ProUI

They upload pictures of victims online, use software to match profiles of missing persons

Thousands of people whose bodies were found on railway track across Southern Railway remain unidentified. Of the 23,717 people who were found dead since 2003, the identity of as many as 9,118 is yet to be established.The victims, including hundreds of women, are suspected to have either committed suicide or had an accidental fall, though police do not rule out other possibilities.In many cases, the bodies were mutilated beyond recognition leaving only the clothes and identification marks for detection. Since bodies remained unclaimed, investigators preserved the skull or thigh bone and disposed them of with the help of NGOs. However, post-mortem and other mandatory formalities are carried out, police sources said.“A detailed investigation is done whenever a body is found on the railway track. Besides making enquiries in the locality, we send photographs to police headquarters in all States for verification. Wide publicity is given in the media…when a person is found missing, the family should also check with the railway police,” Additional Director-General of Police (Railways) R. Sekar said.

Going by statistics, in the last nine months alone 2,015 bodies were found on track of which 631 remain unidentified. In a number of cases, the victims were senior citizens.

“It is possible that they belong to some other state and came to Tamil Nadu on a pilgrimage or in search of employment. Death due to accidental fall or some other reason cannot be ruled out. Of late, we are coming across many cases of youth getting hit by trains between Chennai Egmore and Tambaram stretch,” a police official said.

ADGP/Director, State Crime Records Bureau, Asish Bengra said the photographs of missing persons and unidentified bodies were regularly updated on the police website.

“In 2012-13, more than 40 cases of missing persons were solved after family/friends of victims identified photographs on the website and informed the police,” he said.

The SCRB was using software developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC) to match the profile of missing persons with those of unclaimed or unidentified bodies.

“We have a web cell in all districts to do this profiling on a regular basis. The data is also shared with the National Crime Records Bureau for analysis at their end,” he said.

In a novel initiative, the Dharmapuri police organised camps where complaints in man/woman missing cases are shown photographs of unclaimed/unidentified bodies on large screens.

At least a dozen cases reported in Salem and Dharmapuri districts were solved when the complainants identified the deceased persons, police sources added.

Train traffic through the new broad gauge line between Palakkad and Pollachi is likely to be delayed further owing to delay in construction of a railway bridge across the Yakkara river.Palakkad Railway Divisional Manager Piyus Agarwal had announced at a press conference last week that trains would start services through the new broad gauge line by March next.When the meter gauge rail line was dismantled for broad gauge conversion in December 2008, the Railway authorities had promised that the work would be completed in 16 months and train services from Palakkad to Palani would be resumed.Sources in the railways said the services are likely to begin only by September next.

Work on only two of the four pillars across the river has been completed.

Monsoon

Construction work was delayed owing to heavy rain during the southwest monsoon from June to September.

Work on the remaining two pillars can be completed only by August next, sources said.

Officials of the company that has taken up the contract said work can be taken up only after the northeast monsoon (October-November). The project is estimated to cost Rs. 10.8 crore. Work on the Palani-Pollachi stretch of the railway line in Tamil Nadu has been completed and trains have started running on an experimental basis.

The Union Cabinet’s nod for Telangana did not sink well with the integrationists as protests rocked the temple town on Friday.Owing to the 48-hour bandh call, the ever bustling pilgrim destination turned gloomy with smoke billowing and black flags occupying the skyline. Samaikyandhra supporters blocked every junction in the city by burning tyres and logs. Commuters had to chart other routes to reach their destinations as protestors deflated tyres of vehicles at some junctions.

Tough time for devotees

Devotees arriving at Tirupati had to walk from railway station to Alipiri bus stand as all modes of transportation were suspended. Samaikyandhra agitators blocked the entry and exit points to Tirumala with the intention of isolating it from the rest of the city. They pitched a tent at the entrance and raised anti-bifurcation slogans. Agitators even deflated the tyres of buses carrying TTD employees.Some pilgrims trekked uphill, while some squatted at the bus stand and Padala Mandapam. The TTD offered some respite to the pilgrims by supplying food and water at regular intervals.Tirupati Samaikyandhra JAC’s (SAPS) bid to organise rail roko was foiled by the police as they arrested them at the station entrance and moved to the Tirupati East Police Station. Various JACs in the city choked up the roads at their respective protest camps. Vehicles on the Tirupati-Chennai highway in Puttur town came to a standstill as protestors organised a blockade. The bandh call remained largely peaceful barring few stray incidents.

Politicians bear the brunt

Blaming politicians for the current turmoil in the state, members of Tirupati Employees JAC tore down flexi banners at protest camps organised by the political leaders.

They censured them for not acting on time and upholding the sentiments of Seemandhra people who elected them.

Some of them even beat themselves with slippers for committing the mistake of electing them.

The agitators disconnected power supply to the residence of Tirupati MP Chinta Mohan, though grapevine has it that the extreme step was in response to his bill arrears.

MANGALORE: The Southern Railway has increased the stoppage timings of following trains at Feroke station up to October 9 and from October 31 up to November 15 for the benefit of Haj pilgrims. They are: train No. 16629 Thiruvananthapuram-Mangalore Malabar Express which will leave Feroke at 4.27am; train No. 16630 Mangalore-Thiruvananthapuram Malabar Express at 11.22pm; train No. 16605 Mangalore-Nagercoil Ernad Express at 11.57am; and train No. 16606 Nagercoil-Mangalore Ernad Express at 12.12pmLikewise, train no.16347 Thiruvananthapuram-Mangalore Express will depart Feroke at 5.45am; 16348 Mangalore-Thiruvananthapuram Express at 7.07pm; 16649 Mangalore-Nagercoil Parasuram Express at 9.22am; 16650 Nagercoil-Mangalore Parasuram Express at 3.17pm; 12617 Ernakulam-Nizamuddin Mangala Express (monsoon) at 2.37pm; 12617 Ernakulam-Nizamuddin Mangala Express (non-monsoon) at 5.07pm.

Train No.12618 Nizamuddin-Ernakulam Mangala Express (monsoon) will leave at 7.27am; 12618 Nizamuddin-Ernakulam Mangala Express (non monsoon) at 5.17am; 16333 Veraval-Thiruvananthapuram Express (monsoon) at 8.47pm; 16333 Veraval-Thiruvananthapuram Express (non-monsoon) at 6.02pm; 16335 Gandhidham -Nagercoil Express (monsoon) at 8.47pm; 16335 Gandhidham-Nagercoil Express (non-monsoon) at 6.02 pm.

Train No. 16337 Okha-Ernakulam Express (monsoon) will leave Feroke at 8.47pm; 16337 Okha Ernakulam Express (non monsoon) at 6.02pm; 16334 Thiruvananthapuram-Veraval Express at 11.57pm; 16336 Nagercoil-Gandhidham Express at 11.57pm; 16338 Ernakulam-Okha Express at 11.57pm; 12601 Chennai Central-Mangalore Central Mail 7.24am; 12602 Mangalore Central-Chennai Central Mail at 5.37pm.

Train 16859 Chennai Egmore-Mangalore Central Express will depart Feroke at 3.52pm; 16860 Mangalore Central-Chennai Egmore Express at 11.32am; 16307 Alappuzha-Kannur Express at 8.42pm; 16308 Kannur-Alappuzha Express at 6.52am. Trains 16313 Ernakulam-Kannur Express leaving Ernakulam on October 3, 5, 31, and November 2, 7, 9 and 14 will leave Feroke station at 8.42pm. Train 16314 Kannur-Ernakulam Express leaving Kannur on October 3, 5, 31, and November 2, 7, 9 and 14 will leave Feroke station at 6.52am.

Train timings: The Road Over bridge work at Devathar Level crossing gate, between Tanur and Tirur stations has not been completed. Hence the line block is extended up to October 5. The pattern of train service on October 5 is as follows: Train No. 56324 Mangalore Central-Pallippuram Passenger Special will be terminated at Kozhikode and will run as 56323 Passenger Special from Kozhikode to Mangalore Central. Trains 12617 Ernakulam-Nizamuddin Mangala Express, 16650 Nageroil-Mangalore Parasuram Express and 12202 Kochuveli - Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Garib Rath Express will be regulated for 15 minutes between Shoranur and Tirur stations.

Trains to be regulated: Due to non-interlocked working at Shoranur, there will be a five hour block on the route for signal remodelling work from 9.15 am to 2.15 pm from October 6 and 7. Consequently trains on the Mangalore route towards Kerala and Chennai would be regulated from 45 minutes to three hours. There will also be partial cancellation of some trains.

The trains that will be regulated on Sunday are: Train No.16649 Mangalore Central - Nagarcoil Parasuram Express to be regulated enroute for 240 minutes; Train No.16650 Nagarcoil - Mangalore Central Parasuram Express to be regulated in Thiruvananthapuram Division for 45 minutes; Train No.16345 Lokmanya Tilak - Thiruvananthapuram Central Netravathi Express to be regulated enroute for 175 minutes and Train No.12998 Hapa- Tirunelveli Express to be regulated enroute for 210 minutes.

The trains that will be regulated on Monday are: Train No.16650 Nagarcoil - Mangalore Central Parasuram Express will be regulated in Thiruvananthapuram Division for 120 minutes.

The special offer announced for the Dasara season on the Golden Chariot, south India’s first luxury train, is yet to draw international tourists, especially those from Europe and the U.S., for the trip scheduled on October 7.“The reason could be due to the downturn in global economy. We normally get tourists from Europe and the U.S. for the trips. But, so far, despite the special offer, the response from foreign travellers has not been encouraging.But, we hope to get response for the second trip,” according to KSTDC Managing Director C.D. Dyavaiah.The Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC), which runs the Golden Chariot in partnership with the Indian Railways, has announced a special 15 per cent discount for trips scheduled on October 7 and 14 in view of Dasara season.Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Dyavaiah said: “We are getting enquiries from domestic tourists and hope that these are converted to bookings.”Though the official did not disclose the number of bookings so far, he expressed the confidence that bookings would be good for the trips based on the enquiries received from potential clients.

Shorter sojourn

However, those who do not wish to take an eight-day and seven-night sojourn (regular trip on the train) can opt for a shorter sojourn which is available only during the Dasara season. The three-night and four-day package comes at Rs. 35,000 (all inclusive) per person, according to the KSTDC.

The Dasara special discount offer is valid only for the Pride of the South itineraries. Pride of the South trip covers the State’s best-known tourist destinations — Mysore, Kabini, Belur, Halebid, Hampi, Badami and Aihole. The trip ends in Goa.

The offer is not available for the Southern Splendour journey which starts at Bangalore, covering the historical temples of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and the backwaters of Kerala before returning to source.

Mr. Dyavaiah said that Dasara was being promoted abroad but bookings from foreign tourists are not forthcoming perhaps, due to economic downturn. “Moreover, rupee is stabilising against the U.S. dollar. This might be another reason for fewer bookings from American travellers. In fact, we expected good bookings from foreign tourists.”

To a question, he said that there are enquiries for group bookings from domestic tourists too. “We are also focussing on corporate clients,” he added.

The train’s first commercial run began on March 10, 2008. It completed its 100th trip in November last. The train has managed to attract domestic travellers due to aggressive marketing. It registered 100 per cent occupancy (all its 40 cabins were occupied) on the 100th trip, with 75 per cent of passengers being domestic travellers.

MANGALORE: The Southern Railway has increased the stoppage timings of following trains at Feroke station up to October 9 and from October 31 up to November 15 for the benefit of Haj pilgrims. They are: train No. 16629 Thiruvananthapuram-Mangalore Malabar Express which will leave Feroke at 4.27am; train No. 16630 Mangalore-Thiruvananthapuram Malabar Express at 11.22pm; train No. 16605 Mangalore-Nagercoil Ernad Express at 11.57am; and train No. 16606 Nagercoil-Mangalore Ernad Express at 12.12pmLikewise, train no.16347 Thiruvananthapuram-Mangalore Express will depart Feroke at 5.45am; 16348 Mangalore-Thiruvananthapuram Express at 7.07pm; 16649 Mangalore-Nagercoil Parasuram Express at 9.22am; 16650 Nagercoil-Mangalore Parasuram Express at 3.17pm; 12617 Ernakulam-Nizamuddin Mangala Express (monsoon) at 2.37pm; 12617 Ernakulam-Nizamuddin Mangala Express (non-monsoon) at 5.07pm.

Train No.12618 Nizamuddin-Ernakulam Mangala Express (monsoon) will leave at 7.27am; 12618 Nizamuddin-Ernakulam Mangala Express (non monsoon) at 5.17am; 16333 Veraval-Thiruvananthapuram Express (monsoon) at 8.47pm; 16333 Veraval-Thiruvananthapuram Express (non-monsoon) at 6.02pm; 16335 Gandhidham -Nagercoil Express (monsoon) at 8.47pm; 16335 Gandhidham-Nagercoil Express (non-monsoon) at 6.02 pm.

Train No. 16337 Okha-Ernakulam Express (monsoon) will leave Feroke at 8.47pm; 16337 Okha Ernakulam Express (non monsoon) at 6.02pm; 16334 Thiruvananthapuram-Veraval Express at 11.57pm; 16336 Nagercoil-Gandhidham Express at 11.57pm; 16338 Ernakulam-Okha Express at 11.57pm; 12601 Chennai Central-Mangalore Central Mail 7.24am; 12602 Mangalore Central-Chennai Central Mail at 5.37pm.

Train 16859 Chennai Egmore-Mangalore Central Express will depart Feroke at 3.52pm; 16860 Mangalore Central-Chennai Egmore Express at 11.32am; 16307 Alappuzha-Kannur Express at 8.42pm; 16308 Kannur-Alappuzha Express at 6.52am. Trains 16313 Ernakulam-Kannur Express leaving Ernakulam on October 3, 5, 31, and November 2, 7, 9 and 14 will leave Feroke station at 8.42pm. Train 16314 Kannur-Ernakulam Express leaving Kannur on October 3, 5, 31, and November 2, 7, 9 and 14 will leave Feroke station at 6.52am.

Train timings: The Road Over bridge work at Devathar Level crossing gate, between Tanur and Tirur stations has not been completed. Hence the line block is extended up to October 5. The pattern of train service on October 5 is as follows: Train No. 56324 Mangalore Central-Pallippuram Passenger Special will be terminated at Kozhikode and will run as 56323 Passenger Special from Kozhikode to Mangalore Central. Trains 12617 Ernakulam-Nizamuddin Mangala Express, 16650 Nageroil-Mangalore Parasuram Express and 12202 Kochuveli - Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Garib Rath Express will be regulated for 15 minutes between Shoranur and Tirur stations.

Trains to be regulated: Due to non-interlocked working at Shoranur, there will be a five hour block on the route for signal remodelling work from 9.15 am to 2.15 pm from October 6 and 7. Consequently trains on the Mangalore route towards Kerala and Chennai would be regulated from 45 minutes to three hours. There will also be partial cancellation of some trains.

The trains that will be regulated on Sunday are: Train No.16649 Mangalore Central - Nagarcoil Parasuram Express to be regulated enroute for 240 minutes; Train No.16650 Nagarcoil - Mangalore Central Parasuram Express to be regulated in Thiruvananthapuram Division for 45 minutes; Train No.16345 Lokmanya Tilak - Thiruvananthapuram Central Netravathi Express to be regulated enroute for 175 minutes and Train No.12998 Hapa- Tirunelveli Express to be regulated enroute for 210 minutes.

The trains that will be regulated on Monday are: Train No.16650 Nagarcoil - Mangalore Central Parasuram Express will be regulated in Thiruvananthapuram Division for 120 minutes.

Getting a confirmed railway ticket this Diwali appears next to impossible. The seat status for trains to New Delhi, Patna, Gorakhpur, Lucknow, Indore, Bhopal and Kolkata is either unavailable or has a long Waiting List (WL). The WL number for the two days before Diwali (which falls on November 3) has crossed the 1,000 mark.Hundreds of students from city colleges and employees working with various companies are planning to visit their hometowns for the festival. However just within a few days after the bookings opened on September 1 and 2, two months prior to the date of journey, the trains were full.For November 1 and 2, the tickets for all four Pune to Delhi trains, Goa Express, Pune-Nizamuddin Link Express, Sampark Kranti and Jhelum Express, are unavailable. Those who have failed to book the tickets have only two options: either to book a tatkal ticket or wait till the railways announces a special train.The waiting list in Pune-Patna Express, for October 1 has touched 1,250 for sleeper class and 450 for AC III. For October 31, it is 743 for sleeper and 598 for AC III tier. The situation is worse for Pune-Gorakhpur Express where no tickets are available from the journey from last week of October to the first week of November. It is not clear as to how booking for certain trains was closed after the booking reached a certain waiting count, while for other trains, especially to Bihar, booking was still on despite the waiting count crossing 1,000.

Last week, in a press meet Divisional Commercial Manager Alok Badkul had said that waiting number for no train can cross the 700 mark.

Central Railway commercial department officials said deciding the length of the waiting list by fixing the 'unavailability" point is the prerogative of eacg division. "Oftenthe intention of the officials while allowing a long waiting list, is to underline the need for special trains on certain routes," said an official.

The Central Railway (CR) will run two air-conditioned superfast special trains between Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) and Hazrat Nizamuddin. 02109 AC will leave Lokmanya Tilak Terminus on Tuesday, October 8 at 2.30 p.m. and arrive at Hazarat Nizamuddin at 10.20 a.m. the next day. 02110 AC will leave Hazarat Nizamuddin on Wednesday, October 9 at 3.50 p.m. and arrive at LTT at 11.50 a.m. the next day. The trains will stop at Nashik Road, Bhusawal, Bhopal, Jhansi, Gwalior and Agra cantonment. “Bookings for train No.02109 will open from Septemeber 4,” a CR spokesperson said.

2 special trains for Santragachi CR will run four festival special trains, in addition to 82 festival specials already announced.  Two will be between Mumbai CST and Santragachi while the other two will be between LTT and Santragachi during the festive season. Train No. 01069 will leave Mumbai CST at 11.05 a.m. on Tuesday, October 8 and will arrive at Santragachi at 7.15 p.m. the next day. Train No. 01070 will leave Santragachi at 06.05 a.m. on Thursday, October 10 and will arrive at Mumbai CST at 2.10 p.m. the next day.  Train No. 01073 will leave LTT at 00.45 a.m. on Thursday, October 10 and will arrive at Santragachi at 12 noon the next day. Train No. 01074 will leave Santragachi at 06.05 a.m. on Saturday, October 12 and will arrive at LTT at 1.55 p.m. the next day.  All the four trains will halt at Kalyan, Igatpuri, Nashik Road, Manmad, Bhusawal, Akola, Badnera, Wardha, Nagpur, Gondia, Durg, Raipur, Bilaspur, Jharsuguda, Rourkela, Chakradharpur, Tatanagar and Kharagpur.  “Bookings for 01069 and 01073 will be open from Sept. 4,” a CR spokesperson said.

Weekly Express to Hubli CR will introduce a new Weekly Express train between LTT and Hubli.  Train No 17318 Weekly Express will leave LTT at 12.25 p.m. every Tuesday w.e.f. October 8 and will arrive at Hubli at 04.35 a.m. the next day. Train No 17317 Weekly Express will leave Hubli at 6.50 p.m. every Monday from October 7 and arrive at LTT at 11.05 a.m. the next day. This train will halt at Lonavala, Pune, Satara, Karad, Sangli, Miraj, Kudachi, Ghatprabha, Belgaum, Londa and Dharwar. “Bookings for Train No. 17318 will open from October 5 onwards,” said a CR spokesperson.

The Central Railway (CR) will run two air-conditioned superfast special trains between Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) and Hazrat Nizamuddin. 02109 AC will leave Lokmanya Tilak Terminus on Tuesday, October 8 at 2.30 p.m. and arrive at Hazarat Nizamuddin at 10.20 a.m. the next day. 02110 AC will leave Hazarat Nizamuddin on Wednesday, October 9 at 3.50 p.m. and arrive at LTT at 11.50 a.m. the next day. The trains will stop at Nashik Road, Bhusawal, Bhopal, Jhansi, Gwalior and Agra cantonment. “Bookings for train No.02109 will open from Septemeber 4,” a CR spokesperson said.

2 special trains for Santragachi CR will run four festival special trains, in addition to 82 festival specials already announced.  Two will be between Mumbai CST and Santragachi while the other two will be between LTT and Santragachi during the festive season. Train No. 01069 will leave Mumbai CST at 11.05 a.m. on Tuesday, October 8 and will arrive at Santragachi at 7.15 p.m. the next day. Train No. 01070 will leave Santragachi at 06.05 a.m. on Thursday, October 10 and will arrive at Mumbai CST at 2.10 p.m. the next day.  Train No. 01073 will leave LTT at 00.45 a.m. on Thursday, October 10 and will arrive at Santragachi at 12 noon the next day. Train No. 01074 will leave Santragachi at 06.05 a.m. on Saturday, October 12 and will arrive at LTT at 1.55 p.m. the next day.  All the four trains will halt at Kalyan, Igatpuri, Nashik Road, Manmad, Bhusawal, Akola, Badnera, Wardha, Nagpur, Gondia, Durg, Raipur, Bilaspur, Jharsuguda, Rourkela, Chakradharpur, Tatanagar and Kharagpur.  “Bookings for 01069 and 01073 will be open from Sept. 4,” a CR spokesperson said.

Weekly Express to Hubli CR will introduce a new Weekly Express train between LTT and Hubli.  Train No 17318 Weekly Express will leave LTT at 12.25 p.m. every Tuesday w.e.f. October 8 and will arrive at Hubli at 04.35 a.m. the next day. Train No 17317 Weekly Express will leave Hubli at 6.50 p.m. every Monday from October 7 and arrive at LTT at 11.05 a.m. the next day. This train will halt at Lonavala, Pune, Satara, Karad, Sangli, Miraj, Kudachi, Ghatprabha, Belgaum, Londa and Dharwar. “Bookings for Train No. 17318 will open from October 5 onwards,” said a CR spokesperson.

PATNA: The commissioning of newly built Patliputra railway station has been delayed several times for one reason or the other despite getting clearance from commissioner of railway safety (CRS), eastern region, R P Yadav.Railways had already announced two or three dates for the commissioning of this station to streamline train traffic in Danapur division of the ECR.According to sources, the residents of Jalalpur under Rupaspur police station area are demanding a separate road over Khagaul canal to reach Bailey Road easily. Dinesh Kumar, a resident of Jalalpur, said people of the village and its adjoining areas would find it difficult to reach Bailey Road if railways closes the approach road for the traffic from Patliputra station to Danapur or Patna Junction via Phulwari.According to Kumar, JD (U) leader and Patliputra MP Ranjan Yadav has taken up their problems with the railway authorities. However, no concrete decision has been taken so far. "Unless railways provides them a separate approach road to Bailey Road from Khagaul canal side, they would not allow Patliputra station to be made functional," he said.According to ECR CPRO Amitabh Prabhakar, railways would sort out the problems soon. Moreover, the newly built station is likely to benefit the common people most, he said.Built at a cost of Rs 1.5 crore as part of the Digha Ganga rail bridge located on Bailey Road near Rukunpura, railways intends to run two pairs of passenger trains from this station. In future, four pairs of passenger trains would originate from here for Delhi and Howrah. Patliputra station has been given a direct connectivity to both Danapur and Phulwari-Patna end to ease traffic flow, an ECR official said, adding that Danapur station would become a junction point after commissioning of Patliputra station.

Though Patliputra station is having three platforms now, there is a provision to increase their number to cope with passengers rush. As per the new plan, railways would develop it as a terminal point in future. Railways has already announced that it would build a separate washing pit at this station so that maintenance work of passenger train rakes could be carried out there smoothly, sources said.

According to sources, railways has not yet decided any new date for the commissioning of Patliputra station. Had it been made functional, it could have eased huge traffic from Patna Junction and Danapur station during festivals, sources said.