No ‘waiting’ for Jai Hind!
In line with the existing premium AC special train on Delhi-Mumbai sector with shorter advance reservation period, 17 premium Jai Hind trains will be pressed into service. The fare charge includes a dynamically varying premium over Tatkal fare of Rajdhani services. These non-stop trains will have advance reservation period of 15 days only and there will be no waitlisted ticket. The new concept has been conceived since railways have been witnessing untapped demand wherein people were willing to pay higher sums to be assured of travel to certain destinations.
Remove unmanned crossings, prevent accidents
In a bid to prevent accidents, Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge announced elimination of all unmanned level crossings in a time-bound manner. A total of 5,400 unmanned level crossings were eliminated - 2,310 by manning and 3,090 by closure/merger/construction of road overbridge (ROB) or road underbridge (RUB) during the last five years. There are a total 18,672 level crossings out of which 12,582 are unmanned. There will be no level crossings in the dedicated freight corridor to ensure seamless movement of trains.
Just a click away!
Information Technology-related customer interface initiatives include proliferation of cash accepting Automatic Ticket Vending Machines; ticketing on mobile phones in the unreserved segment; PNR status update to passengers through system generated SMS; an update for train running information; Online booking of retiring rooms at all important stations; Online booking of meals on trains for selected en-route stations; Introduction of e-forwarding note and electronic transmission of railway receipts for freight customers, which will enable users to carry out freight business with Railways from the comfort of their homes and offices; and Computerisation of claims settlement process on Indian Railways.
easy to reach
Vaishno Devi
The construction on Udhampur-Katra section, which will enable lakhs of pilgrims from all over the country to reach foothills of Vaishno Devi shrine directly, has been completed and trial runs have started. Passenger services up to Katra are expected to run very shortly. The National Project of Kashmir witnessed a major landmark last June, when 11.2 km long tunnel linking Banihal with Qazigund in the valley became operational. The tunnel, which is an engineering marvel, has reduced the distance from 35 km to 17.5 km., provides an all-season means of transport for the local population and is proving a boon for the inhabitants.
Online tracking
Train’s movement can be tracked online to find the exact location and running. As many as 51 Jan-Ahaar outlets for sale of Janta Meals have been set up; 48 passenger escalators have been commissioned at railway stations and 61 more are being installed; air-conditioned EMU services will commence in Mumbai area by July 2014; and Passenger Information Display System in important trains to indicate the next station and expected arrival time is being provided. The scheme for upgradation of passengers introduced in the year 2006 is proposed to be extended to second class sitting, AC Chair car and Executive chair car passengers. This will facilitate utilisation of vacant accommodation in the higher classes and optimise demand satisfaction in the lower classes.
aesthetic touch
With a view to improving aesthetic ambience along the track close to the approach of major stations, creation of ‘Green Curtains’ at Agra and Jaipur stations is being undertaken on pilot basis. This will involve construction of RCC boundary wall of appropriate height along the railway boundary up to a suitable distance, landscaping from the track to the wall and within station circulating area, and arrangements for appropriate watch and ward to check open defecation and littering. Once the pilot projects succeed, Railways intend to invite corporate entities to participate in this programme at other stations through their CSR initiatives, besides obtaining support of municipalities and local bodies.
On high-speed!
Initiative for Dedicated Freight Corridors for exclusive running of heavy haul freight trains, High Speed Trains Project, and Semi-High Speed project. Implementation of the Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors project is making good progress with the award of nearly 1,100 km of civil construction contracts till now. During 2014-15, another 1,000 km of civil construction contracts are targeted, besides award of Systems contracts.
new horizon
Two premium new long-distance trains and plans to convert a strategically important metre gauge line into broad gauge were announced for the North-eastern region. Kamakhya-New Delhi AC Express (Weekly) via Chhapra and Varanasi, and Kamakhya-Chennai AC Express (Weekly) via Malda and Howrah will be introduced in coming fiscal. Conversion of strategically important 510 km long Rangiya- Murkongselek metre gauge line into broad gauge will be completed within this financial year. This will be helpful for Defence forces for transport to Sino-Indian border in Arunachal Pradesh. Meghalaya is also all set to come on Railway map as Dudhnoi (Assam)-Mehendipathar (Meghalaya) new line is getting completed by March 2014.