RailEnquiry

  Indian Railways News  / Make all railway level crossings manned, demand MP

New Delhi: A strong demand was made in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday for making all rail crossings manned and relaxation of rules to ensure that railway bridge construction was not hit by red tape and lack of funds.

Participating in the discussion on Demands for Grants for Railways for 2012-13, members from various parties said unmanned railway crossings were a major cause of accidents and demanded that they be manned.

They demanded construction of railway under bridges and over bridges to avoid traffic problems for people using road.

Arjun Ram Meghwal (BJP) suggested that laws should be amended so that MNREGA funds can be used for such construction so that disputes between the states and the Railway Ministry over allocation of funds do not delay projects. He said Rajasthan has successfully used MNREGA funds for this purpose.

His demand for construction of more toilets for women passengers at stations received support from women members.

Pratap Singh Bajwa (Cong) said unmanned railway crossings should be converted into manned ones by this year end and sought an end to the practice of defecating near tracks.

When he said people could be seen defecating near tracks at a time when the government was selling 'Incredible India' campaign to attract tourists, Inder Singh Namdhari - who was in the Chair - remarked that perhaps it was a "feature" of the campaign.

Shailendra Kumar (SP) pitched for railway bridges and said though railway officials were now involving MPs in discussing pending projects, nothing concrete has come out so far.

Dara Singh Chauhan (BSP) suggested use of MPLAD funds for construction of railway bridges.

  Indian Railways News  / Secunderabad Division holds Divisional Rail Users’ Consultative Committee Meeting

The Divisional Rail Users Consultative Committee (DRUCC), which was constituted with new members, held its 151stmeeting atSanchalan Bhavan, Secunderabad today ( 25th April,2012).The Chairman of theDRUCC & Divisional Railway Manager, Shri Sanjive Roy, Secunderabad Divisionwelcomed the members and solicited their suggestions forfurther improving the services and facilities to the traveling public. The meeting was convened by Shri Dr B.S. Christopher, Secretary DRUCC & Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Secunderabad Division.20 members out of 23 nominated members were present at the meeting. As some of the members were new to the committee, the pattern of Railway working was explained to them. A brief presentation was given about the performance of Secunderabad Division and few noteworthy developments during the last financial year were highlighted.The Committee members elected Dr. M.C. Bhurat to represent Secunderabad Division in the Zonal Railway Users’ Consultative Committee.

  Indian Railways News  / Danapur station may be developed as terminal point

PATNA: With the volume of traffic flow increasing under Danapur division of East Central Railway (ECR), the railways has decided to give a facelift to Danapur station, one of the oldest stations of the railways in the eastern zone. The railways is mulling to develop this station as a terminal point to cope with huge rush of traffic and passengers.

Divisional railway manager (DRM), Danapur, L M Jha, said, "It is true Danapur station is in a poor shape now and needs to be developed on priority basis. The railways will ensure that this grand old station is equipped with all kinds of amenities for passengers. This station is the main artery of the division while Patna Junction is the hub of passengers."

Jha said that the railways would soon build a state-of-the-art refreshment room and two retiring rooms at Danapur station. A spacious waiting hall for sleeper class passengers would also be provided just outside the station so that passengers could avail the facilities. The railway has already set up a VIP lounge at the station, he said. The railways has also planned to build separate building on the west end of the station to house the present passenger reservation system (PRS) counter at an estimated cost of about Rs 80 lakh. The circulating area of the station passes through the NH 90.

Efforts are on to shift it a little away from the present location for free movement of passengers, Jha said. He admitted that the traffic jam at railway level crossing gate at Jagjiwan stadium has been causing hardship to pedestrians and vehicle owners. Though a road over bridge ( ROB) is proposed to be built by the state government there, the railways has also decided to widen the crossing gate to four lanes for smooth flow of heavy vehicles through railway crossing gate at Khagaul, he said. Jha said the railways has no option than to develop Danapur station where there is enough space to carry out development plan. Patna Junction and Rajendra Nagar Terminal are already saturated from traffic operation or maintenance of coaches point of view. "Danapur station thus could be developed as the next terminal of the division to meet the operational needs of the railways," he said.

  Indian Railways News  / Special return trains for AIEEE examinees

Easterrn Railway has made elaborate arrangements for the benefit for those appearing for the AIEEE examinations from the Durgapur centre on Sunday. These include the running of four special trains and attachment of eight additional coaches to existing trains. One train will also be extended for the benefit of examinees.

    The four special trains include a 12-car MEMU from Durgapur to Burdwan. This will start from Durgapur at 2.15pm. Another 12-car MEMU will start from Durgapur towards Jasidih at 3pm. The third one will leave Durgapur at 4pm and reach Patna at 10.15pm. This will have 17 coaches including an AC-III tier one. There will also be an 11-coach special train for Howrah that will start from Durgapur at 6.40pm on Sunday.

    “Two coaches each will be fitted to the Howrah-Siuri Hool Express (both directions), Up Howrah-Sriganganagar Udayan Abha Toofan Express, Up Kolkata – Jammu Tawi Express and Down Malda Town – Digha Express via Durgapur-Asansol. The Up Asansol-Gaya MEMU will originate from Durgapur at 2.30pm on Sunday instead of Asansol. The Udayan Abha Toofan Express will leave Howrah 90 minutes late on Sunday,” an official said.

  Indian Railways News  / Temporary stoppage for trains at Poonkunnam station for 2 days

MANGALORE: The Southern Railways will provide one minute stoppage at Poonkunnam station on Tuesday and Wednesday in connection with Thrissur Pooram festival to select trains. These include train no. 16307/16308 Kannur - Ernakulam South - Kannur Express, train no. 16305/16306 Kannur - Ernakulam South - Kannur Express, train no. 16301/16302 Thiruvananthapuram - Shoranur - Thiruvananthapuram Venad Express, train no. 16649/16650 Thiruvananthapuram - Mangalore - Thiruvananthapuram Parasuram express, and train no. 16341/16342 Thiruvananthapuram - Guruvayur - Thiruvananthapuram intercity express.In addition, stoppage will be given to train no. 6348 Mangalore - Thiruvananthapuram Express on May 1, and to train no. 16629 Thiruvananthapuram - Mangalore Malabar Express, train no. 16343 Thiruvananthapuram - Palakkad Town Amritha Express, 16344 Palakkad Town -Thiruvananthapuram Amritha Express, and train no. 16630, Mangalore -Thiruvananthapuram Malabar Express on May 2 respectively.Train no. 56602 Kannur - Shoranur Passenger will be extended to Thrissur on May 1. The train will leave Shoranur at 8.45 pm, reach Vallathol Nagar at 8.55 pm, Mullurkkara at 9.02 pm, Wadakkancheri at 9.13 pm, Mulangunnathukavu at 9.23 pm, Poonkunnam at 9.33 pm and Thrissur at 9.40 pm. The train will halt at each of the intermediate stations for two minutes.