IRCTC Tejas Express services will resume services from next month between the national capital and Lucknow after being suspended from operations due to low occupancy and other reasons amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The IRCTC Lucknow-Delhi Tejas Express – the country’s first train operated by a private player, is set to start services four days a week, starting from August 7, 2021, according to notifications by the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC)

IRCTC Lucknow-Delhi Tejas Express – Details of train timings, train number, route: 

• According to Indian Railways’ subsidiary IRCTC, the train number 82501/82502 Lucknow Junction – New Delhi – Lucknow Junction will start services from August 7
• The train will run four days a week – Friday, Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday, according to the Indian Railways e-ticketing arm
• During the journey, the train will cover Ghaziabad Junction, New Delhi, Lucknow Junction, Kanpur Central railway stations.
• For booking Tejas Express train tickets, passengers can log on to the official IRCTC website or use the IRCTC Rail Connect app.
• The tickets for IRCTC Tejas Express can be booked 30 days in advance, according to IRCTC.

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The semi-high speed IRCTC Lucknow – New Delhi Tejas Express train service was flagged off on October 4, 2019, and is the first train to be fully operated by IRCTC. It is fully air-conditioned and offers passenger-centric facilities such as LCD entertainment screens, modular bio-toilets, on-board infotainment, coffee, tea vending machines, sliding doors, among others. The train covers the journey between the two cities in six hours.

A 48-year-old man from Delhi was found dead on the railway tracks at the Old Faridabad station, hours after he was reported missing by his family members following a police station visit.

The deceased was identified as Yogesh Gupta, police said, adding no suicide note was found at the spot.

Police said Gupta had come to the Ambedkar Nagar police station on Sunday night to join the inquiry in connection with a case lodged against him in February this year.

The case was filed against him based on a complaint from Neeraj Pahadia, a resident of Madangir, who alleged that Gupta did not return him ₹ 12.23 lakh that he had invested into a committee run by him.

According to the complainant, Gupta was running the committee and he later closed it without informing the members.

The complainant and Gupta had agreed to settle the matter amicably and again join the inquiry, according to police.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Atul Kumar Thakur said the complainant joined the inquiry on Sunday and Gupta was also called to the police station. After inquiry, Gupta left the police station at about 8 pm, the DCP said.

However, around 10.30 pm, Gupta’s son visited the police station and informed that his father had not reached home and accordingly his missing report was registered, he said.

“As our teams started tracing Gupta and also circulated his photographs in various groups, it came to notice from GRP Faridabad that Gupta had allegedly committed suicide by jumping in front of a train at Old Fridabad Railway station. The family members of the deceased were informed accordingly,” the police officer said.

Gupta’s family and a few others had also gathered outside the Ambedkar Nagar police station to voice their concerns but dispersed later after they were assured by the police that their grievances will be looked into.

“An inquiry into the matter is ongoing,” the DCP said.

Staging protest outside the police station, Gupta’s daughter said, “My father was beaten up by police officials. He can never commit suicide.

My mother was told yesterday that my father was inside the police station. When she came to the police station to enquire about him after buying medicines, she was told that he had left the premises around two hours ago.”

According to Gupta’s family, he was was picked up by the policemen on Sunday afternoon.

His son Shivam Gupta said, “My father’s body was found from railway track at Faridabad railway station. Three policemen came to my shop on Sunday afternoon and picked up my father. We came to the police station around 3 pm and were waiting here till 6.30 pm but they (police) did not allow us to meet my father. They told us to go home and said my father will return home soon. But when he did not return, I came here again to enquire and later was informed that my dad died on railway track.”

The Karnataka government on Thursday (July 1, 2021) announced that passengers coming from Kerala by flight, bus, train or taxi will have to show a negative RT-PCR certificate, not older than 72 hours for entering the state. The Karnataka government’s order said that the airlines should issue boarding passes only to the passengers carrying RT-PCR negative reports not older than 72 hours. In case of trains, railway authorities shall be responsible for ensuring that all passengers travelling by trains carry negative RT-PCR report.

The state government on Friday (July 2, 2021) added that passengers from Kerala who have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine will be exempted from this rule as long as they can provide the certificate for the same.

The order issued by the state government is in regard to special surveillance measures. The order also added that in case of emergencies, like the death of a family member, the passengers shall be allowed even without these requirements after collecting their swabs along with details of identity.

Important aspects of the order:

– The airlines should issue boarding passes only to the passengers carrying RT-PCR negative reports not older than 72 hours.

– For trains, railway authorities shall be responsible for ensuring that all passengers travelling by trains carry negative RT-PCR report.

– For buses, the bus conductor will have to ensure that all the passengers possess negative RT-PCR report not older than 72 hours.

– Students or businessmen, who are visiting Karnataka on daily basis need to undergo RT-PCR test once in 15 days and possess a negative test report.

The order also directed the Deputy Commissioners of the Districts bordering Kerala State, i.e., Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu, Mysuru and Chamarajanagara to make necessary arrangements to ensure proper implementation of the order.

Meanwhile, Karnataka on Thursday reported 3,203 new cases of COVID-19 and 94 deaths, pushing the infection count to 28,47,013 and toll to 35,134, the health department said. Thursday also saw 14,302 discharges, taking the total recoveries to 27,46,544.

Indian Railways statutory body Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) is in the process of inviting online bids for leasing seven land parcels for commercial development in Chennai, as the city has emerged as a realty hub with the growth of the IT sector in the past few years. Apart from inviting bids for the land parcels, a request for proposal (RFP) for the redevelopment of the Egmore railway colony will also be invited soon, according to Rail Land Development Authority.

Out of the seven identified land parcels, three parcels are situated at the Ayanavaram site and the bid opening date for those three is set as August 24, 2021. The fourth land parcel is at the Waltax road site which spans across an area of 1,116.67 square metre and the reserve price of the site is kept at ₹ 4.19 crore for a lease period of 45 years. The last date of e-bid submission for the Waltax road site land parcel is set as August 12, 2021.

The fifth land parcel is at the Pulianthope site which spans 2.09 acres and the reserve price for which is kept at ₹ 11.60 crore to be leased for a period of 45 years. Another land parcel is located at the  Victoria Crescent site, which is surrounded by high-end institutional and residential establishments. This site is located in the CBD region of the city. The reserve price for this parcel is kept at ₹ 41 crore and will be leased out for a period of 99 years. The bids for this site have been invited and will be opened on September 2, 2021.

Comments The Egmore Railway colony site is a promising location for commercial development as it is situated in the heart of the capital city of Tamil Nadu. The parcel will be available for lease for a period of 45 years, according to Rail Land Development Authority.

The North Central Railway zone registered the highest ever growth in freight loading and collection of revenue through freight operations in the April-June quarter of the financial year 2021-22. Headquartered the Allahabad, the railway zone recorded the best ever freight loading in the first quarter of any fiscal year, said VK Tripathi, General Manager of the North Central zone in a recent press conference.

During the first quarter of the current fiscal year, the originating freight loading stood at 4.32 million tonnes, compared to 3.24 million tonnes in the corresponding period of last year, marking a growth of 33.3 per cent year-on-year for the north-central zone.

During the three months, the originating good earnings stood at ₹ 437.57 crore, compared to ₹ 352.33 crore in the same period last year, recording a growth of 24.19 per cent year-on-year. The railway zone witnessed a significant increase in the loading of cement, containers, fly ash, among others.

The national transporter recently announced its freight loading figures for June 21, registering an increase of 20.37 per cent year-on-year to 112.65 million tonnes. Its’ freight loading for the same month last year stood at 93.59 million tonnes. Moreover, in June 2021, the sector registered its highest-ever freight loading in 10 months – between September 2020 – June 2021.

Comments Indian Railways earned ₹ 1,11,86.81 crore from freight loading last month – 26.7 per cent higher, compared to the corresponding month last year, when it earned ₹ 8,829.68 crore. In the financial year 2020-21, Indian Railways registered double-digit growth in freight traffic and a 10 per cent increase in freight loading, compared to the previous fiscal 2019-20.

An empty gas truck veered off from the Mumbai-Nashik national highway in Maharashtra after suffering a tyre burst and came on the parallel railway tracks on Monday evening, forcing suspension of traffic on the Kasara-Kalyan section which resulted into holding up of some long-distance and suburban trains for almost two hours, officials said.

Fortunately, no train was passing when the incident occurred near Atgaon station, around 95 kms from Mumbai, they said, adding trains on both Up and Down tracks were just a station behind.

Central railway said the incident occurred between Asangaon and Atgaon stations around 7.30 pm.

“A gas tanker truck from the road entered on the tracks between Atgaon-Asangaon section. For safety reasons the Up and Down lines in the north east section have been suspended for traffic from 7.40 pm onwards,” said Shivaji Sutar, chief public relations officer, Central railway.

Mr Sutar said the help of the Maharashtra Disaster Control was sought for removal of the gas tanker from the tracks, apart from sending railway’s relief cranes and vehicles to the spot.

“Road cranes and other relief trains/vehicles have been moved to clear the section as soon as possible,” Mr Sutar said.

The tanker was removed from the tracks with the help of cranes.

“Down line traffic (trains going towards Kasara side) resumed at 9.10 pm and Up line at 9.30pm,” Mr Sutar said, adding over half a dozen long distance trains and some suburban locals were detained owing to the incident.

According to railway officials, the gas tanker was empty and hence they did not face much difficulty in removing it from the tracks.

Railway Recruitment Boards will conduct the seventh phase of the first stage recruitment examinations for the ongoing computer-based test for selection to railways’ non-technical popular category (NTPC) posts in July. In a notification released recently, after the candidates protested online, the RRBs or Railway Recruitment Boards, one of the official recruitment arms of Indian Railways, said the examinations will be held on July 23, 24, 26 and 31.

The examinations will be held across the country for approximately 2.78 lakh candidates, the RRB NTPC notification released last week said.

The RRB NTPC notification has also said the the link for viewing the exam city and date and downloading of free travelling authority for SC and ST candidates will be made available on all RRB websites ten days before the exam.

As usual, the downloading of RRB NTPC admit cards will start four days prior to the exam date mentioned in exam city and date information link.

The RRBs has also asked the candidates to strictly follow COVID-related guidelines issued along with the admit card.

“Use of Face Mask is mandatory. Candidates will be allowed entry only if wearing a Face Mask and the Face mask shall be worn at all times. (except at the time of capturing photograph),” the notification said.

A total of 1.26 crore candidates have registered for the RRB NTPC exam which is being held to fill 35,208 vacancies in various NTPC posts of Indian Railways which are Junior Clerk cum Typist, Junior Time Keeper, Accounts Clerk cum Typist, Senior Clerk cum Typist, Junior Account Assistant cum Typist, Senior Time Keeper and other posts.

Indian Railways is organising a ‘Cheer4India’ campaign for the Olympic-bound athletes across the country and has urged people to come out in support of the sportspersons, who will be competing at the Tokyo Games beginning July 23. Indian Railways has set up Olympic selfie points at various railway stations over different divisions across the country for people to show their support and to encourage the Indian contingent which is participating in the Tokyo Olympics.

Rahul Agarwal, Divisional Railway Manager, Mysuru, has urged the rail users to click selfies at Selfie Points installed across Indian railway stations and share them widely to encourage the participating athletes, and for creating a fit India.

Earlier last month, while announcing the ‘Cheer Up’ Campaign across the country, the Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju had said over 6,000 selfie points will be set up in the country where people can show their support. “I have spoken to Railway Minister Piyush Goyal and he immediately deployed space across 6,000 railway stations across the country where Olympics Selfie Points have been set up. The Chief Minister of Haryana has also clicked a selfie photograph with the symbol to encourage others to join the campaign and encourage the Tokyo-bound players.”

“I wanted the Olympics movement and the importance of Olympics to be understood by everyone spread across the length and breadth of India. Sports is the biggest soft power of a nation,” he added.

The number of Indian athletes participating in the Summer Olympics and Paralympic Games has seen a steady rise in the past three editions. Over 100 athletes have already made the cut so far and many more are expected to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics.

With the Tokyo Games round the corner, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is likely to declare the name of flag bearers for the opening ceremony of the showpiece event by July 5. “IOA is planning to declare the names on the 5th of July. We have some names which we are sorting out but as of now, majorly it is on PV Sindhu and Bajrang Punia but again it’s not official. Final names will be declared by July 5,” sources in the know of developments told ANI.

Meanwhile, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and IOA has continued their efforts to sensitise the Tokyo-bound athletes to help them understand the Japanese culture and address the possible barriers besides being ideal ambassadors of the country.

RITES (Rail India Technical and Economic Services) has bagged two major railway electrification orders from Ministry of Railways and a consultancy assignment from Metro Express Mauritius, the company said in separate regulatory filings to the stock exchanges.

RITES will be undertaking railway electrification work on the Mysore – Hassan – Mangalore railway route, amounting to ₹ 461.23 crore. It will also be executing work between Lumding and Badarpur, worth ₹ 288.44 crore.

And Metro Express, Mauritius has awarded RITES additional consultancy services work for extension of the mainline from Rose Hill to Reduit through Ebene for a fee of MUR 250 million or ₹ 45 crore approximately.

RITES is a Miniratna public sector enterprise and a leading player in the transport consultancy and engineering sector in the country.

Comments At 11:00 am, RITES shares were trading higher by 0.5 per cent at ₹ 278 on the BSE as against a 0.3 per cent decline in the benchmark indices.

A mobile Covid vaccination centre on tracks was started for the first time by the Eastern Railway on Monday for inoculation and medical check-up of its employees and their families at far off stations under its Sealdah division, an official said here.

The railway mobile unit ”Aarogya” is an air- conditioned EMU coach with separate compartments for patient waiting, doctors” room, observation area, dressing room/minor OT, with oxygen cylinder and basic resuscitative equipment, he said.

“This special medical coach is intended for health check-up and vaccination of railway employees posted at far- off stations under Sealdah division of Eastern Railway and their families,” Divisional Railway Manager S P Singh said.

With its inaugural run to Ranaghat, Rail Mobile COVID Vaccination Centre is introduced for the first time in Eastern Railway, Dr Rudrendu Bhattacharya, Chief Medical Director, ER, said.

The mobile health unit, to be manned by doctors and paramedical staff, will be moved independently in any direction to any railway station or shed within the jurisdiction of Sealdah division, covering Kolkata, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Nadia and Murshidabad districts, the official said.

The West Bengal state health authorities have given approval to run ”Aarogya” as mobile COVID vaccination centre to wayside stations and vaccinating railway beneficiaries for three categories frontline workers, dependents of employees aged more than 45 years and retired employees.