Indian Economy-News & Updates

[Grevion]

@anant_s @Ankit Kumar 002
Do you guys have any information on the Indian Railway's cooperation with the Soviet Railways.
Did railways of both India and the USSR had any collaboration on Locomotive technology, freight cars or passenger cars or in any other area?

 

[proud_indian]

 

[proud_indian]

 

[Ankit Kumar 002]

@anant_s @Ankit Kumar 002
Do you guys have any information on the Indian Railway's cooperation with the Soviet Railways.
Did railways of both India and the USSR had any collaboration on Locomotive technology, freight cars or passenger cars or in any other area?

Atleast in locomotives and passenger cars I am quite sure that we didn't had any collaboration with them. Its always been Japan , France and US mainly , sometimes other European Nations.

@anant_s Just wondering , does your PDF name has anything to do with the last WAM4 produced ?

 

[Echo_419]

We have, but it's not mainstream.
It can be popular in US and Canada because their railways are almost freight-exclusive.
But in China, infrastructure is limited to such double-stack container trains.
Heavy-haul freight lines are popular here.
(China has the busiest freight railway in the world,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datong–Qinhuangdao_Railway)
But with the opening of more and more high-speed expressways, freight transport by railway are becoming less popular.

View attachment 321014

isn't rail cheaper than roadways?

 

[AndrewJin]

isn't rail cheaper than roadways?

It's cheaper only when the distance is quite long.
It's not as efficient as expressway transport.
In winter, we in the north can buy fresh fruit and vegetable grown on Hainan Island on the same day or the second day after it is picked up. Thanks to the South-North expressway corridor. You can't rely on railway to do that. Expressway transport is so booming in China that some of the trunk expressways are one of the most deadly roads in China at night...I told myself, never drive on the expressway at night....I just don't know how to handle those heavy-haul lorries...

In 2012, total freight tranposrt volume in China is 41.2 billion tons, 11.5% up. Railway is 3.9 billion tons, 0.7% down. Road 32.2 billion, 14.2% up.

Women Loco Pilots.

Mumtaz kazi she is the first women train driver who has the skill of driving both Electric and Diesel engine.

http://twocircles.net/2011may16/mumtaz_kazi_–_asia’s_first_woman_diesel_engine_driver.html

Surekha Shankar Yadav - First female train driver for the Indian Railways in India,

http://www.itsmydesh.in/2015/08/the-inspirational-story-of-indian-first.html

Laxmi Lakda, 29 from Jharkhand “Travelling by train to my uncle’s house as a child was an exciting experience. That’s when I started dreaming of driving one myself.”

Eastern Railway (ER) announced that Moumita Adhikari, Loco Driver and Suruchi Kumari, Assistant Loco Driver (Electric) have started working in Asansol division after completion of their training and clearing all competency tests successfully.

For the first time in the history of Southern Railway a woman has been posted as motorcar driver of an EMU. C.V.Thilagavathi operates EMU services in the Chennai suburban network, except on Chennai Beach – Tambaram section.

Meet Suman Lakda, the first woman Loco Pilot on Chakradharpur Division

Young woman steers Chennai’s first metro train
The first train, from Alandur to Koyambedu, was driven by A. Preethi, a 28-year-old diploma holder in engineering.

Cool!

 

[anant_s]

does your PDF name has anything to do with the last WAM4 produced ?

You mean this anant!

He he i just share my name with him.
Although, i must point, i'm 3.5 years older than 21399.

 

[Echo_419]

It's cheaper only when the distance is quite long.
It's not as efficient as expressway transport.
In winter, we in the north can buy fresh fruit and vegetable grown on Hainan Island on the same day or the second day after it is picked up. Thanks to the South-North expressway corridor. You can't rely on railway to do that. Expressway transport is so booming in China that some of the trunk expressways are one of the most deadly roads in China at night...I told myself, never drive on the expressway at night....I just don't know how to handle those heavy-haul lorries...

In 2012, total freight tranposrt volume in China is 41.2 billion tons, 11.5% up. Railway is 3.9 billion tons, 0.7% down. Road 32.2 billion, 14.2% up.


Cool!

In Canada the "heavy haulers" are very disciplined & maintain lane discipline. Sadly, the situation in totally different in India

 

[anant_s]

Double Stack Container Movement under Wires.

Asutralia

USA

In India, new WAG 9 are being equipped with WBL 85 (high reach Pantographs), that will allow them to work under DFC OHE.

this way all existing HHP Electric locomotives (Freight) will be able to work both under conventional and High reach Catenary of DFC.

WAG 9, 31610 equipped with WBL 85.

Prima 2 and Toshiba Locomotives will be natively installed with High reach pantograph

First trial run of a freight locomotive on Durgawati Sasaram Section of EDFC. the 56 km section will be made operational later this year.

Western DFC, Rewari Vadodara Section Drone Footage

 

[AndrewJin]

In Canada the "heavy haulers" are very disciplined & maintain lane discipline. Sadly, the situation in totally different in India

Lorries on expressways flying at 100+km/h are no jokes....
Sometimes it's not about driving manners. If there is something wrong with the wheel of a lorry...When it happens, a lot of cars will get involved...

@Echo_419 @anant_s
imagine one encounters some sort of lorry-related accident on the bridge mentioned at 6:00
However, I can't imagine railways can efficiently deliver agriculture goods along this road...
I can buy fresh mushroom from this region in my city on the same day...

 

[Ankit Kumar 002]

Ministry of Railways27-July, 2016 17:24 IST
Security of Trains In The Naxal Affected Areas

Prevention and detection of crime, registration of cases and maintenance of law and order over Railways is the statutory responsibility of States which is being discharged by them through the Government Railway Police (GRP). In addition, security of tracks, bridges and tunnels is the responsibility of concerned District Police. As such, State Governments concerned are primarily responsible to formulate any scheme to ensure security of passengers against naxal threat.

Railways, through the Railway Protection Force (RPF), supplement efforts of States for better protection and security of railway property, passenger area, passengers and matters connected therewith. Security has been identified by Railways as one of the priority areas for strengthening and upgradation. A proposal for installation of 162 Close Circuit Television cameras has been sanctioned at the cost of ₹3.26 Crore for round the clock surveillance at 10 stations falling in naxal affected sections of South Eastern Railway.

Other measures initiated to strengthen security of passengers over Indian Railways (including sections falling in naxal affected areas) include escorting of about 2500 important mail/express trains daily (in addition to escorting of 2200 such trains by GRP), rendering round the clock assistance to train passengers through 182 Security Helpline, implementation of Integrated Security System at identified sensitive stations, networking of security control rooms, etc.

This Press Release is based on the information given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha on 27.07.2016 (Wednesday).

****


AKS/DK
(Release ID :147828)
PIB Release

 

[Local_Legend]

Although, i must point, i'm 3.5 years older than 21399.

You just given away your age ..!!!



Any news for Kanjikode rail coach factory , Palakkadu , Kerala ?

On Topic..

Revisiting a legacy of colonisation

Trek along the defunct tracks of Cochin State Forest Tramway inside PTR
(Palakkad): The Cochin State Forest Tramway, used by the British to cart away resources of the Parambikulam forests, has caught the fancy of nature lovers, who now take long walks along the defunct tracks deep inside the tiger reserve between Chinnar and Chalakudy in Thrissur district.

“During the British period, Parambikulam’s teak plantations were a treasure trove of timber. The timber was sent to Britain to build ships and railway sleepers and the income bankrolled Cochin’s development into a seaport,” said environmentalist P.S. Panicker.

Forest officials said the timber was transported from this rugged terrain to the port nearly 120 km away by different modes of transport, the major one being the tramway.

The princely state of Cochin ruled by Maharaja Rama Varma XV built the 50-mile (about 80 km) Cochin State Forest Tramway in 1904. It was inaugurated by the then Governor of Madras Sir Arthur Oliver Villers Russel, 2nd Baron Ampthill, on October 3, 1905.

Wealth from the sale of timber fed the State coffers, catalysing Cochin’s transformation into an affluent princely state. After the rule of the Maharaja, the cost of maintaining the railway became a burden. Following Independence, Cochin and Travancore were merged and in 1956, after incorporating Malabar, the State of Kerala was formed.

White elephant

The tramway, considered a white elephant since 1926, was abolished and dismantled in 1963. Today, little material evidence survives of its 53-year legacy. The locomotives and iron rails were scrapped, and the reservoir swallowed the loading point at Chinnar. Only the pathway vacated by the tramway remains, along with skeletal bridges and scattered relics.

Till 2013, visitors were permitted to take a two-day Tramway Trek, with the assistance of guides arranged by the Forest Department. It was stopped after the forest was declared a tiger reserve in 2009, as parts of it fell in the core area. Now only a negligible portion of the tramway is accessible to the public.

“What is not known to many is the fact that the Left government of 1967 had tried to revive the tracks for tourism purposes. Two Mercedes Benz engines were, in fact, imported for this purpose but the initiative was later abandoned. Remnants of this tramway can still be traced in Chalakudy and nearby areas,” said responsible tourism campaigner Gopinath Parayil.

Recently, Chalakudy MLA B.D. Devassy demanded the setting up of a tramway museum in Chalakudy. The idea may be vague but the government can think of a non-pollutant rail managed in a responsible way on the stretch, adds Mr. Gopinath Parayil.

Dr. Salim Ali, who stayed in Parambikulam for long to study its birds, used the tramway route for his research expeditions and had identified more than 100 species of birds along the entire stretch of the tramway.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/revisiting-a-legacy-of-colonisation/article8821984.ece

 

[Ankit Kumar 002]

Ministry of Railways27-July, 2016 17:25 IST
Trials on Train Collision Avoidance System

Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) is being indigenously developed by Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) in association with Indian Vendors. This Safety system is aimed at providing capability to prevent train accidents caused due to driver’s error of Signal Passing at Danger (SPAD) or over-speeding.

After successful initial Proof of Concept trials, limited field trials with multi-vendor equipment have been conducted. Further, extended field trials of TCAS in pilot section Lingampalli-Vikarabad-Wadi-Bidar (250 RKms) of Secunderabad Division of South Central Railway have been taken up. Trials on two pairs of passenger trains have commenced in the pilot section.

Train Protection and Warning System (TPWS) based on proven European Train Control System (ETCS L-1) technology has been provided in the following pilot sections: i) Chennai-Gummidipundi Suburban Section of Southern Railway (50 RKms) covering EMU sections.

ii) Hazrat Nizamuddin-Agra Section of Northern/North Central Railway (200 RKms). Gatiman Express running at 160 Kmph on Delhi-Agra section has been equipped with TPWS.

iii) Dum Dum-Kavi Subhash Nagar section of Kolkata Metro (25 RKms) covering the EMU sections.

To ensure safety, all electric locomotives are equipped with Vigilance Control Device (VCD) to ensure alertness of Loco Pilot.

All safety category railway employees are given structured training as per prescribed periodicity at various stages of their career. They also undergo mandatory refresher training programmes. Detailed modules which give the periodicity and course content taking into account technological changes and operational requirement are available. Due emphasis is laid on practical training which helps in assimilating technology transferred and skill upgradation. Safety Category staff are also given training in Disaster Management.

Opening of new training centres is duly considered on the basis of proposal and justification received from Zonal Railway/Production Units. This is a continuous process.

This Press Release is based on the information given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha on 27.07.2016 (Wednesday).

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AKS/DK

@anant_s @PARIKRAMA

Ministry of Railways27-July, 2016 17:21 IST
Modernization of Indian Railways

Modernisation is an ongoing and continuous process on Indian Railways. In order to obtain latest technical knowhow of the world Railways, Ministry of Railways have signed Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) for technical cooperation with various foreign countries/railways viz. France, Germany, Czech Republic, China, South Korea, Canada, Kazakhstan, Slovak Republic, United Kingdom, Japan, Russia and Sweden which inter alia includes modernization of rail infrastructure including railway stations.
The ongoing cooperation projects through the MoUs signed between Ministry of Railways and foreign railways/countries include:-
S.N

Country

Projects
1.

China
(i) High Speed Rail feasibility study for Delhi-Nagpur section with financing from Chinese side (ii) Feasibility study for upgradation of Speeds to 160 kmph on Chennai-Bengaluru-Mysore corridor with financing from Chinese side.
2.

South Korea
Feasibility Study for speed raising of Delhi-Mumbai route to 200 km/h with financing from South Korean side.
3.

Japan
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Project has been taken up for implementation with financial and technical assistance of Japan. Completion Cost of the Project is ` 97,636 Crore, Japanese financial assistance being ` 79,165 crore (81%). An SPV, namely, National High Speed Rail Corporation (NHRC) has been formed to implement the project.
4.

France
(i) Technical and Execution Study for upgrading the speed of passenger trains between Delhi-Chandigarh upto 200 kmph. (ii) Renovation/development study of Ludhiana and Ambala railway stations.
5

Germany
Feasibility study for High Speed Rail of Chennai-Bangalore-Mysore Section with financing from German side.
For monitoring Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Train Project, a Joint Committee chaired by Vice-Chairman, NITI Aayog and an Empowered Committee Chaired by Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs have been formed.
Other projects are at the stage of feasibility studies, which are monitored regularly by Railway Board.
Ministry of Railways has approached State Governments to form Joint Venture Companies (JVCs) with Ministry of Railways to undertake mutually identified rail infrastructure projects for project development, resources mobilization and monitoring. 17 State Governments have consented for formation of JVCs with Ministry of Railways. Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) for setting up Joint Venture companies have been signed with Maharashtra, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Telanganga and Haryana. Joint Venture Agreement has been signed with Government of Odisha and Haryana.
Steps taken for modernization includes elimination of level crossings & unmanned level crossings, mechanized maintenance of track, introduction of new generation locomotives, high speed potential LHB coaches, introduction of train sets, upgradation of suburban coaches, green toilets on all passenger trains, development of modern high pay to tare ratio wagons, enhancement of customer amenities at stations and on trains, feasibility studies of high speed and semi high speed corridors, construction of freight corridors, implementation of electrification, introduction of mobile ticketing and trials of train protection warning system etc.
This Press Release is based on the information given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha on 27.07.2016 (Wednesday).
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AKS/DK

(Release ID :147824)

Ministry of Railways27-July, 2016 17:28 IST
R & D Units of the Ministry of Railways


Research, Designs and Standards Organization (RDSO), situated at Lucknow, is the sole Research and Development (R&D) organisation of Indian Railways and functions as the technical advisor to Railway Board and Zonal Railways. The aims and objectives assigned to RDSO include the following:
● Development of new and improved designs of systems and equipments
●Development, adoption and absorption of new technology for use on Indian Railways
●Development of overall system standards
●Development of specifications for equipment, components & materials
●Testing and Recommending authority for Statutory clearances (including Metro system)
●Assistance in technical investigations
●Quality Assurance of delegated items
Some of the important work done by RDSO, during the past three years, are listed below:
●Advance Warning System (Radio Based) to pre-warn road user about approaching trains at unmanned level crossing gate
●Crashworthy design of coach
●Fog PASS (Pilot Assistance System for Safety) with enhanced features
●Development of indigenous Advanced Auxiliary Warning System (AAWS)
●Development of satellite based accident site communication system
●Development of double decker coach design
●High capacity milk tank van
●Upgradation of existing wagons to 25t
●Development of energy efficient HOG (Head on Generation) train power system for Indian Railways in electric locos
●Development of WDG5 locomotive for increasing throughput
●Development of 9000 HHP locomotive for DFCCIL Western Corridor , @anant_s ?? Development ??


●Development of Crew Voice and Video Recording System(CVVRS)
●Operation of Gatimaan Express
●Design & development of new wagon for salt loading
●Design & development of auto car wagon
●Development of world-class Interiors in ICF type coaches
●Differently-abled passenger coaches
●Broadband internet on running trains through two-way satellite communication
●Development of Integrated passenger information system (PIS) for mainline and EMU coaches
●Environment friendly coach toilet discharge system
●Introduction of biodiesel over IR
●Introduction of natural gas operated trains over IR
The total budget allocated to RDSO is as under (in Crores):
Financial year
Budget allotment (Revenue & Capital)
2014-15

216.11
2015-16

241.19
2016-17

313.10
This Press Release is based on the information given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha on 27.07.2016 (Wednesday).
****
AKS/DK

(Release ID :147833

 

[anant_s]

Development of 9000 HHP locomotive for DFCCIL Western Corridor

Don't think it is a development issue.
the locomotive is to be purchased from Japan (Toshiba Mitsubishi Hitachi Kawasaki heavy Industries Consortium).
initially only 200 are planned (60 imports + 60 kit assembly + 120 Indian production at Dankuni).

 

[ranjeet]

Cabinet increases the limit for foreign investment in Stock Exchanges from 5% to 15%


The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for raising foreign shareholding limit from 5% to 15% in Indian Stock Exchanges for a stock exchange, a depository, a banking company, an insurance company, a commodity derivative exchange. The Cabinet has also approved the proposal to allow foreign portfolio investors to acquire shares through initial allotment, besides secondary market, in the stock exchanges.

The move will help in enhancing global competitiveness of Indian stock exchanges by accelerating/facilitating the adoption of latest technology and global best practices which will lead to overall growth and development of the Indian Capital Market.

The approval is in pursuance of implementation of the Budget Announcement made by the Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley while presenting the Union Budget 2016-17 regarding reforms in FDI Policy with respect to enhancement of investment limit for foreign entities in Indian stock exchanges from 5% to 15% on par with domestic institutions.

http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=0