The Chennai Division of Southern Railway is gearing up to induct 3 phase EMUs into service in the Chennai – Tambaram – Chengalpattu – Tirumalpur route. Trial runs of this 3 phase EMU rake are being conducted between Tambaram – Chengalpattu. After completion of statutory trial runs, this 3 phase EMU rake will be introduced for passenger services. The date of introduction will be notified later.

Shri R.K. Kulshrestha, General Manager, Southern Railway accompanied by Shri A.K.Kathpal, Principal Chief Mechanical Engineer, Shri Naveen Gulati, Divisional Railway Manager, Chennai, and other Railway Officials, inspected the EMU Car Shed unit located at Tambaram for commissioning of the new EMU Suburban rail coach manufactured at ICF/S.Rly and handed over to EMU Car Shed, Tambaram, for public services.

The new 12-car rake comprising of 4 units with solid state IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors) based 3 phase propulsion drive system, all the coaches are provided with many additional features for better passenger journey and additional safety features in ladies compartment

Salient features of 3 phase EMUs:

• Manufactured by ICF, Chennai.
• Coaches are fabricated with stainless steel body and provided with electronic sensors for computer monitored speed control and braking system.
• Energy efficient and Higher hauling capacity
• LED indication for chain pulling.
• Regeneration of 30% power during braking for conservation of energy.
• Smooth speed control by VVVF technology for comfortable riding.
• Event Recorder for recording the data of train operation and other train control systems.
• Surveillance cameras (CCTV) in ladies coaches to strengthen security for women passengers.
• In Addition to fans, Modular Roof Mounted Forced Air Ventilation System which supplies 16000m3/hr fresh air into the passenger area is provided.
• GPS based Passenger Information System for announcement of stations and display as well.
• LED based lighting for better illumination and energy conservation.
• Maximum speed – 105 kmph.
• Stainless steel body coaches for aesthetic appearance, better durability and safety.
• Corrosion resistance stainless steel pipelines for more reliability and minimal maintenance.
• Passenger carrying capacity:  Seats – 1168 nos. and standing passengers – 4852 nos.
• Air-conditioned cab for crew comfort.
• PA system for private communication between crew and also for in-coach announcement.
• Emergency stop button in cabin for immediate stop, during emergency situations

This is the second year after the accounts of Indian Railways were merged — some might say obscured — with the rest of the budget. As a result, there has been little discussion on the plans, performance and outlays of an organisation that generates revenues of over ₹2 lakh crore, employs 1.3 million people and transports a staggering 20 million or more passengers every day.

The Centre has rightly identified the focus areas, for which it has targeted a capex spending of over ₹1.48 lakh crore. These are: track doubling, gauge conversion, better designed coaches, electrification, beefing up rolling stock, and work on the dedicated freight corridor (DFC).

Besides, the refurbishing of railway stations and improvement of the suburban rail network, not to mention the ‘bullet train’, find a mention. However, the key concern here is that the capex spending will be raised through over ₹93,000 crore of borrowings. Budgetary support for 2018-19 at ₹53,060 crore is, in fact, lower than the budgeted sum of ₹55,000 crore for 2017-18, with the revised estimates for the current year at just ₹40,000 crore. The inability of the Railways to spend the Centre’s outlay perhaps tells us that the former has its task cut out when it comes to execution.

This is borne out by the tardy progress with respect to DFC. Managerial reform steps such as delegation of powers to general managers do not seem to have yielded results so far. The Centre needs to fix this issue soon, given the dire infrastructure shortcomings with respect to safety, requiring investment in track maintenance, automatic signalling and training of the workforce.

The operating ratio (of revenues to expenditure) remains adverse as ever. It is expected to reduce (improve) to 92.8 in 2018-19 from over 96 in the present fiscal, on the back of a steep increase in sundry revenues, which basically means monetisation of its real estate. While passenger earnings are based on just a 0.1 per cent growth in passengers — a concession to the growing inroads made by air travel and road transport as a medium-distance option — goods earnings are based on an additional 51 million tonnes of freight. The Railways must focus on passenger comfort and safety to improve its share in the transport mix; the Centre has rightly rationalised freight rates and the benefits are showing this year.

But a major concern over which the Centre is quiet is the impact of automation on workforce deployment. There are over two lakh vacancies in the Railways, of which a lakh, according to the Kakodkar panel, pertain to safety alone. Notably, according to the DP Tripathi committee report on loco pilots, about 16,000 posts remain unfilled. Automation will require a rejigging of workers from one job description to another, without any impact on outcomes. Indian Railways has built its reputation on the morale of its workforce. In its drive to modernise and improve efficiencies, these gains should not be frittered away.

Railway infrastructure growth in southern districts of Tamil Nadu is set to suffer a setback as the Union Budget has poorly allotted funds for the ongoing doubling works in the state. Even 10 per cent of estimated funds have not been allotted for the doubling of Madurai-Thoothukudi, Vanchi Maniyachi-Tirunelveli- Nagercoil and Kanniyakumari-Thiruvananthpauram lines.

According to the railway pink book submitted before Parliament on Tuesday, for 160-km-long Madurai-Vanchimaniyachi-Thoothukudi line, the railways has sanctioned Rs 75 crore, while the project cost is estimated at 1182.23 crore.

Similarly, another doubling project of the 102-km Vanchi Maniyachi-Tirunelveli-Nagercoil section which was estimated to cost Rs 1003.94 crore has been sanctioned just Rs 75 crore.

The Kanniyakumari-Nagercoil-Thiruvananthapuram line estimated to cost Rs 1431.90 crore has received Rs 110 crore, out of which Rs 100 crores was proposed to be sourced from extra budgetary resources.

While Tamil Nadu witnesses highest inter-state migration for education, health and employment, transportation demand has been increasing every year.

People of the southern districts hoped that speedy completion of the doubling project would connect the region with other parts of Tamil Nadu and the country. It would also accelerate the social and economic development of Madurai, Virudhunagar, Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli and Kanniyakumari districts.

P Edward Jeni, general secretary, Kanniyakumari District Railway Users Association, said that even if Rs 250 crore to Rs 300 crore was allotted for each project a year, it would take another three to four years to get completed. “With hardly Rs 75 crore a year, it’s nearly impossible to finish the project in 10 years,” he said.

According to the budget allocation, the state has received Rs 2,548 crore this year as against Rs  2,287 crore allotted last year.

Though the state has received Rs 261 crore more compared to the previous year, the funds remain insufficient to complete the rail projects in the state.

Gauge conversion

The Union Budget has also allotted Rs 80 crore for one of the much delayed Madurai-Bodinayakkanur gauge conversion works. The section track was dismantled in 2010 and Theni district has since lost its train connectivity.

Central districts

Central districts of Tamil Nadu have received Rs 239.46 crore for ongoing gauge conversions and new lines. While 64.46 crore has been allotted under capital expenditure by the  railways, Rs 175 crore is to be sourced through extra budgetary resources.

The gauge conversion work between Tiruvarur and Pattukottai has just been finished, as part of the 149-km gauge conversion of Tiruvarur-Thiruthuraipoondi-Pattukottai-Aranthangi-Karaikudi section. Similarly, the gauge conversion works are being carried out in full swing in Thirutturaipoondi-Agasthiampalli section. In addition to this, funds are to be used for laying a new track between Mannarkudi-Pattukottai (34 km) and Thanjavur-Pattukottai (47 km). Laying of these new tracks has been pending for nearly 20 years.

New lines

Projects delayed for more than 10 years have also not received funding. The 91.5-km-long Erode-Dharapuram-Palani line was allotted Rs 10 lakh this year too. It was approved in 2005.

The other two projects in northern districts – Tindivanam-Gingee-Tiruvannamalai and Tindivanam-Nagari (179.2 km)  – have been allotted Rs 10 crore each. These projects were also inaugurated in 2007-2008. For laying a new line in the Chennai-Cuddalore section via Mahabalipuram (179.28 km), the railways has allotted Rs 100.10 crore. The Madurai-Tuticorin via Aruppukkottai (143.5 km) project has been allotted Rs 20 lakh, while the 36-km long Morappur-Dhamapuri line has received Rs 36 crore.

Chennai

For laying 60-km line connecting Sriperumbudur with Avadi via Guduvanchery and Irunkattukottai, estimated to cost Rs 839 crore, has got Rs 20 lakh.

Slow track

There has been scant progress in railway gauge conversion, which began in 2004, between Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu, and Kollam, Kerala. Work between Virudhunagar and Rajapalayam, in Tamil Nadu, ended in 2007 and was extended to Shencottah in Tamil Nadu a year later. Conversion between Kollam and Shencottah was finished in part in the Kollam-Punalur stretch, in Kerala, in 2010. However, in mid-2010, train services between Shencottah and Punalur were suspended. After the issue was raised repeatedly, work was completed on the Shencottah-Edamon-Punalur section.

After the Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety, Southern Railway, inspected the broad gauge line between Shencottah and Edamon in January this year, the green signal was given for commencing services between Edamon and Shencottah. However, given the slow pace of work so far, one wonders whether people in the region will have to wait for long for a service between Punalur and Shencottah, despite it being a long-standing demand.

Train operated in Coimbatore-Podanur-Pollachi section had poor patronage because of timings. After gauge conversion, section remains underutilised

Now, this one is a clear case of precious funds going down the drain. The railway line between Podanur and Pollachi was converted from metre gauge to broad gauge by spending several crores. The project was implemented after a long wait as it ran into funds constraints, land acquisition litigations and a rocky terrain that made work execution difficult.

Now, after completion, it remains underutilised. The only passenger train that was introduced on this section is described as tokenism by the people as it lacks patronage because of the odd timings and was withdrawn from Jan. 14.

Train No. 06081/06082 operated in Coimbatore-Podanur-Pollachi section from July 15, 2017. It has had very poor patronage from the start because of the timings. The idle rakes of Train No. 56604/56605 (Shoranur-Coimbatore Fast Passenger) shared for the passenger train to Pollachi has now been withdrawn from Jan. 14 due to the introduction of a special train between Palani and Coimbatore via Pollachi, Kinathikkadavu and Podanur from on that day. The train chugs out of Coimbatore at 1.35 p.m. In the return direction, it leaves Pollachi at 3.05 p.m. and reaches Coimbatore at 4.15 p.m., with an average patronage of only 50 to 60 passengers across 11 coaches every day. As a consequence, the revenue is a measly Rs. 750 to Rs. 900 a trip, as against the operational cost of around Rs. 1.5 lakh.

Many regular commuters suggested that the patronage will increase if the train is operated during peak hours.

After the persistent demand from the people from different corners, the Salem Railway Division had introduced the Special Train No. 06709/06710 Coimbatore-Palani-Coimbatore from Jan. 14 for three months. Coaches of this train would run as Train No. 56709/56710 Palani-Madurai-Palani.

Even though the Salem Division had submitted a proposal to extend the services of Semmozhi Express up to Pollachi, it might not serve any purpose. Rail users say this is because the train would depart Pollachi late in the night and leave Coimbatore for Pollachi very early in the morning.

It was also suggested that the Fast Passenger (Train No. 56848) in Palghat town-Tiruchirappalli could be operated via Pollachi instead of Madukkarai (as a train is already being operated via Madukkarai) in the morning to the serve commuters from Pollachi. Similarly, another section that needs more services is the Coimbatore – Mettuppalayam route. Though many train services are operated to Mettupalayamm from Coimbatore, tourists look for late night trains and also on Sundays to reach Udhagamandalam, and the Vanabadrakaliamman temple and a water theme park on the way.

Over 54 percent railway tracks in Tamil Nadu yet to be electrified

With the Railway Ministry having decided not to announce any new train in its budget, rail passengers in the state are pinning their hopes on an increased fund allocation for speedy completion of ongoing and long-pending rail projects.

Despite being sixth most populous state in the country and one of the highly passenger revenue-generating states in the Indian Railways, rail infrastructure  in Tamil Nadu lags behind on several counts.  Particularly, in terms of electrification of tracks, the state has been ignored for several decades, running with only 46 per cent of electrified tracks on its total track length.

According to a report submitted by the Railway Ministry in Parliament, as on April 1, 2017, a total of 4,027-km-long track runs through the state, out of which 1,851-km track has been electrified. The electrification percentages in Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal, which are relatively larger than in Tamil Nadu with respect to population stood at 77.77 and 64.84 respectively, while smaller states like Kerala, Jharkhand and Chattisgarh have got over 75 per cent of tracks electrified.

“After fighting for three decades, we got the Madurai – Kanniyakumari line doubling works,” said Kanniyakumari Rail Users Association general secretary P Edward Jeni. He said  passengers would get the benefit of track improvements only if station infrastructure was developed to handle more trains.

Even though several sections were thrown open for traffic after gauge conversion and new tracks were introduced including Mandamadurai-Virudhunagar, Karur-Namakkal- Dindigul, Pollachi-Palakkad-Podanur and Vellore-Tiruvannamalai-Villupuram, the Railways could not operate more trains. It has been more than six months since the entire stretch of Chenai Egmore-Tiruchy was completely electrified with double lines, the Railway could not ply any additional train in the section.

“More funds should be allotted for improving terminals with additional stabling lines and pit lines at Tambaram, Madurai, Tiruchy, Virudhuangar, Tirunelveli, Rameswaram, Nagercoil, Salem and Tondiarpet,” said Naina Masilamani, member of Divisional Rail Users Consultative Committee. With the Railways replacing the old ICF coaches with LHB rakes, the Southern Railway should be allotted more coaches.

The ongoing works include doubling of tracks from Chennai to Kannaiyakumari, gauge conversion of Tiruvarur-Pattukottai-Aranthangi-Karaikudi section, electrification of Villupuram – Cuddalore Port – Mayiladuthurai – Thanjavur and Mayiladuthurai – Tiruvarur sections. In addition to this, Madurai-Bodi gauge conversion and new line-laying works between Tindivanm and Nagari via Walajah road have been delayed.

The Union budget is also expected to take a final call on the East Coast Railway line proposed to connect Kanniyakumari with Karaikudi via Tiruchendur. When contacted, official sources hoped that funds would be allotted for electrification and doubling works in Tamil Nadu. “We also expect fund allocation for modernising the ICF to manufacture the LHB coaches and replacing the Scherzer span of Pamban bridge,” said an official.

Infra boost needed

• Though several sections were thrown open for traffic after gauge conversion and new tracks were introduced, Railways could not operate more trains
• Even six months after the entire stretch of Chenai Egmore-Tiruchy was completely electrified with double lines, the Railway could not ply any additional train
• Madurai-Bodi gauge conversion, new line-laying works between Tindivanam and Nagari via Walajah road delayed
• Union budget is expected to take a final call on the East Coast Railway line

Those were the days of steam engines and meter gauge trains,” recalls a nostalgic Prof N Murali about his college days in the mid-1980s. “We used to reach our college, which was a good 25km away from Madurai, in 40 minutes, the time speeding moffusil buses now take to cover the same distance. And commuting for a month would cost less than Rs 10.” He was one of the many students, teachers and others who relied on the Madurai-Bodi train to commute before the section was dismantled for gauge conversion in 2011.

It was in 1984 that Madurai city took a giant leap in expansion from 51.82 sqkm to 147.99 sqkm, annexing most of town panchayats, municipalities and village panchayats on the outskirts. The city’s population expanded to 14 lakh during the 2011 census. Today, being a major shopping centre and the chief market for south Tamil Nadu, Madurai attracts roughly 5 lakh people who constitutes its daily floating population.

This has made the city lively, but has also made Madurai congested. “Madurai gets crowded by morning because people from across the region come for shopping and work here. Commuting by bus here is costly and cumbersome. An affordable suburban train service will make commuting easier for thousands of passengers,” said S P Jeyapragasam, president of the Tamil Nadu Foodgrains Merchants Association Limited.

Every day, hundreds of people from Madurai travel by rail to nearby towns for work. For A Vadivel, a telecommunications employee from Madurai working in Virudhunagar, taking the Mysore-Tuticorin Express at 7.40am is more economical and time-saving than taking a moffusil bus from Mattuthavani. He comes to Madurai junction from Thiruppalai, 15km from city, and gets into the train for another 40-minute journey. The other option is a two-hour bus trip to Virudhunagar.

“There are hundreds of commuters like me travelling to neighbouring towns for work. We fought tooth and nail with the railways to board reserved coaches with season tickets, since the unreserved coaches are cramped during peak hours,” he said, quite thrilled about the idea of a suburban rail network. “Imagining a network like in Chennai… even a quarter of its size will be of great help to regular commuters like us during peak hours,” he said.

At present, there are a few express and passenger trains on the Madurai-Virudhunagar & Madurai-Dindigul sections that are electrified. There are also passenger trains towards Rameswaram, covering the Madurai-Manamadurai section. Gauge conversion work has been going on in the Madurai-Usilampatti section of the Madurai-Bodi line for seven years. Considering that there is no line in the western direction, rail user forums have been demanding a new line from Madurai and Karaikudi via Melur.

Madurai MP R Gopalakrishnan said the new line project seemed to be shelved after a survey. “But we are not going to give up,” he said. The MP said a suburban train network is a great idea to ease traffic congestion in the city. “A 17-coach passenger train may reduce at least 20 buses on a route and save a lot of money on fuel and bring down damage to the environment. We will start pitching for this,” he said.

General secretary of the Railway Passengers Welfare Organisation in Madurai K Padmanathan said such a demand never struck rail users or elected representatives for long because the railways was taking its own time to even double the Chennai-Madurai line and has begun doubling the Madurai-Kanyakumari line only now. “Creating a suburban network is a mega project for a city like Madurai. It requires a lot of money and state government support in acquiring land. We may be able to take up the demand vigorously once the doubling work between Madurai and Kanyakumari is completed,” he added.

In the general budget 2018-19 various new railway line works and doubling project have been sanctioned over South Eastern Railway along with safety related and passenger amenity works. The detailed and special features of the budget follows:-

1. The important infrastructural capacity enhancement works like doubling there an increase of 6% in the Budget Grant as compared to last year. The grant has been increased from 932.40 Cr to Rs.988.50 Cr.
2. The important safety works related to level crossings and ROB/RUB, there is also an increase in the Budget Grant which has been raised from 285.35 Cr to 291.59 Cr.
3. The replacement of track there is an increase of 9.55% in the Budget Grant which has been raised from about 594.24 Cr to Rs.650.99 Crs.
4. There is a major improvement in the allotment for Passenger Amenities where the Grant has been increased by almost 41% raising it from Rs.6.10 Cr to Rs.66.40 Cr.
5. This time a new concept has been adopted in the Budget of clubbing important works over various Zones and sanctioning umbrella works for such major activities. Total 23 such umbrella works have been included in the current Budget which are relevant to South Eastern Railway. Some of the major items are as under;

No	Name of work	Total Cost
1	Construction of road over/under bridges in South Eastern Railway	10.00
2	Modernization of complete signalling system on Indian Railways	77912.00
3	Setting up of maintenance depots for train sets at various locations in Indian Railways	180.00
4	Upgradation of critical works centres of workshops over Indian Railways	500.00
5	Upgradation of freight/routine overhauling depots, train examination facilities, examination yards over Indian Railway	300.00
6	Upgradation of 100 coaching pit lines over Indian Railways	300.00
7	Construction of new quarters for staff/officers at various locations of Indian Railways (all Railway Zones)	165.00
8	South Eastern Railway – provision of foot over bridges and / or high level platforms at stations as per requirement.	300.00
9	Provision of escalators on railway platforms over Indian Railways (2589 Nos)	2589.00
10	Provision of 1000 lifts at 500 stations on Indian Railways	404.00
11	Provision of washable aprons over Indian Railways	200.00
12	Construction of boundary wall near stations & its approaches as measure to safeguard track and establishments avoiding encroachments over Indian Railways	500.00
13	Provision of Wi-Fi internet facility at 300 B-category stations over Indian Railways	115.00
14	Provision of CCTV system in 4038 coaches of premium trains (Rajdhani, Shatabdi & Duranto)	154.24
15	Provision of video surveillance system at 2140 F category stations (under Nirbhaya fund)	43.00
16	Provision of video surveillance system at 1105 stations (D & E category) of Eastern Region	254.21

The details of various works proposed to South Eastern Railway are as under:

NEW RAILWAY ELECTRIFICATION WORK INCLUDED IN BUDGET 2018-19

SN	State	Name of Project	Rly	Total RKM	State RKM	Total Cost (in Rs crore)	Proportionate Cost (in Rs crore)
1.	Jharkhand	Tatanagar-Badampahar	SER	89	42	70.08	33.07
2.	-do-	TKMs of YARD & LOOP LINES	SER	181	33.18	116.85	21.42
3.	Odisha	Rupsa-Bangriposi	SER	89	89	68.66	68.66
4.	-do-	Tatanagar-Badampahar	SER	89	47	70.08	37.01
5.	-do-	TKMs of YARD & LOOP LINES	SER	181	68.46	116.85	44.20
6.	West Bengal	Bankura-Mashagram	SER	118	118	92.8	92.80
7.	-do-	TKMs of YARD & LOOP LINES	SER	181	79	116.85	51.00

NEW RAILWAY ELECTRIFICATION WORK INCLUDED IN BUDGET 2018-19

SN	State	Name of Project	Rly	Tot. Rkm	State RKM	Total Cost (in Rs./Cr.)	Proportionate Cost (in Rs crore)
1.	Jharkhand	Tatanagar-Badampahar	SER	89	42	70.08	33.07
2.	-do-	TKMs of YARD & LOOP LINES	SER	181	33.18	116.85	21.42
3.	Odisha	Rupsa-Bangriposi	SER	89	89	68.66	68.66
4.	-do-	Tatanagar-Badampahar	SER	89	47	70.08	37.01
5.	-do-	TKMs of YARD & LOOP LINES	SER	181	68.46	116.85	44.20
6.	West Bengal	Bankura-Mashagram	SER	118	118	92.8	92.80
7.	-do-	TKMs of YARD & LOOP LINES	SER	181	79	116.85	51.00

Works proposed for inclusion in Budget 2018-19 subject to approval

SNo	Name of Project	Rly	Plan Head	Length (km)	Approx.Cost (Rs.in cr)	State-1	State-2
1.	Link line between Lodhma and Piska bypassing Hatia/Ranchi with Y connection.	SER	DL	17.2	428.65	Jharkhand
2.	Namkum-Kandra new line	SER	NL	106	2120	Jharkhand
3.	Provision of 3rd line between Chandil-Anara-Burnpur Section along with additional loop line at Nimdih, Urma, Tamna, Charra & Bagalia Stations (125KM)	SER	DL	125	1646.81	Jharkhand	West Bengal
4.	Proposal for doubling of line between Talgoria station to Bokaro N/Cabin section in Adra Division(Total 32+6=38 KM)	SER	DL	38	390.39	Jharkhand
5.	Purulia-Kotshila doubling	SER	DL	36	338	West Bengal

Tamil Nadu has been allotted Rs. 2548 crore for the railway projects for the year 2018-19.

The railway pink book tabled before Parliament on Tuesday revealed that Rs. 2548 crore to be spent for ongoing doubling, electrification, new lines, gauge conversion and other development works this year.

The state has received Rs. 261 crore more for this year, compared to the previous year allocation of Rs. 2287 crore.

While the state has not received funds for laying new lines under southern railway jurisdiction, 48 km long train track between Bayapanahallai and Hosur which comes under Southern Western Railway (SWR) to be doubled with electrification at the cost of Rs. 376 crore.

The proposal aimed to improve the train connectivity from Western districts of Tamil Nadu with Bengaluru and other parts of Karnataka.

The Union Budget has fixed the target of electrifying 6000 km long tracks across the country for the year 2018-19, out of which 319 km long tracks in Tamil Nadu are expected to be electrified.

This includes, the 141 km long Erode – Karur – Tiruchirapalli and 74 km length of Dindigul – Karur section and Tiruchirapalli – Thanjavur – Thiruvarur section for the distance of 104 km to be completed this year. More than 60 per cent of the tracks had already been already electrified.

In addition to this, doubling of 15.5 km long tracks of Nagercoil – Kanniyakumari has also been aimed for completion this year as part of Kanniyakumari – Thiruvananthapuram doubling works

Ministry of Railways and Ministry of AYUSH have decided to scale up AYUSH Health Services in the following Railway Hospitals

1. B.R. Singh Hospital in Eastern Railway
2. Perambur Railway Hospital Southern Railway
3. Central Hospital of Northern Railway
4. JR Hospital in Western Railway
5. Central Hospital of Northeast Frontier Railway.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Ministry of Railways and Ministry of AYUSH in New Delhi today to augment the AYUSH system services in its zonal hospitals at New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Guwahati. Principal Executive Director/Health Dr. Gajendra Kumar, on behalf of the Ministry of Railways and Advisor Dr. Manoj Nesari from Ministry of AYUSH, signed the MOU. Minister of State of Railways & Minister of State (I/C) of Communication, Manoj Sinha, Minister of State (I/C) for AYUSH, Shripad Yesso Naik, Minister of State of Railways, Rajen Gohain, Chairman Railway Board, Ashwani Lohani, other Railway Board Members & dignitaries from both the Ministries were present on the occasion

Speaking on the occasion MoS Mnaoj Sinha said that ensuring wellness of Railway employees is of prime concern. The traditional knowledge of AYUSH systems can be harnessed to particularly help the vast majority of railway staff who are required to put in stressful field duties on site. MoS Sh Rajen Gohain said cooperation of Ministry of Railways and Ministry of AYUSH would go a long way in propagating the age old benefits of traditional systems of medicine. Sh Gohain added that he is particularly aware of the good work and benefits being availed of the AYUSH services at the Guwahati Railway Hospital. Minister of State (I/C) for AYUSH, Shripad Yesso Naik pointed out that AYUSH Systems of Medicine offer safe, effective and complete holistic treatment in many diseases. He said the proposed collaboration would play a pivotal role in offering healthcare needs to the people serving the railway sector.

Under the terms of the MoU signed, Ministry of Railways will arrange for providing logistics and infrastructure in the form of Land & building, Equipments, Furniture, AYUSH medicines and consumables as well as Manpower as per its guidelines. It will organize and provide orientation training to newly recruited AYUSH Doctors and AYUSH Paramedicals. Ministry of AYUSH in turn will provide all other technical inputs required for introduction of AYUSH Systems in the five identified Railways Hospitals. The Ministry will also provide technical knowhow regarding the pharmacopoeia, medicine inventory, hospital planning. Guidelines of manpower requirement and Recruitment Rules; Procedures of AYUSH Doctors, AYUSH Para medical required for introduction of AYUSH Systems in five Railway Hospitals including the guidelines for contractual AYUSH doctors and paramedical staff would be aided by MoAYUSH.

Presently Indian Railways is running 126 Homeopathic Clinics and 40 Ayurvedic Clinics through Staff Benefit Fund under Welfare Section of Establishment Directorate.

After tabling of Summary of Works and Grants in Parliament the details of budget allocation and work sanctioned was available to Railway. Today Shri A.K. GUPTA, General Manager, South Western Railway has conducted press Conference and shared the details of work sanctioned to SWR &allocation of funds to SWR. In the current year Rs. 3353 Crore is sanctioned as against Rs. 3174 Crore last year. He was sharing the Union budget announcements with the media at Rail Soudha, Hubballi. Shri B.B. Singh, Additional General Manager; Shri G.J. Prasad, Principal Chief Operations Manager; Shri K. Shiva Prasad, Chief Commercial Manager; Shri Rajiv Kumar, Principal Chief Electrical Engineer; Shri D.L. Chowdhry, Principal Chief Mechanical Engineer; and other senior officers were present in conference.

The details of funds allocation and various projects sanctioned to South Western Railway as follows:

Achievements of Railways in karnataka

• 252 Km of New Railway line completed–

Including 2 long pending works of

Ø     Connecting Bengaluru with Hassan via Shravanabelagola

Ø     And Gulbarga to Bidar (2 important cities in North Karnataka)

• 277 Km of doubling completed including three major sections

Ø   Bengaluru – Mysuru

Ø   Guntakal – Wadi

• 665 Km of track electrified

Ø   Yelahanka-Dharmavaram

• In last 5 years Budget outlay has been made four times
• All important lines in Karnataka are being doubled and Electrified including Bengaluru- Mumbai ,Bengaluru -Hyderabad routes
• 88 new trains introduced including Humsafar and trains with modern LHB coaches
• State of the art Manufacture facility for Bogies at Yadgir
• MEMU shed in Bengaluru
• All unmanned LC gates being eliminated
• 339 Road Over Bridges &Road Under Bridges constructed
• Passenger amenities at stations improved in a big way by providing escalators and lifts , improved station buildings, platforms, better catering facilities etc. Rs. 165 Cr. booked in last 3 years.
• Big impetus to Swachh Bharat Abhiyan by Railways adopting bio toilets, On Board House Keeping Services etc.
• Towards Green India

Ø      Solar energy being harnessed in a big way

Ø      LED fittings will be provided at all stations by Mar.2018

New Works approved in the Budget 2018-19

• Suburban for Bengaluru

SL	Name of Project	Length (Km)	Cost (Rs. Cr)
1	Bengaluru Suburban-Construction of elevated/at grade corridors for augmentation of line capacity	142	12,000

• Doubling

SL	Name of Project	Length (Km)	Cost(Rs. Cr)
1	Doubling between Baiyyappannahalli to Hosur	48	375.67
2	Doubling between Yesvantpur to Channasandra	21.7	169.65
3	Doubling Pennukonda to Dharmavarm excl. Dharmavaram	41.5	294.67
	Total	212.54	840 Cr

• Electrification works

SNo.	Name of Project	Rkm	Total Cost (Rs. Cr)
1.	Hospet-Swamihalli	59	61.81
2.	Birur-Talguppa	161	151.99
3.	Mysuru- Hassan-Mangalore (incl. Arsikere –Hassan)	347	315.81
4.	Mysuru-Chamarajanagar	61	56.71
5.	Kadur-Chikmaglur	46	39.74
6.	Chikbanavar-Hasan	166	155.17
7.	Bangarpet-Yelehanka	149	138.21
	Total	989	919.44

• Survey

Sl. No.	Name of Project	Length(Km	Cost(Rs. Cr)
1	Gadag-Krishnar via Kotumachagi, Naregal, Gajendragada, Hanumasagar, Ilkal & Lingasur	216	0.54
2	4 Nos. Flyovers at Chandargao-Cansaulim, Salem-Channasandra, Salem-Baiyyappanahalli & Krishnarajpuram-Channasandra	88	0.44

• New ROB/RUBs/Subways Sanctioned

No. of ROBs	No. of RUBs/ Subway	Total	Total Cost(In Rs. Crore)
5	23	28	131.89

 Ø  PH-30- ROB PROPOSALS

NAME OF WORK

Penukonda-SatyaSaiPrasahanti Nilayam –Dharmavaram :- RUBs & ROBs in lieu of 3 LCs (LC No. PD1-LROB, PD2-LHS & PD6-LROB) in

Hubballi- Hosapete Section : Proposed construction of ROB in lieu of LC No.66 between Koppal & Ginigera stations (1x36m bowstring girder )

Proposed construction of ROB in lieu of LC No 72 between Ginigera-Munirabad station

Hubli Division – Proposed construction of ROB in lieu of LC No.79 between Munirabad & Hosapete

Ø  PH-30- RUB/Subway

Bengaluru- Division:- RUBs & ROBs in lieu of 4 LCs (LC No. 74,87,97 &107) in Baiyyappanahalli section (All Subways)

Bengaluru Division:- RUBs in lieu of 4 LCs (LC No. 11 of Bangarpet-Marikuppam & LC No. 111,113,114 of Yelahanka –Bangarapet Section)

Londa-Miraj section : Proposed construction of Limited height subway of size 4.50mx5.0m in lieu of LC No 332,443,457,459 by RH girder method

Arsikere-Harihar section .: Elimination of Manned LC No. 135 , 139 , 160 & 164 by construction of Subway

Chikjajur –Rayadurg section : Elimination of Manned LC No.43,56,66 & 86 by construction of subway

Arsikere-Harihar section: Elimination of LC No. 106 & 116 by construction of Subway

Other important works approved in budget 2018-19

SNo.	Name of work	Cost in Rs. Cr.
Traffic facilities
1	South Western Railway – New works for development of coaching terminal, automatic signalling, yard remodelling & addl loop / stabling / running lines	250.0
2	Naganahalli – Development of satellite terminal	789.3
Passenger amenities
3	South Western Railway – Provision of foot over bridges and/or high level platforms at stations as per requirement	400.0
4	South Western Railway – Soft upgrades improvements at station	125.0
Work Shop
5	Hubli – Linke Hofmann Busch coach periodical overhauling facility, documentation & work centre with staff facilities & expansion of DV & RB section	33.9
6	Mysore – Augmentation of coaching facilities for intermediate overhauling maintenance (Phase-2)	18.1
7	Yeshvanthpur (Coaching Depot) improvement of coach maintenance activities	3.9
8	Yeshwantpur – Manufacturing, supply & commissioning of pre-fabricated all weather covered shed for pit lines 1-4	15.2
9	Krishnarajapuram – Homing of electric locomotives in diesel shed & infrastructure requirement	10.8
Signalling and telecommunication
10	Castle Rock-Kulem – Tunnel radio system	8.1
11	Hubli-Alnavar – Replacement of quad cable	2.7
12	Penukonda-Dharmavaram – 2nd distant signal arrangements on B route incl. level crossings gates via Nagasamudram & Sri Satya Sai Prasanthi Nilayam	4.6
13	Mysore Division – Block proving axle counter high availability single section digital axle counter (7 sections)	2.9
14	Hubli Division – Provision of BPAC (5 sections) & dual detection (22 blocks)	7.2
15	Hubli Division – Earth leakage detector (70 stations) & fuse auto changeover system (114 stations/cabins)	4.7
16	Bangalore Division – Smoke & fire detection and fire extinguisher (59 stations)	4.0
17	Hubli – Smoke & fire detection and fire extinguisher system (107-stations) & provision of smoke, fire suppression system at Hubli West cabin	5.6
Track renewals
18	Bangalore city-Jolarpettai (UP) – TRR(P) – 4.80 Km	4.5
19	Tumakuru-Arsikere Jn.(SL) – CTR(P) – 24.28 km	47.9
20	Yesvantpur Jn.-Yelahanka Jn.(SL) – CTR (P) – 1.90 Km	3.7
21	Bengaluru-Mysore – CTR (P) – 13.38 Km	26.4
22	Hosapete jn-Ballari Jn. – CTR(S) – 11.0 KM & Londa Jn-Vasco-Da-Gama CTR(S) – 10.40 KM	32.6
23	Gadag Jn.-Hosapete jn(DN) – CTR(P) – 5.90 Km.	11.6
24	Bengaluru-Jolarpettai – CTR(P) – 3.45 kms	6.8
25	Bengaluru-Jolarpettai Jn.(DN) – CTR(P) – 10.33 Km	20.4
26	Bangalore city-Jolarpettai (DN) – CTR(P) – 22.80 kms	44.9
27	Hubballi jn-Gadag Jn.(SL) – CTR(P) – 27 Km.	53.2
28	Mysuru Jn.-Chamarajanagar – TRR(S) – 7.50 km	5.3
29	Bangalore city-Dharmavaram – TRR(S) – 9.086 Km	6.4
30	Londa Jn.-Vasco-Da-Gama(SL) – TRR(P) – 5.00 KM & CTR(P) – 9.30 km	22.6
31	Tumakuru-Arsikere Jn. – TRR (P) – 41.82 km	39.4
32	Arsikere Jn.-Hubballi jn (UP) – TRR(P) – 7.73 km	7.3
33	Arsikere Jn.-Hubballi jn (UP) – TRR(P) – 8.343 km	7.9
34	Londa Jn.-Miraj Jn(SL) – Through Ballast Renewal – 113.50 km	26.0
35	Badami-Vijayapura (SL) – Through Ballast Renewal – 102.89 Km	23.6
36	Bengaluru-Salem(SL) – Through Weld Renewal – 16.20 kms	4.0
37	Ballari Jn.-Tornagallu – Through Ballast Renewal – 15.50 KM	3.6
38	Bengaluru-Tumkur – Through Ballast Renewal – 40.50 km	9.3
	*TBR-Through Ballast Renewal*TWR-Through Weld Renewal
Bridge works
39	Bangalore Division – Repl. of steel girders (9 bridges)	8.2
40	Bangalore Division – Repl. of stone slab bridges & minor girder bridges (30 bridgeS	4.7
41	Mysore Division – Repl. of steel girders (Bridge No.138/B, 92, 33 & 119/A)	2.7
42	Hubli Division – Repl. of steel girders with precast PSC slabs (Bridge No.13, 21 & 45)	2.8
43	Bangalore Division – Repl. of stone slab bridges & minor girder bridges (19 Nos)	6.8
44	Mysore Division – Repl. of steel girders with PSC slabs (Bridge No.111, 244 & 15/A)	9.8
45	Bangalore Division – Repl. of steel girders on span bridges (11 bridges)	11.7
46	Londa-Miraj – Rebuilding (Bridge No.55, 58, 93 & 104) & Londa- Vasco (Bridge No.228)	2.7
Other Specified Works
47	Bengaluru-Construction of RPSF Barrack	3.1
48	Bangalore Division – Remote terminal units at inter locked level crossings gates (100 nos)	2.7
ROB/RUB
49	Construction of road over/under bridges in South Western Railway	100.0

SWR – Plan Head wise Outlay 2017-18

Financial Year	2017-18	2018-19
Plan Head	BG (in Rs.Cr.)
11. New Lines	331.80	420.65 (Excl EBR-IF)
31.Track Renewals	386.01	474.00
41. Machinery &Plant	10.69	18.54
42. Workshop & Prod Units	30.00	34.04
53. Passenger Amenities	39.59	69.39
Extra Budget Resource – Institutional Finance	585.00	731.00
Grand Total (Incl. all plan heads	3174	3353

Ø  6 % increase over last year

Ø  And around 50 % increase over expected capital expenditure this year OUTLAY OF IMPORTANT PROJECTS

Rs.716 CR. For new lines and Rs. 984 Cr. For doubling

SNo.	New Lines –	Budget Outlay (Rs. In Cr)
1	Kottur-Harihar via Harpanhalli (65 km)	3
2	Kadur-Chickmagalur-Sakleshpur (93 km)	60
3	Hassan-Bangalore via Shravanabelgola (166 km)	40
4	Hubli-Ankola (167 km)	20
5	Bangalore-Satyamangalam (260 km)	0.5
6	Rayadurg-Tumkur via Kalyandurg (213 km)	221
7	Bagalkot-Kudachi (142 km)	35
8	Tumkur-Chitradurg-Davangere (199.7 km)	135
9	Whitefield-Kolar (52.9 km)	0.25
10	Shimoga-Harihar (78.66 km)	1.1
11	Marikuppam-Kuppam (23.7 km)	55
12	Chickballapur – Puttaparthy – Sri Satya Sai Nilyam (103 km)	0.1
13	Gadag – Wadi (252 km)	145
14	Srinivasapura – Madanapalli (75 km)	0.1
15	Chickballapur – Gowribidanur (44 km)	0.1
16	Gadag-Yalvigi (58 km)	0.6
Total		716.75

SNo.	Doubling	Budget Outlay (Rs. In Cr)
1	Bangalore-Whitefield-Bangalore City-Krishnarajapuram (23.08 km) – Quadruplin	6
2	Ramanagaram-Mysore (91.5 km) with electrification of KengeriMysore	8.05
3	Yelahanka-Chennasandra – Doubling with overhead equipment (12.89 km)	5
4	Hosadurga Road-Chikjajur – Patch doubling (28.89 km)	5
5	Hospet-Hubli-Londa-Tinaighat-Vasco da Gama (352.28 km)	80
6	Toranagallu – Ranjithpura (22.9 km)	0.1
7	Hotgi-Kudgi-Gadag (284 km)	400
8	Yalahanka-Penukonda (120.53 km)	120
9	Hubli – Chikjajur (190 km)	250
10	Arsikere – Tumkur (96 km)	100
11	Birur – Shimoga (60 km)	10
	Total	984.15
New Works
12	Yeshvanthpur-Channasandra (21.7 km	0.1
13	Baiyyappanahalli-Hosur (48 km)	0.1
14	Penukonda-Dharmavaram, excl. Dharmavaram (41.5 km)	0.1
	New Works -Total	03
Grand Total		984.45

Shri A. K. Gupta, General Manager, Western Railway addressed a Press Conference on Tuesday, 6^th February, 2018 at Western Railway Headquarters, Churchgate to disseminate the information regarding rail related provisions included in the Union Budget 2018-19. Shri Gupta highlighted that the planned expenditure of Western Railway for this year is Rs 5802 Cr which is 31% more than the previous year. In the current budget, the total outlay for the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat is Rs. 6658 crores & Rs. 4809 crores respectively which is more than 11.74% & 20.40% respectively as compared to the financial year 2017 -18. Also, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan which form a substantial part of Western Rly has been allocated Rs. 6359 & Rs. 4553 respectively. He further said that this will give a boost to the various ongoing as well as the future infrastructure & developmental projects.

This budget has provided a bumper allocation for Mumbai suburban network so that long awaited infrastructural projects can be taken on priority. This allocation will help in speedy renewal of assets, decongestion the existing network & further enhance capacity building as well as cover the long pending backlog of infrastructural facilities of Mumbai suburban. Shri. Gupta also elaborated the various passenger related amenities and initiatives that have been proposed in the budget for Mumbai Suburban such as redevelopment of stations, construction of Foot Over Bridges, Escalators, Platform height raising, provision of Integrated Security System (ISS) at stations, Soft upgrades / improvements at stations, which are detailed below:

• 43 new FOBs will provided over WR Mumbai suburban in the year 2018 – 19 at a sanctioned cost of Rs. 450 crores.
• Provision of Lifts & Escalators etc. has been made for the convenience of passengers, specially Sr. citizens & Divyangs.
• 372 lifts will provided over suburban section of WR & CR.
• For strengthening of security, video surveillance system will be provided in 1318 stations of WR at a cost of Rs. 303 crores.
• Adequate funds allotted for redevelopment of 15 stations while umbrella fund of Rs 300 crores has been provided for updradation of other suburban stations.
• Construction of administrative office, barracks (100 beds), class rooms, ammunition room, & dog squad in RPF barrack premises at Bhayander at a sanctioned cost of 690 crores.
• All trains including EMU, DEMU, MEMU as well as Rajdhani, Shatabdi & other premium trains to have CCTV cameras.
• Platforms of stations between Andheri – Virar slow corridor will be extended to accommodate 15 car rakes at an sanctioned cost of Rs. 59.56 crores.
• 34 Cr has been sanctioned for upgradation of Coach Maintenance depot at Bandra Terminus including pitline.
• Signalling system at Dahanu Road station will be improved and Rs 17.89 Crore will be allotted for replacement of signalling equipment.
• Upgradation of running rooms at a sanctioned cost of 225 crores.

MUTP IIIA project has been sanctioned at an estimated cost of Rs. 54,777 crores.

• 5^th & 6^th line between Borivali & Virar,
• New suburban corridor between Virar – Vasai – Panvel,
• CBTC on Churchgate – Virar & CSMT – Kalyan & Panvel sections
• Station improvement
• Procurement of rolling stock
• Maintenance facilities for rolling stock
• Stabling lines
• Augmentation of power supply arrangements, including other major projects over C. Rly.

PROVISIONS FOR NON – SUBURBAN OVER WR

• The work of increasing the speed on Mumbai – New Delhi route including Vadodara – Ahmedabad from 160 kmph to 200 kmph has been included at a sanctioned cost of Rs. 11188 crores. This has been aimed to achieve travel time of 12 hours on Mumbai Delhi route.
• Also, adequate steps have been planned for eliminating unmanned level crossings in the next two years by providing RUBS/ ROBs or by converting them to manned level crossings.

Replying to a query during the interaction with the media, Shri Gupta informed that W.Rly will soon get CRS sanction for running of suburban local services on extended harbour line between Andheri and Goregaon. On this occasion, Shri R. S. Khurana – Chairman & Managing Director  of Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation, various Principal Heads of Departments of Western Railway alongwith other senior railway officers were also present. In the beginning Shri Ravinder Bhakar – Chief Public Relations Officer of W. Rly   welcomed all the media representatives.

The related documents of Union Budget are enclosed herewith.

State wise Outlay

State	2017-18 (In Rs crores)	2018-19 (In Rs crores)	Increase
Maharashtra	5958	6658	11.74%
Gujarat	3994	4809	20.40%
Madhya Pradesh	5376	6359	18.28%
Rajasthan	3495	4553	30.27%

Budget 2018 Statewise details

MAHARASHTRA

Works proposed for inclusion in budget 2018-19

SNo	Name of Work	Length	Cost Rs.
1	MUTP-IIIA	367.02 kms	Rs. 54776.94cr
2	Igatpuri – Manmad 3rd line (CR)	124 kms	Rs 1860cr

Surveys

SNo	Name of Work	Length	Cost Rs.
1	Vasai byepass double line with flyover between Naigaon  and Juhichandra connecting Western and Central Railway	7 kms	0.0875

 Passenger Amenities (All railways combined) Rs.171 crore

Provision of FOBs and Raising of platforms to High level (Rs 550 Crore approx.)

Soft upgrades / Improvements at stations (Rs 300 Cr. approx)

Provision of Lifts & Escalators (Rs 275 Cr. approx)

Provision of Washable Apron (Rs 20 Cr. approx)

GUJARAT

Works proposed for inclusion in budget 2018-19

SNo	Name of Work	Length	Cost Rs.
1	Doubling between Mehsana-Palanpur	65.1kms	529.3 cr
2	Doubling between Rajkot – Kanalus	111.2kms	1011.72 cr

Electrification works included in Budget 2018-19

SNo	Name of Work	Total RKMs	State RKMs	Total Cost	Proportionate Cost
1	Udaipur City – Himmatnagar	209.66	54	194.29	50.04
2	Kanalus-Wansjalia-Porbandar	103.33	103.33	96.82	96.82
3	Rajkot-Jetalsar-Verval-Somnath with Jetalsar-Wansjalia	277.54	277.54	223.73	223.73
4	Vasad- Kathana	43	43	40.1	40.10
5	Anand- Khambhat	51.79	51.79	48.12	48.12
6	Vishvamitri – Pratap Nagar -Chhota udepur	102	102	95.71	95.71
7	Kanjari Boriyavi- Vadtal	6.4	6.4	5.71	5.71
8	Nadiad- Modasa	104.79	104.79	99.33	99.33
9	Ankleshwar – Rajpipla	62.84	62.84	58.82	58.82
10	Jhund-Kharagoda	23.3	23.3	23.27	23.27
11	Adipur- New Bhuj	48.94	48.94	48.36	48.36
12	Mahesana- Patan-Bildi	90.61	90.61	96.24	96.24
13	Dhola- Bhavnagar with Sihor Jn.- Palitana  & Rajula Road Jn- Mahuva	119.21	119.21	121.51	121.51
14	Suratgarh-Phalodi-Bhildi incl. Phalodi-Jaisalmer	902	54	750.26	44.92
	Sub Total	2145.41	1141.75	1902.27	1052.68

ROBs/RUBs

12 ROBs recommended for 2018-19 for Gujarat

08 RUBs/Subways recommended for Gujarat

Surveys

SNo	Name of Work	Length	Cost Rs.
1	Bhavnagar – Bharuch New Line	100 kms	0.25 cr
2	Nadiad-Chhota Udepur via Modas New Line	150kms	0.375 cr
3	3 nos of By Passes at Palanpur, Bhildi, Nagda & Rau-DL	68 kms	0.34
4	4 Nos. Flyovers at Samakhiyali, Ujjain, Viramgram & Surendranagar-DL	88kms	0.44
5	Mahesana- Palanpur-Doubling	65 kms	—

 Passenger Amenities Rs 190cr

Provision of FOBs and Raising of platforms to High level  (Rs 450 Cr. approx)

Soft upgrades / Improvements at stations (Rs 250 Cr. approx)

Provision of Lifts & Escalators  (Rs 250 Cr. approx)

Provision of Washable Apron (Rs 20 Cr. approx)

MADHYA PRADESH

Works proposed for inclusion in budget 2018-19

SNo	Name of Work	Length	Cost Rs
1	Doubling between Nimach-Ratlam	133 kms	910 cr

Electrification works included in Budget 2018-19

SNo	Name of Work	Total RKMs	State RKMs	Total Cost	Proportionate cost
1	Mhow-Khandawa	138	138	127.82	127.82

ROBs/RUBs/Subways:  Providing Limited Height Subway to eliminate manned Level Crossings (14 Nos.).

Mandsaur Yard-Construction of 2 lane RUB in lieu of LC No.151 at Km.290/05-06 at.

Surveys

SNo	Name of Work	Length	Cost Rs
1	Bhavnagar – Bharuch New Line	100 kms	0.25 cr
2	Nadiad-Chhota Udepur via Modas New Line	150kms	0.375 cr

Passenger Amenities(Combined WR WCR) Rs 125 cr

Provision of FOBs and Raising of platforms to High level (Rs 350 Cr. approx)

Soft upgrades / Improvements at stations (Rs 200 Cr. approx)

Provision of Lifts & Escalators (Rs 200 Cr. approx)

Provision of Washable Apron (Rs 20 Cr. approx)

---

पश्चिम रेलवे के महाप्रबंधक श्री ए. के. गुप्ता ने मंगलवार, 6 फरवरी, 2018 को चर्चगेट स्थित पश्चिम रेलवे प्रधान कार्यालय में केन्द्रीय बजट 2018-19 में रेल सम्बंधी प्रावधानों के सम्बंध में जानकारी देने के लिए आयोजित प्रेस कॉन्फ्रेंस बजट में नियोजित व्यय के रूप में पश्चिम रेलवे को गत वर्ष की अपेक्षा 31 प्रतिशत अधिक यानी 5802 करोड़ रु. की राशि प्राप्त होगी। नये बजट में महाराष्ट्र एवं गुजरात राज्यों के लिए क्रमशः 6658 करोड़ रु. एवं 4809 करोड़ रु. आवंटित किये गये हैं, जो वित्तीय वर्ष 2017-18 के मुकाबले क्रमशः11.4 प्रतिशत और 20.40 प्रतिशत अधिक हैं। साथ ही पश्चिम रेलवे के अंतर्गत आने वाले अन्य प्रदेशों मध्यप्रदेश और राजस्थान को क्रमशः 6359 करोड़ रु. एवं 4553 करोड़ रु. आवंटित हुए हैं। उन्होंने बताया कि इस उल्लेखनीय आवंटन के फलस्वरूप वर्तमान में चल रही विभिन्न परियोजनाओं के साथ-साथ उज्ज्वल भविष्य के लिए नियोजित इन्फ्रास्ट्रक्चर एवं विकासपरक परियोजनाओं को भी अच्छी गति मिलेगी।

इस बजट में मुंबई उपनगरीय नेटवर्क को बम्पर आवंटन मिला है, जिसके फलस्वरूप इस रेल खंड पर बहुप्रतीक्षित इन्फ्रास्ट्रक्चर परियोजनाओं को प्राथमिकता के आधार पर पूरा करने में उल्लेखनीय मदद मिलेगी। इस आवंटन से परिसम्पत्तियों के तेज़ी से नवीनीकरण, वर्तमान नेटवर्क की सघनता में कमी लाने और यातायात कैपेसिटी को आगे बढ़ाने के साथ-साथ मुंबई उपनगरीय खंड पर कुछ लम्बे समय से अधूरी आधारभूत सुविधाओं को पूरा करने में भी सहायता मिलेगी। श्री गुप्ता ने यात्रियों से जुड़ी विभिन्न सुविधाओं तथा मुंबई उपनगरीय खंड के लिए स्टेशन पुनर्विकास, पैदल ऊपरी पुलों के निर्माण, एस्केलेटरों की स्थापना, प्लेटफॉर्मों की ऊँचाई बढ़ाने, इंटीग्रेटेड सिक्युरिटी सिस्टम के प्रावधान तथा स्टेशनों पर सुधार कार्य के लिए प्रस्तावित राशि आदि के बारे में विस्तार से बताया, जिनका विवरण निम्नानुसार हैः-

• पश्चिम रेलवे के मुंबई उपनगरीय खंड पर वर्ष 2018-19 में 450 करोड़ रु. की स्वीकृत राशि से 43 नये पैदल ऊपरी पुलों का निर्माण।
• यात्रियों विशेषकर वरिष्ठ नागरिकों एवं दिव्यांगों की सुविधा के लिए लिफ्टों एवं एस्केलेटरों का प्रावधान।
• पश्चिम एवं मध्य रेल पर कुल 372 नई लिफ्टें लगाई जायेंगी।
• सुरक्षा को और पुख्ता बनाने के लिए 303 करोड़ रु. की लागत से पश्चिम रेलवे के 1318 स्टेशनों पर वीडियो निगरानी प्रणाली लगाई जायेगी।
• 15 स्टेशनों के पुनर्विकास के लिए पर्याप्त निधि का प्रावधान, जबकि अन्य उपनगरीय स्टेशनों के अपग्रेडेशन के लिए 300 करोड़ रु. का अम्ब्रेला फंड।
• भायंदर स्टेशन पर आरपीएफ बैरक परिसर में प्रशासनिक भवन, 100 बिस्तरों वाली बैरकों, क्लास रूम, एम्यूनेशन रूम तथा डॉग स्क्वायड के लिए 690 करोड़ रु. की राशि स्वीकृत।
• ईएमयू, डेमू, मेमू के साथ-साथ राजधानी, शताब्दी तथा अन्य प्रीमियम ट्रेनों सहित सभी ट्रेनों में सीसीटीवी कैमरों का प्रावधान।
• अंधेरी-विरार स्लो कोरिडोर पर 59.56 करोड़ रु. की स्वीकृत राशि से 15 डिब्बों वाले रेक के समायोजन के लिए प्लेटफॉर्मों की लम्बाई का विस्तार।
• बांद्रा टर्मिनस पर पिट लाइन सहित कोच मेंटेनेंस डिपो के अपग्रेडेशन के लिए 34 करोड़ रु. की स्वीकृति।
• दहानू रोड स्टेशन पर सिगनलिंग प्रणाली में सुधार तथा सिगनलिंग उपकरण के रिप्लेसमेंट के लिए 17.89 करोड़ रु. की राशि स्वीकृत।
• रनिंग रूमों के अपग्रेडेशन के लिए 225 करोड़ रु. की राशि स्वीकृत।

एमयूटीपी IIIA के लिए  54,777 करोड़ रु. स्वीकृत  

• बोरीवली एवं विरार के मध्य पाँचवीं एवं छठी लाइन
• विरार-वसई एवं पनवेल के मध्य एक नया उपनगरीय कोरिडोर
• चर्चगेट-विरार तथा सीएसएमटी-कल्याण एवं पनवेल खंडों पर सीबीटीसी प्रणाली
• स्टेशनों में सुधार
• रोलिंग स्टॉक की खरीद
• रोलिंग स्टॉक के लिए मेंटेनेंस की सुविधा
• स्टेबलिंग लाइनें
• पॉवर सप्लाई अरेंजमेंट में बढ़ोतरी सहित मध्य रेल पर अन्य प्रमुख परियोजनाएँ

पश्चिम रेलवे पर गैर-उपनगरीय प्रावधान

• 11188 करोड़ रु. की स्वीकृत राशि से वडोदरा-अहमदाबाद खंड पर 160 किमी प्रति घंटा से 200 किमी प्रति घंटा के साथ मुंबई-नई दिल्ली रूट पर ट्रेन की रफ्तार में वृद्धि की योजना। इससे मुंबई-दिल्ली रूट पर यात्रा समय को 12 घंटे में पूरा करने का लक्ष्य।
• अगले 2 वर्षों में आरयूबी/आरओबी के निर्माण तथा रेल समपारों पर चौकीदार उपलब्ध करा कर सभी चौकीदार रहित समपारों को बंद करने की योजना के लिए आवश्यक कदम उठाना।

मीडिया से वार्तालाप के दौरान एक प्रश्न के उत्तर में श्री गुप्ता ने बताया कि अंधेरी और गोरेगाँव स्टेशनों के मध्य विस्तारित हार्बर लाइन पर उपनगरीय लोकल ट्रेन चलाने के लिए जल्द ही सीआरएस की स्वीकृति मिल जायेगी। इस अवसर पर मुंबई रेल विकास कॉर्पोरेशन के अध्यक्ष एवं प्रबंध निदेशक श्री आर. एस. खुराना, पश्चिम रेलवे के विभिन्न प्रधान विभागाध्यक्षों के अलावा अन्य वरिष्ठ रेल अधिकारी भी उपस्थित थे। प्रेस सम्मेलन की शुरुआत में पश्चिम रेलवे के मुख्य जनसम्पर्क अधिकारी श्री रविंद्र भाकर ने सभी मीडिया प्रतिनिधियों एवं वरिष्ठ रेल अधिकारियों का स्वागत किया।

 

The Indian Railways has identified more than 13,000 employees in its ranks who are on unauthorised leave for a long time and initiated disciplinary action to terminate their services, it said today.

The railways had launched a drive to improve performance of the organisation and boost the morale of sincere and diligent employees. The action is part of that campaign.

“A massive drive to identify long-term absentees in various establishments of Railways has been initiated. As a result of the drive, more than 13,000 employees out of about 13 lakh employees were found to be on unauthorised absence for a long time,” the railways said in a statement.

The establishment has initiated disciplinary action under the rules to terminate the service of such absentees.