News Analysis India

Tag: indian railways

  • Kanchanjunga Express accident: Mallikarjun Kharge slams Modi govt, says ‘utter mismanagement’ of railway ministry

    NEW DELHI: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday slammed the Modi government for “utter mismanagement” of the Railway Ministry as he condoled the loss of lives in the West Bengal train accident. “Extremely distressed by the Kanchanjunga Express train collision accident in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal, where many people have lost their lives and several have been injured,” he said.

    “The scenes of the accident are painful. Our heart goes out to the families of the victims. In this hour of grief, we express our solidarity and condolences to each one of them. We wish a speedy recovery to the injured. Immediate and full compensation must be provided to the victims,” he demanded.

    Kharge alleged that in the past 10 years, the Modi government has indulged in “utter mismanagement” of the Railway Ministry. “As a responsible Opposition, it is our bounden duty to underline how the Modi Government has systematically converted the Rail Ministry into a platform of ‘Camera-driven’ self-promotion,” the Congress chief claimed.

    “Today’s tragedy is yet another reminder of this stark reality,” he alleged.

    “Make no mistake, we will remain persistent with our questions and shall make the Modi Government accountable for its criminal abandonment of the Indian Railways,” Kharge said. At least 15 people were killed and around 60 others injured after a goods train collided with the Sealdah-bound Kanchanjunga Express near Rangapani station in West Bengal on Monday, police said.

  • Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan: Left govt in Kerala enters fourth year, CM says extreme poverty will be eradicated by 2025

    As the Left government in Kerala marks its fourth year in office, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Wednesday the government plans to develop a knowledge economy and eradicate extreme poverty in the state by November 1, 2025. Listing out achievements of the Kerala government, Vijayan said in a statement that the consecutive Left governments have focused on developing basic infrastructure in the state.

    “This government is striving to transform Kerala into a knowledge economy, emphasising achievements in infrastructure development and the welfare sector. As part of it, we are addressing deficiencies and eliminating gaps in various areas. Kerala already has the lowest poverty rate in India, and we are now taking steps towards eradicating extreme poverty. By November 1, 2025, Kerala aims to become a state free of extreme poverty,” Vijayan said.

    Vijayan said that while the Union government fails to fill the numerous vacancies in various Central government establishments, including the Indian Railways and other Central public sector undertakings, the Kerala Public Service Commission stands as a model for the entire country. “The Left government has given 2.5 lakh jobs through the PSC since 2016. The government has also created 30,000 more posts, and a special recruitment board was formed for the recruitment in the state public sector undertakings,” Vijayan said. AllUttar PradeshMaharashtraTamil NaduWest BengalBiharKarnatakaAndhra PradeshTelanganaKeralaMadhya PradeshRajasthanDelhiOther StatesVijayan said the Left government has received various global accolades and recognition, but the Union government is choking the state through financial strangulation. He claimed that when the UDF government was in power in 2016, Kerala’s own revenue constituted only 26 per cent of the state’s total revenue, while under the LDF government, it has significantly increased to 73 per cent. “There has been a Rs 30,000 crore increase in tax revenue. In recent years, Kerala has managed to fund most of its expenditures through its own revenue sources. We had achieved this despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Vijayan added.

    Vijayan said the general education system in the state, which was in shambles during the UDF rule, was upgraded to international standards by the Left government.

  • Kashmir’s Vistadome Train: A Swiss-Like Experience To Snow Cladded Valley |

    New Delhi: Indian Railways has launched a new gift for Kashmir, which has boosted the tourism industry in the valley. The railways has introduced a Vistadome train, which has a glass ceiling and offers a 360-degree view of the scenic surroundings. The train runs between Banihal and Baramulla, covering a distance of 135 km.

    The Vistadome train is an all-weather train, which can run smoothly in extreme winter or summer. The train passes through snow-capped mountains and green valleys, giving the passengers a glimpse of Switzerland. The train has been in the headlines for its unique features and design.

    Vistadome Train: Features, Facilities

    The Vistadome train has specially designed coaches, which have double-wide reclining seats that can rotate a full 360 degrees. The passengers can enjoy a panoramic view of their surroundings from the glass dome roof, the huge glass windows, and the observation lounge. The train also has automatic sliding doors, luggage rack, LED screens for entertainment, and a GPS-enabled information system.


    The train runs six days a week and is available to all. The fare for the train tickets is Rs 940 and it runs twice a day. The train has a capacity of 40 seats in each coach. The coaches are produced by the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai, estimated to cost around Rs 4 crore. The coaches are equipped with air conditioning to effectively manage the harsh cold of winter and scorching heat of summer in the valley.

    The train seats are equipped with trays like airplanes, allowing passengers to enjoy meals. They can also order light meals from the Indian Railways menu during the journey. The train also has a mini pantry and a bio-toilet facility.

    The Vistadome train has received a very good response from the tourists and the locals. Many tourists travel by car from Jammu and get down at Banihal so that they can travel from Banihal to Srinagar by the Vistadome train. They say that the train gives them a very good experience and a view of heaven.

    Railway employee Prabhat Kumar said, “We have received a very good response. A lot of tourists travel here and especially since there has been snow, we get to see a lot of tourists.” Passenger Hakumat Singh said, “It is a very good train, it is very enjoyable, it feels like heaven, it is a very good step for tourists.” Sunita said, “It feels like heaven, there are many sights to see.”

    Tourist Aditi said, “We have come to have this experience, it will be a very good experience, the view is very good, why go to Switzerland, stay here, this is to enjoy.” Satish tourist said, “This is very good, this tourist will be attracted a lot, this coach is very good, the view is like Switzerland.”

    Tourist Mohammad Zaheeruddin said, “It is very good that this glass train is there, we will be able to see the open valley. Indian Railways has taken a good step, we can enjoy Switzerland in our country.”

    The Vistadome train is a part of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Vocal for Local initiative, which aims to promote local products and services. The train is expected to attract more tourists and promote tourism in the area. The train is also a step towards the development of Jammu and Kashmir.

    The work on the rail link connecting the Kashmir Valley to the rest of the country is in the final stages. The day is not far when trains will connect Kashmir to Kanyakumari. The introduction of Vistadome coaches is another step towards the developmental journey of Jammu and Kashmir.

    The Northern Railway had successfully completed a trial run of the Vistadome train from Budgam to Baramulla under the supervision of senior railway officials in July last year. The train was formally launched in January this year.

  • Odisha train crash: Passenger on Coromandel Express narrates sequence of events

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Anubhav Das, a passenger on the Coromandel Express that was involved in a horrific triple train crash on Friday, has posted an eyewitness account of the tragedy on Twitter.

    In a series of tweets, Das has described how the accident unfolded.

    “As a passenger on the Coromandel Express from Howrah to Chennai, I am extremely thankful to have escaped unscathed. It probably is the biggest train accident-related incident.”

    “Three trains were involved in the accident — Coromandel Express 12841, Yesvantpur-Howrah SF and a goods train. Initial impressions are that the Coromandel Express derailed and collided with the goods train (parked on the loop track on the side),” he said.

    Das said subsequently, the derailed coaches were hit by the oncoming Yesvantpur Express on a nearby track.

    In one of the tweets, he said: “3 general coaches of Yesvantpur Express are completely damaged and derailed. Almost 13 coaches of Coromandel Express including general, sleeper, AC 3 tier and AC 2 tier are completely damaged.”

    Not to exaggerate but I have witnessed more than 200-250 deaths. Families were crushed, limbless bodies and a bloodbath on the train tracks. It was a sight that I will never forget. God help the families. My condolences.”

    At least 238 people have been killed and more than 900 injured in the train crash, according to officials.

    NEW DELHI: Anubhav Das, a passenger on the Coromandel Express that was involved in a horrific triple train crash on Friday, has posted an eyewitness account of the tragedy on Twitter.

    In a series of tweets, Das has described how the accident unfolded.

    “As a passenger on the Coromandel Express from Howrah to Chennai, I am extremely thankful to have escaped unscathed. It probably is the biggest train accident-related incident.”googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “Three trains were involved in the accident — Coromandel Express 12841, Yesvantpur-Howrah SF and a goods train. Initial impressions are that the Coromandel Express derailed and collided with the goods train (parked on the loop track on the side),” he said.

    Das said subsequently, the derailed coaches were hit by the oncoming Yesvantpur Express on a nearby track.

    In one of the tweets, he said: “3 general coaches of Yesvantpur Express are completely damaged and derailed. Almost 13 coaches of Coromandel Express including general, sleeper, AC 3 tier and AC 2 tier are completely damaged.”

    Not to exaggerate but I have witnessed more than 200-250 deaths. Families were crushed, limbless bodies and a bloodbath on the train tracks. It was a sight that I will never forget. God help the families. My condolences.”

    At least 238 people have been killed and more than 900 injured in the train crash, according to officials.

  • 233 killed, around 900 injured in Odisha triple train crash

    By Express News Service

    BALASORE: In one of the worst railway disasters in India, at least 233 people were killed and more than 900 injured when three trains collided one after another in a horrific sequence in Odisha’s Balasore district, setting off a massive rescue and evacuation process, officials said on Saturday.

    “Death toll rises to 233 in the Balasore Train Accident,” Odisha Chief Secretary PK Jena tweeted.

    The train crash happened near the Bahanaga Baazar station in Balasore district, about 250 km south of Kolkata and 170 km north of Bhubaneswar, around 7 pm on Friday, prompting the Railway Ministry to order a probe.

    The inquiry into the train accident will be led by A M Chowdhary, Commissioner Railway Safety, South East Circle, the Indian Railways said in a statement. The Commissioner Railway Safety comes under the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

    Several coaches of the 12864 Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, on the way to Howrah, derailed and fell on adjacent tracks, an official said.

    Bodies recovered from passenger trains lay on the track at the site of an accident, in Balasore district, in Orissa, Saturday, June 3, 2023.  (Photo | AP)

    “These derailed coaches collided with the 12841 Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express and its coaches capsized too,” he said.

    A goods train was also involved in the accident as some of the coaches of the Coromandel Express, which was heading to Chennai, hit its wagons after getting derailed, he added.

    Gas cutters were used to extricate the bodies from under the derailed coaches. “Some of the scenes at the site were too gory to describe,” said a passenger.

    Railway tracks were almost destroyed at the spot as mangled coaches lay strewn all over, with some having mounted on another, while a few coaches turned turtle due to the impact.

    Pijush Poddar, a resident of Berhampore in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district, was travelling to Tamil Nadu in the Coromandel Express to join work there when the accident happened.

    “We were jolted and suddenly saw the train bogie turn on one side. Many of us were thrown out of the compartment by the momentum of the derailment. When we managed to crawl out, we found bodies lying all around,” he said.

    Officials in Bhubaneswar said 115 ambulances, 50 buses and 45 mobile health units were working at the accident site, besides 1,200 personnel. The bodies were being taken to the hospitals in all kinds of vehicles, including tractors.

    Locals said they heard consecutive loud sounds, following which they rushed to the spot and found the derailed coaches, which were nothing but “a mangled heap of steel”.

    Rescuers work at the site of passenger trains accident, in Balasore district, in Orissa, Saturday, June 3, 2023. (Photo | AP)

    “The local people really went out on a limb to help us… They not only helped in pulling out people but retrieved our luggage and got us water,” Rupam Banerjee, one of the passengers, told reporters.

    Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik declared one-day state mourning on Saturday in the wake of the deadly triple train crash.

    State Special Relief Commissioner Satyabrata Sahoo said those injured in the accident were undergoing treatment in different hospitals.

    All government and private hospitals have been put on alert in the nearby districts, including the AIIMS at Bhubaneswar.

    Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who was on the way to the spot, said the Air Force was also called in for assisting the rescue operations.

    “Rushing to the site in Odisha. My prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured and condolences to the bereaved families. Rescue teams mobilised from Bhubaneswar and Kolkata. NDRF, State govt. teams and Airforce also mobilised. Will take all hands required for the rescue ops,” he tweeted.

    More than 2,000 people gathered at the Balasore Medical College and Hospital in the night to help the injured, and many also donated blood.

    Chief Secretary Jena thanked the volunteers who donated blood to the accident victims in their hour of need.

    “Five hundred units of blood collected overnight here at Balasore. Nine hundred units in stock at present. This will help in treating the accident victims. I’m personally indebted & grateful to all the volunteers who’ve donated blood for a noble cause,” Jena tweeted.

    The railways announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased, Rs 2 lakh for those grievously injured and Rs 50,000 for those who got minor injuries.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi too expressed his distress over the accident, and announced an additional ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured from the PM’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF).

    “Distressed by the train accident in Odisha. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon. Spoke to Railway Minister @AshwiniVaishnaw and took stock of the situation. Rescue ops are underway at the site of the mishap and all possible assistance is being given to those affected,” he tweeted.

    The Odisha government issued helpline 06782-262286. The railway helplines are 033-26382217 (Howrah), 8972073925 (Kharagpur), 8249591559 (Balasore) and 044- 25330952 (Chennai).

    Expressing concern over the accident, in which a large number of people from West Bengal were involved, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she was monitoring the situation along with the chief secretary and other officials.

    West Bengal Chief Secretary HK Dwivedi said the state was sending a team led by minister Manas Bhunia and MP Dola Sen to the spot.

    So far, 18 long-distance trains have been cancelled due to the accident, which happened on the Howrah-Chennai main line in the Kharagpur division of the South Eastern Railway.

    BALASORE: In one of the worst railway disasters in India, at least 233 people were killed and more than 900 injured when three trains collided one after another in a horrific sequence in Odisha’s Balasore district, setting off a massive rescue and evacuation process, officials said on Saturday.

    “Death toll rises to 233 in the Balasore Train Accident,” Odisha Chief Secretary PK Jena tweeted.

    The train crash happened near the Bahanaga Baazar station in Balasore district, about 250 km south of Kolkata and 170 km north of Bhubaneswar, around 7 pm on Friday, prompting the Railway Ministry to order a probe.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The inquiry into the train accident will be led by A M Chowdhary, Commissioner Railway Safety, South East Circle, the Indian Railways said in a statement. The Commissioner Railway Safety comes under the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

    Several coaches of the 12864 Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, on the way to Howrah, derailed and fell on adjacent tracks, an official said.

    Bodies recovered from passenger trains lay on the track at the site of an accident, in Balasore district, in Orissa, Saturday, June 3, 2023.  (Photo | AP)

    “These derailed coaches collided with the 12841 Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express and its coaches capsized too,” he said.

    A goods train was also involved in the accident as some of the coaches of the Coromandel Express, which was heading to Chennai, hit its wagons after getting derailed, he added.

    Gas cutters were used to extricate the bodies from under the derailed coaches. “Some of the scenes at the site were too gory to describe,” said a passenger.

    Railway tracks were almost destroyed at the spot as mangled coaches lay strewn all over, with some having mounted on another, while a few coaches turned turtle due to the impact.

    Pijush Poddar, a resident of Berhampore in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district, was travelling to Tamil Nadu in the Coromandel Express to join work there when the accident happened.

    “We were jolted and suddenly saw the train bogie turn on one side. Many of us were thrown out of the compartment by the momentum of the derailment. When we managed to crawl out, we found bodies lying all around,” he said.

    Officials in Bhubaneswar said 115 ambulances, 50 buses and 45 mobile health units were working at the accident site, besides 1,200 personnel. The bodies were being taken to the hospitals in all kinds of vehicles, including tractors.

    Locals said they heard consecutive loud sounds, following which they rushed to the spot and found the derailed coaches, which were nothing but “a mangled heap of steel”.

    Rescuers work at the site of passenger trains accident, in Balasore district, in Orissa, Saturday, June 3, 2023. (Photo | AP)

    “The local people really went out on a limb to help us… They not only helped in pulling out people but retrieved our luggage and got us water,” Rupam Banerjee, one of the passengers, told reporters.

    Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik declared one-day state mourning on Saturday in the wake of the deadly triple train crash.

    State Special Relief Commissioner Satyabrata Sahoo said those injured in the accident were undergoing treatment in different hospitals.

    All government and private hospitals have been put on alert in the nearby districts, including the AIIMS at Bhubaneswar.

    Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who was on the way to the spot, said the Air Force was also called in for assisting the rescue operations.

    “Rushing to the site in Odisha. My prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured and condolences to the bereaved families. Rescue teams mobilised from Bhubaneswar and Kolkata. NDRF, State govt. teams and Airforce also mobilised. Will take all hands required for the rescue ops,” he tweeted.

    More than 2,000 people gathered at the Balasore Medical College and Hospital in the night to help the injured, and many also donated blood.

    Chief Secretary Jena thanked the volunteers who donated blood to the accident victims in their hour of need.

    “Five hundred units of blood collected overnight here at Balasore. Nine hundred units in stock at present. This will help in treating the accident victims. I’m personally indebted & grateful to all the volunteers who’ve donated blood for a noble cause,” Jena tweeted.

    The railways announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased, Rs 2 lakh for those grievously injured and Rs 50,000 for those who got minor injuries.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi too expressed his distress over the accident, and announced an additional ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured from the PM’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF).

    “Distressed by the train accident in Odisha. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon. Spoke to Railway Minister @AshwiniVaishnaw and took stock of the situation. Rescue ops are underway at the site of the mishap and all possible assistance is being given to those affected,” he tweeted.

    The Odisha government issued helpline 06782-262286. The railway helplines are 033-26382217 (Howrah), 8972073925 (Kharagpur), 8249591559 (Balasore) and 044- 25330952 (Chennai).

    Expressing concern over the accident, in which a large number of people from West Bengal were involved, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she was monitoring the situation along with the chief secretary and other officials.

    West Bengal Chief Secretary HK Dwivedi said the state was sending a team led by minister Manas Bhunia and MP Dola Sen to the spot.

    So far, 18 long-distance trains have been cancelled due to the accident, which happened on the Howrah-Chennai main line in the Kharagpur division of the South Eastern Railway.

  • Indian Railways generate record high revenue from ticket cancellations

    Express News Service

    The Railways has generated a record-high revenue of over Rs 1900 crore from the cancellation of e-tickets also realizing some fixed amounts as convenience fee. The cancellation or clearage charge is levied by railway on cancellation of ticket as per Railway Passengers Rule 2015 on both e-tickets and the tickets issued by the computerized Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters.

    According to a recent written reply of railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to a Parliament question, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) realizes convenience fee from the passengers, who book online reserved e-tickets through IRCTC e-ticketing platform. A total of Rs 1,949.98 crore has been generated by the railway from the cancellations of tickets including the e-tickets between 2019-2020 and 2022-2023(till December). The railway minister informed the House that the railway had generated the highest revenue of Rs 694.08 crore in the financial year of 2021-22 from the cancellations of both the counter and e-ticket. In the outgoing financial year of 2022-23(till December), the railway has generated Rs 604.40 crore from the cancellations.

    According to the railway minister’s reply, the railway charges Rs 30 on the ticket of air-conditioned class in case the ticket is booked by using net banking or debit-credit card per ticket and Rs 20 per ticket if booked through UPI. For non-air conditioned classes, the railway charges of Rs 15 per ticket booked through the Net banking or debit or credit card and Rs 10 per ticket for the ones booked using UPA. He informed the house that the convenience fee is not charged to passengers on the cancellation of tickets. The cancellation or convenience charges are collected by IRCTC based on instructions issued by railways from time to time.

    At present, the railway has a capacity of booking around 25,000 tickets per minute. “The target is to upgrade it to 2.25 lakh per minute and to ensure this technological improvement are being made and software is added”, the Railway minister had recently told the media at briefing held over allocations in the recent budget. The minister has also said that the railway will also work to enhance the capacity for attending enquires from 40,000 enquiries per minute now to 4 lakh per minute in coming days.

    The Railways has generated a record-high revenue of over Rs 1900 crore from the cancellation of e-tickets also realizing some fixed amounts as convenience fee. The cancellation or clearage charge is levied by railway on cancellation of ticket as per Railway Passengers Rule 2015 on both e-tickets and the tickets issued by the computerized Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters.

    According to a recent written reply of railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to a Parliament question, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) realizes convenience fee from the passengers, who book online reserved e-tickets through IRCTC e-ticketing platform. A total of Rs 1,949.98 crore has been generated by the railway from the cancellations of tickets including the e-tickets between 2019-2020 and 2022-2023(till December). The railway minister informed the House that the railway had generated the highest revenue of Rs 694.08 crore in the financial year of 2021-22 from the cancellations of both the counter and e-ticket. In the outgoing financial year of 2022-23(till December), the railway has generated Rs 604.40 crore from the cancellations.

    According to the railway minister’s reply, the railway charges Rs 30 on the ticket of air-conditioned class in case the ticket is booked by using net banking or debit-credit card per ticket and Rs 20 per ticket if booked through UPI. For non-air conditioned classes, the railway charges of Rs 15 per ticket booked through the Net banking or debit or credit card and Rs 10 per ticket for the ones booked using UPA. He informed the house that the convenience fee is not charged to passengers on the cancellation of tickets. The cancellation or convenience charges are collected by IRCTC based on instructions issued by railways from time to time.

    At present, the railway has a capacity of booking around 25,000 tickets per minute. “The target is to upgrade it to 2.25 lakh per minute and to ensure this technological improvement are being made and software is added”, the Railway minister had recently told the media at briefing held over allocations in the recent budget. The minister has also said that the railway will also work to enhance the capacity for attending enquires from 40,000 enquiries per minute now to 4 lakh per minute in coming days.

  • 312 track maintenance Railways staff died on duty in last four years

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Over 300 Railway Track Maintenance (RTM) personnel have lost their lives on duty after being by trains in the last four years over the Indian Railways. The highest number of RTM staff had died on duty from different railway sections in Uttar Pradesh from 2018 to December 5 in 2022.

    The Railways informed the Rajya Sabha (RS) that a total of 312 track maintenance staff had died in the last four years on duty in different parts of the country.

    Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday in a written reply said that ex-gratia compensations were paid to the families of Railway track maintenance staff who lost their lives while performing bonafide official duties after being hit by trains.

    “We are conducting regular counselling of track maintenance staff for ‘personal safety first’ while working near the tracks. They have also been equipped with protective equipment, safety helmets, and retro-reflective high visibility jackets for duty”, the minister informed the House, adding that work site remote control hooters and whistles were provided to track maintenance staff.

    The minister also said that periodic medical examination is regularly being conducted to ascertain the fitness of track personnel.

    The most notable information the minister gave in the Upper House was that the government has sanctioned the very high frequency-based ‘Approaching Train Warning System’, which is also called ‘Rakshak’, on the Golden Quadrilateral-Golden Diagonal routes on Indian Railway. “For this system, Rs 91.21 crores have been sanctioned”, the minister added.

    According to data shared by the minister in the RS, 61 track maintenance personnel lost their lives after having been hit by trains during duty in Uttar Pradesh from 2018 to December 5 in 2022. 48 track maintenance personnel died in Maharashtra during duty in the same period.

    On duty deaths of railways staff between 2018 and Dec 5, 2022
    STATES
    NO. OF DEATHS
    UP
    61
    Maharashtra
    48
    West Bengal
    35
    Andhra Pradesh
    33
    Bihar
    29
    Rajasthan
    27
    Madhya Pradesh
    26
    Jharkhand
    17
    Chhattisgarh
    14
    Haryana
    13
    Gujarat
    12

    NEW DELHI: Over 300 Railway Track Maintenance (RTM) personnel have lost their lives on duty after being by trains in the last four years over the Indian Railways. The highest number of RTM staff had died on duty from different railway sections in Uttar Pradesh from 2018 to December 5 in 2022.

    The Railways informed the Rajya Sabha (RS) that a total of 312 track maintenance staff had died in the last four years on duty in different parts of the country.

    Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday in a written reply said that ex-gratia compensations were paid to the families of Railway track maintenance staff who lost their lives while performing bonafide official duties after being hit by trains.

    “We are conducting regular counselling of track maintenance staff for ‘personal safety first’ while working near the tracks. They have also been equipped with protective equipment, safety helmets, and retro-reflective high visibility jackets for duty”, the minister informed the House, adding that work site remote control hooters and whistles were provided to track maintenance staff.

    The minister also said that periodic medical examination is regularly being conducted to ascertain the fitness of track personnel.

    The most notable information the minister gave in the Upper House was that the government has sanctioned the very high frequency-based ‘Approaching Train Warning System’, which is also called ‘Rakshak’, on the Golden Quadrilateral-Golden Diagonal routes on Indian Railway. “For this system, Rs 91.21 crores have been sanctioned”, the minister added.

    According to data shared by the minister in the RS, 61 track maintenance personnel lost their lives after having been hit by trains during duty in Uttar Pradesh from 2018 to December 5 in 2022. 48 track maintenance personnel died in Maharashtra during duty in the same period.

    On duty deaths of railways staff between 2018 and Dec 5, 2022
    STATES
    NO. OF DEATHS
    UP
    61
    Maharashtra
    48
    West Bengal
    35
    Andhra Pradesh
    33
    Bihar
    29
    Rajasthan
    27
    Madhya Pradesh
    26
    Jharkhand
    17
    Chhattisgarh
    14
    Haryana
    13
    Gujarat
    12

  • Railway going on with innovation drive!

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Along with rendering both freight and passenger services, the Indian Railways (IR) has started fostering innovations within its realm of services with an objective to leverage innovative technologies developed by Indian  Start-Ups, MSMEs, innovators or entrepreneurs towards making the country self-reliant in sector of rail transportation.

    The Railways has embarked upon innovation journey through a well-thought initiative called ‘Start-ups for Railway’ (SFR). Gone with such first of its kind initiative with effect from June 13 this year, the railway has registered more than 768 entities on Indian Railway Innovation portal to participate in innovation challenges floated by railways.

    Recently, railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had told this newspaper that supporting and going with innovative start up, has been taken by railways seriously in order to become not only self-reliant but also creating job opportunities to the nation. As part of this initiative, the fund-sharing scheme has been made on a cost-sharing in equal proportion–50:50 between Indian Railways and the Start-ups or innovators.

    According to official data of the Ministry of Railway, so far, 311 offers for Startups have been received against 13 problem statements uploaded by railways on its innovation portal.

    ALSO READ | Railways to raise revenue by renting out defunct rail coaches for running restaurants

    “This shows how the innovators are flocking towards railways from across various sectors for their Startups”, remarked a senior railway official, adding that all offers are being evaluated through a 2-stage process.

    Notably, the railway working earnestly on a wider promotion of start-ups, has already one innovation challenge has been finalised.

    Giving break up of offers of Startups, the Ministry of Railway said that more than 60 offers from individual innovators, 81 from MSMEs and 18 from  R&D (Research and Design) organization are among a total of 311 offers received by railway.

    To promote this initiative, the railways claims to have organized more than 131 workshops meeting on Indian Railway innovation policy across the railways at all levels in which more than 1,560 start-ups, innovators participated so far.

    ALSO READ | Railways to use 5G-enabled tech to prevent train snags

    Appreciating this initiative of Indian Railways recently, Vinod Dham- who is also known as ‘Father of the Pentium Chip” for his contribution to the development of Pentium microprocessor, at a lecture program said that such initiative by railway will go a long way helping India to become more technology-driven in every part of life. He said that India is among top 3 Start Up countries and has the potential to lead the world.

    NEW DELHI: Along with rendering both freight and passenger services, the Indian Railways (IR) has started fostering innovations within its realm of services with an objective to leverage innovative technologies developed by Indian  Start-Ups, MSMEs, innovators or entrepreneurs towards making the country self-reliant in sector of rail transportation.

    The Railways has embarked upon innovation journey through a well-thought initiative called ‘Start-ups for Railway’ (SFR). Gone with such first of its kind initiative with effect from June 13 this year, the railway has registered more than 768 entities on Indian Railway Innovation portal to participate in innovation challenges floated by railways.

    Recently, railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had told this newspaper that supporting and going with innovative start up, has been taken by railways seriously in order to become not only self-reliant but also creating job opportunities to the nation. As part of this initiative, the fund-sharing scheme has been made on a cost-sharing in equal proportion–50:50 between Indian Railways and the Start-ups or innovators.

    According to official data of the Ministry of Railway, so far, 311 offers for Startups have been received against 13 problem statements uploaded by railways on its innovation portal.

    ALSO READ | Railways to raise revenue by renting out defunct rail coaches for running restaurants

    “This shows how the innovators are flocking towards railways from across various sectors for their Startups”, remarked a senior railway official, adding that all offers are being evaluated through a 2-stage process.

    Notably, the railway working earnestly on a wider promotion of start-ups, has already one innovation challenge has been finalised.

    Giving break up of offers of Startups, the Ministry of Railway said that more than 60 offers from individual innovators, 81 from MSMEs and 18 from  R&D (Research and Design) organization are among a total of 311 offers received by railway.

    To promote this initiative, the railways claims to have organized more than 131 workshops meeting on Indian Railway innovation policy across the railways at all levels in which more than 1,560 start-ups, innovators participated so far.

    ALSO READ | Railways to use 5G-enabled tech to prevent train snags

    Appreciating this initiative of Indian Railways recently, Vinod Dham- who is also known as ‘Father of the Pentium Chip” for his contribution to the development of Pentium microprocessor, at a lecture program said that such initiative by railway will go a long way helping India to become more technology-driven in every part of life. He said that India is among top 3 Start Up countries and has the potential to lead the world.

  • Indian Railways going on with innovation drive

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Along with rendering both freight and passenger services, the Indian Railways (IR) has started fostering innovations within its realm of services with an objective to leverage innovative technologies developed by Indian  Start-Ups, MSMEs, innovators or entrepreneurs towards making the country self-reliant in sector of rail transportation.

    The Railways has embarked upon innovation journey through a well-thought initiative called ‘Start-ups for Railway’ (SFR). Gone with such first of its kind initiative with effect from June 13 this year, the railway has registered more than 768 entities on Indian Railway Innovation portal to participate in innovation challenges floated by railways.

    Recently, railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had told this newspaper that supporting and going with innovative start up, has been taken by railways seriously in order to become not only self-reliant but also creating job opportunities to the nation. As part of this initiative, the fund-sharing scheme has been made on a cost-sharing in equal proportion–50:50 between Indian Railways and the Start-ups or innovators.

    According to official data of the Ministry of Railway, so far, 311 offers for Startups have been received against 13 problem statements uploaded by railways on its innovation portal.

    ALSO READ | Railways to raise revenue by renting out defunct rail coaches for running restaurants

    “This shows how the innovators are flocking towards railways from across various sectors for their Startups”, remarked a senior railway official, adding that all offers are being evaluated through a 2-stage process.

    Notably, the railway working earnestly on a wider promotion of start-ups, has already one innovation challenge has been finalised.

    Giving break up of offers of Startups, the Ministry of Railway said that more than 60 offers from individual innovators, 81 from MSMEs and 18 from  R&D (Research and Design) organization are among a total of 311 offers received by railway.

    To promote this initiative, the railways claims to have organized more than 131 workshops meeting on Indian Railway innovation policy across the railways at all levels in which more than 1,560 start-ups, innovators participated so far.

    ALSO READ | Railways to use 5G-enabled tech to prevent train snags

    Appreciating this initiative of Indian Railways recently, Vinod Dham- who is also known as ‘Father of the Pentium Chip” for his contribution to the development of Pentium microprocessor, at a lecture program said that such initiative by railway will go a long way helping India to become more technology-driven in every part of life. He said that India is among top 3 Start Up countries and has the potential to lead the world.

    NEW DELHI: Along with rendering both freight and passenger services, the Indian Railways (IR) has started fostering innovations within its realm of services with an objective to leverage innovative technologies developed by Indian  Start-Ups, MSMEs, innovators or entrepreneurs towards making the country self-reliant in sector of rail transportation.

    The Railways has embarked upon innovation journey through a well-thought initiative called ‘Start-ups for Railway’ (SFR). Gone with such first of its kind initiative with effect from June 13 this year, the railway has registered more than 768 entities on Indian Railway Innovation portal to participate in innovation challenges floated by railways.

    Recently, railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had told this newspaper that supporting and going with innovative start up, has been taken by railways seriously in order to become not only self-reliant but also creating job opportunities to the nation. As part of this initiative, the fund-sharing scheme has been made on a cost-sharing in equal proportion–50:50 between Indian Railways and the Start-ups or innovators.

    According to official data of the Ministry of Railway, so far, 311 offers for Startups have been received against 13 problem statements uploaded by railways on its innovation portal.

    ALSO READ | Railways to raise revenue by renting out defunct rail coaches for running restaurants

    “This shows how the innovators are flocking towards railways from across various sectors for their Startups”, remarked a senior railway official, adding that all offers are being evaluated through a 2-stage process.

    Notably, the railway working earnestly on a wider promotion of start-ups, has already one innovation challenge has been finalised.

    Giving break up of offers of Startups, the Ministry of Railway said that more than 60 offers from individual innovators, 81 from MSMEs and 18 from  R&D (Research and Design) organization are among a total of 311 offers received by railway.

    To promote this initiative, the railways claims to have organized more than 131 workshops meeting on Indian Railway innovation policy across the railways at all levels in which more than 1,560 start-ups, innovators participated so far.

    ALSO READ | Railways to use 5G-enabled tech to prevent train snags

    Appreciating this initiative of Indian Railways recently, Vinod Dham- who is also known as ‘Father of the Pentium Chip” for his contribution to the development of Pentium microprocessor, at a lecture program said that such initiative by railway will go a long way helping India to become more technology-driven in every part of life. He said that India is among top 3 Start Up countries and has the potential to lead the world.

  • Railways to raise revenue by renting out defunct rail coaches for running restaurants

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Indian Railways working on a ‘well-thought-out plan’ to generate additional revenue from non-operating sources and additional resources is promoting a ‘unique concept’ of setting up the Rail Coach Restaurants (RCR) across outer circulating areas of its almost all-important stations in the country.

    If the plan goes well, as it is reliably learned, the “railway will generate additional revenue of more than Rs 1000 crore per annum by promoting the Rail Coach Restaurant concept across the country in the next few years.” 

    “The RCR concept will not only give us revenue but also generate employment for local people through private players, who will chip in for running such restaurants”, said a senior railway official. 

    So far, the railway has allowed private players to set up the Rail Coach Restaurants at nearly 9 places in several states with the recent one at New Jalpaiguri railway station. 

    An old train coach after giving it proper refurbishments and interior decoration have been aesthetically converted into a rail coach restaurant at New Jalpaiguri railway station.

    The railway has provided space and other support on a contract of five years to the party for setting up this restaurant, which instantly started attracting passengers and other customers. 

    The North East Frontier Railway is also planning to set up such restaurants in Sukna, Tindhara, Kurseong and Darjeeling stations.

    Officials claim that the Rail Coach Restaurants opened up so far at various railway stations, serve all multi-cuisine delicacies to people at an affordable cost with a high level of sanitation and services. At Jalpaiguri railway station, the RCR has been opened on last Thursday with a capacity of accommodating 32 guests at a time and serving them different cuisines – right from North Indian and South Indian and Chinese foods.

    A senior railway official said that the railway provides licensees to run such restaurants after the party meets all the set criteria of the railways. 

    Earlier, such beautifully decorated Rail Coach Restaurants have been set up at some stations of MP, Rajasthan, Asansol in West Bengal, New Delhi and other places. In February in 2020, the ‘first of-its-kind’ restaurant was set up in the circulating areas of Asansol railway station and christened ‘Restaurant on wheels”.  Two decrepit MEMU coaches were refurbished and converted into a rail coach restaurant.

    Another such rail coach restaurant has been opened at Baramer railway station in Rajasthan under the North Western Railway named VIP express with an accommodating capacity of 70 passengers as part of the railway plan to increase revenue and employment.

    Railway sources said that similar rail coach restaurants are planned for various parts of the country in the major railway station circulating areas. 

    Jaisalarmar, Jodhpur, Bhawat ki Kothi, Mahamandir in Rajasthan, Satana, Jabalpur and other stations in MP and others places across the country. Under the Central Railway, 11 such ‘Rail Coach restaurants’ have also been planed for other stations apart from the already opened 2  restaurants at Mumbai and Nagpur. 

    Other stations identified for such restaurants under Central Railway are Akurdi, Chinchwad, Baramati, Miraj, the Lokmanaya Tilak Terminus, Dadar, Kalyan, Lonavala, Igatpuri, Neral and Matheran.

    NEW DELHI: Indian Railways working on a ‘well-thought-out plan’ to generate additional revenue from non-operating sources and additional resources is promoting a ‘unique concept’ of setting up the Rail Coach Restaurants (RCR) across outer circulating areas of its almost all-important stations in the country.

    If the plan goes well, as it is reliably learned, the “railway will generate additional revenue of more than Rs 1000 crore per annum by promoting the Rail Coach Restaurant concept across the country in the next few years.” 

    “The RCR concept will not only give us revenue but also generate employment for local people through private players, who will chip in for running such restaurants”, said a senior railway official. 

    So far, the railway has allowed private players to set up the Rail Coach Restaurants at nearly 9 places in several states with the recent one at New Jalpaiguri railway station. 

    An old train coach after giving it proper refurbishments and interior decoration have been aesthetically converted into a rail coach restaurant at New Jalpaiguri railway station.

    The railway has provided space and other support on a contract of five years to the party for setting up this restaurant, which instantly started attracting passengers and other customers. 

    The North East Frontier Railway is also planning to set up such restaurants in Sukna, Tindhara, Kurseong and Darjeeling stations.

    Officials claim that the Rail Coach Restaurants opened up so far at various railway stations, serve all multi-cuisine delicacies to people at an affordable cost with a high level of sanitation and services. At Jalpaiguri railway station, the RCR has been opened on last Thursday with a capacity of accommodating 32 guests at a time and serving them different cuisines – right from North Indian and South Indian and Chinese foods.

    A senior railway official said that the railway provides licensees to run such restaurants after the party meets all the set criteria of the railways. 

    Earlier, such beautifully decorated Rail Coach Restaurants have been set up at some stations of MP, Rajasthan, Asansol in West Bengal, New Delhi and other places. In February in 2020, the ‘first of-its-kind’ restaurant was set up in the circulating areas of Asansol railway station and christened ‘Restaurant on wheels”.  Two decrepit MEMU coaches were refurbished and converted into a rail coach restaurant.

    Another such rail coach restaurant has been opened at Baramer railway station in Rajasthan under the North Western Railway named VIP express with an accommodating capacity of 70 passengers as part of the railway plan to increase revenue and employment.

    Railway sources said that similar rail coach restaurants are planned for various parts of the country in the major railway station circulating areas. 

    Jaisalarmar, Jodhpur, Bhawat ki Kothi, Mahamandir in Rajasthan, Satana, Jabalpur and other stations in MP and others places across the country. Under the Central Railway, 11 such ‘Rail Coach restaurants’ have also been planed for other stations apart from the already opened 2  restaurants at Mumbai and Nagpur. 

    Other stations identified for such restaurants under Central Railway are Akurdi, Chinchwad, Baramati, Miraj, the Lokmanaya Tilak Terminus, Dadar, Kalyan, Lonavala, Igatpuri, Neral and Matheran.