Samajwadi party leaders and workers gathered at the party office in Gorakhpur this morning and demanded action against those responsible for it.

Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh:

The Samajwadi Party has objected to red and green tiles being used at a toilet at a railway hospital in Uttar Pradesh’s Gorakhpur and said it was an insult to its party flag bearing the same colours.

Samajwadi party leaders and workers gathered at the party office in Gorakhpur this morning and demanded action against those responsible for it.

Red and green tiles have been used in the toilet at Lalit Narayan Mishra Railway Hospital in Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh, a party leader said.

“We will not tolerate such insult to our party flag and we demand the railway administration change it and the district administration act against those behind it. The toilet was constructed 3-4 months ago, but it came into our notice on Wednesday,” SP district president Ram Nagina Sahini said.

Mr Sahini said they will take to the streets if their demands are not met.

Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) has filed papers with markets regulator Sebi to float an initial public offering of over 178 crore shares. The public offering will consist of a fresh issue of 118 crore equity shares and an offer for sale of 59.4 crore equity shares by the Government of India, according to an addendum to the draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) filed with Sebi. IRPF has not specified the IPO size (in terms of value) and the IPO price, as of now.

IRFC had, in January, filed draft papers with Sebi for a fresh issue of 93.8 crore equity shares and an offer for sale of 46.9 crore equity shares by the central government. It has now, through the additional papers filed with the market regulator, increased the funding issue size.

Indian Railway Finance Corporation will utilise the net proceeds of the IPO to augment its equity capital base to meet future capital requirements arising out of business growth and general corporate purposes.

DAM Capital Market Advisors (formerly known as IDFC Securities), HSBC Securities and Capital Markets, ICICI Securities and SBI Capital Markets are the book running lead managers to the public issue.

IRFC is a finance arm of the Indian Railways. It is wholly owned by the Indian government, through the Ministry of Railways. It mobilises funds from domestic and overseas capital markets to finance the Railways’ expansion activities across the country.

Four out of the five railway companies in the country are already listed on the bourses. The listed entities are IRCON International Ltd, R

Passengers travelling from Delhi, Ghaziabad and Gurgaon will be the first to avail the soon-to-begin ‘Bags on Wheels’ service of the Railways. Through this, their luggage will be transported to their homes from the railway station upon their arrival in trains and vice versa.

The Northern Railways’ Delhi Division on Thursday announced the ‘App-Based Bags on Wheels’, a first of its kind service available for railway passengers in India. While the contract has been awarded, the services are expected to begin soon.

Initially, the firm to which the contract is awarded will provide its services for the passengers boarding trains from New Delhi, Delhi Jn., Hazrat Nizamuddin, Delhi Cantt., Delhi Sarai Rohilla, Ghaziabad and Gurgaon railway stations, a statement from the Northern Railway said.

While officials said the cost of availing these services will be nominal, the price will depend on the distance to be covered as well as the weight and quantity of the luggage to be carried. “The service will enhance the scope of earning for Railways with straightaway Non-Fare Revenue of Rs 50 lakh per annum along with 10 per cent revenue sharing for the period of one year,” it said.

The firm will provide door-to-door service to railway passengers on a nominal fee for hassle-free and smooth handling and transportation of luggage from the passenger’s home to the passenger’s coach in the train and vice-versa.

Rajiv Chaudhry, General Manager Northern and North Central Railways said the Railways has been regularly striving to enhance its revenue through innovative ideas. “Working in the same direction, the Delhi division has recently achieved a milestone by awarding a new innovative contract under New Innovative Non-Fare Revenue Ideas Scheme (NINFRIS) for App-Based Bags-on-Wheels services. It would be the first of its kind service available for the railway passengers in India,” he said.

“Using BOW APP (will be available for Android & iPhone users), passengers will raise their demand for carrying their luggage to the railway station or to their home. Luggage will be picked up by the contractor in a secured manner and will be delivered to the coach/home as per booking preference of passenger,” he said.

The Northern Railways will hand over the reins of the Parliament canteen to India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) on November 15, bringing an end to its 52-year-old legacy of serving food to parliamentarians.

A letter from the Lok Sabha Secretariat has asked the Northern Railways, which has been serving food in the canteen since 1968, to pack up and move on from the parliament premises by November 15.

The ITDC, the government’s tourism arm, runs the luxury five-star The Ashok Group of Hotels.

“The competent authority has desired that the operations of the catering units in Parliament House Estate be taken over by ITDC 15.11 2020,” the letter stated.

“The Northern Railway may, accordingly, hand over the electronic gadgets viz. computers, printer etc. provided by the Lok Sabha Secretariat to ITDC and furniture items, equipment, gadgets etc. to CPWD for being handed over by them to ITDC,” it said.

The process to find a new vendor was started last year and in July this year, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla met Tourism Minister Prahlad Patel and officials of ITDC to discuss the issue.

Officials at ITDC said they have been instructed to keep special focus on the “quality of food” which should suit both “common people as well as dignitaries”.

At present, the canteen serves around 5,000 people during every session. There are 48 food items on its menu for lunch and evening snacks.

While matters relating to catering arrangements in the Parliament House Complex are typically decided by a joint committee on food management, in the 17th Lok Sabha, however, the food committee has not been constituted.

The final decision was taken by Speaker Om Birla, who has taken a personal interest in ensuring that better quality food is served in the canteen and that subsidies are ended.

An end to subsidies is expected to lead to annual savings of approximately ₹ 17 crore to parliament.

The Northern Railways will hand over the reins of the Parliament canteen to India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) on November 15, bringing an end to its 52-year-old legacy of serving food to parliamentarians.

A letter from the Lok Sabha Secretariat has asked the Northern Railways, which has been serving food in the canteen since 1968, to pack up and move on from the parliament premises by November 15.

The ITDC, the government’s tourism arm, runs the luxury five-star The Ashok Group of Hotels.

“The competent authority has desired that the operations of the catering units in Parliament House Estate be taken over by ITDC 15.11 2020,” the letter stated.

“The Northern Railway may, accordingly, hand over the electronic gadgets viz. computers, printer etc. provided by the Lok Sabha Secretariat to ITDC and furniture items, equipment, gadgets etc. to CPWD for being handed over by them to ITDC,” it said.

The process to find a new vendor was started last year and in July this year, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla met Tourism Minister Prahlad Patel and officials of ITDC to discuss the issue.

Officials at ITDC said they have been instructed to keep special focus on the “quality of food” which should suit both “common people as well as dignitaries”.

At present, the canteen serves around 5,000 people during every session. There are 48 food items on its menu for lunch and evening snacks.

While matters relating to catering arrangements in the Parliament House Complex are typically decided by a joint committee on food management, in the 17th Lok Sabha, however, the food committee has not been constituted.

The final decision was taken by Speaker Om Birla, who has taken a personal interest in ensuring that better quality food is served in the canteen and that subsidies are ended.

An end to subsidies is expected to lead to annual savings of approximately ₹ 17 crore to parliament.

The locomotive engine of a goods train was “seized” by the Assam Forest Department on Tuesday, weeks after it ran over a 35-year-old female elephant and its calf while passing through the Lumding Reserve Forest. The calf’s carcass was found at a distance of one kilometre from its mother, indicating that the train was speeding in the reserve forest, which is against the rules, local authorities said.

The Northeast Frontier Railway said the seizure of the engine was just a “procedural requirement”.

“It is not a first of its kind incident and is a procedural requirement for enquiry. There was no operational obstruction and the locomotive is currently in use of Railways,” the Northeast Frontier Railway stated.

NFR takes several steps & saves 61 elephants in current year.

Action against defaulters taken in the only case of elephant dashing during current financial year.

Seizure & release of locomotive by Forest Dept – a procedural requirement, not first of its kind. pic.twitter.com/KIST6ZM0a8

— Northeast Frontier Railway (@RailNf) October 21, 2020

The incident took place on September 27, and the Assam authorities took the engine in their possession on Tuesday.

“The train was used by the railways for carrying goods to its own project sites. Its speed was so high that it could not stop,” Assam Forest Minister Parimal Suklabiadya said.

“When the forest staff of the Lumding range rushed to the spot, they found the carcass of one female elephant, aged about 35 years, and of a male calf, aged about a year. The calf had been dragged nearly a kilometre from the carcass of its mother,” he added.
The Assam Forest Department said it pursued the case vigorously under the wildlife protection act and initiated a probe.

A team of forest officials proceeded to the Bamunimaidan Locomotive Shed on Tuesday and seized the engine.

The railways have said a locomotive pilot and his assistant have been suspended over the accident.

“The Assam forest department had informed us. They requested to inspect our engine, wrote to us that it needs to be inspected. We have carried out our own inquiry and it has been found that the train was speeding, which caused the accident,” said Subhanan Chanda, spokesperson, Northeast Frontier Railway, said.

“The seized engine was later given back into the custody of railways in view of the continuity of essential services to the public and others. Railways has agreed to pay ₹ 12 crore for any loss and damage,” the Assam Forest Department said.

Railway Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday announced that all women passengers will be allowed to travel in local trains in Mumbai and suburbs from Wednesday.

Currently, only those engaged in frontline duties and essential staff as categorised by the Maharashtra government are allowed to travel in the local trains run by the Central Railway and the Western Railway, through a QR code mechanism.

The Maharashtra government on October 16 requested the Railways to allow women to commute by local trains during the non-peak hours – from 11 am to 3 pm, and from 7 pm till the end of the day’s services.

On Tuesday morning, Maharashtra Chief Secretary Sanjay Kumar asked the railway authorities to consider its request “at the earliest”.

Later, taking to Twitter, Mr Goyal said, “I am happy to announce that Railways will allow women to travel on suburban trains from 21 Oct between 11 am to 3 pm and after 7 pm. We were always ready and with the receipt of letter from Maharashtra Govt today, we have allowed this travel.”

The Western Railway and the Central Railway are as of now collectively operating around 700 local train services every day on their suburban network.

The Maharashtra government has requested general managers of Central and Western Railway to allow all women to travel on local trains in the Mumbai region from Saturday.

A senior railway official said the proposal has been forwarded to the Railway Board.

Currently only restricted categories of persons, including essential services staff, are allowed to travel by local trains in view of the coronavirus pandemic.

In letters sent to both the zonal railways on Thursday, state Disaster Management, Relief and Rehabilitation secretary Kishor Raje Nimbalkar said the train services should be made available to women passengers from 11 am to 3 pm and from 7 pm onwards till the end of the services for the day.

QR code passes — currently given to those who are entitled to travel — should not be required for women for traveling during these time slots, he said.

The frequency of trains should also be increased, the letter said.

Railway authorities in Mumbai said the proposal has been forwarded to the Railway Board for approval.

A senior railway official said the board’s nod is necessary for this decision.

The Western Railway, meanwhile, also wrote a letter to the Maharashtra government, requesting it to assess the quantum of passengers that is likely to increase, so that

COVID-19 safety protocols can be planned. It also proposed a meeting between Railway officials and the state government to work out the modalities.

Union Minister of Railways Piyush Goyal will be undergoing a procedure to remove a kidney stone.

The minister made the announcement on Friday through a tweet.

“I shall be undergoing a procedure to remove a kidney stone. Will be back soon,” he said in the tweet.

Recently, Mr Goyal was given the additional charge of the Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution ministry, a portfolio held by the late Lok Janshakti Party leader Ram Vilas Paswan, who passed away on October 8.

Four members of the Dholbaaj Express gang have been arrested for allegedly stealing items from a railway saloon coach, police said on Wednesday.

The accused were identified as Ausaf Ali (44), Aarif (21), Tanveer (20) and Imran (19), all residents of Loni in Ghaziabad, they said.

On September 30, a night burglary took place in a railway saloon coach specially designed for the chief commissioner of railway safety at the New Delhi railway station, a senior police officer said.

The coach was equipped with high-end electronic gazettes such as a personal computer, a smart TV, a home theatre and a colour printer. The personal computer reportedly contained important data of the railways, the officer said.

“On Tuesday, police got a tip-off that members of the Dholbaaj Express gang would come to the Khajuri Road area to sell the burgled articles.

“A trap was laid on Khajuri Road, near the Sabhapur Chowki in Wazirabad, and the four accused were apprehended,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Rakesh Paweriya said.

The accused committed the night burglary in the railway saloon coach and took away the luxurious items, including the personal computer containing important data, the DCP said.

A smart TV, a home theatre and two speakers were recovered from their possession, the police said