The General Manager of Western Railway, Alok Kansal, hoisted the national flag on the occasion of Republic Day
On the occasion of the 72nd Republic Day, the General Manager of Western Railway (WR), Alok Kansal, hoisted the national flag. He also inspected the ceremonial parade at WR HQs at Churchgate and took salute of the march past. Kansal addressed the gathering by extending his greetings to the Railway men and their families. He also appealed to them to accept challenges and convert them into opportunities. At the start of the ceremony, PC Sinha, Principal Chief Security Commissioner of WR, welcomed Kansal.
On this occasion, Kansal stated that in spite of toughest challenges and adverse circumstances due to COVID-19 pandemic, it was possible for WR to surpass last year’s loading in the first week of January, 2021. WR has also emerged as ‘Numero Uno’ on Indian Railways in generating revenue through advance booking of parcel space as well as in e-commerce traffic. He apprised that Western Railway’s contribution is almost 21 per cent in total parcel loading and revenue of Indian Railways. To facilitate farmers to have cheaper, cleaner and faster mode of transportation for their produce, WR has operated 15 kisan rails to different parts of the country. He apprised that various incentives and schemes were offered to attract freight customers, besides providing customised facilities in line with the mantra of Sab Ka Saath, Sab Ka Vikas aur Sab Ka Vishwas!
The GM of WR stated that enhancement of line capacity by addition of infrastructure to improve mobility is one of the thrust areas of Western Railway. The work has been completed on 157 km of new lines, gauge conversion and doubling in the current financial year. Almost 64 roads under bridges/limited height subways and 26 road over bridges were constructed in this year so far. To improve safety, 12 new foot over bridges and one skywalk was constructed over the Mumbai suburban section. Approximately 15 speed restrictions have been lifted this year, while sectional speed has been increased in 714 track km. He informed that under Mission 2024, WR is focusing on improving the infrastructure of those routes which carry 60 to 80 per cent of its total traffic. The speed on Mumbai-Nagda section is planned to be increased to 160 kmph by upgrading the infrastructure.
Kansal apprised that Western Railway swept the National Energy Conservation Award 2020 by Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Ministry of Power, by winning 1st prize in Transport Category and 1st and 2nd prize for Divisional Railway Manager’s office at Bhavnagar and Rajkot respectively in Buildings-Govt Offices Category. Electric Loco Shed, Vadodara won the National Level Silver Award announced by Quality Council of India for its ‘Push-Pull Operation’. To save water, automatic coach washing plants have been commissioned at Vadodara and Mumbai Central in the current year. A Waste Water Treatment Plant is installed at Bhuj railway station for recycling of water.
The GM apprised that Western Railway has always been in the forefront in adopting various initiatives in a major push to the ‘Digital India’ campaign. A QR code based e-patrolling, Beat Management System for staff management and security monitoring has been recently implemented by Railway Protection Force of Mumbai Central Division on pilot basis for the first time on Indian Railways. It is planned to further extend it across all divisions. A specialised cyber cell has been set up at zonal level for expert assistance in cyber investigations, crime detection, preservation of digital evidence and social media analysis. The GM further said that, to keep the passengers connected with the world and updated with all necessary information, a free and fast Wi-fi facility is being provided at 29 more stations this year, taking the total to 453 stations over Western Railway.
He said that with an aim to provide improved and better amenities, Valsad, Vadodara, Ratlam, Ahmedabad, Rajkot and Bhavnagar Terminus stations have been developed under a soft redevelopment scheme for stations. To provide more seats, especially for divyangjan and to increase the luggage space, 26 LSLRD coaches are provided in 12 of WR’s trains. Seven escalators and five lifts have been provided in the current year for the convenience of passengers. Kansal also spoke about how aesthetics has been linked with cleanliness. And keeping this in mind, many of WR’s stations are beautified with attractive paintings and artworks on the theme of local art as well as on applauding the Corona warriors. An awareness film Bharat Badlo, Aadat Badlo was made on cleanliness to motivate people to bring positive changes. The problem of trespassing deaths in the Mumbai suburban section has been WR’s mission. Due to various measures taken in this direction, there has been a significant reduction in the number of cases of fatalities from 2.55 per day in 2019 to 1.07 in 2020. For the safety and security of women commuters, Meri Saheli programme has been implemented by the Railway Protection Force. The force has reunited 125 lost children with their families, while the lives of 11 passengers were saved by the alert RPF Personnel.
Kansal emphasised on how proud we are of our doctors and medical staff who rose to the occasion and did a praiseworthy job in the most challenging environment of COVID-19 pandemic. The patients admitted in the railway hospitals were looked after well and provided best treatment, medical facilities and care, thereby garnering an excellent recovery rate of 92 per cent. While congratulating WR sportspersons for their remarkable feat and achievements, he proudly informed that Western Railway has once again established its supremacy in the arena of sports by winning prestigious Kaul Gold Cup for the 29th year in a row.
After the Republic Day event, Kansal and WRWWO President-wife Tanuja Kansal also visited the Heritage Gallery.