Indian Railways Finance Corporation (IRFC) announced its April-Juen quarter results for the financial year 2021-22, reporting a net profit of ₹ 1,501.95 crore, compared to Rs 891.81 crore for the corresponding quarter in the last year. The net profit of the Railway Ministry’s wholly-owned subsidiary increased 68.42 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter of the current fiscal.

The company’s revenue from operations in the June quarter stood at Rs 4581.61 crore, compared to Rs 3669.22 crore in the corresponding period last year, registering a growth of 24.87 per cent year-on-year, according to a regulatory filing by the firm to the stock exchanges.

By the end of the April-Juen quarter, IRFC’s net worth stood at Rs. 37,416.50 crore, compared to ₹ 31,192.96 crore, marking an increase of 19.95 per cent year-on-year. The net profit of the public-sector enterprise in the preceding January-March quarter of the financial year 2020-21 stood at Rs 1,483 crore, while revenue from operations came in at Rs 15,770 crore.

“The investment outlay by Indian Railways has been the main driver of growth at IRFC, as a significant portion of the funding requirement is to be met through IRFC,” said Amitabh Banerjee, Chairman, and Managing Director, IRFC

In view of the massive railway infrastructure investment envisaged as per National Rail Plan 2030, IRFC can foresee a sustained growth in revenue and profitability in the coming years, in view of IRFC financing a major portion of the CAPEX outlay of Indian Railways, especially over the last six years

As Mumbai gears up for resuming suburban train services for the fully vaccinated public from August 15, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Wednesday started an offline verification process for fully vaccinated people and began issuing monthly passes at 53 railway stations.

“…in order to make it convenient for the citizens to travel in local trains and obtain railway monthly pass, an offline verification process for COVID-19 final vaccination (completed 14 days after second dose) will start from August 11 at 53 railway stations in BMC jurisdiction area and at total of 109 railway stations in Mumbai Metropolitan Region. It will be functional in two consecutive sessions from 7 am to 11 pm,” BMC Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal said.

“…This will be facilitated both online and offline. The process of creating an app and starting the online process may take a little more time. Hence, the offline process will start from August 11, so that there is no inconvenience to Mumbaikars,” Mr Chahal added.

The offline process of issuing monthly season passes will continue on all seven days of the week, until further notice.

Mr Chahal informed that the process will begin at 53 suburban railway stations in the BMC jurisdiction area, including stations on the Central, Western and Harbour Line.

“Citizens who have completed 14 days after receiving the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine can go to the nearest railway station with a hard copy of the Final Vaccination Certificate (second dose) along with proof of photo identity. Citizens should note that if they do not have both or even one of these documents, they will be denied entry by the railway administration at the railway station,” the BMC notice read.

Further, it has been informed that the desks will be functional in two consecutive sessions, 7 am to 3 pm and from 3 pm to 11 pm. “The BMC or the concerned Local Self Government staff at the help desk will check the validity of the Final Vaccination Certificate (Second Dose) of the concerned citizen on the CoWin app. They will also check the photo ID proof. Once the verification is completed and both the documents are found to be valid, the certificate and the identification proof will be stamped in the prescribed format,” it stated.

Once the COVID Certificate is stamped, a railway monthly pass would be issued by the Railways, on its basis. It is important to note that the pass will only be valid from August 15 onwards.

The notice also mentioned that those who are not vaccinated, or have just received a single dose of COVID-19 vaccine, would not be allowed to travel on suburban trains at present.

“Strict police action under the Epidemic Control Act/Disaster Management Act/ Indian Penal Code, will be taken if a citizen tries to produce fake/bogus Covid Vaccination Certificate,” the BMC notice read.a

Arrangements will be made at 65 railway stations in Mumbai, where quick response or QR code-based passes will be issued to people who have taken both doses of COVID-19 vaccine and wish to travel in suburban local trains, city mayor Kishori Pednekar said on Tuesday.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had announced that fully vaccinated citizens can travel in local trains from August 15, but a gap of 14 days from the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine is necessary to avail the facility.

Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, the mayor said, “Citizens should not indulge in altercations, as long queues are likely at ticket counters. People should cooperate and follow the COVID-19 norms.”

Ms Pednekar further said that arrangements are being made to issue QR code-based passes to passengers at 65 railway stations that come under the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) jurisdiction.

The state government had restricted local train travel to government employees and people employed in essential service staffers, since April 2021, to control the COVID-19 spread during the second wave.

When asked about Ganeshotsav Kruti Samiti’s demand of permitting fully-vaccinated citizens to participate in Ganpati immersion processions, the mayor said the chief minister will take a decision in the matter after consulting the COVID-19 task force.

The mayor also warned hotel and restaurant owners of strict action if COVID-19 rules are not strictly followed.

“Even if hotels and restaurants are allowed to function till 10 pm, the rules must be strictly followed. If the rules are not followed, the owners may land in trouble,” she said.

The state government has appealed to the Centre to increase the supply of vaccines, and the authorities are also focusing on ways to increase vaccination through CSR funds.

The Central Railway announced a few days ago that it will run 40 additional trains ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi. The authorities have decided to run these “Ganapati Festival Specials” to cater to the extra rush of passengers towards the Konkan region. The extra trains are in addition to the 72 festival specials already announced to ply during the Ganapati festival 2021. Bookings for the special trains, announced on August 4 as well as the ones announced earlier, began on August 7 on the IRCTC website and at computerised reservation centres.

Here’s a list of additional trains announced ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi:

1) Mumbai-Sawantwadi Road special (2 services)

01235 special will leave Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Mumbai, at 13.10 hours on September 7, 2021, and arrive at Sawantwadi Road at 02.00 hours the next day.

01236 special will leave Sawantwadi Road at 02.30 hours on September 10, 2021, and reach Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Mumbai, at 14.00 hours the same day.

The train will halt at Dadar, Thane, Panvel, Roha, Mangaon, Veer, Khed, Chiplun, Savarda, Aravali Road, Sangameshwar Road, Ratnagiri, Adavali, Vilavade, Rajapur Road, Vaibhavwadi Road, Kankavali, Sindhudurg and Kudal.

2) Panvel-Sawantwadi Road special (4 services)

01237 special will leave Panvel at 14.10 hours on September 8, 2021, and September 9, 2021, and reach Sawantwadi Road at 02.00 hours the next day.

01238 special will leave Sawantwadi Road at 02.30 hours on September 8, 2021, and September 9, 2021, and reach Panvel at 12.00 hours the same day.

This train halts at Roha, Mangaon, Veer, Khed, Chiplun, Savarda, Aravali Road, Sangameshwar Road, Ratnagiri, Adavali, Vilavade, Rajapur Road, Vaibhavwadi Road, Kankavali, Sindhudurg, Kudal.

Composition of 01235/01236 and 01237/01238 specials: 11 sleeper class, one 3A+2A, four 3A, six 2S.

3) Lokmanya Tilak Terminus-Madgaon special (6 services)

01239 special will leave Lokmanya Tilak Terminus at 05.33 hours on September 5, 7, and 9, and reach Madgaon at 20.00 hours the same day.

01240 special will leave Madgaon at 20.30 hours on September 5, 7, and 9, and arrive at Lokmanya Tilak Terminus at 10.30 hours the next day.

This special halts at Thane, Panvel Roha, Mangaon, Khed, Chiplun, Sangameshwar Road, Ratnagiri, Rajapur Road, Vaibhavwadi Road, Kankavali, Sindhudurg, Kudal, Sawantwadi Road, Thivim, Karmali.

Composition: 20-second class seating.

4) Lokmanya Tilak Terminus-Kudal special (6 services)

01241 special will leave Lokmanya Tilak Terminus at 00.45 hours on September 3, 7, and 10, and arrive at Kudal at 11.20 hours the same day.

01242 special will leave Kudal at 12.10 hours on September 5, 8, and 12, and arrive at Lokmanya Tilak Terminus at 23.55 hours the same day.

This special train halts at Thane, Panvel Roha, Mangaon, Khed, Chiplun, Savarda, Aravali Road, Sangameshwar Road, Ratnagiri, Adavali, Rajapur Road, Vaibhavwadi Road, Nandgaon Road, Kankavali, Sindhudurg.

Composition: one 2A, one 3A, two Sleeper classes, 18 2S.

01243 special will leave Panvel at 00.15 hours on September 4, 8, and 11, and arrive at Kudal at 11.20 hours the same day.

01244 special will leave Kudal at 12.10 hours on September 3, 7, and 10, and reach Panvel at 23.10 hours the same day.

The Panvel-Kudal special halts at Roha, Mangaon, Khed, Chiplun, Savarda, Aravali Road, Sangameshwar Road, Ratnagiri, Adavali, Rajapur Road, Vaibhavwadi Road, Nandgaon Road, Kankavali, Sindhudurg.

Composition: one 3A, one 2A, two Sleeper classes, 18 2S.

6) Panvel-Kudal special (4 services)

01245 special will leave Panvel at 00.15 hours on September 5 and 12, and arrive at Kudal at 11.20 hours the same day.

01246 special will leave Kudal at 12.10 hours on September 4 and 11, and arrive at Panvel at 23.00 hours the same day.

This special train halts at Roha, Mangaon, Khed, Chiplun, Savarda, Aravali Road, Sangameshwar Road, Ratnagiri, Adavali, Rajapur Road, Vaibhavwadi Road, Nandgaon Road, Kankavali, Sindhudurg.

Composition: one 3A, one 2A, two Sleeper classes, 18 2S

7) Pune-Madgaon/Karmali-Pune special (2 services)

01247 special will leave Pune at 18.45 hours on September 8, and arrive at Madgaon at 10.00 hours the next day.

01248 special will leave Karmali at 15.10 hours on September 10, and reach Pune at 05.50 hours the next day.

This train halts at Lonavala, Panvel, Roha, Mangaon, Khed, Chiplun, Savarda, Aravali Road, Sangameshwar Road, Ratnagiri, Adavali, Rajapur Road, Vaibhavwadi Road, Nandaon Road, Kankavali, Sindhudurg, Kudal, Sawantwadi Road, Thivim, Karmali.

Composition: 11 Sleeper class, o­ne 2AC, four 3AC, six 2S.

8) Panvel-Karmali/Madgaon-Panvel special (2 services)

01249 special will leave Panvel at 00.15 hours on September 10, and arrive at Karmali at 14.15 hours the same day.

01250 special will leave Madgaon at 11.30 hours on September 9, and reach Panvel at 23.00 hours the same day.

The Panvel-Karmali/Madgaon-Panvel special halts at Roha, Mangaon, Khed, Chiplun, Savarda, Aravali Road, Sangameshwar Road, Ratnagiri, Adavali, Rajapur Road, Vaibhavwadi Road, Nandgaon Road, Kankavali, Sindhudurg, Kudal, Sawantwadi Road, Thivim, Karmali (for 01250 only).

Composition: one 3A, one 2A, two Sleeper classes, 18 2S.

The Railway Police Force on Tuesday rescued a six-year-old boy who ran away from home after being slapped by his mother, and reunited him with his parents in Maharashtra’s Aurangabad district, an official said.

The boy fled from his home near Mukundwadi railway station during the day after his mother allegedly slapped him when he demanded money for snacks, sub-inspector Vijay Wagh said.

“I was on routine patrolling, when I spotted the child travelling alone in a train when it was approaching Lasur station. When I asked about his family he started crying. But after having a conversation with him, the boy told me that his mother had refused to give him money for snacks and slapped him,” the official said.

Comments The boy boarded Marathwada Express around 9.45 am at Mukundwadi station and was found at Lasur within a couple of hours, he said, adding that the child was reunited with his parents later in the day after formalities.

The National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) – delegated for implementing the country’s first 508 km long bullet train corridor between Ahmedabad and Mumbai, opened bids for the construction of Sabarmati depot for the upcoming high-speed railway line.

On Thursday, July 29, the organisation invited bids for the construction, design, installation, as well as testing and commissioning of the Sabarmati rolling stock depot. It also consists of a workshop, inspection sheds, buildings, maintenance facilities, and associated works, according to a statement shared by NHSRCL.

The last date for the submission of bids is December 2, 2021. The upcoming Sabarmati maintenance depot will be the largest depot among three depots planned for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed railway corridor. The two other depots will be situated at Surat (Gujarat) and Thane (Maharashtra).

Recently, the implementing agency opened financial bids for the construction of 11 special bridges — including seven steel truss bridges and four prestressed concrete or PSC bridges between the Zaroli Village at the Maharashtra-Gujarat Border and Vadodara, in Gujarat and Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

The country’s first bullet train will operate at a speed of 320 km per hour, once completely ready for passenger services. Along the route, the high-speed railway line will pass through 12 stations, covering certain regions in Maharashtra, Gujarat, and the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli. The bullet train will cover the entire distance between the two states in two-three hours with halts at all stations.

Indian Railways’ Oxygen Express is all set to embark towards Bangladesh, which would be the first time ever that it will be going to a neighbouring country, carrying 200 metric tonnes of liquid medical oxygen (LMO).

On July 24, an indent was placed at Tata in Chakradharpur division under South Eastern Railway to transport 200 metric tonnes of LMO to Benapole, Bangladesh.

Indian Railways had begun operating the Oxygen Expresses on April 24, 2021 to transport oxygen cylinders across the country and especially to those states which were facing acute shortage during the second wave of the Coronavirus pandemic.

More than 35,000 metric tonnes of LMO was transported to 15 states and around 480 Oxygen Expresses were operationalised, official sources said.

Mumbai:Rescue operations are on in several districts of Maharashtra after relentless rain caused flooding and huge property damage across the Konkan region of the state.

Visuals of waterlogged streets, submerged cars and struggling people emerged from the state as the downpour continued. Incessant rain has ravaged the Konkan region for several days causing major rivers in Ratnagiri and Raigad districts to overflow above the danger levels.

Several long-distance trains have been stopped, cancelled or rescheduled on the Konkan Railway route. According to rail officials, around 6,000 passengers were stranded in trains which were regulated at various stations on the Konkan Railway route.

Many areas of Ratnagiri district have been severely affected with Chiplun bearing the brunt of the rain.

Rescue operations are on in flooded Chiplun, around 240 km from Mumbai, and is possibly the worst affected in the state. Stranded locals are being moved to safety by the Indian Coastguard. The Mumbai-Goa Highway has also been shut due to severe flooding in the town.

The Vashisti River as well as a dam overflowed last night, alarming residents as floodwater began rising rapidly. In scary visuals, buses can be seen completely submerged under water – only the tops are visible. The local market, bus station and railway station are all submerged in Chiplun.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had earlier placed Mumbai on a “yellow alert” after it predicted intense to very intense rains in the city, Palghar, Thane and Raigad districts on Wednesday.

Several parts of Mumbai were waterlogged this morning as heavy rainfall continued overnight in the city.

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray took a review of the situation in Ratnagiri and Raigad – the worst affected coastal districts – the chief minister’s office (CMO) said.

17 Comments Mr Thackeray has asked the authorities to remain alert and keep monitoring the levels of overflowing rivers and evacuate residents to safer places. He also urged the locals to take all necessary precautions.

 

The Railways has started rolling out Rajdhani Express with upgraded Tejas coaches equipped with intelligent sensor-based systems, the ministry said on Monday.

These bright golden hued coaches, with enhanced smart features, are being introduced to run Railways’ prestigious Mumbai-New Delhi Rajdhani Express train.

“This new rake made its maiden run from Monday, July 19, 2021. The existing rakes of Train No. 02951/52 Mumbai – New Delhi Rajdhani Special Express, one of the most prestigious and premium trains of WR have been replaced with brand new Tejas type sleeper coaches,” the statement from the Railways said.

Two such Tejas type sleeper coach rakes have been made ready to run as Rajdhani Express. Out of these two rakes, one rake comprises of exclusive Tejas Smart sleeper coaches, which is first of its kind to be introduced by the Indian Railways.

The new train will have special smart features for enhanced passenger safety and comfort. The smart coach aims to provide world-class facilities to passengers with the help of intelligent sensor-based systems.

It is equipped with passenger Information and Coach Computing Unit (PICCU) provided with GSM network connectivity, which reports to the remote server. PICCU will record the data of WSP, CCTV recording, toilet odour sensors, panic switch and other items integrated with fire detection and alarm system, air quality and choke filter sensor and energy meter.

“With the use of Tejas SMART Coach, the Indian Railways aims to move to predictive maintenance instead of preventive maintenance. The introduction of this modern Tejas Sleeper type train for long distance journey, is another paradigm shift by the Indian Railways for enhancing the travel experience for passengers,” the statement said.

Additional smart features include passenger announcement/passenger information system, digital destination board, security and surveillance monitoring, automatic plug door, fire alarm, detection and suppression system.

It also has emergency talk back for medical or security emergency, improved toilet unit, toilet occupancy sensor, panic button in lavatories, HVAC – air quality measurement for air conditioning system. It also has improved interiors, roller blind on window and upper berth climbing arrangement among other facilities.

Heavy rain lashed parts of Mumbai and its suburbs since early morning on Friday, leading to water-logging on tracks at a few places and affecting the local train services, officials said.

The suburban trains on the Central Railway’s main line as well as the Harbour line are running 20 to 25 minutes behind their schedule, an official said.

Local train services are currently running only for personnel engaged in health and other essential services, and are out of bound for general commuters in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A civic official said that the city has been witnessing downpour since early morning, but its suburbs have reported more rainfall.

In three hours ending 7 am, Mumbai”s island city recorded 36 mm rainfall, whereas its eastern and western suburbs recorded 75 mm and 73 mm rainfall respectively.

An official of the Central Railway said that due to water-logging on tracks near Kurla station in eastern Mumbai, suburban services on the main line (between Chhatrapati Shivaji MaharajTerminus and Kurla) and the Harbour line (CSMT-Vashi-Panvel) have been affected since morning.

“Due to heavy rain and water-logging on the slow lines near Kurla-Vidyavihar, local trains are running 20-25 minutes late,” said Shivaji Sutar, chief public relations officer of the CR.
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Tomatoes scattered across a road near Dahisar Subway.

The slow line train traffic between Kurla-Vidyavihar has been diverted to the fast line, he said, adding that the locals on the Harbour line are also running 20-25 minutes behind schedule.

 

However, trains are running as per their normal schedule on the Thane-Vashi Transharbour route, he added.

The Central Railway runs suburban services on four separate suburban corridors in the Mumbai metropolitan region. Before the outbreak of the pandemic, it used to operate over 1,700 suburban services and ferry over 40 lakh passengers on a daily basis.

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had earlier predicted moderate to heavy rainfall in the city and suburbs with the possibility of very heavy rainfall at the isolated places on Friday.