ProUI

Hyderabad: With the approval accorded by the Union Cabinet to extend Metro Rail operations to the Shamshabad international airport with an expenditure of Rs 3,275 crore, the second phase of the Hyderabad Metro Rail project has received a boost.

State government and HMR officials are now gearing up to secure approvals for the extension of Metro Rail services to seven other routes spread over 85 km, as part of the second phase of the project. Officials propose to extend operations by 97 km in the second phase.

The HMR project, considered to be the world’s largest project under public-private partnership, with investments of over `17,000 crore, has been attracting international attention ever since it was announced in 2010.

Work of the first phase of the HMR project has been progressing at a brisk pace at various locations across the city. The first stage of the Metro Rail operations between Nagole and Mettuguda is scheduled to be launched by April 2015.

At present, the first phase of the HMR project is being taken up in three corridors spread over 72 km. Corridor-II from Jubilee Bus Station, Secunderabad to Falaknuma is being taken up over 14.78 km. The Centre’s approval to extend the route from Falaknuma to Shamshabad airport will increase the distance by 12 km to 26.78 km.

Corridor-I from Miyapur to LB Nagar stretches over 28.87 km, while Corridor-III from Nagole to Shilparamam covers 27.51 km.

N.V.S. Reddy, managing director of HMR, said that LEA Associates-South Asia, a Canadian consultancy firm, which has been selected as traffic consultant for the HMR project, has been conducting a study to assess traffic volume on the routes being proposed for the second phase and will submit a report in five-six months. He said that a decision on the second phase of the HMR project will be taken based on this report.

The routes being proposed for the second phase of the project include Miyapur-BHEL-Patancheru (15 km), Falaknuma-Shamshabad (12 km), LB Nagar -Vanasthalipuram (4 km), Nagole-LB Nagar-Falaknuma (15 km), JNTU, Kukatpally-Shilparamam-Gachibowli (14 km), JBS, Secunderabad-Alwal (8 km), Gachibowli-Tolichowki-Lakdikapul (17 km) and Mettuguda-ECIL via Malkajgiri (12 km).

Of these, the Centre has already approved the Falaknuma-Shamshabad route, which will be taken up along radial road no. 29.

Good times ahead as HMR irons out issues

Though Metro Rail officials initially had a tough time launching the first phase of the HMR project due to stiff opposition from various quarters, most issues have now been ironed out.

While it took almost two years to launch works after getting approval from the Central and state governments, the project has now started getting positive response from the citizens.

The series of initiatives taken up by both the HMR and the concessionaire L&TMRHL by involving the general public has created a “positive image” for the project and people who had initially opposed the Metro Rail have now started demanding extension of services to their localities.

Initially, there were apprehensions about losing a large number of properties, both private and government, besides a threat to heritage structures in the city. However, the HMR officials succeeded in convincing the public that there would be no damage to even a single heritage structure.

Owners too came forward to handover their properties after the HMR came out with an attractive relief and rehabilitation package by offering compensation as per market rates for the first time ever.

Barring a small stretch between Sultan Bazaar and Badi Chowdi and in Krishnanagar, there isn’t much resistance to Metro Rail works at present. Though there are some issues in the Old City from the MIM’s end, officials expect them to be resolved before commencing the works there.

Both the HMR and the L&TMRHL have been holding competitions and debates on the need and importance of the Metro Rail project for Hyderabad and the strategy has worked.

With traffic woes in the city worsening every passing day, people are keen to have Metro Rail operations in their localities. Besides this, rising fuel prices and health issues have also been prompting people to opt for a safe and comfortable travel initiative like the Metro, which has been a huge success in Delhi and other international cities.

Tirupati / Guntakal: As announced in the Railway Budget this year, a new weekly express train from Tirupati to Puducherry will be flagged off on Tuesday at Puducherry railway station by minister of state for personnel, public grievances and pensions V. Narayanaswamy along with minister for railways Mallikarjun Kharge.

On its inaugural run, the train will depart from Puducherry at 12.15 hrs on Tuesday and arrive in Tirupati at 19.25 hrs on the same day. Enroute this train will stop at Villupuram, Tirukkovilur, Tiruvannamalai, Polur, Arni Road, Vellore Cant, Katpadi, Chittoor and Pakala stations.

After arriving in Tirupati, this train will be run as a Janatha special to Chennai Central.

This Janata special will depart from Tirupati at 22.30 hrs on Tuesday and arrive in Chennai Central at 02.30 hrs the next day.

Enroute this train will stop at Renigunta, Puttur, Tiruttani, Arakkonam, Tiruvallur and Perambur stations.

East Coast Railway (ECoR) has taken initiatives to make passengers and other rail users aware against drugging, snatching, touting activities and other crime offences created by miscreants and also advised them for a smooth and hassle free journey.

The Railway Protection Force has urged all rail users to cooperate with railway security to ensure safety of passengers and their belongings and bring down crimes at railway stations and during train journey.

The RPF unit of the Khurda Road Division held an awareness programme at the Puri railway station on Saturday and distributed leaflets to passengers and staged a demo as to how to tackle criminal activities and tighten the noose around drug peddlers, snatchers and robbers moving in trains and stations.

Purchase of foods and drinks from the authorised vendors and entrusting one’s belongings to himself without depending on anybody would ensure a passenger’s safe and hassle-free journey, it was advised.

The RPF is also focusing on thefts of parcels from small luggage rooms, escorting the trains that run in night and keeping a strict vigil on touts in stations, particularly at PRS and booking counters, and rescuing children.

Passengers have been advised to take the help of security personnel about unclaimed luggage in trains and platforms and to inform security personnel for any crime. Passengers may make contacts through telephone nos. 06752- 224275 and 232305 at Puri at the time of their needs.

The following trains will be temporarily augmented with effect from the dates given against them :
1.Train No. 17230 Hyderabad – Thiruvananthapuram Sabari Express will be temporarily augmented by one First AC coach from 21.09.2013 to 20.10.2013 & Train No 17229 Thiruvananthapuram – Hyderabad Sabari Express from 23.09.2013 to 22.10.2013.
2.Train No. 17652 Kacheguda – Chennai Egmore Express will be temporarily augmented by 2 Sleeper Class coaches from 21.09.2013 to 20.10.2013 & Train No. 17651 Chennai Egmore – Kacheguda Express from 24.09.2013 to 23.10.2013.
3.Train No. 17643 Chennai Egmore – Kakinada Port Circar Express will be temporarily augmented by 2 Sleeper Class coaches from 22.09.2013 to 21.10.2013 & Train No. 17644 Kakinada Port – Chennai Egmore Circar Express from 23.09.2013 to 21.10.2013.

Remodeling at Gorakhpur Station Yard

23-09-2013
mumbai


WR introduces New Bandra (T)- Haridwar Weekly Express


Western Railway is going to introduce a new Weekly Express train between Bandra (T) and Haridwar from 25th September, 2013.


Train No. 22917 Bandra (T)- Haridwar Weekly Express will leave Bandra (T) at 11.50 hrs o­n every Wednesday from 25/09/2013 and reach Haridwar at 16.05 hrs, the next day.



Similarly, in return direction Train No. 22918 Haridwar - Bandra (T) Weekly Express will leave Haridwar at 18.50 hrs o­n every Thursday from 26/09/2013 and reach Bandra (T) at 22.00 hrs, the next day.



The train will have AC 2-tier, AC 3-tier, Sleeper class and second class general coaches.



The train will halt at Borivali, Boisar, Vapi, Valsad, Navsari, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Ratlam, Bhawani Mandi, Ramganj Mandi, Kota, Sawai Madhopur, Gangapur City, Hindaun City, Bharatpur, Mathura Jn, Faridabad, Hazrat Nizamuddin, Ghaziabad, Meerut City Jn., Muzaffarnagar, Tapri and Roorkee stations in both directions.



Booking for Train No. 22917 which leaves o­n 25/09/2013 will open o­n 24th Sept 2013 and booking for subsequent trips of Train 22917 will open from 26th Sept 2013 at all Passenger Reservation counters.



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HUBLI: Eastern Coast Railway (ECOR) has decided to run super fast AC weekly express special trains between Bhubaneshwar-Yeshwantpur-Bhubaneshwar (02845/02846) for 10 trips in each direction, for clearance of traffic during the forthcoming puja holidays.

Accordingly, train number 02845 will depart from Bhubaneshwar at 07-45 hours on Wednesdays, with effect from September 25 to November 27 (total : 10 specials) and arrives at Yeshwantpur at 12-10 hrs on Thursdays.

In the return direction, train number 02846 will depart from Yeshwantpur at 23-30 hrs on Thursdays, with effect from September 26 to November 28 and arrive at Bhubaneshwar at 03-30 hrs on Saturdays.

HUBLI: Eastern Coast Railway (ECOR) has decided to run super fast AC weekly express special trains between Bhubaneshwar-Yeshwantpur-Bhubaneshwar (02845/02846) for 10 trips in each direction, for clearance of traffic during the forthcoming puja holidays.

Accordingly, train number 02845 will depart from Bhubaneshwar at 07-45 hours on Wednesdays, with effect from September 25 to November 27 (total : 10 specials) and arrives at Yeshwantpur at 12-10 hrs on Thursdays.

In the return direction, train number 02846 will depart from Yeshwantpur at 23-30 hrs on Thursdays, with effect from September 26 to November 28 and arrive at Bhubaneshwar at 03-30 hrs on Saturdays.

Tirupati / Guntakal: As announced in the Railway Budget this year, a new weekly express train from Tirupati to Puducherry will be flagged off on Tuesday at Puducherry railway station by minister of state for personnel, public grievances and pensions V. Narayanaswamy along with minister for railways Mallikarjun Kharge.

On its inaugural run, the train will depart from Puducherry at 12.15 hrs on Tuesday and arrive in Tirupati at 19.25 hrs on the same day. Enroute this train will stop at Villupuram, Tirukkovilur, Tiruvannamalai, Polur, Arni Road, Vellore Cant, Katpadi, Chittoor and Pakala stations.

After arriving in Tirupati, this train will be run as a Janatha special to Chennai Central.

This Janata special will depart from Tirupati at 22.30 hrs on Tuesday and arrive in Chennai Central at 02.30 hrs the next day.

Enroute this train will stop at Renigunta, Puttur, Tiruttani, Arakkonam, Tiruvallur and Perambur stations.

भोपाल. भोपाल रेलवे स्टेशन के छठवें प्लेटफॉर्म (ड्राइव इन प्लेटफॉर्म) के एंट्री गेट के बाहर ट्रैफिक व्यवस्था गड़बड़ होने से रविवार को जाम के हालात बने रहे। नई दिल्ली-भोपाल शताब्दी एक्सप्रेस के आने और जाने के वक्त यात्रियों को छोड़ने व लेने आए वाहनों की लंबी कतारें लग गईं। इस दौरान यहां ट्रैफिक पुलिस नदारद दिखी। प्लेटफॉर्म के पास भी वाहन चालकों ने जहां-तहां वाहन पार्क कर दिए।

शताब्दी एक्सप्रेस के इस प्लेटफॉर्म से चलने के एक हफ्ते बाद भी व्यवस्थाएं दुरुस्त नहीं हो सकी हैं। विशेषकर शनिवार व रविवार को हालात ज्यादा खराब हो रहे हैं। रविवार दोपहर 2 बजकर 5 मिनट पर जैसे ही शताब्दी एक्सप्रेस प्लेटफॉर्म नंबर छह पर पहुंची, वाहन चालकों में अफरा-तफरी मच गई। आरपीएफ व जीआरपी के कुछ जवान ट्रैफिक व्यवस्था संभालने का प्रयास करते रहे, लेकिन वाहन चालकों ने उनकी नहीं सुनी। अल्पना तिराहे के दूसरी ओर सड़क पर हिंदू उत्सव समिति के चुनाव होने के कारण ट्रैफिक वन-वे था। इस दौरान रेलवे स्टेशन के अंदर छठवें प्लेटफॉर्म तक पहुंचने के लिए कार में सवार यात्रियों को खासी मशक्कत करनी पड़ी।

एसी कोच से उतरे, धूप में तपे

छठवें प्लेटफॉर्म पर शताब्दी एक्सप्रेस के आने के बाद एसी कोच से उतरे यात्रियों को तेज धूप ने परेशान किया। प्लेटफॉर्म पर रेलवे ने फिलहाल चार शेल्टर (छोटे वेटिंग शेड), तीन टेंट और दो छोटे-छोटे छाते लगाए हैं। यात्रियों की संख्या को देखते हुए ये इंतजाम नाकाफी हैं। प्लेटफॉर्म पर पर्याप्त शेड नहीं होने से शताब्दी से आने और जाने वाले यात्री तेज धूप के कारण पसीने-पसीने होते रहे। शताब्दी से जाने के लिए तैयार यात्रियों का कहना है कि तेज धूप से सीधे एसी कोच में चढ़ना बीमारी को दावत देना है।

 

रेलवे को प्लेटफॉर्म पर शेड व पानी के पर्याप्त इंतजाम करना चाहिए

एंट्री से एक्जिट करते रहे वाहन

शताब्दी एक्सप्रेस की रवानगी के पहले एक निजी अस्पताल सहित कुछ यात्रियों के वाहन एंट्री से ही वापस निकले। साइड की पार्किग में कुछ वाहन ही नजर आए। कुछ लोगों ने तो वाहन प्लेटफॉर्म के पास ही पार्क कर दिए।

रेलवे ने यात्रियों के हित में ड्राइव-इन प्लेटफॉर्म की सुविधा दी है। फिलहाल वेटिंग शेड सहित पीने के पानी, चाय-कॉफी कोल्ड ड्रिंक आदि का एक स्टॉल प्लेटफॉर्म पर लगा दिया गया है।

- राजीव चौधरी, डीआरएम