ProUI

Secunderabad: A bogie of the Kanyakumari-Howrah Express derailed in the wee hours today 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 a.m,” the release said.

The incident occurred when a herd of cattle, strayed on the 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 were shifted by the onboard railway staff to adjacent coaches of the train,” the release said

23-09-2013
NON-INTERLOCKED WORKING AT SHORANUR

Non-Interlocked(NI) working at Shoranur station in connection with Doubling between Shoranur and Karakkad stations is to start from25-09-2013 to 16-10-2013. As a result of this and with the completion of doubling work, Railway will be in a position to ease out operational constraints in the Shoranur – Mangalore section. The details of the benefits are given below:

During NI working, signals and the interlocking system which ensures safety will be out of use, which will slow down train movements remarkably across Shoranur. Moreover, every day 5 hours of traffic block with track machines will be given for the remodeling work. Hence, regulation/short termination/diversion/cancellation of trains will have to be done in view of overall public safety. Priority has been given not to affect long distance Mail/Express trains, by running lesser number of passenger trains. Goods traffic will also be restricted and diverted during this period.

Diversion of Trains

The following trains will be diverted via link line without touching Shoranur station duly providing additional stoppage at Wadakkanchery and Ottappalam.

1.  Train Nos.13351/13352 Dhanbad/Tata Nagar – Allapuzha - Dhanbad/Tata Nagar Express will be diverted from 25/09/2013 to 16/10/2013.

2.  Train Nos.17229/17230 Kochuveli – Hyderabad – Kochuveli Sabari Express will be diverted from 25/09/2013 to 16/10/2013.

3.  Train No.12511 Gorakhpur – Thiruvananthapuram Raptisagar Tri-weekly Express will be diverted from28/09/2013 to 15/10/2013. Train No.12512 Thiruvananthapuram – Gorakhpur tri-weekly Raptisagar Express will be diverted from25/09/2013 to 16/10/2013.

4.  Train No.16327 Korba – Thiruvananthapuram Bi-weekly Express will be diverted from 27/09/2013 to 14/10/2013. Train No.16328 Thiruvananthapuram – Korba bi-weekly Express will be diverted from26/09/2013 to 14/10/2013.

5.Train No.16325 Indore – Thiruvananthapuram Ahalyanagari weekly Express will be diverted from 25/09/2013 to 16/10/2013. Train No.16326 Thiruvananthapuram – Indore Ahalyanagari weekly Express will be diverted from28/09/2013 to 12/10/2013.

6.Train No.12521 Barouni – Eranakulam Jn Raptisagar weekly Express will be diverted from26/09/2013 to 10/10/2013. Train No.12522 Eranakulam Jn– Barouni Raptisagar weekly Express will be diverted from28/09/2013 to12/10/2013.

7.Train Nos.16343/16344 Thiruvananthapuram Central – Palakkad Town – Thiruvananthapuram Central Amritha Express will be diverted from06/10/2013 to 16/10/2013.



Partial cancellation/ short termination of Mail/ Express and Passenger trains.

1.Train Nos.16605/16606 Mangalore Central – Nagarcoil Jn– Mangalore Central Eranad Express will be cancelled between Thrissur and Kuttipuram stations from25/09/2013 to 16/10/2013. These trains will run between Nagarcoil Jn. & Thrissur and between Kuttipuram & Mangalore Central only, during this period. Train No.16606 will run as a passenger special between Kuttipuram and Mangalore Central. This special willleave kuttipuram at 14.00 hrs and will reach mangalore Central at 20.25 hrs.

2.Train Nos.16302/16301 Thiruvananthapuram Central – Shoranur Jn – Thiruvananthapuram Central Venad Express will be cancelled between Eranakulam Jn and Shoranur Jn from25/09/2013 to 16/10/2013. These trains will run between Thiruvananthapuram Central and Ernakulam Jn only during this period.

3.  Train Nos.12076/12075 Thiruvananthapuram Central – Kozhikode – Thiruvananthapuram Central Janshatabdi Express will be cancelled between Thrissur and Kozhikode stations from 25/09/2013 to 16/10/2013. These trains will run between Thiruvananthapuram Central and Thrissur only during this period.

4. Train No.16859 Chennai Egmore – Mangalore Central Express will be cancelled between Palakkad Jn and Mangalore Central from 02/10/2013 to 15/10/2013. Train No16860 Mangalore Central – Chennai Egmore Express will be cancelled between Mangalore Central and Palakkad Jn from03/10/2013 to 16/10/2013. These trains will run between Palakkad Jn and Chennai Egmore only during the above period.

5. Train No.16349/16350 Thiruvananthapuram Central – Nilambur Road - Thiruvananthapuram Central Rajya Rani Express will be cancelled between Shoranur Jn and Nilambur Road stations from 05/10/2013 to 16/10/2013. The full rake of Rajya Rani Express, linked with that of Amritha Express, will be brought upto Palakkad Jn during this period. These trains, which will not touch Shoranur Jn., have been provided with an additional stoppage at Wadakancherry station. Passengers from Nilambur Road area can board/alight at either Wadakancherry or Ottapalam stations during this period.

Connection bus service will be arranged for reserved passengers of Train No. 16605/16606 Mangalore Central –Nagarcoil Jn Ernad Express between Kuttipuram and Thrissur. Similar arrangement will also be made available for the reserved passengers of Train No.13351 Dhanbad /Tata Nagar – Alapuzha Express, 17230 Hyderabad – Kochuveli Sabari Express, Train No.12511 Gorakhpur – Thiruvananthapuram Central Raptisagar Express, 16327 Korba-Thiruvananthapuram Central Express, 12521 Barouni – Ernakulam Jn Express and Train No.16325 Indore – Thiruvananthapuram Central Express between Ottappalam/Wadakkanchery and Shoranur.

Apart from the above, trains may be regulated / detained enroute as required.All efforts should be taken to ensure punctuality of trains by close monitoring.

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.

कोयला आधारित बिजली और डीजल की बढ़ती लागतों व प्रदूषण को देखते हुए रेलवे अन्य ईधन विकल्पों पर गंभीरतापूर्वक विचार कर रहा है। इस कड़ी में उसे एलएनजी (तरल प्राकृतिक गैस) में संभावनाएं दिखाई दी हैं। रेलवे के इंजीनियर इन दिनों एलएनजी से चलने वाले इंजनों के विकास में जुटे हैं।
रेलवे के लखनऊ स्थित अनुसंधान, विकास एवं मानक संगठन में इन दिनों एलएनजी इंजन के प्रोटोटाइप पर काम हो रहा है। एक बार यह विकसित हो गया तो शुरू में कम से कम 20 इंजनों का निर्माण किया जाएगा। यदि ये कामयाब रहे तो आगे चलकर डीजल इंजनों की जगह इनका प्रयोग बढ़ाया जाएगा। डीजल व बिजली के मुकाबले एलएनजी न केवल सस्ती है, बल्कि इससे प्रदूषण भी न के बराबर होता है। इसके उपयोग से रेलवे को खर्च में कमी के अलावा कार्बन क्रेडिट का लाभ भी मिल मिलेगा।
एक अनुमान के अनुसार एलएनजी के इस्तेमाल से रेलवे के ईधन खर्च में 50 फीसद तक की कमी आएगी। अभी डीजल पर 16 हजार करोड़ रुपये और बिजली पर 9,000 करोड़ रुपये को मिलाकर ईधन पर रेलवे का कुल सालाना खर्च 25 हजार करोड़ रुपये है। इस तरह एलएनजी के प्रयोग से साढ़े 12 हजार करोड़ रुपये तक बच सकते हैं।
देश में अभी हर वर्ष तकरीबन 8.10 करोड़ टन एलएनजी की खपत होती है। फिलहाल रेलवे में एलएनजी खपत शून्य है। यदि वह अपने सभी इंजनों में इसका इस्तेमाल करने लगे तो उसकी खपत कुल खपत का मात्र 2.2 फीसद होगी। जहां तक उपलब्धता का सवाल है तो भारत में तकरीबन 1,241 अरब घन मीटर परंपरागत प्राकृतिक गैस (इसका तरलीकृत रूप एलएनजी है जिसे किलोग्राम में मापा जाता है) का भंडार है। इसके अलावा 7,462.5 अरब घन मीटर शेल गैस और 1,890 खरब घन मीटर गैस हाइड्रेट्स का भंडार भी है। दूसरी ओर विश्व स्तर पर अपने शेल गैस भंडारों की बदौलत अमेरिका और कनाडा प्राकृतिक गैस के सबसे बड़े निर्यातक बन कर उभरे हैं। गैस का आयात करने के लिए भारत देश के पूर्वी और पश्चिमी तटों पर गैस टर्मिनलों का विकास करने में जुटा है। इन सभी टर्मिनलों को रेल लाइनों से जोड़ा जा रहा है। भविष्य की इन्हीं संभावनाओं के मद्देनजर रेलवे ने अभी से एलएनजी इंजनों का विकास शुरू कर दिया है।

नीतिगत बदलावों के बावजूद रेलवे की कैटरिंग में सुधार के कोई लक्षण नहीं दिख रहे। इसका कारण छोटी खानपान इकाइयों को उजाड़ा जाना और उनकी समस्याओं पर ध्यान नहीं दिया जाना है।1खानपान नीति 2010 के तहत वाराणसी व दिल्ली डिवीजनों में आम व विशेष छोटी इकाइयों (जीएमयू व एसएमयू) को अलग-अलग किए बिना ही टेंडर जारी कर दिए गए। इससे कई छोटे लाइसेंसी विस्थापित हुए हैं जिनके पुनर्वास की कोई व्यवस्था नहीं की गई है। इलाहाबाद सिटी व वाराणसी सिटी स्टेशनों को कुंभ मेले के दौरान ‘ए’ श्रेणी में परिवर्तित किया गया था और मेला समाप्त होने के बाद पुन: ‘डी’ श्रेणी में बदल दिया गया है। लेकिन अब तक ‘डी’ श्रेणी लाइसेंसीज को पुन: बहाल नहीं किया गया। 1छोटी खानपान इकाइयों की इन समस्याओं को लेकर अखिल भारतीय रेलवे खानपान लाइसेंसीज वेलफेयर एसोसिएशन ने रेलमंत्री मल्लिकाजरुन खड़गे को ज्ञापन सौंपा है और उनसे मिलने का समय मांगा है। रेलवे खानपान इकाइयों के प्रतिनिधियों की मांग है कि टेट्रा पैक्ड आइटमों, कोल्ड डिंक्स, फ्रेश जूस, नमकीन, बिस्कुट आदि की चाय स्टालों और ट्रालियों पर बिक्री की अनुमति दी जानी चाहिए। रेलवे माल गोदामों से वेंडिंग स्टालों के रीलोकेशन की अनुमति मिले। जो स्टाल प्रशासनिक आधार पर बंद किए गए हैं उन्हें उन्हीं स्टेशनों के सकरुलेटिंग इलाकों में प्लेटफार्मो पर पुन: अनुमति दी जाए। दस सूत्री फॉमरूले के कारण लाइसेंस फीस तीन-चार गुना बढ़ गई है। यह फॉमरूला आइआरसीटीसी के फॉमरूले भी ज्यादा घातक है। अत: दस फीसद सालाना वृद्धि के पुराने फॉमरूले को ही लागू किया जाए। प्रतिनिधियों का कहना है कि पूवरेत्तर रेलवे में मंडल अधिकारियों ने कैटरिंग नीति का उल्लंघन कर निविदाएं आमंत्रित की हैं। उन्हें रद किया जाए

कोयला आधारित बिजली और डीजल की बढ़ती लागतों व प्रदूषण को देखते हुए रेलवे अन्य ईधन विकल्पों पर गंभीरतापूर्वक विचार कर रहा है। इस कड़ी में उसे एलएनजी (तरल प्राकृतिक गैस) में संभावनाएं दिखाई दी हैं। रेलवे के इंजीनियर इन दिनों एलएनजी से चलने वाले इंजनों के विकास में जुटे हैं।
रेलवे के लखनऊ स्थित अनुसंधान, विकास एवं मानक संगठन में इन दिनों एलएनजी इंजन के प्रोटोटाइप पर काम हो रहा है। एक बार यह विकसित हो गया तो शुरू में कम से कम 20 इंजनों का निर्माण किया जाएगा। यदि ये कामयाब रहे तो आगे चलकर डीजल इंजनों की जगह इनका प्रयोग बढ़ाया जाएगा। डीजल व बिजली के मुकाबले एलएनजी न केवल सस्ती है, बल्कि इससे प्रदूषण भी न के बराबर होता है। इसके उपयोग से रेलवे को खर्च में कमी के अलावा कार्बन क्रेडिट का लाभ भी मिल मिलेगा।
एक अनुमान के अनुसार एलएनजी के इस्तेमाल से रेलवे के ईधन खर्च में 50 फीसद तक की कमी आएगी। अभी डीजल पर 16 हजार करोड़ रुपये और बिजली पर 9,000 करोड़ रुपये को मिलाकर ईधन पर रेलवे का कुल सालाना खर्च 25 हजार करोड़ रुपये है। इस तरह एलएनजी के प्रयोग से साढ़े 12 हजार करोड़ रुपये तक बच सकते हैं।
देश में अभी हर वर्ष तकरीबन 8.10 करोड़ टन एलएनजी की खपत होती है। फिलहाल रेलवे में एलएनजी खपत शून्य है। यदि वह अपने सभी इंजनों में इसका इस्तेमाल करने लगे तो उसकी खपत कुल खपत का मात्र 2.2 फीसद होगी। जहां तक उपलब्धता का सवाल है तो भारत में तकरीबन 1,241 अरब घन मीटर परंपरागत प्राकृतिक गैस (इसका तरलीकृत रूप एलएनजी है जिसे किलोग्राम में मापा जाता है) का भंडार है। इसके अलावा 7,462.5 अरब घन मीटर शेल गैस और 1,890 खरब घन मीटर गैस हाइड्रेट्स का भंडार भी है। दूसरी ओर विश्व स्तर पर अपने शेल गैस भंडारों की बदौलत अमेरिका और कनाडा प्राकृतिक गैस के सबसे बड़े निर्यातक बन कर उभरे हैं। गैस का आयात करने के लिए भारत देश के पूर्वी और पश्चिमी तटों पर गैस टर्मिनलों का विकास करने में जुटा है। इन सभी टर्मिनलों को रेल लाइनों से जोड़ा जा रहा है। भविष्य की इन्हीं संभावनाओं के मद्देनजर रेलवे ने अभी से एलएनजी इंजनों का विकास शुरू कर दिया है।

नीतिगत बदलावों के बावजूद रेलवे की कैटरिंग में सुधार के कोई लक्षण नहीं दिख रहे। इसका कारण छोटी खानपान इकाइयों को उजाड़ा जाना और उनकी समस्याओं पर ध्यान नहीं दिया जाना है।1खानपान नीति 2010 के तहत वाराणसी व दिल्ली डिवीजनों में आम व विशेष छोटी इकाइयों (जीएमयू व एसएमयू) को अलग-अलग किए बिना ही टेंडर जारी कर दिए गए। इससे कई छोटे लाइसेंसी विस्थापित हुए हैं जिनके पुनर्वास की कोई व्यवस्था नहीं की गई है। इलाहाबाद सिटी व वाराणसी सिटी स्टेशनों को कुंभ मेले के दौरान ‘ए’ श्रेणी में परिवर्तित किया गया था और मेला समाप्त होने के बाद पुन: ‘डी’ श्रेणी में बदल दिया गया है। लेकिन अब तक ‘डी’ श्रेणी लाइसेंसीज को पुन: बहाल नहीं किया गया। 1छोटी खानपान इकाइयों की इन समस्याओं को लेकर अखिल भारतीय रेलवे खानपान लाइसेंसीज वेलफेयर एसोसिएशन ने रेलमंत्री मल्लिकाजरुन खड़गे को ज्ञापन सौंपा है और उनसे मिलने का समय मांगा है। रेलवे खानपान इकाइयों के प्रतिनिधियों की मांग है कि टेट्रा पैक्ड आइटमों, कोल्ड डिंक्स, फ्रेश जूस, नमकीन, बिस्कुट आदि की चाय स्टालों और ट्रालियों पर बिक्री की अनुमति दी जानी चाहिए। रेलवे माल गोदामों से वेंडिंग स्टालों के रीलोकेशन की अनुमति मिले। जो स्टाल प्रशासनिक आधार पर बंद किए गए हैं उन्हें उन्हीं स्टेशनों के सकरुलेटिंग इलाकों में प्लेटफार्मो पर पुन: अनुमति दी जाए। दस सूत्री फॉमरूले के कारण लाइसेंस फीस तीन-चार गुना बढ़ गई है। यह फॉमरूला आइआरसीटीसी के फॉमरूले भी ज्यादा घातक है। अत: दस फीसद सालाना वृद्धि के पुराने फॉमरूले को ही लागू किया जाए। प्रतिनिधियों का कहना है कि पूवरेत्तर रेलवे में मंडल अधिकारियों ने कैटरिंग नीति का उल्लंघन कर निविदाएं आमंत्रित की हैं। उन्हें रद किया जाए

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.

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.

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.