ProUI

Bhilwara (Rajasthan) : Congress Party President and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Sunday laid the foundation stone for a Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) coach factory here today, and said that her party was committed to empowering all sections of society, especially the poor, in India. "The Congress Party is the only party which works for the development of all sections of society; we especially support the poor," Gandhi said."The Congress is continually committed to development and progress in the region, so as to enable the people economically and give them progress and development," she added.Saying that the MEMU project would bring development to the district, Gandhi said that the Congress initiative fell in line with its overall project of enabling the youth of the country."The commencement of the Mainline Electric Multiple Unit project will not only help the district flourish economically, but will also provide an opportunity for employment for the youth," Gandhi said. "The Congress Party is committed to development and progress, and to ensure that everyone in the country is empowered," she added.Earlier today, the Congress President laid the foundation stone of refinery and petro-chemical complex at Pachpadra in Rajasthan's Barmer district.The Union Cabinet on Friday approved setting up of a nine million tonne refinery-cum-petrochemical complex by Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL's) in Barmer.

The proposed refinery will be a subsidiary of HPCL with its equity of 74 percent to be held by HPCL and 26 percent to be held by the Govt. of Rajasthan.

The cost of the project is estimated at Rs. 37,230 crore. The project cost is proposed to be sourced with a detbt/equity ratio of 1.5:1. Total equity component is Rs.14,892 crore and debt is Rs.22,338 crore. HPCL's equity contribution is Rs.11,020 crore at 74 percent equity and Govt. of Rajasthan's equity contribution is Rs.3,872 crore at 26 percent.

M/s. HPCL has signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 14th May, 2013 with Govt. of Rajasthan in this regard. HPCL has subsequently also signed a JV agreement with Govt. of Rajasthan on 11th July, 2013 on these terms for setting up the refinery as a joint venture. The proposed refinery will process 4.5 MMT of Mangala Crude and 4.5 MMT of Arab/other crude(s).

There shall be a direct and indirect economic benefit to the economy of Rajasthan , which shall, besides industrialization, result in substantial increase in income, output, employment and tax earnings of the State. (ANI)

A bogie of Kanyakumari-Howrah Express derailed in the wee hours on Sunday when a cattle herd strayed on railway track near Kavali station.
No injuries or casualties were reported in the incident involving a second class luggage coach carrying around 25 passengers at the time of the incident, according to a South Central Railway (SCR) release.
“Timely response by the railway engine personnel on Sunday averted a possible major mishap when four wheels of the coach of Kanyakumari-Howrah Express (No.12666), next to the engine, derailed between Sri Venkateshwarapalem and Kavali stations on Gudur-Vijayawada down-line section at 2:40 a.m.,” the release said.
The incident occurred when a herd of cattle, strayed on railway track, was mowed down by the speeding train.
“On noticing the herd on track, the driver immediately applied emergency brakes,” the release said.
The train, running at a speed of around 72 kmph at the time of the incident, was deftly brought under control and stopped quickly by the loco pilots within a short distance, according to SCR.
According to the release, four wheels of the coach derailed as they got entangled with the carcass of the cattle.
“Around 25 passengers who were travelling in the affected coach were shifted by the onboard railway staff to adjacent coaches of the train,” the release said, adding that a accident relief train from Bitragunta immediately rushed to the spot.

রুগ্ণ পাটশিল্পকে বাঁচাতে এগিয়ে এল রেল মন্ত্রক।
রেললাইনের দু’ধারের জমিতে ভূমিক্ষয় রোধ করতে চটের চাদর ‘জুট জিও-সিন্থেটিক’ ব্যবহারে সবুজ সঙ্কেত দিল রেল। জলাভূমি রয়েছে এমন এলাকায়, সমতল থেকে উঁচু লাইনের ক্ষেত্রে ভূমিক্ষয়ের ফলে নড়ে যায় দু’ধারের বোল্ডার। এখন তা রুখতে ব্যবহার করা হয় লোহার তারজালি। তার পরিবর্তে ওই পাটজাত চাদর পরীক্ষামূলক ভাবে ব্যবহার করতে চাইছে মন্ত্রক। আগামিকাল ডানকুনি এলাকায় ওই কাজের উদ্বোধন করবেন রেল প্রতিমন্ত্রী অধীর চৌধুরী। পাইলট প্রকল্প হিসাবে বালিঘাট থেকে ডানকুনি ও বালটিকুড়ি থেকে ডানকুনি পর্যন্ত লাইনে ওই নতুন প্রযুক্তি ব্যবহারের সিদ্ধান্ত নিয়েছে রেল। মন্ত্রক জানিয়েছে, পাটের চাদর সস্তা ও পরিবেশবান্ধব। আর রেল তা ব্যবহার করলে রুগ্ণ পাটশিল্পের হাল ফেরানো সম্ভব হবে। ভারত সরকারের জুট কর্পোরেশনের সঙ্গে হাত মিলিয়ে নতুন ওই প্রযুক্তি ব্যবহারের সিদ্ধান্ত নিয়েছে রেল মন্ত্রক। পাট শিল্পকে বাঁচাতে পাট থেকে তৈরি ‘জুট জিওটেক্সটাইলস’ (জেজিটি) বিভিন্ন ক্ষেত্রে ব্যবহারের সিদ্ধান্ত নিয়েছিল বস্ত্র মন্ত্রক। সড়ক নির্মাণ থেকে শুরু করে পাহাড় ও নদী উপকূলে ভূমিক্ষয় রোখার মতো কাজে জেজিটি ব্যবহার করার জন্য সংশ্লিষ্ট সব মন্ত্রকের কাছেই আবেদন জানায় তারা। বস্ত্র মন্ত্রকের বক্তব্য, বাংলাদেশ সফল ভাবে জেজিটি প্রযুক্তি প্রয়োগে সক্ষম হয়েছে। সুতরাং এ দেশেও তা করা সম্ভব। কেন্দ্রীয় গ্রামোন্নয়ন মন্ত্রক সড়ক নির্মাণের ক্ষেত্রে ওই প্রযুক্তি ব্যবহার করে সাফল্য পেয়েছে।
রেল জানিয়েছে, ভূমিক্ষয় রেলের একটি বড় সমস্যা। মন্ত্রকের এক কর্তা জানিয়েছেন, ট্রেন চলার সময়ে রেললাইনের উপর প্রায় ২৫ টন ভার এসে পড়ে। ট্রেনের ওই ওজন সোজা গিয়ে পড়ে জমিতে। এক দিকে নিয়মিত ভাবে ওই চাপ এবং অন্য দিকে জলাভূমি এলাকায় থাকা লাইন সংলগ্ন জমিতে ক্রমাগত জল চুঁইয়ে এসে নিরন্তর ভূমিক্ষয় ঘটিয়ে থাকে। ফলে, অনেক সময়েই স্থানচ্যুত হয় লাইনের দু’ধারের বোল্ডার। বহু জায়গায় লাইন আচমকা বসে গিয়ে দুর্ঘটনার ঘটার মতো পরিস্থিতি সৃষ্টি হয়। রেল কর্তারা জানিয়েছেন, ‘জিও সিন্থেটিক’ ব্যবহার করলে জল চুঁইয়ে আসতে পরে। কিন্তু মাটি ধুয়ে যেতে পারবে না। ফলে ভূমিক্ষয় অনেক কম হবে। লাইন মেরামতির সংখ্যা আগের চেয়ে এক-চতুর্থাংশ কমে যাবে। তা ছাড়া বর্তমানে তারজালি ব্যবহার করে বোল্ডার ধরে রাখতে যে খরচ হয়, পাটের ব্যবহারে তা অর্ধেকে নেমে আসবে বলেই মনে করছে মন্ত্রক।
ডানকুনি প্রকল্প সাফল্য পেলে গোটা দেশেই জেজিটি প্রযুক্তি ব্যবহারের সিদ্ধান্ত নিয়েছে মন্ত্রক। এর ফলে রুগ্ণ হয়ে পড়া পাটশিল্পও নতুন করে ঘুরে দাঁড়াতে পারবে বলে মনে করছেন সংশ্লিষ্ট সকলেই।
আগামিকাল ডানকুনিতে ওই নতুন প্রযুক্তির উদ্বোধন করার পাশাপাশি ওই এলাকায় নির্মীয়মাণ দু’টি রেল কারখানাও ঘুরে দেখবেন অধীরবাবু।

चंडीगढ़ रेलवे स्टेशन का आधुनिकीकरण जिस तेजी से चलाया जा रहा था, अब उसमें सुस्ती देखी जा रही है। रेलवे बजट से पहले चंडीगढ़ रेलवे स्टेशन को विश्व स्तर का बनाए जाने के लिए काफी प्रयास किया जा रहा था। चंडीगढ़ रेलवे स्टेशन पर काफी काम आरंभ किया गया था परंतु अब भी विश्वस्तर का बनने के लिए काफी कुछ करना है। स्टेशन पर प्रगति के कार्यो में प्लेटफार्म पर पेड शौचालय बनाने, यात्रियों के लिए टैक्सी की व्यवस्था करने, कार पार्किग स्थल को बड़ा बनाने के अलावा सुंदरीकरण किया जाना है। इसके साथ ही स्टेशन पर एलीवेटर, पेय एंड जूस की दुकानें, प्लेटफार्म बढ़ाया जाने आदि कार्यो के संबंध में विस्तार से सभी अधिकारियों से चर्चा की गई, पेश हैं उसके अंश :-
जीरकपुर में स्टेशन बनने का सपना लटका
दो वर्षो के अथक प्रयास के बाद रेलवे प्रशासन ने आखिरकार राजपुरा एवं चंडीगढ़ रेलवे स्टेशन वाया जीरकपुर के बीच सर्वे तेजी से चलाया जा रहा है। आरंभिक चरणों में इन दोनों स्टेशनों के बीच चार रेलवे स्टेशनों की चर्चा की जा रही है, इनमें एक स्टेशन जीरकपुर भी होने की संभावना है।
कई प्रोजेक्टों पर काम लटका
कई प्रोजेक्टों पर काम लटक गया है इनमें अमृतसर-लालकुआं एक्सप्रेस (साप्ताहिक) वाया चंडीगढ़ ट्रेन, इंदौर-चंडीगढ़ एक्सप्रेस (साप्ताहिक) वाया देवास, उज्जैन, गुना, ग्वालियर तथा हजरत निजामुद्दीन शामिल हैं, हालांकि दो ट्रेनों की चलाने की घोषणा की गई है। इनमें पहली ऊना-नंगल डैम हजूर साहिब नांदेड़ एक्सप्रेस वाया आनंदपुर साहिब-मोरिंडा-चंडीगढ़, अंबाला (साप्ताहिक) और दूसरी कालका-शिरडी ट्रेन, सप्ताह में दो दिन, कालका-कटरा एक्सप्रेस सप्ताह में दो दिन चलाई जानी थी।
प्लेटफार्म नंबर छह का काम अधर में
स्टेशन पर पंचकूला की ओर एक प्लेटफार्म बनाने की योजना है। इस पर काम तो आरंभ किया गया था जैसे पंचकूला की ओर की जो ट्रैक था उसे सीधा किया गया। प्लेटफार्म के लिए स्थान बनाया गया, परंतु अब इस काम में देरी हो रही है।
स्टेशन पर डिस्पेंसरी की सुविधा नहीं
चंडीगढ़ रेलवे डिस्पेंसरी में तीन दिनों के लिए डाक्टर अंबाला से आया करेंगे।
कुलियों को आराम करने की जगह नहीं
चंडीगढ़ स्टेशन पर कुलियों के लिए आराम करने की जगह नहीं है। कई वर्षो से मांग रही है कि कुलियों को आराम करने के लिए एक कमरा होना चाहिए। स्टेशन पर जो एक कमरा था उसे भी तोड़ दिया गया। चंडीगढ़ स्टेशन के 34 कुलियों के प्रधान सावर खान का कहना था कि हम लोगों की स्थिति काफी खराब है। सुविधा के नाम पर कोई व्यवस्था नहीं है।
विकलांगों के लिए कोई सुविधा नही
प्लेटफार्म नंबर एक से अन्य प्लेटफार्म पर रोगियों व विकलांगों को ले जाने का लिए अच्छी व्यवस्था नहीं है। यदि किसी रोगी को अन्य प्लेटफार्म पर ट्रेन पकड़नी हो तो उसे वहां जाने के लिए काफी दिक्कतों का सामना करना पड़ता है।
टिकट आरक्षण केंद्र हैं कम
रेलवे स्टेशन पर स्थित कंप्यूटरीकृत टिकट आरक्षण केंद्र काउंटरों में से केवल तीन को ही चलाया जा रहा है, इससे यात्रियों को काफी कठिनाइयों का समना करना पड़ता है। टिकट आरक्षण केंद्र में केवल तीन काउंटरों पर ही यात्रियों को दी जा रही है। हालांकि यहां भीड़ को देखते हुए तीन टिकट काउंटर कम पड़ रहे हैं। इसी समस्या के समाधान के लिए रेलवे प्रशासन ने कंप्यूटरीकृत टिकट आरक्षण केंद्र का विस्तार करने का फैसला लिया था पर इस पर काम नहीं किया जा रहा है। चंडीगढ़ रेलवे स्टेशन के मुख्य द्वार पर तीन और पंचकूला की ओर एक ही आरक्षण काउंटर है, लेकिन ये चार काउंटर भी यात्रियों को कम पड़ रहे हैं। यात्रियों की ओर से कई बार इस बावत मांग भी की गई है, लेकिन रेलवे प्रशासन इस पर ध्यान ही नहीं दे रहा है। प्रस्ताव तो तीन के स्थान पर सात काउंटर खोलने का था, लेकिन इस पर कोई काम ही नहीं किया जा रहा है।
विकास के कार्य समय पर ही होंगे पूरे : स्टेशन अधीक्षक
इस संबंध में पूछे जाने पर रेलवे स्टेशन अधीक्षक प्रवीण कुमार का मानना है कि कई काम अपनी रफ्तार से चलाए जा रहे हैं। जैसे जैसे बजट आता है वैसे वैसे काम बढ़ाए जा रहे हैं। उन्होंने बताया कि समय के साथ ही सभी काम पूरे किए जाएंगे।
सुरक्षा पर रखा जाता है विशेष ध्यान : विजेंद्र सिंह
रेलवे सुरक्षा बल (आरपीएफ) के पोस्ट कमांडर विजेंद्र सिंह का मानना है कि स्टेशन पर यात्रियों की सुरक्षा पर ध्यान दिया जाता है। इसके लिए स्टेशन से जुड़े लोगों जैसे कि वेंडरों व टैक्सी ड्राइवरों को नशाखुरानी गिरोह के खिलाफ जागरूक किया जाता है। सुरक्षा के लिहाज से कई विषयों पर ध्यान दिया जाता है, इनमें नशाखुरानी से बचाने के लिए यात्रियों को जागरूक किया जाना, प्रतिदिन ट्रेनों की जांच करना आदि शामिल हैं।

Coach Factory at Sonia’s constituency proving to be White Elephant for Railways
LUCKNOW: The.2500 Crore Rail Coach Factory in Sonia Gandhi’s constituency Rae Bareli is proving to be a white elephant for railways. Even after three years of production, the factory has only two shells (the empty coach without the bogey and interiors) to call its own.

Railway ministry has sanctioned Rs.650 crore to the Rail Coach Factory (RCF) in 2013-14. But, so far the factory has rolled out only two shells and 25 assembled coaches. There has been no production since June when 12-odd coaches were assembled.

The main reason cited for limping production is Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala, decision to back off from its commitment to supply raw material to Rae Bareli factory in the initial years. “The target was to produce 150 coaches this year but not more than 25 coaches have been rolled out,” said sources.

Even after three years, the factory has not become self-reliant in procuring raw material and rolling out coaches, entirely manufactured on its premises. “RCF Kapurthala says it’s time Rae Bareli factory starts its own production. They have to float tenders to procure raw material to us as well,” added sources. But, Rae Bareli factory is still lagging behind despite several assurances from the railway ministry to fast-track the project.

The project has also been hit by split management. The factory is managed through three offices headquarters at Delhi, local office in Lucknow and the small set up at Lalganj in Rae Bareli.

The factory was set up to bridge the gap between the demand and supply of coaches. It was to roll out 1,000 LHB coaches every year. But major chunk of the factory’s budget sanctioned by railway ministry goes in paying salary to its 40 officers and about 1,100 staff.

Besides, Rs 12 to 13 lakh extra is spent on the transportation of raw material like seats, wheels, paints, bathroom fittings and other accessories during every consignment. “The raw material is to be provided as and when required. However, for past two months we are not getting it,” said sources.

Rae Bareli factory has to manufacture only LHB coaches. Railways incurs about Rs 2.73 crore in manufacturing a single AC-3 tier LHB coach and Rs 2.63 crore for an AC-2 tier LHB coach. LHB is a light weight coach based on German technology that improves the speed of a train. It is the latest requirement of Indian Railway.

Three years after it started production, only 113-odd coaches have been assembled at Rae Braeli. The factory has not made a single coach indigenously so far. It rolled out 18 coaches in 2011-12 and 70 in 2012-13.

Initially, the project was delayed due to political apathy as the railway ministry was headed by Mamata Banerjee. The factory was not given more than Rs 100 crore as annual budget then, said sources. The factory has failed to meet its production deadline several times after inauguration in 2007.

Things improved when Pawan Bansal took over as the railway minister. A big sum was sanctioned to the factory in this year’s rail budget.

The factory’s administrative block has to be shifted to Rae Bareli by next month. But, that seems unlikely given the sluggish pace of work.

What ails Rae Bareli rail coach factory?
* Factory has failed to get self-reliant over the past three years
* RCF Kapurthala is showing disinterest in providing raw material
* Factory is managed through three offices in Delhi, Lucknow and Rae Bareli
* Everyday management of the factory is getting affected due to split offices
* Ancillary units have not started
* 1000-strong staff are underemployed at factory
* Major portion of annual budget of the factory goes in paying salaries

Bhilwara (Rajasthan) : Congress Party President and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Sunday laid the foundation stone for a Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) coach factory here today, and said that her party was committed to empowering all sections of society, especially the poor, in India. "The Congress Party is the only party which works for the development of all sections of society; we especially support the poor," Gandhi said."The Congress is continually committed to development and progress in the region, so as to enable the people economically and give them progress and development," she added.Saying that the MEMU project would bring development to the district, Gandhi said that the Congress initiative fell in line with its overall project of enabling the youth of the country."The commencement of the Mainline Electric Multiple Unit project will not only help the district flourish economically, but will also provide an opportunity for employment for the youth," Gandhi said. "The Congress Party is committed to development and progress, and to ensure that everyone in the country is empowered," she added.Earlier today, the Congress President laid the foundation stone of refinery and petro-chemical complex at Pachpadra in Rajasthan's Barmer district.The Union Cabinet on Friday approved setting up of a nine million tonne refinery-cum-petrochemical complex by Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL's) in Barmer.

The proposed refinery will be a subsidiary of HPCL with its equity of 74 percent to be held by HPCL and 26 percent to be held by the Govt. of Rajasthan.

The cost of the project is estimated at Rs. 37,230 crore. The project cost is proposed to be sourced with a detbt/equity ratio of 1.5:1. Total equity component is Rs.14,892 crore and debt is Rs.22,338 crore. HPCL's equity contribution is Rs.11,020 crore at 74 percent equity and Govt. of Rajasthan's equity contribution is Rs.3,872 crore at 26 percent.

M/s. HPCL has signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 14th May, 2013 with Govt. of Rajasthan in this regard. HPCL has subsequently also signed a JV agreement with Govt. of Rajasthan on 11th July, 2013 on these terms for setting up the refinery as a joint venture. The proposed refinery will process 4.5 MMT of Mangala Crude and 4.5 MMT of Arab/other crude(s).

There shall be a direct and indirect economic benefit to the economy of Rajasthan , which shall, besides industrialization, result in substantial increase in income, output, employment and tax earnings of the State. (ANI)

Coimbatore Railway Struggle Committee has appealed to the Salem Divisional Railway Manager Sujatha Jayaraj to represent to the Railway Board for a commercial stop for the Coimbatore – Rajkot – Coimbatore Express at Mantralayam Road.In a representation, the committee’s office-bearers G.K. Nagaraj and R. Raveendran said Train Number 16613 from Rajkot to Coimbatore leaves Rajkot on Sunday at 5 a.m. and reaches Coimbatore on Tuesdays at 2 a.m.En route, the train stops at Mantralayam Road from 7.57 a.m. to 8.12 a.m. and is treated as a technical stop. Being a technical stop, commuters cannot book tickets from Mantralayam Road.In the opposite direction, Train Number 16614 leaves Coimbatore on Thursdays at 11.45 p.m. and reaches Rajkot on Saturdays at 5 p.m.

The train passes through Mantralayam around 2.30 p.m. on Fridays.

But there is no technical halt for the train at Mantralayam Road.

Devotees of Sri Raghavendra from this region and travelling to Mantralayam Road have two daily trains connections. Train Number 16832 from Kanyakumari to Mumbai Chatrapathi Shivaji Terminal and Train Number 11014 Coimbatore – Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Kurla Express. If the Coimbatore – Rajkot – Coimbatore Express trains are given a two-minute commercial stoppage, it will benefit hundreds of devotees. Rail activist S. Ravi wanted Railways to consider routing this train via Bangalore to provide additional train connectivity for Coimbatore.


Devotees of Sri Raghavendra travelling to Mantralayam Road have two daily trains connections

COIMBATORE: Pointing out that rerouting trains via Coimbatore junction involves additional running time, railway authorities have said it would not be possible to reroute 8 trains via the city junction in the near future. Southern railway general manager Rakesh Misra, in a written reply to the demands represented by Coimbatore MP P R Natarajan, has said that trains running via Coimbatore take an additional 28 minutes compared to Irugur-Podhanur-Irugur section. "Efforts are being taken to improve running speed by infrastructure improvements," he said, adding that rerouting more trains via Coimbatore will be possible only after this.Expressing displeasure over the manner in which the railway authorities find ways to postpone rerouting trains, P R Natarajan said that this was contrary to the assurances given by them earlier. "There is no valid reason for Kerala bound trains to skip Coimbatore junction as easy dispatch of trains from Podhanur to Coimbatore has now been enhanced," he said. According to him, with the Podhanur-Coimbatore double line and North Coimbatore-Irugur double line in operation and the revamping of Podhanur yard, the demands should have been met with immediately.

Coimbatore MP had represented the demands of this region to the southern railway general manager during a meeting held on September 20. Presently, 11 daily, 18 weekly, 3 biweekly and another 3 tri-weekly trains run via Coimbatore. Rakesh Misra replied in the negative to a demand for introduction of overnight trains between Coimbatore-Chennai in a communication, a copy of which is available with TOI. "Line capacity over Coimbatore-Katpadi section is highly saturated," he said, adding that line capacity utilisation is 111% between Katpadi-Jolarpettai, 120% between Jolarpettai-Erode and 117% between Erode-Coimbatore.

Demand for extending Palakakad-Trivandrum Amrita express to Coimbatore was also not well received as the official said that the section between Palakkad and Podanur is also highly saturated with the line capacity utilisation being 118%. "Consultative committees of Salem and Palakkad divisions need to examine and forward the proposal to the railway board," he added.

NASHIK: Central Railway (CR) authorities have initiated work related to the forthcoming Kumbh Mela. Tenders worth Rs.1.76 crore for the extension and widening of the foot overbridge (FoB) at the Mumbai-end of Nashik Road railway station were floated by the railway on September 10.

The Central Railways has proposed a Rs 45-crore development plan for Nashik Road railway station, including acquisition of land ‘reserved for railway and allied activities’ by the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC). In the priority plan of Rs.25 crore, only important works, like construction and extension of the FoB and construction of temporary and permanent structures for passenger amenities were included.

The district administration has said that the Maharashtra government would be sharing fifty per cent of the costs of work included in the priority plan of the railways. The CR, however, is yet to receive any confirmation from the state government about such fund sharing, a senior CR official told on Saturday.

The extension of the FoB at Nashik Road station will enable commuters to cross the railway tracks from the city-end and reach the area where a new platform (number 4) is expected to come up.

The present FoB at the Nashik Road station stretches from platform number 1 (PF-1) to 2 (PF-2) and only at the Mumbai-end. Commuters wanting to cross over have to cross the third track, which handles all train traffic towards Mumbai. The demand for the facility at this point had been long pending, especially for commuters going towards the Sinnar-Phata. The extended FoB will be of great assistance to commuters, who could take the stairs from just outside PF-1 (towards Nashik city) and directly cross all tracks to land at PF-4 (to be constructed soon), which will be developed as an entry point from the Sinnar-Phata side.

“The width of the new FoB will be 4.88 meters, as against the existing FoB of 3.66 meter. The new FoB will also be connected with the existing FoB and will have staircases that will land on PF-2 andPF-3,” the CR official said. The facility will boost the movement of passengers at Nashik Road station, he said.

Central Railway officials said that the state government is yet to send any communication about funds for the Kumbh Mela or sharing fifty per cent of the costs required to develop infrastructural facilities for the event. With no confirmation of the funds, no work has been taken up by the CR so far.

“There is no need for any additional infrastructure by the railways at Nashik Road to handle the current load of the traffic. At the most, the FoB is required, and hence we have taken it on a priority basis,” the railway official said. He specified that the railways was carrying out the job from its own funds and will expedite the work if the state government consented to the sharing of funds.

LUCKNOW: Due to beginning of metro construction from Amausi airport to Alambagh in the first phase, the metro cell has begun the ground work of formalities. The chairman of metro cell and housing secretary, Rajiv Agarwal recently held a meeting with officials from Lucknow Development Authority, Nagar Nigam, Jal Sansthan, Jal Nigam, Public Works Department, LESA, BSNL and other concerned departments and instructed them to do mapping of all underground services like telephone, electricity cables and sewer, water pipelines from Amausi to Alambagh area.The top officials of these departments would have to visit the spot and identify various underground services like sewer lines, telephone cable, electricity wires, drains, nullah, roads, street lights falling within the metro route. They would also have to identify new places where the existent services need to be shifted as soon as the metro work begins. The officials have bene instructed to submit the report in the next 15 days to the metro cell.Agarwal said, "We have been getting a lot of cooperation and encouragement from various government departments on the metro rail project. The DMRC would very soon submit the detailed design of metro route after which we would begin construction of metro. It should start off by December in all likelihood."

Notably, LESA has already begun the survey of underground cable wires for the North-South corridor. They have informed about the status of survey to the metro cell. They also confirmed they would submit the report very soon. nagar Nigam is also expected to begin its work in a day or two.

As per estimation, around 690 plants, 661 street lights posts, 75 traffic light poles, 661 telephone poles, 740 electricity poles, 115 electricity junction boxes, 98 transformers and 13478.65 metre long gas pipeline exist in the metro route of North-South corridor which is to be covered in the first phase.

Apart from these, around 61 religious institutions and 39 educational and medical institutions fall within 30 metre range of the proposed N-S corridor (in 23 kms) In East-West corridor, 28 religious institutes and 17 educational institutions are falling within the same range.