पाचवीला पूजलेली असून २५ कामगारांऐवजी पाच कामगार कामाला लावून कंत्राटदार २० कामगारांचा मलिदा खात आहेत. जुईनगर रेल्वे स्थानकात तर दिवसाढवळ्या वेश्याव्यवसाय करणाऱ्या महिला फिरत असल्याचे दृश्य आहे. इंडिकेटरांचा पत्ता नाही तर बसायचे बाक तुटले आहेत. फेरीवाल्यांनी सुरक्षारक्षकांना हाताशी धरून आपला धंदा जोरात सुरू केला आहे. तिकीट खिडक्यांच्या नावाने बोंबाबोंब आहे. अशा अनेक समस्यांचा पाढा खासदार संजीव नाईक यांनी सिडकोचे व्यवस्थापकीय संचालक संजय भाटिया यांच्या समोर सोमवारी वाचला. त्या वेळी आपल्याच मालमत्तेची कशी वाट लागत असल्याची जाणीव भाटिया यांना सर्वप्रथम झाली. या वेळी प्रवाशी महासंघाचे अध्यक्ष दिनेश पारेख, सिडकोचे सर्व अधिकारी उपस्थित होते. लवकरात लवकर ही डागडुजी हाती घेतली जाईल, असे आश्वासन भाटिया यांनी या वेळी दिले.
ठाणे-तुर्भे रेल्वे मार्गावर दिघा व बोनकोडे येथे आणखी दोन स्थानके हवीत, अशी मागणी खासदार नाईक यांनी भाटिया यांच्याकडे केली. त्या वेळी सिडको स्थानके बांधून देण्यास तयार आहे पण त्यात पालिकेनेही काही आर्थिक भार उचलावा, अशी अपेक्षा व्यक्त करून पालिकेची सत्ता हाती असणाऱ्या नाईक यांच्या कोर्टात चेंडू सरकावला.