RailEnquiry

  Indian Railways News  / Now, ‘seepage’ in Airport Metro

NEW DELHI: Days before the ministry of urban development decides on the deadline for finishing the repair work on Airport Metro Express, more 'defects' seem to be cropping up. In a joint meeting on Wednesday of the UD secretary, Delhi Metro and Reliance Infrastructure, which is the concessionaire for the Airport Metro Express, the issue of "severe" water seepage in the tunnel sections of the corridor came up for discussion.R-Infra, which had sent a letter to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on the issue on July 30 - a copy of which was also sent to the UD secretary - claims the seepage is so severe that it has been forced to replace the overhead electrification (OHE) on a "complete rail-length". Secretary (urban development), Sudhir Krishna, has now asked the Delhi Metro to look into the matter, along with the repair work on bearings and girders on the elevated section."The issue of seepage came up for discussion, and it was decided that DMRC will also look into this matter," Krishna said. The UD secretary had last week visited the tunnel to check into the complaint, added officials.Meanwhile, R-Infra has claimed in its letter to DMRC that the repair work on the seepage along the tunnel has meant "huge expenditure" for the concessionaire.The letter says that corrosive sediments generated from the leakage and DMRC's failure "to take proper remedial measures" had forced R-Infra to take "a number of measures on it own" to prevent "serious damage to trackside project assets".

The letter adds: "In fact, due to lack of proper remedial action by DMRC to remedy the situation of water seepage/leakage, the problem has only worsened, causing damage to trackside project assets." It goes on to ask DMRC to undertake "all necessary repair/rectification and to take appropriate action to satisfactorily close all DMRC punch list items before reopening of the line".

When contacted, the spokesperson of DMRC confirmed receiving the letter, adding, "In all underground constructions, especially tunnels which are at such a substantial depth, seepage is a normal phenomenon worldwide. What is required is making necessary arrangements for disposal of the seepage on a regular basis and for this, somps have been designed in the underground tunnels and motors are in place for seepage of excess water, if and when required."

Meanwhile, the blamegame over the Airport Metro Express project seems to be getting murkier. Allegations of R-Infra not having paid the concessionaire fee for this year have been making rounds. The concessionaire, as per the agreement between R-Infra and Delhi Metro, is to pay an annual fee to DMRC while the revenue from the Metro operations goes to R-Infra for 30 years.

However, for the year 2012, R-Infra is yet to pay the concessionaire fee. Sources in R-Infra confirmed that the fee has not been paid, claiming that the closure of the line was the reason for the delay.

  Indian Railways News  / Screening of luggage begins at Railway Junction

Railway authorities on Thursday commissioned the two luggage screening scanners at the Coimbatore Railway Junction with one on the main and another on the western side entrance.The scanners costing close to Rs. 35 lakh will be used for screening the luggage of the passengers to prevent smuggling of contraband and transportation of inflammable items.The installation of the same was aimed at improving the security and passenger amenities on a par with airports as part of the journey towards turning Coimbatore Railway Junction into an Aadhar station.Yet another screening machine with more features and slightly bigger would soon be installed at the parcel booking office. Railway officials pointed out that screening of luggage would enhance the safety level and sought the support and co-operation of the passengers in turning up at the railway station well ahead of the train departure time.
This is to avoid last-minute rush and ensure fool-proof screening of all the luggage that gets on to the platform and on board the trains.Those who arrive late might join the queue and the chances of missing the train will be there. The screening machine will be manned by RPF personnel.For turning the Junction into a security fortress, the works for installation of 73 speed dome and static surveillance cameras would begin shortly. The electronic eye would maintain vigil at ticket counters, reservation counters, platforms and passenger circulating area, the officials added.

  Indian Railways News  / Commissioned Agent for Angua Passenger Halt

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  Indian Railways News  / TTEs’ charge against police

The Dakshina Railway Employees’ Union (CITU) has alleged that Train Ticket Examiners (TTEs) are being threatened at work by the Kerala Police.In a statement here on Thursday, M. L. Vibi, chairman, Ticket Checking Staff Union, said that police personnel going on duty in trains had not been given travel passes. “The Director General of Police has reportedly directed the police personnel to purchase tickets while they are sent on duty in trains. When TTEs demand tickets from the police personnel, altercations ensue,” he added.

  Indian Railways News  / New railway official assumes office

Gurudas Brahma, an officer of the Indian Railways Traffic Service of 1981 batch, has taken over as the new Chief Operations Manager (COM) of East Coast Railway.According to ECoR, Mr. Brahma was working as Chief Freight Transportation Manager of ECoR prior to the present assignment.