ProUI

Top officials of the Himachal Pradesh Government and the Railway Ministry will meet here on Saturday to discuss modalities for execution of various railways projects in Himachal Pradesh.

This meeting has been organised after Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh met Railways Minister Mallikarjun Kharge over the issue.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Secretary S.Roy and Railway Board Chairman Arunendra Kumar will lead their respective sides at the talks to discuss the strengthening of the railway network in the state.

Chief Minister Singh said his government is ready to bear 25 percent of the total cost of the Bilaspur- Bhanupalli-Beri broad guage railway line and also offered free govt land for railway alignments .

He also offered to share the construction cost for a new railway line connecting Baddi, keeping in view the upcoming industrial and commercial complexes in the Baddi-Barotiwala -Nalagarh areas.

He requested Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge to provide adequate budgetary provision for timely completion of the Nangal-Talwara broad gauge railway line.

He informed that so far only 44-kilomters of the railway track has been constructed from Nangal to Amb-Andaura during during last 33 years .

He told that out of the total 83.74 kilometers of this railway track, 62 kilomters falls Himachal Pradesh.

He requested the railway ministry to fix a time limit for the construction of this railway line and to provide adequate budget for early completion of the survey on the Ghanaulli-Baddi-Kala Amb-Paonta Sahib-Dehradun broad guage railway line and all other railway lines.

BOKARO: In a bid to facilitate better security and safety to passengers, the South Eastern Railway is installing closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance system at Bokaro Railway Station under Adra Railway Division.Work of CCTV installation has already started and the facility will probably be operational after Diwali. The CCTVs will be set up at platforms and circulating area of the railway station. Assistant security commissioner of Adra railway division, Kamal Singh said CCTV surveillance system is being installed at Bokaro station under Integrated Security System (ISS) of railway.This will help security men in keeping vigil on the activities at station and provide security to passengers. "As many as 25 CCTV cameras will be put in place at different points at Bokaro Railway Station. The installation process has begun and probably will end in two months' time," said Singh.Though Bokaro Railway Station which is counted among 'A' category stations has low crime rate in comparison to other big stations, CCTV will give a boost to security measures at station premises. The hi-tech cameras have good resolution and can clearly capture the activities of passengers and other visitors.

Of the CCTV cameras, two movable ones are being installed at entry point (facing the parking lot) to keep a tab on the activities outside the terminals and the same will be extended to the corridor of Passenger Reservation System (PRS) to keep check on touts and other unauthorized people, said Singh.

Installation of cameras will also help in curbing trafficking apart from controlling petty crimes at the station. The CCTV footage can be viewed from the control room coming up near the parcel office of the station and it will be manned by security personnel round the clock.

The gadget is capable of recording and storing footage digitally for future analysis. Singh said apart from Bokaro, two other stations Adra and Purulia are also being equipped with CCTV cameras.

Bokaro railway station is the only major station under Adra Railway Division in Jharkhand. It is known to be the highest revenue earner in this division. Around 10,000 passengers commute via this station every day and about 37 trains pass through.

First impression is the last impression is an inspiring old proverb but seems the authorities at holy city's junction Railway station have no interest to get inspired from this proverb as the station has become a spot of shame. The station might have been given a heritage look some years ago but it simply proves futile when basic things are missing.It is a welcoming spot for travelers in city that not only presents an ugly reality of administration here but makes the arrival a painful one. The moment one steps out of the train, the unhygienic platform is the first shock. Lacking the primary sanitation at every platform, without even one identifiable clean spot corridor, ground and walls covered with litter and nooks marked with filth narrate the sad story of sanitation system here.Outside the station building, are unlimited beggars who go on to chase till they get something from the tired travelers. At the same time, the way auto drivers surround around any traveler offers a whimsical scene to any traveler. And finally, if any tourist wants to visit the tourist office, there are no directions for him or her to follow. Most footpaths are covered with filth or encroached by beggars. And if we throw light on public toilets here, it is again a nightmare. If anyone plans to use the over bridge to cross the GT Road outside the station, it also speaks volumes about the responsibility of authorities here.

There is no option also for a hygienic meal. One has to depend upon the poor options available. Jaspal Singh Sokhi, from Amritsar says" Being a father my concern for kids come first and many times i have found the eatable packs expired and even with expiry date removed from pack. The food from stalls is unhygienic and no one bothers to check it."

Recent case of molestation at the station of a Danish tourist has put a big question mark for security at the station. The station also hosts the culture of pick pockets and teasing in which foreign tourists are always targeted and HT team brought this into the notice of the Dharminder Kalyan, SHO and security in charge at the station. He said, "We do our best but we lack strength and we can't do anything about it as recruitment is a Ministry's decision and long formal procedure." Unfortunately, RPF consisting only twelve constables in all for place which hosts thousands at one time raises mammoth sized questions.

Adding to troubles of travelers, less number of ticket windows makes them wait for hours in front of ticket window. It consumes precious time of travelers, and even make one miss the train maintains Kaya a student and regular traveler.

With only five platforms, trains are kept waiting before Amritsar junction to manage the traffic which consumes valued time of passengers. It is also working as opportunity to unchecked, bill-less couriers and loadings to off board the train.

Speak out

Deepinder Pal Singh, regular traveler on Amritsar Delhi route says," It's regrettable to see the difference between metro railway station and the ordinary. Metro has given example what the railway system should be. All it need is attention on the part of government. Our railway makes me feel like one from undeveloped world, what a pity!!"

Raghunath Singh a daily traveler, employee in government irrigation department, holds," Seating arrangements are not enough and no arrangements of enough fans. These are the basics facilities available at every place but here even these are not provided."

Karan Singh ,government employee shares," My purse was taken while boarding on the train.In the crowd I could not notice, but later on found that someone had cut my pocket. We see such incidents happen daily, as I am a daily traveler."

Dharminder Kalyan, SHO, security in-charge Railway Station says" We do our best  but we lack strength and we can't do anything about it as recruitment is a Ministry's decision and long formal procedure."

Jaspal Singh Sokhi, from Amritsar says, "Eateries at the station must be regularly checked by health department and cleanliness at the station is a must".

PUNE: The Pune division of Central Railway registered an increase in passenger fare earnings in first five months (April to August) of the current year as against earnings registered last year in the same period.An official from the Pune division said the earnings increased by 6 per cent. In five months ended on August 2013 the division registered earnings of Rs. 230.77 crore, as against last year's earnings of Rs.217.14 crore, an increase of Rs.13.63 crore.Prominent stations like Pune, Khadki, Kolhapur, Satara, Miraj and Chinchwad fall under the Pune division which always witness rush of passengers, said an official. The administration has undertaken steps to increase passenger amenities at stations on Pune-Lonavla and Pune-Kolhapur tracks, he said.The official said that parking slots for visitors have been started recently at the Shivajinagar and Chinchwad stations. One additional parking slot is proposed at the Pune station to benefit daily commuters and people who come to the station to see of friends and relatives.The officials said that the administration has initiated ticket checking drive at prominent stations. Action is being taken against illegal travel which included ticketless travel in trains, entering railway stations without valid tickets and unbooked luggage. More than 5,000 cases have been booked by the administration pertaining to illegal travel in last five months in Pune division.

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today asked protesters to withdraw road and rail blockades immediately, otherwise the government will be compelled to take appropriate steps."The Government cannot remain a passive spectator to the series of road and rail blockades which have caused great inconvenience to the people and put a spanner in the wheels of development," Gogoi said in a statement issued here today."We cannot allow the situation to deteriorate further. The rail and road blockades have caused great miseries and hardships to the people and affected the economy. Such agitations are detrimental to the state's march towards the path of development and we cannot allow this to continue," the chief minister asserted.Various agitating groups and organisations have been for the last few months resorting to road and rail blockades without prior warning in support of their demands or in protest against incidents, arrest of local people, road accidents.

मथुरा: आर्थिक मंदी से जूझ रही रेलवे ने पूरा ध्यान टिकटों की बिक्री बढ़ाने पर लगा दिया है। छोटे-छोटे स्टेशनों को भी चेक किया जा रहा है जहां कभी-कभी चेकिंग होती है। चेकिंग अभियान के निर्देश जोन से मिले हैं। मंडल स्तर पर इसकी समीक्षा की जा रही है। शुक्रवार को भी मथुरा-अलवर सैक्शन में चेकिंग अभियान चलाया गया।
रेलवे में टिकट बिक्री में आयी गिरावट से रेलवे प्रशासन में हलचल मची हुई है। रेलवे सूत्रों की मानें तो टिकटों की बिक्री में लगभग 10-15 प्रतिशत की कमी आई है। इन टिकटों की बिक्री बढ़ाने को रेलवे द्वारा सघन चेकिंग अभियान शुरू किया गया है ताकि यात्री टिकट खरीद कर यात्रा कर सकें। यह अभियान उन स्टेशनों पर चल रहा है जहां कभी-कभी चेकिंग की जाती थी। मथुरा-अलवर लाइन पर पड़ने वाले स्टेशन, भैंसा आदि छोटी-छोटी दूरी के स्टेशनों पर भी चेकिंग अभियान चलाया जा रहा है। शुक्रवार को टीम ने मथुरा-अलवर लाइन पर चेकिंग अभियान चलाया और 78 यात्री बिना टिकट यात्रा करते हत्थे चढ़े। इनसे 20 हजार 665 रुपया जुर्माना वसूल किया गया।
इस अभियान के माध्यम से रेलवे बिना यात्रा टिकट करने वाले यात्रियों पर अंकुश लगाना चाहती है। जिन स्टेशनों पर चेकिंग का डर नहीं रहता है वहां यात्री बिना डर के ट्रेन में यात्रा करता है। अलवर,अछनेरा आदि लाइन पर चेकिंग अभियान शुरू होने से लगातार बिना टिकट यात्रा करने वाले यात्री भी पकड़ में आ रहे हैं।

The newly appointed General Manager of Central Railway B Khare inspected LTT yesterday for almost two hours, with his team of officers from MMRDA September 13, 2013 MUMBAI Shashank Rao

They also paid a visit to Kurla station, and suggested several changes. Here are some of them

Escalator, travelator Sources in CR say that finances for the travelator, pegged at around Rs 60 crore, is a problem. The authorities are thinking of asking the MMRDA to fund it entirely or partly. Plans are also in place to have escalators at Kurla LTT connecting to the foot over bridge (FOB).

Seating, shifting Also on the cards are improvements in the seating arrangements at the main hall. A partition inside the AC dormitory will also be built for privacy of passengers. All facilities still at the old building are expected to be shifted.

Platforms The authorities will also revive platforms six and seven at the Kurla LTT near the railway yard. The authorities will eventually dismantle the tracks and platforms, which extend all the way to the old building.

New waiting lounge Waiting passengers can be seen squatting on the floor outside the ticket booking counters and sleeping there at night. The stairs are also broken. Khare has asked CR authorities to dismantle the old ticket counter building completely. “We are looking at building a huge waiting lounge for passengers with proper arrangements,” said a CR official.

Levelling the road Entering the railway terminus is a task in itself, with the pothole-ridden road, haphazardly parked auto and taxi stands creating problems for passengers. The road outside the old terminus block from where trains depart is also uneven and full of craters. The railways have decided to level this road completely, and will widen the one going towards Tilak Nagar station from LTT. 

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In its continuing efforts to enhance access to its popular e-ticket portal, Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation Ltd. (IRCTC), a Public Sector undertaking of the Ministry of Railways, has launched a new application (App) for Windows Phone and Windows 8 devices so as to facilitate the users with a new channel of booking e-tickets in addition to the existing portal. This new IRCTC-App, which has been launched in collaboration with Microsoft, provides ANYTIME, ANYWHERE access to IRCTC services.

With this alternative channel of booking, the passengers will have an additional convenience and better experience of booking e-ticket. 

Mr. Rakesh Tandon, CMD, IRCTC along with Mr. Joseph Landes, General Manager – Developer and Platform Evangelism, Microsoft Corporation launched the new app for the general public at a function held here today. 

The app has been made available exclusively for Windows devices. The users of Windows Phone, Windows 8 Desktop/Tab can download, completely free this application as per their requirement from the Windows Phone Store and Windows Store respectively.. 

Using this new app one can plan a trip, make railway reservations, check the PNR status and perform all the tasks already available on the IRCTC web site. It will be available throughout the day excepting 0800 – 1200 hrs and 2330 – 0030 hrs as per the existing Railway guidelines. 

The App will provide the users an enhanced experience of all IRCTC website services and will in fact offer a few exclusive services to the App users. The new and exciting features for the App-users will include Visual maps of train routes, Windows Phone live tiles (lighting up as train tickets) and access to saved traveler profiles from multiple devices are just a few to mention. 

This application will help a wide number of users as Windows is a widely familiar platform. It offers the best in class, security required while handling personal and financial data of customers. The move meets the objective of IRCTC among others to focus relentlessly on enhancing customer experience.

The newly appointed General Manager of Central Railway B Khare inspected LTT yesterday for almost two hours, with his team of officers from MMRDA September 13, 2013 MUMBAI Shashank Rao

They also paid a visit to Kurla station, and suggested several changes. Here are some of them

Escalator, travelator Sources in CR say that finances for the travelator, pegged at around Rs 60 crore, is a problem. The authorities are thinking of asking the MMRDA to fund it entirely or partly. Plans are also in place to have escalators at Kurla LTT connecting to the foot over bridge (FOB).

Seating, shifting Also on the cards are improvements in the seating arrangements at the main hall. A partition inside the AC dormitory will also be built for privacy of passengers. All facilities still at the old building are expected to be shifted.

Platforms The authorities will also revive platforms six and seven at the Kurla LTT near the railway yard. The authorities will eventually dismantle the tracks and platforms, which extend all the way to the old building.

New waiting lounge Waiting passengers can be seen squatting on the floor outside the ticket booking counters and sleeping there at night. The stairs are also broken. Khare has asked CR authorities to dismantle the old ticket counter building completely. “We are looking at building a huge waiting lounge for passengers with proper arrangements,” said a CR official.

Levelling the road Entering the railway terminus is a task in itself, with the pothole-ridden road, haphazardly parked auto and taxi stands creating problems for passengers. The road outside the old terminus block from where trains depart is also uneven and full of craters. The railways have decided to level this road completely, and will widen the one going towards Tilak Nagar station from LTT. 

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Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who is on a three-day visit to China to take part in the World Economic Forum (WEF), met Hakubun Shimomura, Japan’s Minister for Education and Science and Technology, and discussed the possibility of seeking Japan’s support for setting up a high speed rail network and infrastructure corridors in Karnataka. — Special Correspondent