Indian Railways News

Indian Railways News

Railway Bridge Collapses Amid Heavy Rainfall In Himachal’s Kangra

The Chakki bridge in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh collapsed today after one of its three pillars damaged completely as heavy rainfall continues in the state.

In visuals from the scene, part of the railway bridge that has been constructed on the Chakki river can be seen collapsing amid downpours.

A cloudburst also took place in Dharmshala today resulting in landslides in the area. A flash flood occurred in the Mandi district of the state in the early hours of this morning, causing water to enter houses and shops, trapping residents and damaging vehicles parked on the road. The incident affected places at Balh, Sadar, Thunag, Mandi and Lamathach in the district.

Due to heavy rainfall, schools have been closed in Kangra, Kullu and Mandi districts.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy rainfall in isolated places today in Himachal Pradesh in the districts of Kangra, Chamba, Bilaspur, Sirmaur, and Mandi districts.

Locals and tourists have been advised to avoid going near the rivers and streams in bad weather.

CommentsThe Himachal Pradesh’s disaster management department has issued a warning for landslide due to heavy rains predicted in the state till August 25.

5 Points On India’s Longest Train With 295 Wagons

The Indian Railways tested India’s longest and heaviest freight train called ‘Super Vasuki’ on Independence Day and its video is now going viral. The train was operated as part of central government’s Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations.

Here are five points about the ‘Super Vasuki’ train:

  1. It is a 3.5-km-long freight train with 295 loaded wagons carried over 27,000 tonnes of coal between Korba in Chhattisgarh and Rajnandgao in Nagpur on August 15.
  2. The train has been formed by amalgamating five rakes of goods trains as one unit.
  3. According to Indian Railways, this is the longest and heaviest freight train ever run by them. It said that the train takes about four minutes to cross a station.
  4. The amount of coal carried by Super Vasuki is enough to fire 3000 MW of power plant for one full day. This is three times the capacity of existing railway rakes (90 cars with 100 tonnes in each) which carries about 9,000 tonnes of coal in one journey.
  5. The Railways plans to use trains like these more frequently, especially to transport coal in peak demand season to prevent fuel shortages of power stations, according to news agency PTI.

UP Lawyer Went To Court Against Railways Over Rs 20

A lawyer from Mathura waged and won a legal battle in the consumer forum after a 22-year fight against Indian Railways for overcharging him  20 in 1999.

After more than two decades of fighting in court, the Consumer Forum has ruled in favour of the lawyer.

The matter dates back to December 25, 1999 when Advocate Tungnath Chaturvedi, resident of Gali Pirpanch of Mathura, reached Mathura Cantt station to take a train to Moradabad. He asked for two tickets for Moradabad at the ticket counter where the booking clerk charged him  90 instead of  70.

At  35 per person ticket, two tickets would have cost him  70.

Advocate Chaturvedi asked for the return of  20 but the booking clerk refused. Meanwhile, as his train had arrived at the station, Mr Chaturvedi boarded and departed for Moradabad.

He later filed a case in the Consumer Forum against Indian Railways for overcharging him. The General Manager of North Eastern Railway Gorakhpur and the window booking clerk of Mathura Cantonment railway station were made parties.

After 21 years, the Consumer Forum gave a verdict in favour of Advocate Chaturvedi and ordered Railways to pay a refund of 20 rupees, plus interest at 12 percent a year, and compensation of 15,000 rupees.

The Consumer Forum has ordered the Railways to pay the amount within 30 days.

“It took time to get justice. But I am satisfied that the decision against the illegal thing has finally come,” said Mr Chaturvedi.

He said that his family members and neighbours had several times insisted that he let go of the matter but he continued his fight for justice.

Mr Chaturvedi’s family and neighbours have expressed their happiness that the Forum had favoured him in its decision.

One of his neighbours said that one should always raise their voice against injustice.