ProUI

Kochi: A suburban rail service can become a reality in a mere two years unlike  the high-speed rail corridor and similar projects, but to be feasible it has to cover the whole of the state, strongly feels Mr C. Raju, a former Chief Engineer of Konkan Railways and General Manager,  Rites.“We would need to install Automatic Block Signalling (ABS) every one kilometer on the existing rail line to enable more trains to run on the same track. However, the current section selected  -Thiruvananthapuram-Haripad-Chengannur  - is not ideal as the Shoranur-Ernakulam section is the most congested in the state with six lines from Mangalore and Palakkad merging into two here,” he explains.Raju, who had first raised the demand for a suburban service over a decade ago, suggests the feasibility study should cover all three metropolitan cities of Kozhikode, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram, and not  just the section running upto Chengannur. In his view, going in for ABS technology may prove cost effective. “The cost could be around Rs 25 lakh per km  and not Rs 20 crore as is being suggested. The main expense will be for converting the level crossing into a RoB or subway. This has to be executed  anyway considering  future traffic,” he adds.

G. Kesava Chandran, DMRC Chief Engineer and former General Manager of Rail Vikas Nigam , who is credited with the construction of the Edappally-Vallarpadam bridge, too feels the ABS system will not take much time to execute as it requires no land acquisition.

“The ABS system can be implemented in a year, although much depends on the agency entrusted with the work. Raising the height of platforms to level with the  suburban trains can be done in another year,” he adds.

Reliable, cost-effective rail plan has many takers

K.P. Sethunath

Kozhikode: The Rs 3,000 crore suburban rail proposed  for the Thiruvananthapuram- Chengannur and Thiruvananthapuram-Harippad sections has received a thumbs up from rail passengers' associations, who see it as the most realistic and suitable mass transport system the government has come up with for the state in recent years.

But they feel it should cover the entire state from Parassala to Kasargod as the project is both affordable and easy to execute with no major land acquisition required.

“The cost of Rs 20 crore per km makes the suburban rail system one of the most cost-effective mass transportation proposals  the government  has come up with in the past few years,” said Mohanan Manalil, a senior engineer with the Kerala State Electricity Board in Kozhikode and secretary of the Malabar Rail Users’ Forum.

“Compared with the proposed high speed rail project, which will cost Rs 230 crore per km to execute, the suburban rail project is realistic and feasible. It is the right model for the state which is short of both economic resources and  land,” he added, however, suggesting that besides studying the feasibility of the project for the Thiruvnananthapuram-Chengannur and Harippad sections, the government should consider taking it to other parts of the state too.

“We could broadly classify the state into three geographical areas - Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Malabar - and do feasibility studies for each taking their local needs into account,” he maintained.

C.E. Chakkunni, general convener of the Malabar Rail Users’ Association too believes the government should consider extending the suburban rail to the Malabar and Kochi regions while the work on the Thiruvananthapuram-Chengannur and Harippad sections continues.  

“If an existing double line track can be used for running a suburban system on the stretches selected, this could be done in Kochi and the Malabar as well,” he argued. Pointing out that the doubling of the Shornur-Kannur section was scheduled to be completed in the next one month, he said this could open the door for a feasibility study for a suburban rail system in the Malabar region.

Also, in his view, the project should encourage the state to come out with a holistic transportation policy for the state. “The government currently has no comprehensive policy or vision document covering  transportation by rail, road, water and air for the state, ” he noted.

प्रतापगढ़। स्वच्छता के लिए गठित हुई स्पेशल टास्क फोर्स स्टेशन पर पोस्टर लगाने वालों को नहीं रोक पा रही है। निजी कंपनियां अपने प्रचार-प्रसार के लिए स्टेशन को पोस्टरों से पाट दे रही हैं। यही नहीं लोग जगह-जगह गंदगी फैला रहे हैं लेकिन उन्हें न तो रोका जा रहा है और न ही उन पर कोई कार्रवाई हो रही है।
रेलवे स्टेशन को स्वच्छ रखने के लिए स्पेशल टास्क फोर्स का गठन हुआ है। इसमें स्टेशन अधीक्षक को इंचार्ज बनाया गया है। साथ ही जीआरपी एसओ भूपेंद्र प्रताप सिंह, आरपीएफ इंस्पेक्टर एके धीमान, सीएमआई आरएस चौरसिया सहित कई अधिकारियों को भी इसमें शामिल किया है। इनका काम है कि स्टेशन पर गंदगी फैलाने वाले लोगों को रोकें। इसमें पोस्टर चिपकाना, पान खाकर स्टेशन पर थूकना और खाने पीने की वस्तुओं को फैलाना शामिल है। ऐसे लोगों को दंड देने से लेकर अधिकतम पांच सौ रुपये जुर्माने का भी प्राविधान रखा गया है। एसटीएफ का गठन हुए करीब 15 दिन से अधिक बीत गया है। गठन के तुरंत बाद स्टेशन को साफ कराया गया था। स्टेशन पर लगे पोस्टरों को भी हटवाया गया था। निर्णय लिया गया था कि आगे से इस तरह की हरकत करने वालों को रोका जाएगा। गठन के बाद सभी इस जिम्मेदारी को भूल गए। स्टेशन पर कई निजी कंपनियों ने फिर से पोस्टर चिपका दिया है। यही नहीं लोग जगह-जगह गंदगी भी फैला रहे हैं लेकिन टास्कफोर्स ने इस बारे में एक भी सार्थक कदम नहीं उठाया।
स्टेशन परिसर में निजी कंपनियों द्वारा लगाए पोस्टरों के बारे में जब सीएमआई आरएस चौरसिया से पूछा गया तो उन्होंने कंपनी के नंबरों पर फोन कर तुरंत इसे हटवाने की बात कही। साथ ही कहा कि दोबारा इस तरह की हरकत किए जाने पर एफआईआर दर्ज कराई जाएगी। उधर एसएस केएन शर्मा ने कहा कि अभी काम ज्यादा है। सोमवार से फोर्स स्टेशन पर घूमेगी और इस तरह के कार्यों पर रोक भी लगाएगी।

भागलपुर/ बांका: झारखंड के सरैयाहाट के पास 14 सितंबर को स्थानीय लोगों ने हॉल्ट को लेकर ट्रेन पर पथराव किया. लोगों ने चालक व गार्ड को बंधक बनाया व यात्रियों के साथ अभद्र व्यवहार किया. इस घटना पर डीआरएम ने इस मार्ग पर रेल सेवा रोक दी थी.

At the launch of underground Metro project, Congress leaders flay Gujarat CM's development agenda, promote policies of Centre & state govt.

While addressing the gathering during the foundation laying ceremony of underground Metro in Chandpol on Saturday, the Congress leaders primarily focussed on promoting the schemes and programmes launched by both the Centre and the state government.They also came down heavily on Gujarat’s development and Narendra Modi, the prime ministerial candidate of BJP. A sharp critic of Modi, UDH minister Shanti Dhariwal flayed the ‘development of Gujarat’ calling it a publicity stunt only.“There (Gujarat) are four cities which have three times the population of Jaipur. They spent four years planning to run Metro, but nothing happened. Here, we did the trial run of Metro in just 2.9 years,” said Dhariwal. In his address, Union minister for new and renewable energy Farooq Abdullah laid stress on promoting use of solar energy. In the middle of his speech, he talked about communal harmony and appealed for promoting ‘brotherhood’.“Some forces fight over the religion. All should be treated as equal for the progress of the country,” Abdullah said. The minister did not name any party or group while lambasting the ‘divisive forces’.

CM Ashok Gehlot talked about the schemes and programmes being run by the state government for the welfare of masses.

“Schemes like free medicine and pension are benefitting all sections of the society,” he said. Gehlot also spoke about the economic issues and came down heavily on the BJP-led NDA regime.

“Earlier when I was CM, the NDA was ruling at the Centre. That time, all states were battling economic crisis. Some states were mortgaging their assets and selling properties. The salaries were not paid for six to eight months. But after the UPA came to power and Manmohan Singh became country’s PM, the crisis ended due to his outstanding economy management,” Gehlot said.

In the middle of his speech, the CM also talked about the spiralling inflation. “There is inflation and we are worried. But we, under your (PM) and Sonia Gandhi’s guidance, are leaving no stone unturned in bringing the prices down,” said Gehlot.

टोक्यो। जापान में अब बुलेट ट्रेन से भी तेज रफ्तार की ट्रेन चलाने की तैयारी शुरू हो गई है। वर्ष 2027 में टोक्यो और नागोया के बीच 600 किमी प्रति घंटा की रफ्तार से ट्रेन दौड़ेगी।

पढ़ें: जापान में 500 किमी प्रति घंटे रफ्तार वाली ट्रेन का परीक्षण

क्योदो समाचार एजेंसी के मुताबिक, जापानी रेलवे कंपनी जेआर सेंट्रल ने अपनी मैग्नेटिक ट्रेन सर्विस निर्माण परियोजना मैग्लेव को बुधवार को सार्वजनिक किया जिसकी रफ्तार 600 किमी प्रति घंटा होगी। जेआर सेंट्रल को उम्मीद है कि टोक्यो-नायोगा के बीच के पहले व्यावसायिक रूट का शुभारंभ 2027 में हो जाएगा। ट्रेन के नए मॉडल से यह 286 किमी की दूरी 40 मिनट में तय होगी जिसमें अभी बुलेट ट्रेन से 100 मिनट का समय लगता है। कंपनी 2014 के प्रारंभ में नई लाइन के निर्माण का कार्य शुरू करेगी। मैग्लेव ट्रेन पटरियों के पास लगाए गए विशेष मोटर से उत्पन्न चुंबकीय क्षेत्र पर काम करती है। फिलहाल यह कंपनी देश के चार बड़े शहरों टोक्यो, योकोहामा, ओसाका और नायोगा के बीच सुपर कंडक्टिंग मैग्नेट का इस्तेमाल कर बुलेट ट्रेन संचालित कर रही है।

Railways is mulling installing automatic doors in AC coaches of some premier trains, on the lines of those in Metro, to enhance passengers' safety and check criminal activities on board running trains.      The new system will be controlled by the driver or guard from his cabin and with his command, all the doors will automatically open when train arrives at station, and close when it departs. Currently, train doors are opened and closed manually.      "Train will not move unless all the doors are closed in the automatic door system. The driver and the guard will have command control of the system at their cabins," a senior Railway Ministry official said.      A meeting of the Railway Board was held last week to finalise the proposal for introducing automatic doors system in trains.      "RDSO (Research Design and Standards Organisation) is finalising the specifications for the system to be fitted in a rake of 20 AC coaches in the Rail Coach Factory at Kapurthala as a pilot project," the official said.      However, the official said, "Before equipping the first rake with the system, a non-AC coach in Delhi Division will be made operational with the automatic closing door system for trial purpose."      Several lives have been lost with passengers falling off running trains while standing on foot-board.      According to the official, Allahabad High Court had directed Railways to instal automatic doors in passenger coaches to prevent passengers from falling off running trains.      Railways had appealed to the Supreme Court against the order, but the apex court had upheld the High Court decision.

Railways is planning to instal the automatic door system in all mail and express trains.      "The system is being considered as more safe in long- distance super fast trains to ensure foolproof safety to passengers. Besides, the new system will also help in curbing criminal activities on running trains," the official said.      Besides Metro trains, high speed trains in foreign countries have automatic doors in each coach.      "It has been noticed that passengers travel on foot-board or standing at door while undertaking journey by trains though it is not permitted. So, the proposed system will be effective in checking mishaps and criminal activities on running trains," he said.      As Railways is actively considering to increase speed of passengers trains, the new technology of automatic doors is expected to be installed in all such trains.

At the launch of underground Metro project, Congress leaders flay Gujarat CM's development agenda, promote policies of Centre & state govt.

While addressing the gathering during the foundation laying ceremony of underground Metro in Chandpol on Saturday, the Congress leaders primarily focussed on promoting the schemes and programmes launched by both the Centre and the state government.They also came down heavily on Gujarat’s development and Narendra Modi, the prime ministerial candidate of BJP. A sharp critic of Modi, UDH minister Shanti Dhariwal flayed the ‘development of Gujarat’ calling it a publicity stunt only.“There (Gujarat) are four cities which have three times the population of Jaipur. They spent four years planning to run Metro, but nothing happened. Here, we did the trial run of Metro in just 2.9 years,” said Dhariwal. In his address, Union minister for new and renewable energy Farooq Abdullah laid stress on promoting use of solar energy. In the middle of his speech, he talked about communal harmony and appealed for promoting ‘brotherhood’.“Some forces fight over the religion. All should be treated as equal for the progress of the country,” Abdullah said. The minister did not name any party or group while lambasting the ‘divisive forces’.

CM Ashok Gehlot talked about the schemes and programmes being run by the state government for the welfare of masses.

“Schemes like free medicine and pension are benefitting all sections of the society,” he said. Gehlot also spoke about the economic issues and came down heavily on the BJP-led NDA regime.

“Earlier when I was CM, the NDA was ruling at the Centre. That time, all states were battling economic crisis. Some states were mortgaging their assets and selling properties. The salaries were not paid for six to eight months. But after the UPA came to power and Manmohan Singh became country’s PM, the crisis ended due to his outstanding economy management,” Gehlot said.

In the middle of his speech, the CM also talked about the spiralling inflation. “There is inflation and we are worried. But we, under your (PM) and Sonia Gandhi’s guidance, are leaving no stone unturned in bringing the prices down,” said Gehlot.

Railways is mulling installing automatic doors in AC coaches of some premier trains, on the lines of those in Metro, to enhance passengers' safety and check criminal activities on board running trains.      The new system will be controlled by the driver or guard from his cabin and with his command, all the doors will automatically open when train arrives at station, and close when it departs. Currently, train doors are opened and closed manually.      "Train will not move unless all the doors are closed in the automatic door system. The driver and the guard will have command control of the system at their cabins," a senior Railway Ministry official said.      A meeting of the Railway Board was held last week to finalise the proposal for introducing automatic doors system in trains.      "RDSO (Research Design and Standards Organisation) is finalising the specifications for the system to be fitted in a rake of 20 AC coaches in the Rail Coach Factory at Kapurthala as a pilot project," the official said.      However, the official said, "Before equipping the first rake with the system, a non-AC coach in Delhi Division will be made operational with the automatic closing door system for trial purpose."      Several lives have been lost with passengers falling off running trains while standing on foot-board.      According to the official, Allahabad High Court had directed Railways to instal automatic doors in passenger coaches to prevent passengers from falling off running trains.      Railways had appealed to the Supreme Court against the order, but the apex court had upheld the High Court decision.

Railways is planning to instal the automatic door system in all mail and express trains.      "The system is being considered as more safe in long- distance super fast trains to ensure foolproof safety to passengers. Besides, the new system will also help in curbing criminal activities on running trains," the official said.      Besides Metro trains, high speed trains in foreign countries have automatic doors in each coach.      "It has been noticed that passengers travel on foot-board or standing at door while undertaking journey by trains though it is not permitted. So, the proposed system will be effective in checking mishaps and criminal activities on running trains," he said.      As Railways is actively considering to increase speed of passengers trains, the new technology of automatic doors is expected to be installed in all such trains.

One Coach of Train No.12666 Kanyakumari – Howrah Express Derailed Between Sri Venkateshwarapalem and Kavali Stations on Gudur – Vijayawada Section of Vijayawada Division

There is a derailment of half portion of o­ne coach (ie 4 wheels of  Second Class Luggage Cum Brakevan Coach, next to Train Engine ) of Train  No. 12666 Kanyakumari-Howrah Express at around  02:40 hrs of today ie 22ndSeptember,2013, between Sri Venkateshwarapalem and Kavali Stations o­n Gudur - Vijayawada downline section of Vijayawada Division due to cattle runover.

No casualities / injuries reported to anybody. Medical Relief Train and Accident Relief Trains from Bittragunta  have immediately been rushed to the spot.  Around 25 passengers were found to be  travelling in the affected coach. Soon after the incident , they were adjusted in the other adjacent coaches of the train. The Rear portion of the affected train has been cleared to its rear station Kavali at 05:10 hrs for o­nward journey.

Through running of the trains o­n the Section is not affected as temporary single line working is being introduced till the Downline is cleared of obstruction. However, train Services o­n Gudur- Vijayawada section are likely to be delayed till normal working is restored. Senior Officers from Vijayawada, led by the Divisional Railway Manager / Vijayawada Division, have rushed by a Special train to the spot to monitor the restoration activities.

The following two passenger trains are cancelled due to this incident

1) Train No. 57277 Gudur-Vijayawada Passenger ,scheduled to depart Gudur  at 06: 10 hrs is cancelled.
2) Train No.57241 Bitragunta-Vijayawada Passenger, scheduled to depart Bitragunta at 04 :00 hrs is cancelled.

बरेली। हरिद्वार जा रही इलाहाबाद हरिद्वार एक्सप्रेस गुरुवार सुबह चनहेटी स्टेशन के पास पलटने से बाल बाल बच गई। चालक की सूझबूझ से हादसा टल गया।

पढ़ें: रेल मुख्यालय के निर्देश पर ट्रेनों की तलाशी

इलाहाबाद हरिद्वार एक्सप्रेस के चालक ने जब रेलवे लाइन की चटकी पटरी को देखा तो उसने रेलगाड़ी की गति धीमी कर दी और तुरंत इस बारे में स्टेशन को सूचित किया। इस सूचना के बाद तकनीकी टीम जांच करने में जुट गई। तकनीकी टीम को जांच में नौ इंच पटरी टूटी हुई मिली। पटरी टूटी होने के कारण मुरादाबाद जाने वाली कई ट्रेनें की रूट प्रभावित हो गई। टीम ने ट्रैक की मरम्मत का काम शुरू कर दिया है।