Coal minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday said that state-owned Coal India Limited is considering to invest around Rs 20,000 crore to become self-sufficient in coal movement over the next five to seven years to own around 1,500 to 1,600 railway rakes.

“Coal India has shown interest in not depending on Indian Railways for its coal movement. They are working on a plan to invest Rs 20,000 in the next five to seven years, which will make them to own as much as 1500-1700 rakes,” Goyal said.

“I believe that Coal India itself has taken a decision that in next five to seven years they want to be totally self-sufficient in theirs rakes and wagons…We believe that there is a potential that Coal India (CIL) will land up investing nearly Rs 20,000 crore and will own some 1,500 or 1,600 rakes entirely on their own so that they are independent,” Coal Minister Piyush Goyal said while addressing an event here.

The government, he said, is also working towards expanding the rail network.

“Coupled with all these 14 new lines and expansion that we are doing, we will be adding an ability to move much larger volumes and the freight corridor which we are focusing to implement on fast-track basis,” the minister said. The minister was speaking during an event here.

State-owned Coal India accounts for over 80 percent of domestic coal output.

The PSU is eyeing one billion tonnes of coal output by FY2019-20.

South Eastern Railway has achieved yet another milestone in the field of energy conservation as well as revenue savings with all its 365 stations fitted with 100% LED luminaries. This line of Energy Conservation Measures adopted in South Eastern Railway and the 100% LED provision in all South Eastern Railway’s stations has been completed as per the Budget commitment of Hon’ble Minister of Railways. This massive task has been completed recently on 30^th March, 2018.

By fitment of LED luminaries, the connected load of the stations has been reduced by 542 KW.  As a result, there would be reduction in electricity consumption of 2.17 million units on yearly basis.  This reduction would lead to monetary savings of Rs.1.52 crores per annum of Government exchequer.

LEDs are currently the most energy efficient source of much less energy consumption (electricity) than incandescent, fluorescent, meta halide or mercury lamps, within the luminous efficiency of 80-90% for traditional lighting.  This means that 80% of the energy supplied to the device is converted to light while 20% is lost and converted into heat.

In addition, this Railway has already started using LED lights in some passenger coaches and aims to provide such energy efficient LED lighting to all railway coaches/EMU trains as well as residential quarters and offices.

Shri. D K  Sharma, General Manager, Central Railway, visited Carriage Workshop, Matunga for annual inspection on 03.04.2018.

Shri Sharma instructed Officers to focus on availability and upkeep of passenger amenity items.

He also appreciated the initiatives taken by the Workshop, for the convenience of passengers like, refurbishing of coaches, provision of standard lavatory amenities etc.

One automatic Distributor Valve testing bench was inaugurated by senior-most staff of the shop in presence of the General Manager.

This innovation of Matunga Workshop which has resulted in reduced time required for testing of Distributor Valve from 1 hr. 45 mins. to 20 mins received appreciation from the GM.

The General Manager instructed the  officers of the  Workshop to give attention to staff welfare.

In this regard, he applauded the efforts taken by the Workshop like, portable ladies staff rest-room, staff changing room, renovation of ladies staff room, upgradation of washing room, renovation of dispensary, Amul products dispensing counter, self-service kiosk, sports facilities etc.

Shri. D K Sharma flagged off a Poly-Urethane painted EMU rake with 100% LED fitting and also  inspected the technical innovations and initiatives of Matunga Workshop like robotic cleaning of AC duct of AC coaches, data management software modules for Traction Motor, roller bearing and machinery and also self-propelled inspection car.

In addition AC coaches, Non-AC coaches and pantry car were also  inspected .

The General Manager also announced an award in appreciation of the excellent work done by the Workshop in the field of quality improvement of coaches, staff welfare and technological advancement.

This news issued by Sunil Udasi, Chief Public Relations Officer, Central Railway, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus Mumbai.

मध्य रेल के महाप्रबंधक द्वारा माटुंगा कारखाने का वार्षिक निरीक्षण

मुंबई । मध्य रेल के महाप्रबंधक श्री देवेंद्र कुमार शर्मा ने 03.04.2018 को डिब्बा कारख़ाना माटुंगा का वार्षिक निरीक्षण किया।

श्री शर्मा ने एसी कोच, गैर एसी कोच और पेंट्री कार का निरीक्षण किया। उन्होंने अधिकारियों को यात्री सुविधाओं की उपलब्धता और रखरखाव पर ध्यान रखने का निर्देश दिया। इसके साथ ही उन्होंने यात्रियों की सुविधा जैसे कोच के नवीनीकरण, शौचालय आदि किए गए प्रावधान के लिए की सराहना की । महाप्रबंधक जी की उपस्थिती में कारखाने के एक वरिष्ठ कर्मचारी द्वारा एक स्वचालित वितरक वाल्व परीक्षण बेंच का उद्घाटन किया गया । माटुंगा कारखाने के इस नवीन वितरक वाल्व परीक्षण बेंच द्वारा परीक्षण का समय 1 घंटे 45 मिनट के स्थान पर  20 मिनट में ही हो सकेगा । महाप्रबंधक ने इस अभिनव परीक्षण बेंच का विकास करने के लिए सभी को बधाइयाँ दीं।

श्री शर्मा ने कारखाने के अधिकारियों से कर्मचारियों के कल्याण पर ध्यान देने के लिए ज़ोर दिया।  इस संबंध में, उन्होंने कारखाने द्वारा लिए गए विभिन्न प्रयासों जैसे महिलाओं के लिए पोर्टेबल आराम-कक्ष, स्टाफ चेंजिंग रूम, महिलाओं कर्मचारियों के कमरे का नवीकरण, वॉशिंग रूम का अपग्रेडेशन , औषधालय का नवीनीकरण, अमूल उत्पाद वितरण केंद्र, सेल्फ सर्विस कियोस्क, खेल-कूद सुविधाएं आदि की प्रशंसा की।

श्री शर्मा द्वारा 100% एलईडी फिटिंग के साथ एक पॉली-युरेथेन पेंटेड ईएमयू रैक को हरी झंडी दिखाई गई एवं तकनीकी नवाचारों और माटुंगा कारख़ाना द्वारा लिए जा रहे कई नवीन प्रयासों जैसे एसी कोच के एसी डक्ट की रोबोटिक सफाई, ट्रैक्शन मोटर के लिए डेटा प्रबंधन सॉफ्टवेयर मॉड्यूल, रोलर बियरिंग और मशीनरी और प्लांट का भी निरीक्षण किया गया और इसकी सराहना की गई । इस दौरान सेल्फ-प्रोपेल्ड निरीक्षण कार का भी निरीक्षण किया गया।

मध्य रेल के महाप्रबंधक श्री देवेंद्र कुमार शर्मा ने सवारी डिब्बों की गुणवत्ता सुधार, कर्मचारी कल्याण और तकनीकी उन्नति के क्षेत्र में काम करने के लिए सवारी डिब्बा कारख़ाना माटुंगा को नकद पुरस्कार भी घोषित किया।

यह समाचार सुनील उदासी, मुख्य जन संपर्क अधिकारी, मध्य रेल, छत्रपति शिवाजी महाराज टर्मिनस मुंबई द्वारा जारी किया गया है।

In view of Holy Nababarsha Utsav 1425 (Bengali New Year) of Sree Sree Thakur Anukul Chandra at Gidhni, South Eastern Railway has provided two minutes temporary stoppage of 12871/12872 Howrah-Titlagarh Ispat Express and 12813/12814 Howrah-Tatanagar Steel Express at Gidhni from 13.04.18 to 17.04.18.

• 12871 Howrah-Titlagarh Ispat Express will reach Gidhni at 09.22 hrs and in the return direction, 12872 Titlagarh-Howrah Ispat Express will arrive Gidhni at 15.52 hrs and will have two minutes stoppage in both the directions.
• 12813 Howrah-Tatanagar Steel Express will reach Gidhni at 20.07 hrs and in the return direction, 12814 Tatanagar-Howrah Steel Express will arrive Gidhni at 07.24 hrs and will have two minutes stoppage in both the directions.

DIVERSION OF TRAINS

Due to non-interlock working between Vakav – Madha – Wadsinge section for commissioning of double line in Solapur division, following trains will be diverted:

1. Train No. 16340, Nagercoil Jn. – ChatraptiShivaji Terminus Mumbai journey commencing from Nagercoil on 06^th & 09^thApril, 2018 will be diverted via Madurai Jn., Erode Jn., Shoranur Jn., Mangaluru Jn.,Madgaon, Roha&Dailwara.
2. Train No. 16339, ChatraptiShivaji Terminus Mumbai – Nagercoil Jn. journey commencing from Mumbai on 06^th & 08^thApril, 2018 will be diverted via Dailwara, Roha, Madgaon, Mangaluru Jn., Shoranur Jn., Erode Jn. &. Madurai Jn.
3. Train No. 16331, ChatraptiShivaji Terminus Mumbai-Trivandrum Central journey commencing from Mumbai on 09^thApril, 2018 will be diverted via Dailwara, Roha, Madgaon, Mangaluru Jn. & Shoranur Jn.
4. Train No. 16332, Trivandrum Central- ChatraptiShivaji Terminus Mumbai journey commencing from Trivandrum Central on 07^thApril, 2018__ will be diverted via ShoranurJn, Mangaluru Jn.,MadgaonRoha&Dailwara.
5. Train No. 11044, Madurai Jn-Lokmanyatilak Terminus journey commencing from Madurai on 07^th April, 2018 will be diverted via GuntakalJn, Ballari., Gadag, Miraj & Pune.
6. Train No. 11041, ChatraptiShivaji Terminus Mumbai- Chennai journey commencing from Mumbaion 08^th, 09^th& 10^thApril, 2018 will be diverted via Pune, Miraj, Gadag, Ballari & Guntakal Jn.
7. Train No. 11042, Chennai- ChatraptiShivaji Terminus Mumbai journey commencing fromChennaion 07^th, 08^th&09^thApril, 2018 will be diverted via GuntakalJn, Ballari, Gadag, Miraj & Pune.
8. Train No. 11301, ChatraptiShivaji Terminus Mumbai -KSR Bengaluru journey commencing from Mumbai on 06^th, 07^th, 08^th, 09^th&10^th April, 2018 __ will be diverted via Pune, Miraj, Gadag, Ballari & Guntakal Jn.
9. Train No. 11302, KSR Bengaluru – ChatraptiShivaji Terminus Mumbai journey commencing from Bengaluru on 05^th, 06^th, 07^th, 08^th& 09^th April, 2018 will be diverted via GuntakalJn, Ballari, Gadag, Miraj& Pune.

PARTIAL CANCELLATION OF TRAINS

Due to non interlock working between Vakav – Madha – Wadsinge section for commissioning of double line in Solapur division, following trains will be partially cancelled:

1. Train No. 51030, Vijayapura – ChatraptiShivaji Terminus Mumbai journey commencing from Vijayapura on ­04^th, 05^th, 09^th, 10^th,11^th& 12^th April, 2018 will be partially cancelled between Vijayapura and Daund.
2. Train No. 51029, ChatraptiShivaji Terminus Mumbai – Vijayapura journey commencing from Mumbai on 04^th, 08^th, 09^th, 10^th, &11^thApril, 2018 will be partially cancelled between Daundand Vijayapura.

DIVERSION OF TRAINS

Due to non-interlock working between Vakav – Madha – Wadsinge section for commissioning of double line in Solapur division, following trains will be diverted:

10. Train No. 16340, Nagercoil Jn. – ChatraptiShivaji Terminus Mumbai journey commencing from Nagercoil on 06^th & 09^thApril, 2018 will be diverted via Madurai Jn., Erode Jn., Shoranur Jn., Mangaluru Jn.,Madgaon, Roha&Dailwara.
11. Train No. 16339, ChatraptiShivaji Terminus Mumbai – Nagercoil Jn. journey commencing from Mumbai on 06^th & 08^thApril, 2018 will be diverted via Dailwara, Roha, Madgaon, Mangaluru Jn., Shoranur Jn., Erode Jn. &. Madurai Jn.
12. Train No. 16331, ChatraptiShivaji Terminus Mumbai-Trivandrum Central journey commencing from Mumbai on 09^thApril, 2018 will be diverted via Dailwara, Roha, Madgaon, Mangaluru Jn. & Shoranur Jn.
13. Train No. 16332, Trivandrum Central- ChatraptiShivaji Terminus Mumbai journey commencing from Trivandrum Central on 07^thApril, 2018__ will be diverted via ShoranurJn, Mangaluru Jn.,MadgaonRoha&Dailwara.
14. Train No. 11044, Madurai Jn-Lokmanyatilak Terminus journey commencing from Madurai on 07^th April, 2018 will be diverted via GuntakalJn, Ballari., Gadag, Miraj & Pune.
15. Train No. 11041, ChatraptiShivaji Terminus Mumbai- Chennai journey commencing from Mumbaion 08^th, 09^th& 10^thApril, 2018 will be diverted via Pune, Miraj, Gadag, Ballari & Guntakal Jn.
16. Train No. 11042, Chennai- ChatraptiShivaji Terminus Mumbai journey commencing fromChennaion 07^th, 08^th&09^thApril, 2018 will be diverted via GuntakalJn, Ballari, Gadag, Miraj & Pune.
17. Train No. 11301, ChatraptiShivaji Terminus Mumbai -KSR Bengaluru journey commencing from Mumbai on 06^th, 07^th, 08^th, 09^th&10^th April, 2018 __ will be diverted via Pune, Miraj, Gadag, Ballari & Guntakal Jn.
18. Train No. 11302, KSR Bengaluru – ChatraptiShivaji Terminus Mumbai journey commencing from Bengaluru on 05^th, 06^th, 07^th, 08^th& 09^th April, 2018 will be diverted via GuntakalJn, Ballari, Gadag, Miraj& Pune.

PARTIAL CANCELLATION OF TRAINS

Due to non interlock working between Vakav – Madha – Wadsinge section for commissioning of double line in Solapur division, following trains will be partially cancelled:

1. Train No. 51030, Vijayapura – ChatraptiShivaji Terminus Mumbai journey commencing from Vijayapura on ­04^th, 05^th, 09^th, 10^th,11^th& 12^th April, 2018 will be partially cancelled between Vijayapura and Daund.
2. Train No. 51029, ChatraptiShivaji Terminus Mumbai – Vijayapura journey commencing from Mumbai on 04^th, 08^th, 09^th, 10^th, &11^thApril, 2018 will be partially cancelled between Daundand Vijayapura.

RESCHEDULING OF TRAIN SERVICE

• Train No.12641 Kanniyakumari – Hazrat Nizamuddin ThirukkuralExpress, scheduled to leave Kanniyakumari at 19.15 hrs. on 04.04.2018, has been rescheduled to leave Kanniyakumari at 16.00 hrs. on 05.04.2018(late by 20 hours and 45 minutes) due to late running of pairing train.

RESCHEDULING OF TRAIN SERVICES BETWEEN CHENNAI TO DELHI

1. Train No.12615 Chennai Central – Delhi Sarai Rohilla Grand Trunk Express, scheduled to leave Chennai Central at 19.15 hrs. on 04.04.2018, has been rescheduled to leave Chennai Central at 04.00 hrs. on 05.04.2018(late by 8 hours and 45 minutes) due to late running of pairing train.
2. Train No.12621 Chennai Central – New Delhi Tamil Nadu Express, scheduled to leave Chennai Central at 22.00 hrs. on 04.04.2018, has been rescheduled to leave Chennai Central at 02.00 hrs. on 05.04.2018(late by 4 hours) due to late running of pairing train.

Bi-weekly special fare special trains between Tambaram – Kollam

Train No.06027 Tambaram – Kollam bi-weekly special fare special train will leave Tambaram at 17.30 hrs. on Mondays and Wednesdays from 09.04.2018 to 27.06.2018 and reach Kollam at 10.30 hrs. the next day.

Train No.06028 Kollam – Tambaram bi-weekly special fare special train will leave Kollam at 13.00 hrs. on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10.04.2018 to 28.06.2018 and reach Tambaram at 05.05 hrs. the next day.

Composition:  AC 3-tier – 1, Sleeper Class – 6, Second Class Chair Car – 2, General Second Class – 3 & Luggage-cum-brake van – 2 coaches.

Stoppages:  Chengalpattu, Villupuram, Vriddhachalam, Tiruchchirappalli, Dindigul, Madurai, Virudhunagar, Tiruttangal, Sivakasi, Srivilliputtur, Rajapalayam, Sankarankovil, Kadayanallur, Tenkasi, Sengottai, Bhagavathipuram, Tenmalai, Edaman, Punalur, Auvaneeswaram, Kottarakara and Kundara.

Advance reservations for the above trains are open

The following special train will be run to clear the extra rush of traffic.

Special fare special train from Chennai Central to Coimbatore

Train No.06075 Chennai Central – Coimbatore special fare special train will leave Chennai Central at 14.05 hrs. on 06^th April, 2018 and reach Coimbatore at 22.40 hrs. the same day.

Composition:  8 Air-Conditioned Double Decker Chair Car coaches.

Stoppages:  Arakkonam, Katpadi, Jolarpettai, Salem, Erode and Tiruppur.

Advance reservations for the above train will commence at 08.00 hrs. on 5.4.2018.

Shri R.K.Lal, Principal Chief Commercial Manager (Prl.CCM) of Western Railway along with senior commercial railway officers convened a meeting with the Ticket checking staff on 29^th March, 2018 in the Conference Hall at Headquarter office, Churchgate, which was attended by around 100 ticket checking staff.

All staff were welcomed and were asked to participate in the Samvad whole-heartedly. Shri Lal, while addressing the gathering, said that the Ticket checking staffs being the frontline staff are the face of Railways and should be prompt and courteous while dealing with public.

He also said that it is their prime responsibility to co-operate with the passengers and create a positive image of the Railways. Prl.CCM assured the staff that they will get all support from administration in discharge of their duties.

The checking staffs were in turn asked to perform their best, keeping in mind that the travelling passengers should not be harassed and should recover railway dues only by following proper procedures. Ticket checking staff also expressed their concern over some of the facilities being provided to them.

Prl.CCM assured that in a time bound manner all rest rooms will be equipped with necessary amenities including air-conditioning.

The meeting was concluded with the message that ticketing staff will deliver their best in coming year so as to improve ticket checking earnings. Such Samvads were also conducted over all the six divisions of Western Railway on 28.03.2018 and 29.02.2018.

Jugal Kishore Sharma BJP Lok Sabha MP from Jammu-Poonch on Tuesday met Piyush Goyal Union Minister for Railways at New Delhi and discussed various development projects regarding railways in Jammu-Poonch Parliamentary Constituency.

He urged Union Minister for Railways to start survey for laying of Jammu to Poonch Railway Line. He said that Jammu-Poonch Rail-link is the genuine demand of people. The new railway Line between Jammu and Poonch with 234.12 km length will cost Rs. 7227.85 Crore.

The Jammu–Poonch line is a proposed railway line from Jammu Tawi station via the Historic City of Akhnoor to Poonch via Kaleeth-Doori Dager-Chowki Choura-Bhambla-Nowshera-Rajouri. The line was designated a national project on 22 March 2012.

He also discussed the other projects like Rail crossing over bridges at Samba, Vijaypur, Bajalta and other areas. Jugal Kishore laid stress over the modernisation of Jammu Railway Station and its extension by adding three new platforms.

He requested the Union Minister that the construction work for new platforms should be started soon and ongoing works should be expedited to make Jammu Railway Station convenient for commuters.

He also demanded stoppage of Uttar Sampark Kranti at Manwal Railway Station on the basis that the people of Manwal-Kishenpur and adjoining areas have to travel more than 70 kms to board this train.

Piyush Goyal Union Minister for Railways directed the concerned officials to put up these demands and assured Jugal that they these demands will be considered on priority and be fulfilled soon.

The ex-railway minister of India, Mukul Roy earlier announced that he was pursuing the inclusion of four critical projects as national projects, which include Bilaspur–Mandi–Leh line, Jammu–Poonch line, Tanakpur–Bageshwar line, Rupai Siding–Parshuram Kund line.

The Sevoke-Rangpo railway line that was announced in 2009 is confronting a fresh challenge after forest dwellers along the proposed tracks have demanded that they get land rights and compensation as they need to shift for the project.

The railway project was delayed for several years. The board of administrators of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) has only recently agreed to grant no-objection certificate to the railways to start the construction in stretches of forests.

On Tuesday, the forest dwellers claimed that over 40,000 villagers living in 24 forest villages would be affected due to the project. These people are residing on government land and don’t have land rights.

“As per the Forest Rights Act of 2006, the government or any other agency cannot take up a project in the forest without the consent of forest villagers. For this project, we apprehend that around 24 villages will fall along the proposed tracks and around 40,000 residents have to be shifted elsewhere. That is why we want land rights to be conferred on us and then, we should be compensated. Without our consent, the GTA cannot issue any NOC to the railways,” said L.K. Gurung, the secretary of the Himalayan Forest Villagers’ Organisation.

The demand comes a day before an important meeting between a seven-member delegation of the railways and Binay Tamang, the chairman of BoA of GTA, to discuss the railway project. Tamang is likely to hand over the papers of NOC to them during the talks.

The forest dwellers claimed forest hamlets like Rongpo, Kirney, Mongchu, Melli, Karmat, Kambu, Ramvi, Tarkhola, 28th Mile and 29th Mile – most of these are in Kalimpong district – would be affected.

“We have been residing in these villages for generations but so far, land rights have not been granted to us. However, in Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri districts, residents of around 94 such villages have been provided with land rights a couple of years back,” Shyam Karki, a resident of Tarkhola, said.

Most of these people are from underprivileged section and don’t have fixed income.

“Some of them are drivers or into farming. Others work as a day wage labourers. If they are provided with land rights, they will be automatically entitled to get compensation and can be included in a rehabilitation package,” he added.

They said letters would soon be sent to the state and central governments mentioning the issue.

“If our problem is not resolved, we will launch a movement,” said Sharan Rai, a resident of Rangpo.

For the Sevoke-Rangpo project, the railways need a total land of 98.94 hectares, of which only 2.77 hectares are privately owned. Also, another 18.40 hectares are with the government and around 8.49 hectares are of the state forest department for which the railways have got approval from necessary quarters.

“For the remaining 77.77 hectares, the NOC is required. It is on this land where the forest villagers reside,” said a source.

Railway officials are keeping fingers crossed. “It is long pending project. If such issues are raised now, there is a chance that it might further get delayed,” said an official.

With the decks cleared, MMRDA plans to open bridge to public by December-end. The MMRDA’s Rs 155.70-crore elevated corridor project connecting the western suburbs with the east just cleared a major hurdle: the Central Railway has granted permission to construction over its harbour and central corridor.

MMRDA commissioner UPS Madan said, “We recently received a clearance from the Railways to construct on the railway lines. We will complete this (the work) soon. The target is to throw the bridge open by December-end.”

The Railways had sat on the clearance for long, prompting Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to take the issue up with Railway Minister Piyush Goyal.

MMRDA officers said they will have to work out blocks to install girders on the railway line. Around six years ago, the MMRDA had done similar work on the Central Railway while constructing the Santacruz-Chembur Link Road.

The 1.6-km-long elevated corridor project was cleared by the MMRDA’s executive committee in 2014 and was expected to be completed in three years.

It aims at providing seamless connectivity to the eastern suburbs, and cut travel time from the east to Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) by 30 minutes and the distance by 3 km. This connector will go a long way in decongesting traffic in Sion and Dharavi.

The proposed corridor will start from G-Block in BKC, cross Mithi river, LBS Marg, the Central Railway track and VN Mankikar Road leading to the Chunabhatti railway station, the Harbour line tracks and the Somaiyya Trust ground, and join the Eastern Express Highway.

The link will include a 260-m-long bridge across Mithi, rail over bridges (ROBs) near Sion station and near Chunabhatti station.

The scope of the work also includes construction of an ROB at the level crossing near Chunabhatti on VN Purav Marg.

The trial run of the first container train to run between Kolkata and Dhaka was flagged off on Tuesday.

“The much-awaited demand of the trade is finally being met after a long passing by Container Corporation of India Ltd (CONCOR) and Indian Railways with Bangladesh Railway and other agencies of the two countries,” Harindra Rao, General Manager, Eastern Railways said.

The container train will take around eight hours to reach Bangladesh and can carry 60 containers with a maximum net weight of 12.247 kg in each.

The trial run of the first India-Bangladesh container train service was flagged off by Manasi Banerjee, one of the senior-most employees of Container Corporation of India Ltd (CONCOR).

While passenger trains and goods train have been running between the two countries, container train service has begun for the first time. It is expected to facilitate trade between India and Bangladesh.

“The much-awaited demand of the trade is finally being met after a long passing by Container Corporation of India Ltd (CONCOR) and Indian Railways with Bangladesh Railway and other agencies of the two countries,” Harindra Rao, General Manager, Eastern Railways, told.

He further added that exporters and importers of Bangladesh were evincing keen interest in this container freight service.

Digitising the entire Indian Railways is a herculean task. However, leading the way to a paperless ticketing process is Team Logic View—the winner of the Smart India Hackathon 2018.

A total of 17,000 teams had participated in the hackathon, that aimed to bring innovative technological solutions for several issues flagged by 27 ministries. Out of that number, 46 teams were shortlisted for the Student Innovation category, with just 6 coming out victorious.

Team Logic View topped the list with their application which will help ticket collectors (TCs) to track and record tickets, by scanning a simple QR code present in the railway tickets. This will also solve the issue of black-ticketing in Indian Railways and TCs selling away pre-booked tickets.

For the development of their application, the six-member team from the Oriental Institute of Science and Technology, Bhopal, was awarded Rs 1 lakh.

“We came to know that the railways spend ₹1.2 lakh per train on paper charts, and there are around 12,500 trains in India. So the project was to reduce this cost of paper by eliminating the pen-paper work in the railways and digitising it,” said 21-year old Yash Bhayre, from Team Logic View.

Team Apostrophe from Sarvajanik College of Engineering and Technology, Surat and Team Fashion from KK Somnath College of Engineering, Mumbai, were the first and second runners-up at the event, respectively.

There were other fantastic innovations as well. For example, Kryptonite6, a team, has created an App to minimise food wastage, which allows donors to upload the availability of food and using a cross-platform application, individuals or NGOs who need it, can track and reach the location to collect the food.

The event was a major success in terms of bringing out concepts that can be applied in our day to day life. Students across India are a valuable resource and using their skills is a sure way to secure a technologically advanced future.

Congratulations to the winners and to every participant for their time and effort!