ProUI

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.

होशियारपुर को टांडा और ऊना रेल मार्ग से जोड़ने के लिए सर्वे के बाद मंजूरी के लिए राष्ट्रीय योजना आयोग के पास भेज दिया गया है। यह जानकारी केंद्रीय स्वास्थ्य राज्यमंत्री संतोष चौधरी ने दी। वह रविवार को होशियारपुर रेलवे स्टेशन का मुआयना करने के बाद त्रकारों से बातचीत कर रही थीं। वह यहां दो अक्टूबर को होशियारपुर-दिल्ली रेल सेवा शुरू करने की तैयारी का जायजा लेने के लिए आई थीं।
चौधरी ने निरीक्षण के दौरान फिरोजपुर मंडल के डीआरएम एनसी गोयल को कहा कि रेलवे स्टेशन पर यात्रियों की सुविधा के लिए बैठने और शौचालय आदि का प्रबंध करने के अलावा महिलाओं के विश्राम घर में कुर्सियों का प्रबंध करने को कहा। उन्होंने कहा कि सफाई का विशेष ध्यान रखा जाए। उन्होंने स्टेशन सुपरिंटेडेंट विद्या सागर को हिदायत की कि यात्रियों की सुविधा को देखते हुए एक और टिकट काउंटर खोलने का प्रयास करें। उन्होंने बताया कि होशियारपुर रेलवे स्टेशन से पहले जालंधर के लिए ही लोकल ट्रेन चलाई जा रही थी। इस बाद होशियारपुर से फिरोजपुर व अमृतसर के लिए सीधी रेल चलाई गई और अब दो अक्टूबर को होशियारपुर से दिल्ली रेल सुविधा शुरू की जा रही है। सोनालिका ग्रुप के एमडी दीपक मित्तल के नेतृत्व में चलाए जा रहे क्लीन एंड ग्रीन के इंचार्ज एसके पोंबरा ने बताया कि वन विभाग व नगर परिषद के सहयोग से रेलवे स्टेशन के पार्क व सफाई अभियान चलाया जाएगा और इसको हरा भरा बनाने के लिए पौधे लगाए जाएंगे।
इस मौके पर रेल विभाग के डिवीजन सेक्शनल इंजीनियर अशोक शर्मा, सहायक डिवीजन सेक्शनल इंजीनियर दिनेश कुमार शर्मा, सोनालिका के वाइस प्रेजीडेंट राकेश अग्रवाल, पूर्व विधायक चौधरी राम लुभाया, सोनी चौधरी, ओंकार सिंह मेजर, ब्रह्मशंकर जिंपा, कृष्णा सैनी, ठेकेदार महिंदर पाल, दलजीत सिंह खरदेहड़, रोहित खुल्लर, गुरइकबाल सिंह बोदल, विमल कुमार व चरनजीत सिंह भी मौजूद थे।

Sevagram Ashram Trust has organised a string of events today(Monday) to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi’s arrival at Wardha railway station, which led to the foundation of Sevagram ashram 80 years ago.Gandhi had arrived from Bombay (now Mumbai) to Sewagram by the Bombay-Howrah Mail and alighted at Wardha railway station on September 23, 1933. The Mahatma renamed the village, previously known as Shegaon, as Sevagram. The Sewagram Ashram will felicitate driver and guard of 12809 Mumbai-Howrah Mail (via Nagpur) which arrives at Wardha at 9:25 AM with Khadi garments and by presenting mementos of Gandhi at the railway station, organisers said.Gandhi had visited the residence of freedom fighter and industrialist Jamnalal Bajaj, and stayed at his place for two months, according to Sevagram Ashram chairman Jaywant Matkar.PTI

Smt. Sonia Gandhi, Hon'ble Chairperson, United Progressive Alliance laid the foundation stone of Mainline Electrical Multiple Unit (MEMU) Coach Factory at near Rupaheli Station, Bhilwara District, Rajasthan.

Shri Mallikarjun Kharge, Hon'ble Minister for Railways, Government of India, Shri Ashok Gehlot, Hon'ble Chief Minister, Government of Rajasthan, Dr. C. P. Joshi, former Railway Minister and Hon'ble Member of Parliament, Loksabha (Bhilwara) were present. Shri Arunendra Kumar, Chairman, Railway Board, Shri Kul Bhushan, Member Electrical, Railway Board, Shri B. Prasada Rao, Chairman & Managing Director, BHEL, Shri R.C. Agrawal, General Manager, North Western Railway along with Head of Departments and other Hon'ble members of civil society also graced the occasion.

MEMU Coach Factory has been approved in the Rail Budget 2013-14 at an estimated cost of Rs. 800 crore. This factory is a joint effort of Indian Railways, Government of Rajasthan and BHEL. MOU between Ministry of Railways and BHEL was signed for setting up for this factory on 25.02.2013. MOU between Ministry of Railways and Government of Rajasthan for providing 518 acres of land free of cost for setting up for this factory was signed on 21.09.2013.

Once operational, this factory will meet the demand of MEMU Coaches on Indian Railways to a large extent. Besides, it will generate direct and indirect employment & give thrust to area development. With establishment of the factory Bhilwara will now have a new identity that of MEMU Coach Factory, besides being a textile city.

Entire cost of this factory will be incurred by BHEL. Presently the only source manufacturing of the MEMU coaches is Rail Coach Factory (RCF), Kapurthala of Indian Railways, which has been manufacturing about 112 coaches per year. The new factory in Bhilwara will further facilitate the supply of additional MEMU coaches required by Indian Railways.

MEMU trains are very popular in non suburban sections. These trains are usually used by local commuters to commute from nearby rural areas and small towns to bigger cities for work. They have higher carrying capacity. MEMU trains ensure a better and economical mode of transport for people to commute daily for the livelihood. These trains are more powerful and have faster acceleration and deceleration as compared to conventional trains. This results in less running time resulting in saving of 30 percent in energy consumption. These trains are equipped with toilet and are vestibuled for greater passenger comfort.

Hon’ble Minister for Railways, Shri Mallikarjun Kharge expressed special gratitude and thanked Smt. Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson, United Progressive Alliance, for having the graced this occasion.

Shri Kharge also appreciated the efforts of Shri Ashok Gehlot, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Rajasthan Government, Shri Praful Patel, Hon'ble Industries and Public Enterprises Minister and Dr. C.P. Joshi, former Railway Minister and Member Parliament (Bhilwara), in setting of MEMU coach factory in Bhilwara district, Rajasthan.

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.

Smt. Sonia Gandhi, Hon'ble Chairperson, United Progressive Alliance laid the foundation stone of Mainline Electrical Multiple Unit (MEMU) Coach Factory at near Rupaheli Station, Bhilwara District, Rajasthan.

Shri Mallikarjun Kharge, Hon'ble Minister for Railways, Government of India, Shri Ashok Gehlot, Hon'ble Chief Minister, Government of Rajasthan, Dr. C. P. Joshi, former Railway Minister and Hon'ble Member of Parliament, Loksabha (Bhilwara) were present. Shri Arunendra Kumar, Chairman, Railway Board, Shri Kul Bhushan, Member Electrical, Railway Board, Shri B. Prasada Rao, Chairman & Managing Director, BHEL, Shri R.C. Agrawal, General Manager, North Western Railway along with Head of Departments and other Hon'ble members of civil society also graced the occasion.

MEMU Coach Factory has been approved in the Rail Budget 2013-14 at an estimated cost of Rs. 800 crore. This factory is a joint effort of Indian Railways, Government of Rajasthan and BHEL. MOU between Ministry of Railways and BHEL was signed for setting up for this factory on 25.02.2013. MOU between Ministry of Railways and Government of Rajasthan for providing 518 acres of land free of cost for setting up for this factory was signed on 21.09.2013.

Once operational, this factory will meet the demand of MEMU Coaches on Indian Railways to a large extent. Besides, it will generate direct and indirect employment & give thrust to area development. With establishment of the factory Bhilwara will now have a new identity that of MEMU Coach Factory, besides being a textile city.

Entire cost of this factory will be incurred by BHEL. Presently the only source manufacturing of the MEMU coaches is Rail Coach Factory (RCF), Kapurthala of Indian Railways, which has been manufacturing about 112 coaches per year. The new factory in Bhilwara will further facilitate the supply of additional MEMU coaches required by Indian Railways.

MEMU trains are very popular in non suburban sections. These trains are usually used by local commuters to commute from nearby rural areas and small towns to bigger cities for work. They have higher carrying capacity. MEMU trains ensure a better and economical mode of transport for people to commute daily for the livelihood. These trains are more powerful and have faster acceleration and deceleration as compared to conventional trains. This results in less running time resulting in saving of 30 percent in energy consumption. These trains are equipped with toilet and are vestibuled for greater passenger comfort.

Hon’ble Minister for Railways, Shri Mallikarjun Kharge expressed special gratitude and thanked Smt. Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson, United Progressive Alliance, for having the graced this occasion.

Shri Kharge also appreciated the efforts of Shri Ashok Gehlot, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Rajasthan Government, Shri Praful Patel, Hon'ble Industries and Public Enterprises Minister and Dr. C.P. Joshi, former Railway Minister and Member Parliament (Bhilwara), in setting of MEMU coach factory in Bhilwara district, Rajasthan.

HYDERABAD: A bogie of Kanyakumari-Howrah Express derailed in the early 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 today 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 AM," 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.

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)

PATNA: Railways has decided to allow a two-minute stoppage of Patna-Hatia Express, Rajendra Nagar Terminal-Hatia Express, Patna-Sasaram Intercity Express and Patna-Barkakhana Palamu Express at Punpun Ghat on Patna-Gaya section during ‘Pitrapaksha Mela’ from September 18 to October 5, said ECR CPRO Amitabh Prabhakar.

Special train: Railways will run a special train (01709/01710) between Gaya and Jabalpur to clear passengers rush during Pitrapaksha mela in Gaya. The special train will leave Jabalpur on September 21 and 28 while it will originate from Gaya on September 22 and 29. It will have the load combination of 21 coaches, including AC2 (one), AC 3 (three), sleeper (11), general (four) and brake vans (two). The train will leave Gaya at 5pm and reach Jabalpur at 5.30 next morning.

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.