The East Coast Railway (ECoR) became the highest loading zone on Indian Railways for the second successive year. In 2015-16, it registered a record loading of 173.45 MT, surpassing the loading of 163.91 MT in 2014-15, thereby registering a growth of 5.82 per cent over previous year. Similarly, 92.97 million passengers were carried during 2015-16 against 89.83 million transported in 2014-15.
Addressing the ECoR family on the eve of the Independence Day, ECoR GM MC Chauhan informed that in the originating earnings, the ECoR achieved Rs 17,446 crore against earnings of Rs 15,350 crore in 2014-15. Its operating ratio stood at 50.69 per cent in 2015-16 as compared to 51.55 per cent in 2014-15 and this was the 2nd best among 17 Zonal Railways.
The Railway bagged the overall efficiency shield, ‘Govind Vallabh Pant Shield’, in addition to ‘Accounts and Finance Management Shield’ in the 61st Railway Week National Awards, 2016, which was held in Bhubaneswar.
“I would like to inform you that we have loaded 42.86 MT up to June 2016, which is 3.98 per cent more than that of the corresponding period of the last year. Similarly, in the 1st quarter, we have generated earnings to the tune of Rs 3,582.98 crore which is 4.21 per cent more than in the corresponding period of last year. We have run 569 special trains and augmented 1,386 coaches in regular trains. Similarly, passenger amenity works include Wi-Fi facility at three stations (Bhubaneswar, Puri and Visakhapatnam), PRS at two locations, Postal PRS at 10 locations, UTSs at one location, Coach Indication Boards at two stations, Train Indication Boards at two stations, auto announcement systems at seven stations and Touch screen Kiosk at 14 station, FOB at one station, additional platform covers at 92 stations and improvement to passenger waiting halls at 20 stations,” he said.
To provide clean and hygienic environment both in trains and at stations, mechanised cleaning at four coaching depots and on-board services in 68 long-distance trains and Clean Train Station (CTS) in three major stations, namely Visakhapatnam, Khurda Road and Rayagada have been put in place. Ten trains have been designated as “Green Trains”, as these trains have been provided with eco-friendly bio-toilets. The ECoR has also started an e-initiative by introducing “clean my coach” application for availing on demand house-keeping services to enhance passenger satisfaction.
For achieving safety and reliability in train operations, state of the art electronic interlocking has been introduced at 11 stations. Intermediate Block Signalling in the Manjuri Road- Baitarani Road section of KUR Division, new special class station with panel interlocking at Chudangagarh between Baranga and Naraj Marthapur have been commissioned. Similarly, to avoid accidents, 28 unmanned level crossings and six manned level crossings have altogether been closed, 88 unmanned level crossings have been manned and 29 limited Height Subways have been constructed in lieu of level crossings.
During the year 2016-17, engine rolling was done in the new line section between Rajsunakhala and Bolgarh (12.8km) of Khurda Road -Bolangir new BG line on July 31 last. Doubling project namely Jagdalpur-KumarMaranga-Tokopal (17 km), Jakhapura-Haridaspur 3rd line (25 km) and Ghantikhal Nidhipur-Naraj Marthapur were commissioned during the current Financial Year. All these works will surely bring about improvement in train operations.
Green initiatives included commissioning of 2X50 KWP solar power plant at Rail Sadan roof top, installation of solar water geysers in running rooms at Puri and Angul and electrification of 10 lC gates with Solar PV modules, Diesel loco Shed at Visakhapatnam. Railway has commissioned a state-of -the- art centrally air-conditioned auditorium at Mancheswar having a seating capacity of 1,125 persons. The ECoR also did commendable jobs to promote sports and athletes.