ashok321
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RISING SUN
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Delhi Metro reaches highest point at Dhaula Kuan
A Metro train passed through Delhi Metro's highest point at a height of 23.6 metres in Dhaula Kuan on August 2 for the first time as part of the trial runs between Mayapuri and South Campus on the upcoming Pink Line (Majlis Park - Shiv Vihar).
The height of the viaduct at Dhaula Kuan is 23.6mtrs and it is the highest point of Delhi Metro so far, surpassing Karkarduma where the Metro passes at a height of 19 metres above the ground.
The Metro viaduct between South Campus and Delhi Cantonment metro stations of the under-construction 59 km-long Majlis Park-Shiv Vihar corridor, which will cross over the existing alignment of the Airport Express line at Dhaula Kuan, will be constructed without hampering movement of trains on the Airport Line and traffic movement between Ring Road and Sardar Patel Marg.
"The height of the viaduct will be 23.6 meters at this spot, as high as a 7 storey building, and will be the highest point of Delhi Metro so far surpassing Karkarduma where the Metro is 19 meters above the ground," DMRC Executive Director (Corporate Communications) Anuj Dayal said.
The "launching operation" above the Airport line is done only during non-operating hours between 12.30 AM till 4 AM to avoid any disruption to the traffic on Airport line.
During this time, no activities for train operations are permitted on that portion of the Airport Express Line.
A diversion road has also been constructed so that there is no inconvenience to the commuters.
After getting clearances from Operation and Maintenances (O&M) Department of the Airport line, the launching work is done and all the parts of launcher are earthened before commencing work.
A team of six Civil Engineers, two safety experts, Engineers from O&M department and other experts are closely monitoring every movement of the launcher, weighing 350 tons, in the night so as to ensure that process of erecting segments over the existing viaduct and Over Head Electrification (OHE) of the Airport Express line is carried out smoothly without causing any damage to the already operational line, he added.
DMRC's design tram has also prepared the layout of the viaduct after closely studying the requirement of passing over major landmarks such as the Airport Line viaduct and the flyover at such a height.
The distance between the rail levels of this under construction line and existing Airport Express line is 11.90 meters.
The viaduct of the Airport Express Line is at a height of 11.7 meters from the ground level.
This under construction viaduct above the Airport express line, Sardar Patel Marg flyover and slip roads is 111 meters long and is supported by four piers of 23.6 meters height.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com...uct-is-111-meters-long/slideshow/43527645.cms
A Metro train passed through Delhi Metro's highest point at a height of 23.6 metres in Dhaula Kuan on August 2 for the first time as part of the trial runs between Mayapuri and South Campus on the upcoming Pink Line (Majlis Park - Shiv Vihar).
The height of the viaduct at Dhaula Kuan is 23.6mtrs and it is the highest point of Delhi Metro so far, surpassing Karkarduma where the Metro passes at a height of 19 metres above the ground.
The Metro viaduct between South Campus and Delhi Cantonment metro stations of the under-construction 59 km-long Majlis Park-Shiv Vihar corridor, which will cross over the existing alignment of the Airport Express line at Dhaula Kuan, will be constructed without hampering movement of trains on the Airport Line and traffic movement between Ring Road and Sardar Patel Marg.
"The height of the viaduct will be 23.6 meters at this spot, as high as a 7 storey building, and will be the highest point of Delhi Metro so far surpassing Karkarduma where the Metro is 19 meters above the ground," DMRC Executive Director (Corporate Communications) Anuj Dayal said.
The "launching operation" above the Airport line is done only during non-operating hours between 12.30 AM till 4 AM to avoid any disruption to the traffic on Airport line.
During this time, no activities for train operations are permitted on that portion of the Airport Express Line.
A diversion road has also been constructed so that there is no inconvenience to the commuters.
After getting clearances from Operation and Maintenances (O&M) Department of the Airport line, the launching work is done and all the parts of launcher are earthened before commencing work.
A team of six Civil Engineers, two safety experts, Engineers from O&M department and other experts are closely monitoring every movement of the launcher, weighing 350 tons, in the night so as to ensure that process of erecting segments over the existing viaduct and Over Head Electrification (OHE) of the Airport Express line is carried out smoothly without causing any damage to the already operational line, he added.
DMRC's design tram has also prepared the layout of the viaduct after closely studying the requirement of passing over major landmarks such as the Airport Line viaduct and the flyover at such a height.
The distance between the rail levels of this under construction line and existing Airport Express line is 11.90 meters.
The viaduct of the Airport Express Line is at a height of 11.7 meters from the ground level.
This under construction viaduct above the Airport express line, Sardar Patel Marg flyover and slip roads is 111 meters long and is supported by four piers of 23.6 meters height.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com...uct-is-111-meters-long/slideshow/43527645.cms
RISING SUN
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India,Bangladesh to construct bridge along Mizoram borde
Aizawl, July 8 (IANS): India and Bangladesh have decided to construct a bridge over Mizoram’s Khawthlangtuipui river to facilitate trade and improve communication between the two neighbours, an official said here on Saturday. “Officials of India and Bangladesh held a meeting on Friday evening at Tlabung town (Mamit district) and discussed to speed up the works for the proposed bridge between the two countries across Khawthlangtuipui river (also known as Karnaphuli river),” Mizoram Industries and Commerce Department Director J. Hmingthanmawia said.Several bilateral issues were also discussed in the meeting, he added. Bangladeshi official Rowshan Ara Khanam, who led his country’s delegation, said : “The proposed bridge would be an important linkage between India and Bangladesh. The Bangladesh government has taken a number of steps to make it a reality.”
“Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had given approval to construct the bridge and linking roads,” the official added. The Mamit district is adjacent to Khagrachari district of Chittagong hill tracts of southeast Bangladesh. Railways advisor Dibbanjan Roy, who also attended the meeting, said that the bridge would not only improve road connectivity between the two regions but also strengthen the ties between the people of the two countries living both sides of the borders.
It has been proposed that the location of the bridge be made as closer as possible to the nearest land custom station in the Bangladesh side. After the meeting, officials of the two countries inspected possible locations to construct the bridge. Mizoram shares a 318 km unfenced border with Bangladesh.
http://www.easternmirrornagaland.com/indiabangladesh-to-construct-bridge-along-mizoram-border/
Aizawl, July 8 (IANS): India and Bangladesh have decided to construct a bridge over Mizoram’s Khawthlangtuipui river to facilitate trade and improve communication between the two neighbours, an official said here on Saturday. “Officials of India and Bangladesh held a meeting on Friday evening at Tlabung town (Mamit district) and discussed to speed up the works for the proposed bridge between the two countries across Khawthlangtuipui river (also known as Karnaphuli river),” Mizoram Industries and Commerce Department Director J. Hmingthanmawia said.Several bilateral issues were also discussed in the meeting, he added. Bangladeshi official Rowshan Ara Khanam, who led his country’s delegation, said : “The proposed bridge would be an important linkage between India and Bangladesh. The Bangladesh government has taken a number of steps to make it a reality.”
“Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had given approval to construct the bridge and linking roads,” the official added. The Mamit district is adjacent to Khagrachari district of Chittagong hill tracts of southeast Bangladesh. Railways advisor Dibbanjan Roy, who also attended the meeting, said that the bridge would not only improve road connectivity between the two regions but also strengthen the ties between the people of the two countries living both sides of the borders.
It has been proposed that the location of the bridge be made as closer as possible to the nearest land custom station in the Bangladesh side. After the meeting, officials of the two countries inspected possible locations to construct the bridge. Mizoram shares a 318 km unfenced border with Bangladesh.
http://www.easternmirrornagaland.com/indiabangladesh-to-construct-bridge-along-mizoram-border/
RISING SUN
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India: State of Mizoram pledges to install 80 MW of solar in 2017
Providing a host of incentives to drive solar development in the state, the government of Mizoram has formulated the Mizoram Solar Power Policy 2017, aimed at ensuring reliable power supply and a sustainable energy mix for the state.
With a goal to develop 80 MW of solar projects (rooftop + ground mounted), the policy is expected to encourage the use of solar power among consumers and attract investments in the solar sector of Mizoram, which is seeking to back the Indian government’s 2022 targeted capacity of 100 GW.
In addition to offering substantial support to decentralized distributed generation systems and off-grid projects, such as solar street lighting systems, solar home lighting system, solar power pack/plants and solar water pumping systems, the policy stipulates with regard to projects connected to the grid that a microgrid of up to 10 kW is eligible for an incentive of INR115/W; a mini grid of 10 kW to 500 kW for INR 99/W; while a rooftop solar developer can receive 70% of the benchmark cost as incentive to develop a 1 kW to 500 kW installation. Furthermore, to set up project in a solar park, a developer can receive an incentive of INR 20lakh/MW and any unemployed person or farmer in Mizoram can receive an incentive of INR 50lakh/MW.
The policy states that it would be mandatory for all state government department/institutions to install solar rooftop systems on the official buildings, wherever technically feasible, as well as that all buildings in the state are eligible to set up grid-connected rooftop solar projects within the specified capacity (1 kW and above) for rooftop solar projects, with net-meters installed so that consumers can reap direct benefits.
According to the policy, the government shall provide 100% refund of stamp duty paid upon the purchase of land for solar projects in the state, and all solar power projects, as well as manufacturing facilities and ancillary units of the solar power projects, are exempt from electricity duty.
In terms of PPAs, the policy envisages that their minimum duration will be 10 years, whereas the distribution utility that has entered into a PPA with a project developer will provide a letter of credit equivalent to two months’ expected payment as security.
Among other key enabling provisions are: banking of 100% energy produced allowed for captive and open access consumers; possibility of third-party sale of power for grid-connected solar projects because the individual owner or group can sell it to distribution utilities or utilize it for captive consumption; and a reduction in contract demand of up to 50% of installed project capacity by the distribution utility, provided a solar project is not utilizing the evacuation system of a distribution utility.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2017/07...am-pledges-to-install-80-mw-of-solar-in-2017/
Mizoram to set up 20 MW solar park
Mizoram's Solar Power Project Approval Committee (SPPAC) has approved the proposal for setting up of a 20 MW solar park today.
The project will be implemented by the state power and electricity department and Zoram Energy Development Agency (ZEDA), an official statement said.
A meeting chaired by Secretary for Power and Electricity H Lalengmawia discussed wide ranging issues concerning the generation of power through solar energy, it said.
The Solar Power Policy of Mizoram, 2017 envisaged all government office buildings should harness solar energy in their building premises, the statement said adding, the committee decided to convene a meeting of all heads of departments to ensure implementation of the policy.
http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/mizoram-to-set-up-20-mw-solar-park-2327879.html
ONGC waiting for 12 years for Tripura gas exploration nod
State-owned ONGC has, for the last 12 years, not been able to proceed with its gas exploration work in a vital reserve in Tripura due to lack of environmental clearance, causing a huge revenue loss. "Since 2005, we had to stop gas exploration works in Tichna as the area falls under the Tichna (Trishna) Bison National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary. We are yet to get the necessary clearances from the Forest, Environment and Climate Change Ministry and National Board for Wildlife," ONGC Executive Director S.C. Soni told IANS. The "Maharatna" Oil and Natural Gas Corporation has, since 1962, established around 41 billion cubic metre (BCM) of recoverable gas reserves in Tripura's eleven gas fields, including the Tichna field in southern Tripura adjoining Bangladesh. "We expect within the next 5-6 months we would get the necessary clearances from the appropriate authorities. The Prime Minister's consent is likely to be required in this regard," Soni added. Another senior ONGC official, who is looking after the Tichna field exploration activities, said that the company has been losing crores of rupees in revenue as the area had been idle for so many years. According to the official, exploration activities in the Tichna area started in 1962 and exploratory drilling started in 1987 before the commercial discovery of gas in 2000. "The Tripura State Board for Wildlife had given its clearance long back. In October 2007, the Environment and Forests Ministry had asked the ONGC to obtain permission from the National Board for Wildlife before obtaining environment clearance," the official told IANS, preferring anonymity as he is not authorised to speak to the media. He said that the ONGC has also filed an online application along with necessary documents. The Tichna Bison National Park and Wild Life Sanctuary, 111 km south of Agartala, is famous for the gaur or Indian bison and other animals, including leopards and barking deer and the endangered spectacle monkey. It is situated over a 194.71 sq km area . Soni said: "Gas production from the Tichna field is envisaged to start from December 2021... This very much depends upon the timely clearances." Soni said ONGC had drilled 223 wells in Tripura till April, of which 116 were found to be gas bearing. This corresponds to a record 2:1 success ratio against the world success ratio of 5:1. The company had earlier commissioned its first commercial gas-based power project in India, located in southern Tripura and run by ONGC Tripura Power Co (OTPC), formed by ONGC, the Tripura government and Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services Ltd (IL&FS). The 726 MW capacity combined cycle project (using both water and natural gas), situated at Palatana, 60 km from Agartala, has been supplying electricity to the northeastern states and 100 MW to Bangladesh. "We are also supplying gas to several power plants in Tripura owned by NEEPCO (North Eastern Electric Power Corporation) and the Tripura government. The combined installed electricity generation capacity of these power projects, including the Palatana plant, is 1,016 MW," Soni said. "Besides, the ONGC has been supplying piped natural gas (for cooking) and compressed natural gas (for running vehicles) to the Tripura Natural Gas Company. Soni said that the company plans to produce and supply 5.1 MMSCMD (million metric standard cubic metres per day) by mid-2018 to various consumers in Tripura for another 20 years through drilling of 153 new wells and creation of new surface infrastructural facilities, including the laying of 282 km of pipelines of gas grid network and 600 km of well-flow lines. The ONGC has also planned a Rs 5,000 crore (more than $775 million) fertiliser plant in northern Tripura in association with the state government and Chambal Fertilisers and Chemicals Ltd., a Rajasthan-based company.
Read more at: http://www.sify.com/finance/ongc-wa...ploration-nod-news-finance-ribnuacgdfiia.html
Providing a host of incentives to drive solar development in the state, the government of Mizoram has formulated the Mizoram Solar Power Policy 2017, aimed at ensuring reliable power supply and a sustainable energy mix for the state.
With a goal to develop 80 MW of solar projects (rooftop + ground mounted), the policy is expected to encourage the use of solar power among consumers and attract investments in the solar sector of Mizoram, which is seeking to back the Indian government’s 2022 targeted capacity of 100 GW.
In addition to offering substantial support to decentralized distributed generation systems and off-grid projects, such as solar street lighting systems, solar home lighting system, solar power pack/plants and solar water pumping systems, the policy stipulates with regard to projects connected to the grid that a microgrid of up to 10 kW is eligible for an incentive of INR115/W; a mini grid of 10 kW to 500 kW for INR 99/W; while a rooftop solar developer can receive 70% of the benchmark cost as incentive to develop a 1 kW to 500 kW installation. Furthermore, to set up project in a solar park, a developer can receive an incentive of INR 20lakh/MW and any unemployed person or farmer in Mizoram can receive an incentive of INR 50lakh/MW.
The policy states that it would be mandatory for all state government department/institutions to install solar rooftop systems on the official buildings, wherever technically feasible, as well as that all buildings in the state are eligible to set up grid-connected rooftop solar projects within the specified capacity (1 kW and above) for rooftop solar projects, with net-meters installed so that consumers can reap direct benefits.
According to the policy, the government shall provide 100% refund of stamp duty paid upon the purchase of land for solar projects in the state, and all solar power projects, as well as manufacturing facilities and ancillary units of the solar power projects, are exempt from electricity duty.
In terms of PPAs, the policy envisages that their minimum duration will be 10 years, whereas the distribution utility that has entered into a PPA with a project developer will provide a letter of credit equivalent to two months’ expected payment as security.
Among other key enabling provisions are: banking of 100% energy produced allowed for captive and open access consumers; possibility of third-party sale of power for grid-connected solar projects because the individual owner or group can sell it to distribution utilities or utilize it for captive consumption; and a reduction in contract demand of up to 50% of installed project capacity by the distribution utility, provided a solar project is not utilizing the evacuation system of a distribution utility.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2017/07...am-pledges-to-install-80-mw-of-solar-in-2017/
Mizoram to set up 20 MW solar park
Mizoram's Solar Power Project Approval Committee (SPPAC) has approved the proposal for setting up of a 20 MW solar park today.
The project will be implemented by the state power and electricity department and Zoram Energy Development Agency (ZEDA), an official statement said.
A meeting chaired by Secretary for Power and Electricity H Lalengmawia discussed wide ranging issues concerning the generation of power through solar energy, it said.
The Solar Power Policy of Mizoram, 2017 envisaged all government office buildings should harness solar energy in their building premises, the statement said adding, the committee decided to convene a meeting of all heads of departments to ensure implementation of the policy.
http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/mizoram-to-set-up-20-mw-solar-park-2327879.html
ONGC waiting for 12 years for Tripura gas exploration nod
State-owned ONGC has, for the last 12 years, not been able to proceed with its gas exploration work in a vital reserve in Tripura due to lack of environmental clearance, causing a huge revenue loss. "Since 2005, we had to stop gas exploration works in Tichna as the area falls under the Tichna (Trishna) Bison National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary. We are yet to get the necessary clearances from the Forest, Environment and Climate Change Ministry and National Board for Wildlife," ONGC Executive Director S.C. Soni told IANS. The "Maharatna" Oil and Natural Gas Corporation has, since 1962, established around 41 billion cubic metre (BCM) of recoverable gas reserves in Tripura's eleven gas fields, including the Tichna field in southern Tripura adjoining Bangladesh. "We expect within the next 5-6 months we would get the necessary clearances from the appropriate authorities. The Prime Minister's consent is likely to be required in this regard," Soni added. Another senior ONGC official, who is looking after the Tichna field exploration activities, said that the company has been losing crores of rupees in revenue as the area had been idle for so many years. According to the official, exploration activities in the Tichna area started in 1962 and exploratory drilling started in 1987 before the commercial discovery of gas in 2000. "The Tripura State Board for Wildlife had given its clearance long back. In October 2007, the Environment and Forests Ministry had asked the ONGC to obtain permission from the National Board for Wildlife before obtaining environment clearance," the official told IANS, preferring anonymity as he is not authorised to speak to the media. He said that the ONGC has also filed an online application along with necessary documents. The Tichna Bison National Park and Wild Life Sanctuary, 111 km south of Agartala, is famous for the gaur or Indian bison and other animals, including leopards and barking deer and the endangered spectacle monkey. It is situated over a 194.71 sq km area . Soni said: "Gas production from the Tichna field is envisaged to start from December 2021... This very much depends upon the timely clearances." Soni said ONGC had drilled 223 wells in Tripura till April, of which 116 were found to be gas bearing. This corresponds to a record 2:1 success ratio against the world success ratio of 5:1. The company had earlier commissioned its first commercial gas-based power project in India, located in southern Tripura and run by ONGC Tripura Power Co (OTPC), formed by ONGC, the Tripura government and Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services Ltd (IL&FS). The 726 MW capacity combined cycle project (using both water and natural gas), situated at Palatana, 60 km from Agartala, has been supplying electricity to the northeastern states and 100 MW to Bangladesh. "We are also supplying gas to several power plants in Tripura owned by NEEPCO (North Eastern Electric Power Corporation) and the Tripura government. The combined installed electricity generation capacity of these power projects, including the Palatana plant, is 1,016 MW," Soni said. "Besides, the ONGC has been supplying piped natural gas (for cooking) and compressed natural gas (for running vehicles) to the Tripura Natural Gas Company. Soni said that the company plans to produce and supply 5.1 MMSCMD (million metric standard cubic metres per day) by mid-2018 to various consumers in Tripura for another 20 years through drilling of 153 new wells and creation of new surface infrastructural facilities, including the laying of 282 km of pipelines of gas grid network and 600 km of well-flow lines. The ONGC has also planned a Rs 5,000 crore (more than $775 million) fertiliser plant in northern Tripura in association with the state government and Chambal Fertilisers and Chemicals Ltd., a Rajasthan-based company.
Read more at: http://www.sify.com/finance/ongc-wa...ploration-nod-news-finance-ribnuacgdfiia.html
Hindustani78
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Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA)
02-August, 2017 19:36 IST
Cabinet approves construction of doubling of line with electrification between Vanchi-Maniyachchi- Nagercoil via Tirunelveli
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the construction of double line with electrification between Vanchi-Maniyachchi- Nagercoil via Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu.
The total length of the line will be 102 km. The estimated cost of the Project will be Rs.1003.94 crore and completion cost of Rs.1114.62 crore with 5% escalation per annum.
The project is likely to be completed in four years by 2020-21. The project will generate direct employment during construction for 24.48 lakh mandays.
The project would not only speed up the operation of goods and coaching trains, but also provide additional capacity for meeting the increase in traffic in future.
Background:
Vanchi-Maniyachchi- Nagercoil via Tirunelveli is an important trunk route serving Southern end of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The section is heavily passenger oriented which also serve the goods traffic from nearby ports. Present line capacity of the section has already gone beyond 90% which is causing detention to the moving trains. Line capacity of this route needs to be enhanced to meet the demands for additional trains and smooth movement of trains through the route. Hence, doubling of Vanchi-Maniyachchi- Nagercoil via Tirunelveli with electrification needs to be taken up.
****
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA)
02-August, 2017 19:32 IST
Cabinet approves construction of doubling of line with electrification between Madurai-Vanchi and Maniyachchi-Tuticorin
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the construction of double line with electrification between Madurai-Vanchi and Maniyachchi-Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu.
The total length of the line will be 160 km. The estimated cost of the Project will be Rs.1182.31 crore and completion cost of Rs.1272.51 crore with 5% escalation per annum.
The project is likely to be completed in four years by 2020-21. The project will generate direct employment during construction for 38.40 lakh mandays.
The project would not only speed up the operation of goods and coaching trains, but also provide additional capacity for meeting the increase in traffic in future.
Background:
Demands are being received for introduction of additional trains for this area to serve the local people, the ever increasing tourists desiring to visit the area and the traffic originating to/from Ports. Present Line Capacity utilisation of the section on trunk route is 106% which is likely to increase to 154% in next four years. This would cause detention to passenger and goods trains on trunk route and that originating to/from Tuticorin Port in future if double line is not provided on this 160 km section. Hence, doubling of Madurai-Vanchi Maniyachchi-Tuticorin with electrification needs to be taken up.
****
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA)
02-August, 2017 19:27 IST
Cabinet approves construction of doubling of line with electrification between Thiruvananthapuram and Kanniyakumari
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the construction of double line with electrification between Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala and Kanniyakumari in Tamil Nadu.
The total length of the line will be 86.56 km. The estimated cost of the Project will be Rs.1431.90 crore and completion cost of Rs.1552.94 crore with 5% escalation per annum.
The project is likely to be completed in four years by 2020-21. The project will generate direct employment during construction for 20.77 lakh mandays.
The project would not only speed up the operation of goods and coaching trains, but also provide additional capacity for meeting the increase in traffic in future.
Background:
The section is heavily passenger oriented which also serve the goods traffic from nearby ports. Operations from Vizhinjam port is likely to start by 2019 and 30% of its gateway traffic is likely to be handled by Railways. Present line capacity of Thiruvananthapuram-Nagarcoil section of this route has already saturated which is causing heavy detention to trains moving towards Kanniyakumari and Chennai. Line capacity of this route needs to be enhanced to meet the demands for additional trains and smooth movement of trains through the route. Hence, doubling of Thiruvananthapuram and Kanniyakumari line needs to be taken up.
***
02-August, 2017 19:36 IST
Cabinet approves construction of doubling of line with electrification between Vanchi-Maniyachchi- Nagercoil via Tirunelveli
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the construction of double line with electrification between Vanchi-Maniyachchi- Nagercoil via Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu.
The total length of the line will be 102 km. The estimated cost of the Project will be Rs.1003.94 crore and completion cost of Rs.1114.62 crore with 5% escalation per annum.
The project is likely to be completed in four years by 2020-21. The project will generate direct employment during construction for 24.48 lakh mandays.
The project would not only speed up the operation of goods and coaching trains, but also provide additional capacity for meeting the increase in traffic in future.
Background:
Vanchi-Maniyachchi- Nagercoil via Tirunelveli is an important trunk route serving Southern end of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The section is heavily passenger oriented which also serve the goods traffic from nearby ports. Present line capacity of the section has already gone beyond 90% which is causing detention to the moving trains. Line capacity of this route needs to be enhanced to meet the demands for additional trains and smooth movement of trains through the route. Hence, doubling of Vanchi-Maniyachchi- Nagercoil via Tirunelveli with electrification needs to be taken up.
****
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA)
02-August, 2017 19:32 IST
Cabinet approves construction of doubling of line with electrification between Madurai-Vanchi and Maniyachchi-Tuticorin
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the construction of double line with electrification between Madurai-Vanchi and Maniyachchi-Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu.
The total length of the line will be 160 km. The estimated cost of the Project will be Rs.1182.31 crore and completion cost of Rs.1272.51 crore with 5% escalation per annum.
The project is likely to be completed in four years by 2020-21. The project will generate direct employment during construction for 38.40 lakh mandays.
The project would not only speed up the operation of goods and coaching trains, but also provide additional capacity for meeting the increase in traffic in future.
Background:
Demands are being received for introduction of additional trains for this area to serve the local people, the ever increasing tourists desiring to visit the area and the traffic originating to/from Ports. Present Line Capacity utilisation of the section on trunk route is 106% which is likely to increase to 154% in next four years. This would cause detention to passenger and goods trains on trunk route and that originating to/from Tuticorin Port in future if double line is not provided on this 160 km section. Hence, doubling of Madurai-Vanchi Maniyachchi-Tuticorin with electrification needs to be taken up.
****
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA)
02-August, 2017 19:27 IST
Cabinet approves construction of doubling of line with electrification between Thiruvananthapuram and Kanniyakumari
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the construction of double line with electrification between Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala and Kanniyakumari in Tamil Nadu.
The total length of the line will be 86.56 km. The estimated cost of the Project will be Rs.1431.90 crore and completion cost of Rs.1552.94 crore with 5% escalation per annum.
The project is likely to be completed in four years by 2020-21. The project will generate direct employment during construction for 20.77 lakh mandays.
The project would not only speed up the operation of goods and coaching trains, but also provide additional capacity for meeting the increase in traffic in future.
Background:
The section is heavily passenger oriented which also serve the goods traffic from nearby ports. Operations from Vizhinjam port is likely to start by 2019 and 30% of its gateway traffic is likely to be handled by Railways. Present line capacity of Thiruvananthapuram-Nagarcoil section of this route has already saturated which is causing heavy detention to trains moving towards Kanniyakumari and Chennai. Line capacity of this route needs to be enhanced to meet the demands for additional trains and smooth movement of trains through the route. Hence, doubling of Thiruvananthapuram and Kanniyakumari line needs to be taken up.
***
RISING SUN
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Indian rupee to get stronger, NRIs should remit now
If you're a non-resident Indian (NRI) and looking to remit a handsome amount back home or planning to buy a property or invest in any venture, the time is now.
Going by views of analysts and industry executives, the Indian currency is likely to strengthen further against the US dollar -- thereby against the UAE dirham, because the Emirati currency is pegged to the greenback -- in the wake of Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) decision to cut interest rates last week, and may strengthen as much as 1.1 per cent.
"Rupee has firmed up a bit more than we had expected it to. There hasn't been radical movement, and we feel that it might not breach 63.30 against the dollar for the time being. However, we can expect the Indian currency to hit 64.30 against the dollar in the month of August, as stocks across the globe are getting set to adjust with the third quarter earnings. In Indian markets, too, half yearly results are key to determine the trend of large cap and mid cap giants," commented Adeeb Ahamed, CEO of LuLu Exchange.
The rupee has already been one of best performing emerging market currencies this year as it has hitherto increased by nearly 7 per cent, thanks to inflows for foreign funds into the Indian equities.
The rupee was trading at 63.609 against the dollar and 17.311 against the dirham on Sunday afternoon. It hit a high of 63.58 last week against the US dollar, its highest level since July 2015.
The Indian central bank last week reduced the repo rate after a gap of almost 10 months by 0.25 percentage points to six per cent.
Aditya Pugalia, an analyst with Emirates NBD Research, agrees with Ahamed. "With the economy continuing to make progress and the RBI shifting gears to boost economic growth, we expect the Indian rupee to continue to strengthen, albeit at a slower pace," he noted.
The rupee, according to Pugalia, is among the best performing emerging market currencies in 2017 having rallied 6.8 per cent year-to-date. While the broad US dollar weakness has helped, the primary driver has been inflows from foreign institutional investors into Indian equities. In the first seven months of 2017, foreign institutional investors have bought stocks worth $8.9 billion.
Promoth Manghat, CEO, UAE Exchange, echoes Manghat and Ahamed, saying rupee could climb further in the near-term as the RBI's interest rate cut lures more inflows into local market.
"The break in USD/INR below 64 means the RBI will not hinder the inflows, leading to further near-term rupee appreciation. Asia's third-largest economy has borrowing costs placed at the lowest since 2010, spurring growth and earnings along with encouraging foreign investments of about $8.8 billion in local stock this year. Economic and political stability along with reform momentum attract inflows, which will further appreciate the rupee. The rupee reached a two-year high after the RBI's decision on Wednesday. Meanwhile analysts are predicting INR to be range bound at 61-65 range per dollar by March next year."
Don't hold back
Since rupee is expected to strengthen further, NRIs have been advised not to hold back their liquid assets and instead go ahead and invest in India.
"The interest rates for deposits will not be tampered with in the near future as the banks have already figured out the NPA (non-performing assets). Adding to it, consolidation of banks are on the cards in India. Therefore, there is no point in holding back liquid assets. In fact, it is the right time to invest in India as the entire world acknowledges it to be one of the fastest growing economies," Ahamed advised.
On a more pragmatic level, Ahamed believes Indian expatriates need to be educated on investing in their home country. "I believe there is ample opportunity for expats to invest in a number of developmental and infrastructure projects that will be in good stead for the country as well as create a fallback for them when they return home."
Manghat said it's still a good time for NRIs to remit funds to NRE accounts as rupee is expected to range between 61 and 65 per dollar.
"Since the GCC is mostly US dollar denominated, the interest rate reduction in India or minor appreciation in rupee value isn't going to impact much to the fund transfers of a non-resident Indian, who will anyway enjoy an overall benefit. Also capital markets are doing well in India. NRIs should take advantage of the same and look beyond NRE deposits to invest in the capital market," Manghat advised Indian expatriates.
He predicts rupee's appreciation should comparatively reduce the remittance volume. But the regular remitters will send money for family maintenance irrespective of currency fluctuations. It is the opportunist remitters, who wait for currency depreciation to take advantage of getting more money in conversion while sending money to India.
https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/economy/indian-rupee-to-get-stronger-nris-should-remit-now
How strong macro economic fundamentals and stable rupee are helping Indian firms and banks
Indian companies and banks are able to mop up money from overseas markets at lower interest rates these days, thanks to the country’s strong macro-economic fundamentals and a stable currency. The total amount raised by companies and bonds in dollar markets so far in 2017 has hit $11 billion, which is way above the $8.3 billion picked up in 2016. In the last seven days alone, close to $2 billion has been picked up by banks and firms. Arun Saigal, MD (global finance), Barclays India, said there is strong appetite among global investors for Indian paper, a reflection of the strong macro-economic environment. “We could see spreads on Indian paper decline as a result,” Saigal said. Last week, Vedanta Resources priced its $1 billion dollar bond issue, with a tenure of seven years at a coupon rate of 6.125%. This is far finer than the 6.375% that it paid for money that it raised in January, for a shorter tenure of five and a half years, Bloomberg data shows. Moody’s had given Vedanta’s issuance a B3 rating.
In June, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone priced its 10-year dollar bonds at just 195 basis points over the benchmark treasury yield with a coupon rate of 4%. That was better than the rate of 215 basis points over the 5-year treasury which the company paid to raise five-year money or a coupon rate of 3.95%. APSEZ to be sure, commands a good rating; it was rated Baa3 by Moody’s. Ananth Narayan,Head(financial markets), Standard Chartered Bank, points out the India story is a strong one with respectable growth, low inflation and a strong rupee. “Given the political stability and progress on reforms such as GST, bankruptcy code, the outlook is also perceived to be bright,” Narayan says.
The scarcity value attached to Indian paper is high. Although $11 billion may seem a big amount from an Indian perspective, it is small compared with issuances from other countries, especially China. Last week, private sector lender Axis Bank priced its five-year dollar bonds at 130 basis points over the 5-year US Treasury yield. This is 30 basis points lower than the spread —over the US treasury — of 160 basis points that it forked out for a 5-year dollar bond in June 2016.
Canara Bank recently picked up $ 400 million of 5-year money at a coupon rate of 3.25% ; in 2013, the state-owned bank paid as much as 5.25% for bonds of a similar tenure. Both lenders were rated Baa3 by Moody’s. Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) have so far bought close to $17.7 billion of rupee debt in the local market. The investment limits in corporate bonds have already been fully utilised. The currency has also been on a surge this year with the rupee strengthening close to 6.65% against the dollar in 2017.
http://www.financialexpress.com/eco...-rupee-helping-indian-firms-and-banks/797135/
Rupee may hit 60 against the dollar by 2017-end: Mark Mobius
Mumbai: Mark Mobius, executive chairman of Templeton Emerging Markets Group at Franklin Templeton Investments, expects the National Stock Exchange’s Nifty index to double from its current levels of around 10,000 points within the next three or four years, on the back of better economic growth, rational interest rates and more inflows from foreign and domestic investors.
In a phone interview from Singapore on Thursday, Mobius said he expects the rupee to appreciate further to around Rs60 per dollar by the end of the year. Even as the Indian market raced to record highs, he said Franklin Templeton did not cut its India holdings, and is particularly interested in the small and mid-cap Indian stocks. Edited excerpts:
It took the Nifty nearly 10 years to reach 10,000 level from 5,000 level. How long until we reach the next milestone of 15,000?
In the case of the Nifty-50, I would say you could probably double from where you are now within the next three or four years. This would be due to a combination of things. One would be the high growth rate of the country, a more rational interest environment, where interest rates are more in line with what the market is able to pay. Also, you will see the foreign reserves of the country will continue to grow. In addition, if liberalization continues, you will see much more foreign investment coming in, in addition to the domestic investment,
Indian markets are trading at record high levels. We saw FIIs going easy on Indian equities in July. What has been your strategy of late with Indian shares? Are you adding more or are you cutting your holdings?
We certainly have not cut down on India because India is a very, very important part of our portfolio. If you look at the Asian small cap funds that we have, in particular, India is the largest weighting that we have. We continue to hold Indian stocks and buy when it is appropriate. When money comes in, we add to those position, but we are certainly not willing to sell at these levels.
Earnings growth is still elusive. When do you think earnings growth will return for Indian companies?
It is a matter of what category are you looking at. In the case of small and medium cap stocks, earnings growth has been pretty good. You must remember all these stocks will be graduating up into the large cap arena. I would not worry too much about that.
Do you think we could see a correction in the near to medium term in the Indian market, or do you think the rally will continue to hold good for a while?
There will be a correction on the way, because you’ve seen almost a continuous rise from early this year. Markets just shot up continuously. Whenever you have that kind of a situation, you can expect a fall back. It can happen any time, it just depends on what the trigger is.
Where do Indian markets stand in your preference order among EMs and why?
India is among the top three. China, India and Thailand are the top countries that we have right now.
Do you think US markets are overvalued—and to that extent money could flow to EMs?
The US markets continues to rise. I am surprised that people talk about a downturn in the US market, but S&P has not come down at all. That does not mean that money is not going to go to the other markets, because just remember that when people make profits in the US, they want to diversify. Many of them are underweight emerging markets generally.
The rupee is at a two-year high. Did you see this coming? Where do you see the rupee heading from here?
I see the Indian rupee continuing to get stronger and probably hit Rs60 against the US dollar by the end of the year on the back of growth in India, strong and rising reserves. If you look at the price parity in India, it is not overvalued.
The market is largely supported by domestic money? Do you think this is set to grow?
As interest rates come down, as deposit rates come down, people will begin to look at other alternatives, other ways to make money. That will also drive people to equity markets.
Cyclical, consumption, defensives—what is going to be the theme for Indian markets for the next year?
Right now, it is very much the consumption story. But I think going forward it is going to be an infrastructure story, because I think the Indian government realizes that they are far behind China in infrastructure, and something has to be done about that. The part of it comes from privatization of the state-owned enterprises, part of it will come from raising money for infrastructure projects, and of course, the way you do that is by making it safer for infrastructure investors to go into the market.
What are your thoughts on reforms such as demonetisation and GST (goods and services tax Act)? What is on your wish list on more reforms?
The demonetisation did not turn out to be as bad as I expected. When it first came in, I thought this is clearly going to have a bad effect on the economy. I think it is not as bad as expected. The good news is that it has tuned in people more into electronic payments, which is good for the economy to speed things up. I think the challenge going forward for (prime minister Narendra) Modi is going to be that the GST implementation goes through without state governments introducing new taxes and new levies, which could be very detrimental to the whole system.
The next wish list is general relaxing of foreign investment restrictions. That will free up a lot of capital to come in.
Which are your favourite sectoral bets in India at this point?
Currently, the small and mid cap stocks are of interest to us. Among individual sectors, I would say diversified companies, private small banks, materials, and chemical companies. We also like automobile tyres.
What are your thoughts on state-run banks after the recent crackdown by RBI on bad loans?
They look good now. We are not too worried about the bad loans for the state-owned banks.
What is the biggest risk to Indian markets right now?
I think the geopolitical risks. There is stress with China, there is some stress with Pakistan that still continues. If you have an outbreak, it will not be good for the markets.
http://www.livemint.com/Money/QvqOR...gainst-the-dollar-by-2017end-Mark-Mobius.html
NTPC seeks licence to set up charging stations for electric vehicles
State-controlled NTPC Ltd is exploring the possibility of securing a national licence for setting up charging stations for electric vehicles across states.
Currently under The Electricity Act, 2003, a distribution licence is required to distribute power from the respective state electricity regulatory commissions (SERCs).
India’s largest power generation utility is seeking a pan-India licence as it will help scale up its EV charging business rapidly in the face of emerging competition.
The EV business assumes importance for NTPC due to its lucrative market potential of around 90 billion units of power. With the current installed power generation capacity and projects under construction expected to meet India’s electricity demand till 2026, NTPC is scouting for new growth areas.
“We are trying to get a common licence. Electricity can be sold by a discom, a licencee or a franchisee. All three models are there. It is a licenced activity. We will try to work it out if it is possible to have one licence for the whole country. We are looking for a country-wide licensing. If that happens we will be able to set up the charging stations very quickly,” said a senior NTPC executive, requesting anonymity.
Mint reported on 10 March about how NTPC was exploring an EV business to help create the demand for electricity generated by its plants and keep pace with the fast-changing power sector.
“This is a very good, growing business as the demand for electricity will be created. It has a very good synergy with us because we can start with the charging part of the business quickly. Later on we can get into battery and other associated businesses,” added the NTPC executive cited above.
This comes in the backdrop of ambitious government plans for a mass- scale shift to electric vehicles by 2030 so that every vehicle on Indian roads by then—both personal and commercial—is powered by electricity.
Any shift to electric vehicles will also help cut both air pollution and fuel imports.
“What we have planned is to have battery banks wherein we will be swapping batteries. Basically it will be an energy business for us with charging from the renewable energy sources,” said another NTPC executive who also did not wish to be identified.
NTPC plans to set up battery swapping stations wherein recharged batteries will be swapped with the batteries drained of charge.
The state-owned utility is working on a plan to bring down the cost of setting up these charging stations by half to around Rs1 lakh each.
In addition, NTPC wants to contribute significantly to India’s plans to set up 100GW of solar power capacity by 2022.
The utility wants to supply electricity from 10,000 MW of solar power capacity that it is setting up on its own and buy 15,000 MW on behalf of the ministry of new and renewable energy.
An NTPC spokesperson in an emailed response confirmed the development, saying, “Yes, NTPC is exploring various options in the area of EV charging station business.”
Experts believe that such a national licence for EV charging stations will be a shot in the arm for NTPC.
“The idea of a comprehensive national retail supply licence is going to be big a booster for NTPC’s business plans. It requires comprehensive review of existing laws and regulations given the concurrent nature, content and carriage segregation issues and developing licence provisions for a specific activity such as charging EVs,” said Sambitosh Mohapatra, partner, energy and utilities at PwC India.
http://www.livemint.com/Industry/Cm...to-set-up-charging-stations-for-electric.html
If you're a non-resident Indian (NRI) and looking to remit a handsome amount back home or planning to buy a property or invest in any venture, the time is now.
Going by views of analysts and industry executives, the Indian currency is likely to strengthen further against the US dollar -- thereby against the UAE dirham, because the Emirati currency is pegged to the greenback -- in the wake of Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) decision to cut interest rates last week, and may strengthen as much as 1.1 per cent.
"Rupee has firmed up a bit more than we had expected it to. There hasn't been radical movement, and we feel that it might not breach 63.30 against the dollar for the time being. However, we can expect the Indian currency to hit 64.30 against the dollar in the month of August, as stocks across the globe are getting set to adjust with the third quarter earnings. In Indian markets, too, half yearly results are key to determine the trend of large cap and mid cap giants," commented Adeeb Ahamed, CEO of LuLu Exchange.
The rupee has already been one of best performing emerging market currencies this year as it has hitherto increased by nearly 7 per cent, thanks to inflows for foreign funds into the Indian equities.
The rupee was trading at 63.609 against the dollar and 17.311 against the dirham on Sunday afternoon. It hit a high of 63.58 last week against the US dollar, its highest level since July 2015.
The Indian central bank last week reduced the repo rate after a gap of almost 10 months by 0.25 percentage points to six per cent.
Aditya Pugalia, an analyst with Emirates NBD Research, agrees with Ahamed. "With the economy continuing to make progress and the RBI shifting gears to boost economic growth, we expect the Indian rupee to continue to strengthen, albeit at a slower pace," he noted.
The rupee, according to Pugalia, is among the best performing emerging market currencies in 2017 having rallied 6.8 per cent year-to-date. While the broad US dollar weakness has helped, the primary driver has been inflows from foreign institutional investors into Indian equities. In the first seven months of 2017, foreign institutional investors have bought stocks worth $8.9 billion.
Promoth Manghat, CEO, UAE Exchange, echoes Manghat and Ahamed, saying rupee could climb further in the near-term as the RBI's interest rate cut lures more inflows into local market.
"The break in USD/INR below 64 means the RBI will not hinder the inflows, leading to further near-term rupee appreciation. Asia's third-largest economy has borrowing costs placed at the lowest since 2010, spurring growth and earnings along with encouraging foreign investments of about $8.8 billion in local stock this year. Economic and political stability along with reform momentum attract inflows, which will further appreciate the rupee. The rupee reached a two-year high after the RBI's decision on Wednesday. Meanwhile analysts are predicting INR to be range bound at 61-65 range per dollar by March next year."
Don't hold back
Since rupee is expected to strengthen further, NRIs have been advised not to hold back their liquid assets and instead go ahead and invest in India.
"The interest rates for deposits will not be tampered with in the near future as the banks have already figured out the NPA (non-performing assets). Adding to it, consolidation of banks are on the cards in India. Therefore, there is no point in holding back liquid assets. In fact, it is the right time to invest in India as the entire world acknowledges it to be one of the fastest growing economies," Ahamed advised.
On a more pragmatic level, Ahamed believes Indian expatriates need to be educated on investing in their home country. "I believe there is ample opportunity for expats to invest in a number of developmental and infrastructure projects that will be in good stead for the country as well as create a fallback for them when they return home."
Manghat said it's still a good time for NRIs to remit funds to NRE accounts as rupee is expected to range between 61 and 65 per dollar.
"Since the GCC is mostly US dollar denominated, the interest rate reduction in India or minor appreciation in rupee value isn't going to impact much to the fund transfers of a non-resident Indian, who will anyway enjoy an overall benefit. Also capital markets are doing well in India. NRIs should take advantage of the same and look beyond NRE deposits to invest in the capital market," Manghat advised Indian expatriates.
He predicts rupee's appreciation should comparatively reduce the remittance volume. But the regular remitters will send money for family maintenance irrespective of currency fluctuations. It is the opportunist remitters, who wait for currency depreciation to take advantage of getting more money in conversion while sending money to India.
https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/economy/indian-rupee-to-get-stronger-nris-should-remit-now
How strong macro economic fundamentals and stable rupee are helping Indian firms and banks
Indian companies and banks are able to mop up money from overseas markets at lower interest rates these days, thanks to the country’s strong macro-economic fundamentals and a stable currency. The total amount raised by companies and bonds in dollar markets so far in 2017 has hit $11 billion, which is way above the $8.3 billion picked up in 2016. In the last seven days alone, close to $2 billion has been picked up by banks and firms. Arun Saigal, MD (global finance), Barclays India, said there is strong appetite among global investors for Indian paper, a reflection of the strong macro-economic environment. “We could see spreads on Indian paper decline as a result,” Saigal said. Last week, Vedanta Resources priced its $1 billion dollar bond issue, with a tenure of seven years at a coupon rate of 6.125%. This is far finer than the 6.375% that it paid for money that it raised in January, for a shorter tenure of five and a half years, Bloomberg data shows. Moody’s had given Vedanta’s issuance a B3 rating.
In June, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone priced its 10-year dollar bonds at just 195 basis points over the benchmark treasury yield with a coupon rate of 4%. That was better than the rate of 215 basis points over the 5-year treasury which the company paid to raise five-year money or a coupon rate of 3.95%. APSEZ to be sure, commands a good rating; it was rated Baa3 by Moody’s. Ananth Narayan,Head(financial markets), Standard Chartered Bank, points out the India story is a strong one with respectable growth, low inflation and a strong rupee. “Given the political stability and progress on reforms such as GST, bankruptcy code, the outlook is also perceived to be bright,” Narayan says.
The scarcity value attached to Indian paper is high. Although $11 billion may seem a big amount from an Indian perspective, it is small compared with issuances from other countries, especially China. Last week, private sector lender Axis Bank priced its five-year dollar bonds at 130 basis points over the 5-year US Treasury yield. This is 30 basis points lower than the spread —over the US treasury — of 160 basis points that it forked out for a 5-year dollar bond in June 2016.
Canara Bank recently picked up $ 400 million of 5-year money at a coupon rate of 3.25% ; in 2013, the state-owned bank paid as much as 5.25% for bonds of a similar tenure. Both lenders were rated Baa3 by Moody’s. Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) have so far bought close to $17.7 billion of rupee debt in the local market. The investment limits in corporate bonds have already been fully utilised. The currency has also been on a surge this year with the rupee strengthening close to 6.65% against the dollar in 2017.
http://www.financialexpress.com/eco...-rupee-helping-indian-firms-and-banks/797135/
Rupee may hit 60 against the dollar by 2017-end: Mark Mobius
Mumbai: Mark Mobius, executive chairman of Templeton Emerging Markets Group at Franklin Templeton Investments, expects the National Stock Exchange’s Nifty index to double from its current levels of around 10,000 points within the next three or four years, on the back of better economic growth, rational interest rates and more inflows from foreign and domestic investors.
In a phone interview from Singapore on Thursday, Mobius said he expects the rupee to appreciate further to around Rs60 per dollar by the end of the year. Even as the Indian market raced to record highs, he said Franklin Templeton did not cut its India holdings, and is particularly interested in the small and mid-cap Indian stocks. Edited excerpts:
It took the Nifty nearly 10 years to reach 10,000 level from 5,000 level. How long until we reach the next milestone of 15,000?
In the case of the Nifty-50, I would say you could probably double from where you are now within the next three or four years. This would be due to a combination of things. One would be the high growth rate of the country, a more rational interest environment, where interest rates are more in line with what the market is able to pay. Also, you will see the foreign reserves of the country will continue to grow. In addition, if liberalization continues, you will see much more foreign investment coming in, in addition to the domestic investment,
Indian markets are trading at record high levels. We saw FIIs going easy on Indian equities in July. What has been your strategy of late with Indian shares? Are you adding more or are you cutting your holdings?
We certainly have not cut down on India because India is a very, very important part of our portfolio. If you look at the Asian small cap funds that we have, in particular, India is the largest weighting that we have. We continue to hold Indian stocks and buy when it is appropriate. When money comes in, we add to those position, but we are certainly not willing to sell at these levels.
Earnings growth is still elusive. When do you think earnings growth will return for Indian companies?
It is a matter of what category are you looking at. In the case of small and medium cap stocks, earnings growth has been pretty good. You must remember all these stocks will be graduating up into the large cap arena. I would not worry too much about that.
Do you think we could see a correction in the near to medium term in the Indian market, or do you think the rally will continue to hold good for a while?
There will be a correction on the way, because you’ve seen almost a continuous rise from early this year. Markets just shot up continuously. Whenever you have that kind of a situation, you can expect a fall back. It can happen any time, it just depends on what the trigger is.
Where do Indian markets stand in your preference order among EMs and why?
India is among the top three. China, India and Thailand are the top countries that we have right now.
Do you think US markets are overvalued—and to that extent money could flow to EMs?
The US markets continues to rise. I am surprised that people talk about a downturn in the US market, but S&P has not come down at all. That does not mean that money is not going to go to the other markets, because just remember that when people make profits in the US, they want to diversify. Many of them are underweight emerging markets generally.
The rupee is at a two-year high. Did you see this coming? Where do you see the rupee heading from here?
I see the Indian rupee continuing to get stronger and probably hit Rs60 against the US dollar by the end of the year on the back of growth in India, strong and rising reserves. If you look at the price parity in India, it is not overvalued.
The market is largely supported by domestic money? Do you think this is set to grow?
As interest rates come down, as deposit rates come down, people will begin to look at other alternatives, other ways to make money. That will also drive people to equity markets.
Cyclical, consumption, defensives—what is going to be the theme for Indian markets for the next year?
Right now, it is very much the consumption story. But I think going forward it is going to be an infrastructure story, because I think the Indian government realizes that they are far behind China in infrastructure, and something has to be done about that. The part of it comes from privatization of the state-owned enterprises, part of it will come from raising money for infrastructure projects, and of course, the way you do that is by making it safer for infrastructure investors to go into the market.
What are your thoughts on reforms such as demonetisation and GST (goods and services tax Act)? What is on your wish list on more reforms?
The demonetisation did not turn out to be as bad as I expected. When it first came in, I thought this is clearly going to have a bad effect on the economy. I think it is not as bad as expected. The good news is that it has tuned in people more into electronic payments, which is good for the economy to speed things up. I think the challenge going forward for (prime minister Narendra) Modi is going to be that the GST implementation goes through without state governments introducing new taxes and new levies, which could be very detrimental to the whole system.
The next wish list is general relaxing of foreign investment restrictions. That will free up a lot of capital to come in.
Which are your favourite sectoral bets in India at this point?
Currently, the small and mid cap stocks are of interest to us. Among individual sectors, I would say diversified companies, private small banks, materials, and chemical companies. We also like automobile tyres.
What are your thoughts on state-run banks after the recent crackdown by RBI on bad loans?
They look good now. We are not too worried about the bad loans for the state-owned banks.
What is the biggest risk to Indian markets right now?
I think the geopolitical risks. There is stress with China, there is some stress with Pakistan that still continues. If you have an outbreak, it will not be good for the markets.
http://www.livemint.com/Money/QvqOR...gainst-the-dollar-by-2017end-Mark-Mobius.html
NTPC seeks licence to set up charging stations for electric vehicles
State-controlled NTPC Ltd is exploring the possibility of securing a national licence for setting up charging stations for electric vehicles across states.
Currently under The Electricity Act, 2003, a distribution licence is required to distribute power from the respective state electricity regulatory commissions (SERCs).
India’s largest power generation utility is seeking a pan-India licence as it will help scale up its EV charging business rapidly in the face of emerging competition.
The EV business assumes importance for NTPC due to its lucrative market potential of around 90 billion units of power. With the current installed power generation capacity and projects under construction expected to meet India’s electricity demand till 2026, NTPC is scouting for new growth areas.
“We are trying to get a common licence. Electricity can be sold by a discom, a licencee or a franchisee. All three models are there. It is a licenced activity. We will try to work it out if it is possible to have one licence for the whole country. We are looking for a country-wide licensing. If that happens we will be able to set up the charging stations very quickly,” said a senior NTPC executive, requesting anonymity.
Mint reported on 10 March about how NTPC was exploring an EV business to help create the demand for electricity generated by its plants and keep pace with the fast-changing power sector.
“This is a very good, growing business as the demand for electricity will be created. It has a very good synergy with us because we can start with the charging part of the business quickly. Later on we can get into battery and other associated businesses,” added the NTPC executive cited above.
This comes in the backdrop of ambitious government plans for a mass- scale shift to electric vehicles by 2030 so that every vehicle on Indian roads by then—both personal and commercial—is powered by electricity.
Any shift to electric vehicles will also help cut both air pollution and fuel imports.
“What we have planned is to have battery banks wherein we will be swapping batteries. Basically it will be an energy business for us with charging from the renewable energy sources,” said another NTPC executive who also did not wish to be identified.
NTPC plans to set up battery swapping stations wherein recharged batteries will be swapped with the batteries drained of charge.
The state-owned utility is working on a plan to bring down the cost of setting up these charging stations by half to around Rs1 lakh each.
In addition, NTPC wants to contribute significantly to India’s plans to set up 100GW of solar power capacity by 2022.
The utility wants to supply electricity from 10,000 MW of solar power capacity that it is setting up on its own and buy 15,000 MW on behalf of the ministry of new and renewable energy.
An NTPC spokesperson in an emailed response confirmed the development, saying, “Yes, NTPC is exploring various options in the area of EV charging station business.”
Experts believe that such a national licence for EV charging stations will be a shot in the arm for NTPC.
“The idea of a comprehensive national retail supply licence is going to be big a booster for NTPC’s business plans. It requires comprehensive review of existing laws and regulations given the concurrent nature, content and carriage segregation issues and developing licence provisions for a specific activity such as charging EVs,” said Sambitosh Mohapatra, partner, energy and utilities at PwC India.
http://www.livemint.com/Industry/Cm...to-set-up-charging-stations-for-electric.html
Hindustani78
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Ministry of Railways
02-August, 2017 16:39 IST
Water Recycle Plants in Railways
On various zones and production units of Indian Railways, 49 numbers of Water Recycling Plants (WRPs) have already been commissioned and to establish more WRPs, 36 numbers of WRPs have already been sanctioned. The position of WRPs are maintained zone /production unit wise. The details of WRPs, commissioned as well as sanctioned are as given below.
S.No.
Railway Zone
No. of WRPs commissioned
No. of WRPs sanctioned
1
Central
8
5
2
Eastern
1
2
3
East Central
0
1
4
East Coast
3
1
5
Northern
0
1
6
North Central
2
3
7
North Eastern
0
6
8
Northeast Frontier
0
1
9
North Western
4
1
10
Southern
6
7
11
South Central
4
1
12
South Eastern
1
2
13
South East Central
4
1
14
South Western
2
2
15
Western
0
1
16
West Central
6
1
17
Diesel Locomotive Works
1
0
18
Integrated Coach Factory
3
0
19
Rail Coach Factory
3
0
20
Rail Wheel Factory
1
0
Total
49
36
The capacity of WRPs already commissioned on Indian Railways varies from 10,000 liter/day to 20,00,000 liter/day depending upon the requirement. The capacity of Water Recycling Plants is upgraded/additional plant installed whenever requirement of recycled water increases.
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 02.08.2017 (Wednesday).
****
Ministry of Railways
02-August, 2017 16:39 IST
Facilities to Railway Passengers
Provision of enhanced passenger amenities in train coaches is a continual endeavor of the Indian Railways.
Some of the policy decisions taken in this regard are:
1. Provision of cushioned seats in General Second class coaches.
2. Provision of bottle holder and snack table in Non-AC Sleeper Class coaches.
3. Provision of dust bins in Non-AC coaches.
4. Provision of mugs with chain in Non-AC coaches.
5. Provision of Health Faucets in AC as well as Non-AC Sleeper class coaches, etc.
Besides, new trains having better passenger amenities, such as Tejas, Humsafar and Antyodaya have already been introduced. It has also been decided to carry out the work of upgradation of the coach interiors and exteriors and to provide additional amenities in the identified coaches, that have a certain balance residual life. The upgradation of coaches would result in an improvement in the overall ambience and furnishing and enhanced passenger comfort. It has been decided to carry out the work in a phased manner depending upon the availability of capacities and funds.
Cleaning of coaches including toilets is done at both ends in all trains. Some of the major initiatives taken by Indian Railways towards improvement of cleanliness in trains are as follows:-
(i) Cleaning of coaches of trains at both ends including mechanized cleaning.
(ii) On Board House Keeping Service (OBHS) has been provided in nearly 900 trains including Rajdhani, Shatabdi, and other important long distance Mail/Express trains for cleaning of coach toilets, doorways, aisles and passenger compartments during the run of the trains.
(iii) ‘Clean My Coach’ service is provided on demand in nearly 880 important Superfast/ Mail/Express long distance trains having “On Board Housekeeping Service”.
(iv) Clean Train Station (CTS) scheme has also been prescribed for limited mechanized cleaning attention to identified trains including cleaning of toilets during their scheduled stoppages enroute at nominated stations. 40 Clean Train Stations are presently working.
In its endeavour to provide quality and hygienic food to the passengers, Indian Railways have developed and operationalized an institutionalized mechanism for monitoring of quality and hygiene of catering services through regular inspections at various levels to address catering complaints. Further, to improve the standard of food being provided to passengers in trains, new Catering Policy has been issued on 27th February, 2017 wherein inter-alia Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) has been mandated to carry out the unbundling by creating a distinction primarily between food preparation and food distribution. In order to upgrade quality of food preparation, IRCTC is to set up new kitchens and upgrade existing ones. Further, a pilot project on optional catering service will be provided to passengers booking tickets from 01.08.2017 onwards for the journeys to commence on 01.08.2017 and onwards shall be introduced on 31 Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Duronto under the management of IRCTC w.e.f. 01.08.2017. This scheme shall be implemented for an initial period of 6 months subject to mid-term review of the scheme after 3 months.
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 02.08.2017 (Wednesday).
****
Ministry of Railways
02-August, 2017 16:36 IST
Coach Manufacturing Units in Railways
The details of the installed capacities of the coach manufacturing units under the Ministry of Railways, and their production in the last three years and the current year are given below.
S.No.
Name of Production Unit.
Installed Capacity (Nos.In coaches)
2014-15
2015-16
2016-17
2017-18(till June 2017)
1.
Integral Coach Factory(ICF), Perambur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
1700
1678
1997
2215
380
2.
Rail Coach Factory(RCF), Kapurthala, Punjab.
1500
1480
1603
1489
316
3.
Modern Coach Factory(MCF), Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh.
*
140
330
576
112
Modern Coach Factory (MCF), Raebareli has been planned to have an installed capacity of 1000 coaches per year. In addition, a factory has been set up at Haldia, West Bengal, for furnishing of 100 Diesel Electrical Multiple Unit (DEMU) coaches every year. However both, Modern Coach Factory (MCF), Raebareli, and DEMU Coach Factory, Haldia, are still in the stabilization phase and their outturn is planned to increase gradually.
The demand for rail service is dynamic and decreases/increases depending upon seasonal variations, growth of passenger traffic, etc. The requirement of the coaches is based on these factors and gets included in the annual Coach Production Programme. The production of coaches is normally commensurate with the requirement.
The Indian Railways have procured Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU)/ Alternating Current Electrical Multiple Unit (ACEMU) coaches from private manufacturers in the past, but no such order has been placed on private manufacturers during the last three years.
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 02.08.2017 (Wednesday).
****
Ministry of Railways
02-August, 2017 16:35 IST
Improvement in Passenger Facilities in different areas on Railways
Policing on Railways being a State subject, prevention of crime, registration of cases, their investigation and maintenance of law and order in Railway premises as well as on running trains are the statutory responsibility of the State Governments, which they discharge through Government Railway Police (GRP)/District Police. However, Railway Protection Force (RPF) supplements the efforts of GRP in providing better protection and security of passenger area and passengers and for matters connected therewith.
Besides, the following steps are also being taken by the Railways to improve security in trains:
1. On vulnerable and identified routes/sections, 2500 trains (on an average) are escorted by Railway Protection Force daily, in addition to 2200 trains escorted by Government Railway Police of different States daily.
2. Security Help Line number 182 is made operational over Indian Railways for security related assistance to passengers in distress.
3. Indian Railways have installed CCTV cameras on a limited number of coaches of passenger and suburban trains on a pilot basis.
4. Surprise checks are conducted in trains to ensure security of passengers and alertness of trains escorting staff.
5. Sniffers dog squads are being utilized for anti-sabotage checks in trains.
6. The ladies special trains running in metropolitan cities are being escorted by lady RPF personnel. Staff deployment is made in ladies compartments of sub-urban trains during late night and early morning to ensure proper security to lady passengers.
7. Drives by Commercial Department and RPF are conducted from time to time against the entry of unauthorised persons in trains.
8. Close liaison is made by RPF with the State Police/GRP authorities at all levels for prevention of crime, registration of cases, their investigation and maintenance of law and order in Railway premises as well as on running trains.
With the objective to provide quality food to rail passengers, new Catering Policy 2017 has been issued on 27.02.2017 wherein Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) has been mandated to carry out the unbundling by creating a distinction primarily between food preparation and food distribution. The new catering policy, inter-alia, includes the following features for unbundling of catering services (i) IRCTC shall manage catering services on all mobile units. (ii) Meals for all mobile units will be picked up from the nominated kitchens owned, operated and managed by IRCTC. (iii) IRCTC will engage service providers for hospitality industry for service of food in trains. (iv) IRCTC shall not outrightly outsource or issue licenses for provision of catering services to private licensees. (v) IRCTC shall retain the ownership and shall be fully accountable for all the issues pertaining to setting up and operation of the Base Kitchens and quality of food. (vi) IRCTC shall ensure compliance of all statutory guidelines viz. FSSAI norms of food safety in Base Kitchens/ kitchen units and mobile catering units, pollution control, Green Tribunal etc (the statutory bodies mentioned are indicative in nature, not exhaustive). (vii) Third Party Audit of mobile units and base kitchens shall be done by Zonal Railways periodically by an independent agency.
Other steps taken to ensure good quality and hygienic food served to the passengers inter-alia include:- (i) Phased introduction of station based e-catering at all A1 and A category stations for widening the range of options available to passengers for ordering food of their choice. (ii) Introduction of precooked food (‘ready to eat’ meals). (iii) Operation of Centralized Catering Service Monitoring Cell (CSMC) (toll free number 1800-111-321) for prompt redressal of passenger grievances relating to the catering activities and real time assistance to travelling public. (iv) Imposition of penalties in case of deficiencies detected in services. (v) Operation of All India Helpline (No. 138) for rail-users to lodge complaints/suggestions regarding food and catering services (vi) A Twitter handle with the address @IRCATERING has also been made operational to cater to the complaints/suggestions with regard to catering services.
On Board House Keeping Service (OBHS) is being provided in all Rajdhani, Shatabdi and other important long distance Mail/Express trains for cleaning of coach toilets, doorways, aisles and passenger compartments during the run of the trains. This scheme was implemented in 670 trains up to March’2016.Now the OBHS scheme has been extended to cover nearly 900 trains.
Provision of enhanced passenger amenities in train coaches is a continual endeavor of the Indian Railways. New trains having better passenger amenities, such as Tejas, Humsafar and Antodaya have been introduced during the last one year.
Indian Railways has more than 8000 Stations. It has always been the endeavour of the Railways to provide adequate amenities to the passengers at the stations. Certain amenities are provided at the time of construction of new stations based on anticipated volume of traffic. Amenities are further augmented from time to time with growth in passenger traffic handled at stations, based on the felt need, expectations of the travelling public and availability of funds.
In the recent past Indian Railways have taken various steps to improve the services and facilitate the passengers, some of which are given below.
At stations:
i. Lifts and Escalators at the stations for facilitating movement across platforms.
ii. Battery Operated Vehicles for carrying passengers before/after the train journey, especially senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
iii. Yatri Mitra Sewa for passengers requiring wheel-chair assistance.
iv. Well appointed Retiring Rooms, Waiting Halls and Executive Lounges to relax for passengers during transit.
v. Wi-Fi facility at 127 important stations on Indian Railway.
In Reservations and travel:
i. Introduction of the Alternate Train Accommodation Scheme known as ‘VIKALP’ to give option to waitlisted passengers to shift to alternate train having vacant accommodation.
ii. Provision of facility to physically handicapped persons to book reserved tickets online.
iii. Introduction of paperless unreserved ticket booking through mobile phone.
iv. Automatic refund of confirmed/ Reservation Against Cancellation(RAC)/e-tickets on cancellation of trains.
v. Enhancement of Senior Citizen Quota as well as quota earmarked for persons with disability.
vi. Making provision in the system for automatic preparation of reservation charts at least four hours before the scheduled departure of train.
vii. Provision of facility to book available accommodation after preparation of first reservation chart through internet as well as across any computerized Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counter upto preparation of second reservation chart.
viii. Acceptance of all International Credit/Debit cards for booking of e-tickets through Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation ( IRCTC ) website.
ix. The passengers having confirmed/RAC/Waitlisted PRS counter tickets may cancel the same through IRCTC website (www.irctc.co.in) or through 139 within the prescribed time limit and the refund amount maybe collected across PRS counter on surrendering the original ticket.
x. In order to facilitate cancellation of PRS counter tickets at relatively smaller stations, one of the Unreserved Ticketing System( UTS) cum PRS counters (wherever PRS booking facility is available) has been earmarked for granting refund beyond the working hours of PRS counters/Current counters. This facility is available in respect of PRS counter tickets for those trains whose scheduled departure time is within the next 24 hours.
xi. Establishment of Yatri Ticket Suvidha Kendras for issuing of tickets through public private partnership for establishment and operation of computerised Passenger Reservation System (PRS)-cum Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS) terminals.
xii. Facility for booking unreserved ticket including platforms tickets and Season Tickets through mobile phone in the 6 suburban sections of Indian Railway in Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Secunderabad and in Delhi – Palwal and Delhi-Ghaziabad sections of Northern Railway.
xiii. Commencement of concierge services with facility for online booking of wheelchairs through IRCTC website at New Delhi and 23 other stations.
xiv. Provision of Automatic Ticket Vending Machines to facilitate purchase of unreserved journey tickets.
xv. Extension of e-ticketing facility to foreign debit/credit cards for foreign tourists and NRIs.
xvi. Commissioning of online booking of retiring room at over 488 Railway stations.
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 02.08.2017 (Wednesday).
*****
Ministry of Railways
02-August, 2017 16:32 IST
Solar Powered Diesel Multiple Unit in Railways
The Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) Broad Gauge Train with Solar Power generation on roof top of its coaches has been dedicated to the nation by the Hon’ble Minister of Railways on 14.07.2017. This train has been inducted in the link of Train Number 740033 between Delhi Sarai Rohilla - Garhi Harsaru - Farukhnagar in Northern Railway.
The details of reduction in Carbon Emission and fuel saving shall be known after running this train for a period of one year.
Ministry of Railways has sanctioned work for providing similar Solar Power System on 24 more Coaches of DEMU trains. Another work has been sanctioned by Ministry of Railways for provision of Solar power System with flexible solar panels on 250 coaches of DEMUs.
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 02.08.2017 (Wednesday).
******
02-August, 2017 16:39 IST
Water Recycle Plants in Railways
On various zones and production units of Indian Railways, 49 numbers of Water Recycling Plants (WRPs) have already been commissioned and to establish more WRPs, 36 numbers of WRPs have already been sanctioned. The position of WRPs are maintained zone /production unit wise. The details of WRPs, commissioned as well as sanctioned are as given below.
S.No.
Railway Zone
No. of WRPs commissioned
No. of WRPs sanctioned
1
Central
8
5
2
Eastern
1
2
3
East Central
0
1
4
East Coast
3
1
5
Northern
0
1
6
North Central
2
3
7
North Eastern
0
6
8
Northeast Frontier
0
1
9
North Western
4
1
10
Southern
6
7
11
South Central
4
1
12
South Eastern
1
2
13
South East Central
4
1
14
South Western
2
2
15
Western
0
1
16
West Central
6
1
17
Diesel Locomotive Works
1
0
18
Integrated Coach Factory
3
0
19
Rail Coach Factory
3
0
20
Rail Wheel Factory
1
0
Total
49
36
The capacity of WRPs already commissioned on Indian Railways varies from 10,000 liter/day to 20,00,000 liter/day depending upon the requirement. The capacity of Water Recycling Plants is upgraded/additional plant installed whenever requirement of recycled water increases.
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 02.08.2017 (Wednesday).
****
Ministry of Railways
02-August, 2017 16:39 IST
Facilities to Railway Passengers
Provision of enhanced passenger amenities in train coaches is a continual endeavor of the Indian Railways.
Some of the policy decisions taken in this regard are:
1. Provision of cushioned seats in General Second class coaches.
2. Provision of bottle holder and snack table in Non-AC Sleeper Class coaches.
3. Provision of dust bins in Non-AC coaches.
4. Provision of mugs with chain in Non-AC coaches.
5. Provision of Health Faucets in AC as well as Non-AC Sleeper class coaches, etc.
Besides, new trains having better passenger amenities, such as Tejas, Humsafar and Antyodaya have already been introduced. It has also been decided to carry out the work of upgradation of the coach interiors and exteriors and to provide additional amenities in the identified coaches, that have a certain balance residual life. The upgradation of coaches would result in an improvement in the overall ambience and furnishing and enhanced passenger comfort. It has been decided to carry out the work in a phased manner depending upon the availability of capacities and funds.
Cleaning of coaches including toilets is done at both ends in all trains. Some of the major initiatives taken by Indian Railways towards improvement of cleanliness in trains are as follows:-
(i) Cleaning of coaches of trains at both ends including mechanized cleaning.
(ii) On Board House Keeping Service (OBHS) has been provided in nearly 900 trains including Rajdhani, Shatabdi, and other important long distance Mail/Express trains for cleaning of coach toilets, doorways, aisles and passenger compartments during the run of the trains.
(iii) ‘Clean My Coach’ service is provided on demand in nearly 880 important Superfast/ Mail/Express long distance trains having “On Board Housekeeping Service”.
(iv) Clean Train Station (CTS) scheme has also been prescribed for limited mechanized cleaning attention to identified trains including cleaning of toilets during their scheduled stoppages enroute at nominated stations. 40 Clean Train Stations are presently working.
In its endeavour to provide quality and hygienic food to the passengers, Indian Railways have developed and operationalized an institutionalized mechanism for monitoring of quality and hygiene of catering services through regular inspections at various levels to address catering complaints. Further, to improve the standard of food being provided to passengers in trains, new Catering Policy has been issued on 27th February, 2017 wherein inter-alia Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) has been mandated to carry out the unbundling by creating a distinction primarily between food preparation and food distribution. In order to upgrade quality of food preparation, IRCTC is to set up new kitchens and upgrade existing ones. Further, a pilot project on optional catering service will be provided to passengers booking tickets from 01.08.2017 onwards for the journeys to commence on 01.08.2017 and onwards shall be introduced on 31 Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Duronto under the management of IRCTC w.e.f. 01.08.2017. This scheme shall be implemented for an initial period of 6 months subject to mid-term review of the scheme after 3 months.
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 02.08.2017 (Wednesday).
****
Ministry of Railways
02-August, 2017 16:36 IST
Coach Manufacturing Units in Railways
The details of the installed capacities of the coach manufacturing units under the Ministry of Railways, and their production in the last three years and the current year are given below.
S.No.
Name of Production Unit.
Installed Capacity (Nos.In coaches)
2014-15
2015-16
2016-17
2017-18(till June 2017)
1.
Integral Coach Factory(ICF), Perambur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
1700
1678
1997
2215
380
2.
Rail Coach Factory(RCF), Kapurthala, Punjab.
1500
1480
1603
1489
316
3.
Modern Coach Factory(MCF), Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh.
*
140
330
576
112
Modern Coach Factory (MCF), Raebareli has been planned to have an installed capacity of 1000 coaches per year. In addition, a factory has been set up at Haldia, West Bengal, for furnishing of 100 Diesel Electrical Multiple Unit (DEMU) coaches every year. However both, Modern Coach Factory (MCF), Raebareli, and DEMU Coach Factory, Haldia, are still in the stabilization phase and their outturn is planned to increase gradually.
The demand for rail service is dynamic and decreases/increases depending upon seasonal variations, growth of passenger traffic, etc. The requirement of the coaches is based on these factors and gets included in the annual Coach Production Programme. The production of coaches is normally commensurate with the requirement.
The Indian Railways have procured Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU)/ Alternating Current Electrical Multiple Unit (ACEMU) coaches from private manufacturers in the past, but no such order has been placed on private manufacturers during the last three years.
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 02.08.2017 (Wednesday).
****
Ministry of Railways
02-August, 2017 16:35 IST
Improvement in Passenger Facilities in different areas on Railways
Policing on Railways being a State subject, prevention of crime, registration of cases, their investigation and maintenance of law and order in Railway premises as well as on running trains are the statutory responsibility of the State Governments, which they discharge through Government Railway Police (GRP)/District Police. However, Railway Protection Force (RPF) supplements the efforts of GRP in providing better protection and security of passenger area and passengers and for matters connected therewith.
Besides, the following steps are also being taken by the Railways to improve security in trains:
1. On vulnerable and identified routes/sections, 2500 trains (on an average) are escorted by Railway Protection Force daily, in addition to 2200 trains escorted by Government Railway Police of different States daily.
2. Security Help Line number 182 is made operational over Indian Railways for security related assistance to passengers in distress.
3. Indian Railways have installed CCTV cameras on a limited number of coaches of passenger and suburban trains on a pilot basis.
4. Surprise checks are conducted in trains to ensure security of passengers and alertness of trains escorting staff.
5. Sniffers dog squads are being utilized for anti-sabotage checks in trains.
6. The ladies special trains running in metropolitan cities are being escorted by lady RPF personnel. Staff deployment is made in ladies compartments of sub-urban trains during late night and early morning to ensure proper security to lady passengers.
7. Drives by Commercial Department and RPF are conducted from time to time against the entry of unauthorised persons in trains.
8. Close liaison is made by RPF with the State Police/GRP authorities at all levels for prevention of crime, registration of cases, their investigation and maintenance of law and order in Railway premises as well as on running trains.
With the objective to provide quality food to rail passengers, new Catering Policy 2017 has been issued on 27.02.2017 wherein Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) has been mandated to carry out the unbundling by creating a distinction primarily between food preparation and food distribution. The new catering policy, inter-alia, includes the following features for unbundling of catering services (i) IRCTC shall manage catering services on all mobile units. (ii) Meals for all mobile units will be picked up from the nominated kitchens owned, operated and managed by IRCTC. (iii) IRCTC will engage service providers for hospitality industry for service of food in trains. (iv) IRCTC shall not outrightly outsource or issue licenses for provision of catering services to private licensees. (v) IRCTC shall retain the ownership and shall be fully accountable for all the issues pertaining to setting up and operation of the Base Kitchens and quality of food. (vi) IRCTC shall ensure compliance of all statutory guidelines viz. FSSAI norms of food safety in Base Kitchens/ kitchen units and mobile catering units, pollution control, Green Tribunal etc (the statutory bodies mentioned are indicative in nature, not exhaustive). (vii) Third Party Audit of mobile units and base kitchens shall be done by Zonal Railways periodically by an independent agency.
Other steps taken to ensure good quality and hygienic food served to the passengers inter-alia include:- (i) Phased introduction of station based e-catering at all A1 and A category stations for widening the range of options available to passengers for ordering food of their choice. (ii) Introduction of precooked food (‘ready to eat’ meals). (iii) Operation of Centralized Catering Service Monitoring Cell (CSMC) (toll free number 1800-111-321) for prompt redressal of passenger grievances relating to the catering activities and real time assistance to travelling public. (iv) Imposition of penalties in case of deficiencies detected in services. (v) Operation of All India Helpline (No. 138) for rail-users to lodge complaints/suggestions regarding food and catering services (vi) A Twitter handle with the address @IRCATERING has also been made operational to cater to the complaints/suggestions with regard to catering services.
On Board House Keeping Service (OBHS) is being provided in all Rajdhani, Shatabdi and other important long distance Mail/Express trains for cleaning of coach toilets, doorways, aisles and passenger compartments during the run of the trains. This scheme was implemented in 670 trains up to March’2016.Now the OBHS scheme has been extended to cover nearly 900 trains.
Provision of enhanced passenger amenities in train coaches is a continual endeavor of the Indian Railways. New trains having better passenger amenities, such as Tejas, Humsafar and Antodaya have been introduced during the last one year.
Indian Railways has more than 8000 Stations. It has always been the endeavour of the Railways to provide adequate amenities to the passengers at the stations. Certain amenities are provided at the time of construction of new stations based on anticipated volume of traffic. Amenities are further augmented from time to time with growth in passenger traffic handled at stations, based on the felt need, expectations of the travelling public and availability of funds.
In the recent past Indian Railways have taken various steps to improve the services and facilitate the passengers, some of which are given below.
At stations:
i. Lifts and Escalators at the stations for facilitating movement across platforms.
ii. Battery Operated Vehicles for carrying passengers before/after the train journey, especially senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
iii. Yatri Mitra Sewa for passengers requiring wheel-chair assistance.
iv. Well appointed Retiring Rooms, Waiting Halls and Executive Lounges to relax for passengers during transit.
v. Wi-Fi facility at 127 important stations on Indian Railway.
In Reservations and travel:
i. Introduction of the Alternate Train Accommodation Scheme known as ‘VIKALP’ to give option to waitlisted passengers to shift to alternate train having vacant accommodation.
ii. Provision of facility to physically handicapped persons to book reserved tickets online.
iii. Introduction of paperless unreserved ticket booking through mobile phone.
iv. Automatic refund of confirmed/ Reservation Against Cancellation(RAC)/e-tickets on cancellation of trains.
v. Enhancement of Senior Citizen Quota as well as quota earmarked for persons with disability.
vi. Making provision in the system for automatic preparation of reservation charts at least four hours before the scheduled departure of train.
vii. Provision of facility to book available accommodation after preparation of first reservation chart through internet as well as across any computerized Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counter upto preparation of second reservation chart.
viii. Acceptance of all International Credit/Debit cards for booking of e-tickets through Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation ( IRCTC ) website.
ix. The passengers having confirmed/RAC/Waitlisted PRS counter tickets may cancel the same through IRCTC website (www.irctc.co.in) or through 139 within the prescribed time limit and the refund amount maybe collected across PRS counter on surrendering the original ticket.
x. In order to facilitate cancellation of PRS counter tickets at relatively smaller stations, one of the Unreserved Ticketing System( UTS) cum PRS counters (wherever PRS booking facility is available) has been earmarked for granting refund beyond the working hours of PRS counters/Current counters. This facility is available in respect of PRS counter tickets for those trains whose scheduled departure time is within the next 24 hours.
xi. Establishment of Yatri Ticket Suvidha Kendras for issuing of tickets through public private partnership for establishment and operation of computerised Passenger Reservation System (PRS)-cum Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS) terminals.
xii. Facility for booking unreserved ticket including platforms tickets and Season Tickets through mobile phone in the 6 suburban sections of Indian Railway in Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Secunderabad and in Delhi – Palwal and Delhi-Ghaziabad sections of Northern Railway.
xiii. Commencement of concierge services with facility for online booking of wheelchairs through IRCTC website at New Delhi and 23 other stations.
xiv. Provision of Automatic Ticket Vending Machines to facilitate purchase of unreserved journey tickets.
xv. Extension of e-ticketing facility to foreign debit/credit cards for foreign tourists and NRIs.
xvi. Commissioning of online booking of retiring room at over 488 Railway stations.
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 02.08.2017 (Wednesday).
*****
Ministry of Railways
02-August, 2017 16:32 IST
Solar Powered Diesel Multiple Unit in Railways
The Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) Broad Gauge Train with Solar Power generation on roof top of its coaches has been dedicated to the nation by the Hon’ble Minister of Railways on 14.07.2017. This train has been inducted in the link of Train Number 740033 between Delhi Sarai Rohilla - Garhi Harsaru - Farukhnagar in Northern Railway.
The details of reduction in Carbon Emission and fuel saving shall be known after running this train for a period of one year.
Ministry of Railways has sanctioned work for providing similar Solar Power System on 24 more Coaches of DEMU trains. Another work has been sanctioned by Ministry of Railways for provision of Solar power System with flexible solar panels on 250 coaches of DEMUs.
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 02.08.2017 (Wednesday).
******
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Ministry of Finance
03-August, 2017 17:33 IST
Repayment of 7.46% Government Stock 2017 on August 28, 2017
The outstanding balance of 7.46% Government Stock 2017 is repayable at par on August 28, 2017. No interest will accrue there on from August 28, 2017. In the event of a holiday being declared on August 28, 2017 by any State Government under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, the Loan/s will be repaid by the paying offices in that State on the previous working day.
As per sub-regulations 24 (2) and 24(3) of Government Securities Regulations, 2007 payment of maturity proceeds to the registered holder of Government Security held in the form of Subsidiary General Ledger or Constituent Subsidiary General Ledger account or Stock Certificate shall be made by a pay order incorporating the relevant particulars of his bank account or by credit to the account of the holder in any bank having facility of receipt of funds through electronic means. For the purpose of making payment in respect of the securities, the original subscriber or the subsequent holders of such Government Securities, shall submit the relevant particulars of their bank account well in advance.
However, in the absence of relevant particulars of bank account / mandate for receipt of funds through electronic means, to facilitate repayment of the Loan on the due date, holders may tender the securities, duly discharged, at the Public Debt Offices, Treasuries / Sub-Treasuries and branches of State Bank of India and its Associate Banks (at which they are enfaced / registered for payment of interest) 20 days in advance of the due date for repayment.
Full details of the procedure for receiving the discharge value may be obtained from any of the aforesaid paying offices.
*****
03-August, 2017 17:33 IST
Repayment of 7.46% Government Stock 2017 on August 28, 2017
The outstanding balance of 7.46% Government Stock 2017 is repayable at par on August 28, 2017. No interest will accrue there on from August 28, 2017. In the event of a holiday being declared on August 28, 2017 by any State Government under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, the Loan/s will be repaid by the paying offices in that State on the previous working day.
As per sub-regulations 24 (2) and 24(3) of Government Securities Regulations, 2007 payment of maturity proceeds to the registered holder of Government Security held in the form of Subsidiary General Ledger or Constituent Subsidiary General Ledger account or Stock Certificate shall be made by a pay order incorporating the relevant particulars of his bank account or by credit to the account of the holder in any bank having facility of receipt of funds through electronic means. For the purpose of making payment in respect of the securities, the original subscriber or the subsequent holders of such Government Securities, shall submit the relevant particulars of their bank account well in advance.
However, in the absence of relevant particulars of bank account / mandate for receipt of funds through electronic means, to facilitate repayment of the Loan on the due date, holders may tender the securities, duly discharged, at the Public Debt Offices, Treasuries / Sub-Treasuries and branches of State Bank of India and its Associate Banks (at which they are enfaced / registered for payment of interest) 20 days in advance of the due date for repayment.
Full details of the procedure for receiving the discharge value may be obtained from any of the aforesaid paying offices.
*****
Hindustani78
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Ministry of Power
03-August, 2017 15:21 IST
25.28 crores LEDs distributed by EESL in 36 States and UTs across India under UJALA Scheme
Estimated Energy Savings of more than 32.84 billion kWh per year
Avoided Peak Demand of 6575 MW
GHG emission reductions of 26.60 Million tonnes CO2 per year
The Minister of State (IC) For Power, Coal, New & Renewable Energy and Mines, Shri Piyush Goyal, in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today, informed the House that as on 1st August, 2017, Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) has distributed 25.28 crore LED bulbs and the private sector has also sold 41.44 crore LED bulbs up to June, 2017, to domestic consumers throughout the country, against Government’s target to replace 77 crore incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs by March, 2019.
Further, the Minister informed that as on 1st August, 2017, EESL’s distributing over 25.28 crore LED bulbs in 36 States and UTs across India alone has resulted in estimated energy savings of more than 32.84 billion kWh per year with avoided peak demand of 6575 MW and GHG emission reduction of 26.60 Million tonnes CO2 per year. In addition, there are savings due to sale of LED bulbs by the private sector. The State/UT-wise estimated energy savings are as follows:
Sl. No.
States/UTs
No. of LED bulbs distributed
Estimated Energy Saved per year(MUs)
Estimated avoided peak demand(MW)
1
Andaman Nicobar
4,00,000
52.00
10.39
2
Andhra Pradesh
2,16,77,316
2,818.02
563.04
3
Arunachal Pradesh
8,985
0.41
0.08
4
Assam
15,31,046
199.04
39.77
5
Bihar
1,39,36,861
1,806.39
360.92
6
Chandigarh
2,35,859
30.66
6.13
7
Chhattisgarh
84,60,396
1,089.87
217.76
8
Dadra &Nagar Haveli
1,35,667
17.64
3.52
9
Daman & Diu
1,35,924
17.67
3.53
10
Delhi
1,16,15,917
1,507.74
301.25
11
Goa
8,20,333
106.64
21.31
12
Gujarat
3,59,88,490
4,671.01
933.27
13
Haryana
1,26,63,682
1,639.07
327.49
14
Himachal Pradesh
76,27,735
991.61
198.12
15
Jammu and Kashmir
76,89,954
999.69
199.74
16
Jharkhand
1,01,88,680
1,324.11
264.56
17
Karnataka
1,65,04,010
2,138.93
427.36
18
Kerala
1,01,19,390
1,315.52
262.84
19
Lakshadweep
1,00,000
13.00
2.60
20
Madhya Pradesh
1,40,20,204
1,814.84
362.61
21
Maharashtra
2,12,92,816
2,768.07
553.06
22
Manipur
19,965
2.60
0.52
23
Meghalaya
2,48,608
31.71
6.34
24
Mizoram
5,28,624
68.25
13.64
25
Nagaland
4,59,769
59.77
11.94
26
Odisha
1,07,68,272
1,395.46
278.81
27
Puducherry
6,09,251
79.20
15.82
28
Punjab
1,18,191
14.91
2.98
29
Rajasthan
1,36,22,341
1,768.22
353.29
30
Sikkim
1,05,148
13.67
2.73
31
Tamil Nadu
4,97,119
61.81
12.35
32
Telangana
13,40,472
172.89
34.54
33
Tripura
5,71,570
74.30
14.85
34
Uttar Pradesh
1,96,68,086
2,543.85
508.26
35
Uttarakhand
38,61,511
499.79
99.86
36
West Bengal
52,88,707
678.43
135.55
Total
25,28,60,899
32,846.78
6,575.81
Shri Goyal stated that EESL’s procurements conform to BIS specification IS 16102 (Part 2): 2012 for performance requirements of self-ballast lamps. Further, these bulbs carry a 3-year free replacement warranty against technical defects. There are stringent quality checks to ensure the quality of LED bulbs. No specific complaints have been received regarding excessive charging and lack of interest by distributing agencies under UJALA scheme. EESL has deployed field monitoring staff to take care of such issues, if any, the Minister added.
Shri Goyal also informed that under the UJALA Scheme, EESL aggregates the demand and procures LED bulbs through competitive bidding process to get the lowest price compared to retail market. The consumers, having metered connection, can acquire LED bulbs from designated distribution centres set up at various locations across the country. LED bulbs are being distributed on upfront payment basis and on-bill finance scheme in 36 States and UTs across India under UJALA scheme.
*****
Ministry of Power
03-August, 2017 15:17 IST
Decentralized Distributed Generation for Electrification of Remote/Backward Areas
4,220 projects worth Rs.1354.60 crores sanctioned: Shri Piyush Goyal
Subsidy of Rs. 246.84 crore disbursed under DDG in last three years
The Minister of State (IC) For Power, Coal, New & Renewable Energy and Mines, Shri Piyush Goyal, in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today, informed the House about the steps taken by the Government for electrification of villages situated in backward and remote areas of the country through new and renewable energy sources.
The Minister stated that under the Decentralized Distributed Generation (DDG) of Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY), electricity access is provided to all the villages/habitations where grid connectivity is either not feasible or not cost effective including those situated in backward and remote areas of the country. This includes mini grids and standalone systems.
Shri Goyal informed that as on 30.6.2017, 4,220 projects have been sanctioned with the project cost of Rs.1354.60 crore, in various States across the country under the DDG scheme. All the remaining un-electrified villages are targeted to be electrified by May, 2018.
Further, the Minister stated that a subsidy of Rs.246.84 crore was disbursed under DDG during the last three years. The State-wise details of capital subsidy released under DDG during the last three years 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17 are as follows:
Sr. No.
Name of the State
Subsidy amount (Rs. in crore)
1
Andhra Pradesh
14.4025
2
Assam
81.6966
3
Chhattisgarh
96.1373
4
Karnataka
5.2974
5
Kerala
1.2439
6
Madhya Pradesh
10.5729
7
Rajasthan
24.6835
8
Uttarakhand
1.4834
9
Uttar Pradesh
11.3187
Grand Total
246.8363
03-August, 2017 15:21 IST
25.28 crores LEDs distributed by EESL in 36 States and UTs across India under UJALA Scheme
Estimated Energy Savings of more than 32.84 billion kWh per year
Avoided Peak Demand of 6575 MW
GHG emission reductions of 26.60 Million tonnes CO2 per year
The Minister of State (IC) For Power, Coal, New & Renewable Energy and Mines, Shri Piyush Goyal, in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today, informed the House that as on 1st August, 2017, Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) has distributed 25.28 crore LED bulbs and the private sector has also sold 41.44 crore LED bulbs up to June, 2017, to domestic consumers throughout the country, against Government’s target to replace 77 crore incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs by March, 2019.
Further, the Minister informed that as on 1st August, 2017, EESL’s distributing over 25.28 crore LED bulbs in 36 States and UTs across India alone has resulted in estimated energy savings of more than 32.84 billion kWh per year with avoided peak demand of 6575 MW and GHG emission reduction of 26.60 Million tonnes CO2 per year. In addition, there are savings due to sale of LED bulbs by the private sector. The State/UT-wise estimated energy savings are as follows:
Sl. No.
States/UTs
No. of LED bulbs distributed
Estimated Energy Saved per year(MUs)
Estimated avoided peak demand(MW)
1
Andaman Nicobar
4,00,000
52.00
10.39
2
Andhra Pradesh
2,16,77,316
2,818.02
563.04
3
Arunachal Pradesh
8,985
0.41
0.08
4
Assam
15,31,046
199.04
39.77
5
Bihar
1,39,36,861
1,806.39
360.92
6
Chandigarh
2,35,859
30.66
6.13
7
Chhattisgarh
84,60,396
1,089.87
217.76
8
Dadra &Nagar Haveli
1,35,667
17.64
3.52
9
Daman & Diu
1,35,924
17.67
3.53
10
Delhi
1,16,15,917
1,507.74
301.25
11
Goa
8,20,333
106.64
21.31
12
Gujarat
3,59,88,490
4,671.01
933.27
13
Haryana
1,26,63,682
1,639.07
327.49
14
Himachal Pradesh
76,27,735
991.61
198.12
15
Jammu and Kashmir
76,89,954
999.69
199.74
16
Jharkhand
1,01,88,680
1,324.11
264.56
17
Karnataka
1,65,04,010
2,138.93
427.36
18
Kerala
1,01,19,390
1,315.52
262.84
19
Lakshadweep
1,00,000
13.00
2.60
20
Madhya Pradesh
1,40,20,204
1,814.84
362.61
21
Maharashtra
2,12,92,816
2,768.07
553.06
22
Manipur
19,965
2.60
0.52
23
Meghalaya
2,48,608
31.71
6.34
24
Mizoram
5,28,624
68.25
13.64
25
Nagaland
4,59,769
59.77
11.94
26
Odisha
1,07,68,272
1,395.46
278.81
27
Puducherry
6,09,251
79.20
15.82
28
Punjab
1,18,191
14.91
2.98
29
Rajasthan
1,36,22,341
1,768.22
353.29
30
Sikkim
1,05,148
13.67
2.73
31
Tamil Nadu
4,97,119
61.81
12.35
32
Telangana
13,40,472
172.89
34.54
33
Tripura
5,71,570
74.30
14.85
34
Uttar Pradesh
1,96,68,086
2,543.85
508.26
35
Uttarakhand
38,61,511
499.79
99.86
36
West Bengal
52,88,707
678.43
135.55
Total
25,28,60,899
32,846.78
6,575.81
Shri Goyal stated that EESL’s procurements conform to BIS specification IS 16102 (Part 2): 2012 for performance requirements of self-ballast lamps. Further, these bulbs carry a 3-year free replacement warranty against technical defects. There are stringent quality checks to ensure the quality of LED bulbs. No specific complaints have been received regarding excessive charging and lack of interest by distributing agencies under UJALA scheme. EESL has deployed field monitoring staff to take care of such issues, if any, the Minister added.
Shri Goyal also informed that under the UJALA Scheme, EESL aggregates the demand and procures LED bulbs through competitive bidding process to get the lowest price compared to retail market. The consumers, having metered connection, can acquire LED bulbs from designated distribution centres set up at various locations across the country. LED bulbs are being distributed on upfront payment basis and on-bill finance scheme in 36 States and UTs across India under UJALA scheme.
*****
Ministry of Power
03-August, 2017 15:17 IST
Decentralized Distributed Generation for Electrification of Remote/Backward Areas
4,220 projects worth Rs.1354.60 crores sanctioned: Shri Piyush Goyal
Subsidy of Rs. 246.84 crore disbursed under DDG in last three years
The Minister of State (IC) For Power, Coal, New & Renewable Energy and Mines, Shri Piyush Goyal, in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today, informed the House about the steps taken by the Government for electrification of villages situated in backward and remote areas of the country through new and renewable energy sources.
The Minister stated that under the Decentralized Distributed Generation (DDG) of Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY), electricity access is provided to all the villages/habitations where grid connectivity is either not feasible or not cost effective including those situated in backward and remote areas of the country. This includes mini grids and standalone systems.
Shri Goyal informed that as on 30.6.2017, 4,220 projects have been sanctioned with the project cost of Rs.1354.60 crore, in various States across the country under the DDG scheme. All the remaining un-electrified villages are targeted to be electrified by May, 2018.
Further, the Minister stated that a subsidy of Rs.246.84 crore was disbursed under DDG during the last three years. The State-wise details of capital subsidy released under DDG during the last three years 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17 are as follows:
Sr. No.
Name of the State
Subsidy amount (Rs. in crore)
1
Andhra Pradesh
14.4025
2
Assam
81.6966
3
Chhattisgarh
96.1373
4
Karnataka
5.2974
5
Kerala
1.2439
6
Madhya Pradesh
10.5729
7
Rajasthan
24.6835
8
Uttarakhand
1.4834
9
Uttar Pradesh
11.3187
Grand Total
246.8363
Hindustani78
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Ministry of Railways
04-August, 2017 16:20 IST
Setting-Up of Rail Neer Water Plants
Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) has been mandated to set up Rail Neer Packaged Drinking Water plants in compliance of Budget Pronouncements. At present, 7 Rail Neer Plants are operational. During the current Financial Year 2017-18, one more Rail Neer Plant at Nagpur under PPP (Public Private Partnership) mode with production capacity of 72000 litres per day, shall start commercial production by October 2017. The approximate cost likely to be incurred on this plant is about Rs 8 crore, which comprises of the civil and electrical works and plant and machinery cost.
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 Rajya Sabha on 04.08.2017(Friday).
****
Ministry of Railways
04-August, 2017 16:18 IST
Revamping of Railway Stations by Private Sector
Indian Railways has advertized its plan to offer ‘A-1’ and ‘A’ category stations on ‘as is where is’ basis for redevelopment by inviting proposals from developers with their designs and business ideas. Railway has already invited Bid for 26 Railway Stations.
Zonal Railways, in the first phase of station redevelopment program which was launched on 08.02.2017, have already invited bids for 23 stations. The State-wise details of these stations are as under:-
S. No.
Name of Station
State
1
Lokmanya Tilak (T)
Maharashtra
2
Pune
Maharashtra
3
Thane
Maharashtra
4
Mumbai Central
Maharashtra
5
Bandra Terminus
Maharashtra
6
Borivali
Maharashtra
7
Howrah
West Bengal
8
Visakhapatnam
Andhra Pradesh
9
Kanpur Central
Uttar Pradesh
10
Allahabad
Uttar Pradesh
11
Kamakhya
Assam
12
Udaipur City
Rajasthan
13
Faridabad
Haryana
14
Jammu Tawi
Jammu & Kashmir
15
Secunderabad
Andhra Pradesh
16
Vijayawada
Andhra Pradesh
17
Ranchi
Jharkhand
18
Chennai Central
Tamilnadu
19
Kozhikode
Kerala
20
Yashwantpur
Karnataka
21
Bangalore Cantt
Karnataka
22
Indore
Madhya Pradesh
23
Bhopal
Madhya Pradesh
In the first phase of 23 stations, bids for Jammu Tawi and Kozhikode Railway Stations have been opened on 12.07.2017 and 24.07.2017 respectively.
Further, a dedicated organization viz. Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation Limited (IRSDC) has been set up to undertake redevelopment of stations to international standards. 12 stations viz. Amritsar (Punjab), Anand Vihar (Delhi), Bijwasan (Delhi), Baiyappanahalli (Karnataka), Chandigarh (Punjab), Gandhinagar (Gujarat), Gandhinagar (Rajasthan), Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh), Habibganj (Madhya Pradesh), Nagpur (Maharashtra), Surat (Gujarat) and Shivajinagar (Maharashtra) have been entrusted to IRSDC for redevelopment.
The work of Habibganj Railway Station has been started. A contract of civil engineering works for redevelopment of Gandhinagar Railway Station along with construction of a 300-room hotel on the air space of the station has also been awarded and ground-breaking done. The work is in progress. Bids for Surat Railway Station have been opened on 05.06.2017.
These projects are new to Railways and complex in nature. These require detailed techno-economic feasibility studies, hence no time frame has been presently set for completion of these projects.
The cost of station redevelopment is to be met by leveraging commercial development of vacant land/air space in and around the stations. Therefore, railway funds are not required for station redevelopment projects. Such projects shall generally be cost neutral to Railway.
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 Rajya Sabha on 04.08.2017 (Friday).
****
Ministry of Railways
04-August, 2017 16:07 IST
Various Steps to Improve The Services and Facilities to Railway Passengers
Improvement to Passenger amenities on Indian Railways (IR) is a continuous process. Present day passengers expect visible and qualitative improvement in public utilities and amenities provided at the Stations. With a view to meeting the expectations of the passengers, Indian Railways is making all out effort to provide improved facilities at the stations including those located in small cities/towns. Indian Railways has more than 8000 Stations. It has always been the endeavour of the Railways to provide adequate amenities to the passengers at the stations. Certain amenities are provided at the time of construction of new stations based on anticipated volume of traffic. Amenities are further augmented from time to time with growth in passenger traffic handled at stations, based on the felt need, expectations of the travelling public and availability of funds.
In the recent past Indian Railways has taken various steps to improve the services and facilitate the passengers, some of which are given below.
At stations:
In Reservations and travel:
Regular inspections are conducted by Officers, Service Improvement Group (SIG), Passenger Amenities Committee (PAC) & Passenger Services Committee (PSC) to monitor the availability and maintenance of passenger facilities at stations and remedial measures are taken as and when deficiencies are noted.
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 Rajya Sabha on 04.08.2017 (Friday).
****
The Union Minister for Railways, Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu witnessing the Exchange of Agreements with the Stakeholders as part of “Mission Electrification” & “First EPC (Engineering Procurement Construction)” Contract of Indian Railways, in New Delhi on August 04, 2017. The Minister of State for Communications (Independent Charge) and Railways, Shri Manoj Sinha and the Chairman, Railway Board, Shri A.K. Mital are also seen.
The Union Minister for Railways, Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu witnessing the Exchange of Agreements with the Stakeholders as part of “Mission Electrification” & “First EPC (Engineering Procurement Construction)” Contract of Indian Railways, in New Delhi on August 04, 2017. The Minister of State for Communications (Independent Charge) and Railways, Shri Manoj Sinha and the Chairman, Railway Board, Shri A.K. Mital are also seen.
The Union Minister for Railways, Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu releasing the publication at the Exchange of Agreements with the Stakeholders as part of “Mission Electrification” & “First EPC (Engineering Procurement Construction)” Contract of Indian Railways, in New Delhi on August 04, 2017. The Minister of State for Communications (Independent Charge) and Railways, Shri Manoj Sinha and the Chairman, Railway Board, Shri A.K. Mital are also seen.
The Union Minister for Railways, Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu releasing the ‘Business Plan 2017-18’, at the Exchange of Agreements with the Stakeholders as part of “Mission Electrification” & “First EPC (Engineering Procurement Construction)” Contract of Indian Railways, in New Delhi on August 04, 2017. The Minister of State for Communications (Independent Charge) and Railways, Shri Manoj Sinha and the Chairman, Railway Board, Shri A.K. Mital are also seen.
The Minister of State for Communications (Independent Charge) and Railways, Shri Manoj Sinha addressing at the Exchange of Agreements with the Stakeholders as part of “Mission Electrification” & “First EPC (Engineering Procurement Construction)” Contract of Indian Railways, in New Delhi on August 04, 2017. The Union Minister for Railways, Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu and the Chairman, Railway Board, Shri A.K. Mital are also seen.
04-August, 2017 16:20 IST
Setting-Up of Rail Neer Water Plants
Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) has been mandated to set up Rail Neer Packaged Drinking Water plants in compliance of Budget Pronouncements. At present, 7 Rail Neer Plants are operational. During the current Financial Year 2017-18, one more Rail Neer Plant at Nagpur under PPP (Public Private Partnership) mode with production capacity of 72000 litres per day, shall start commercial production by October 2017. The approximate cost likely to be incurred on this plant is about Rs 8 crore, which comprises of the civil and electrical works and plant and machinery cost.
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 Rajya Sabha on 04.08.2017(Friday).
****
Ministry of Railways
04-August, 2017 16:18 IST
Revamping of Railway Stations by Private Sector
Indian Railways has advertized its plan to offer ‘A-1’ and ‘A’ category stations on ‘as is where is’ basis for redevelopment by inviting proposals from developers with their designs and business ideas. Railway has already invited Bid for 26 Railway Stations.
Zonal Railways, in the first phase of station redevelopment program which was launched on 08.02.2017, have already invited bids for 23 stations. The State-wise details of these stations are as under:-
S. No.
Name of Station
State
1
Lokmanya Tilak (T)
Maharashtra
2
Pune
Maharashtra
3
Thane
Maharashtra
4
Mumbai Central
Maharashtra
5
Bandra Terminus
Maharashtra
6
Borivali
Maharashtra
7
Howrah
West Bengal
8
Visakhapatnam
Andhra Pradesh
9
Kanpur Central
Uttar Pradesh
10
Allahabad
Uttar Pradesh
11
Kamakhya
Assam
12
Udaipur City
Rajasthan
13
Faridabad
Haryana
14
Jammu Tawi
Jammu & Kashmir
15
Secunderabad
Andhra Pradesh
16
Vijayawada
Andhra Pradesh
17
Ranchi
Jharkhand
18
Chennai Central
Tamilnadu
19
Kozhikode
Kerala
20
Yashwantpur
Karnataka
21
Bangalore Cantt
Karnataka
22
Indore
Madhya Pradesh
23
Bhopal
Madhya Pradesh
In the first phase of 23 stations, bids for Jammu Tawi and Kozhikode Railway Stations have been opened on 12.07.2017 and 24.07.2017 respectively.
Further, a dedicated organization viz. Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation Limited (IRSDC) has been set up to undertake redevelopment of stations to international standards. 12 stations viz. Amritsar (Punjab), Anand Vihar (Delhi), Bijwasan (Delhi), Baiyappanahalli (Karnataka), Chandigarh (Punjab), Gandhinagar (Gujarat), Gandhinagar (Rajasthan), Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh), Habibganj (Madhya Pradesh), Nagpur (Maharashtra), Surat (Gujarat) and Shivajinagar (Maharashtra) have been entrusted to IRSDC for redevelopment.
The work of Habibganj Railway Station has been started. A contract of civil engineering works for redevelopment of Gandhinagar Railway Station along with construction of a 300-room hotel on the air space of the station has also been awarded and ground-breaking done. The work is in progress. Bids for Surat Railway Station have been opened on 05.06.2017.
These projects are new to Railways and complex in nature. These require detailed techno-economic feasibility studies, hence no time frame has been presently set for completion of these projects.
The cost of station redevelopment is to be met by leveraging commercial development of vacant land/air space in and around the stations. Therefore, railway funds are not required for station redevelopment projects. Such projects shall generally be cost neutral to Railway.
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 Rajya Sabha on 04.08.2017 (Friday).
****
Ministry of Railways
04-August, 2017 16:07 IST
Various Steps to Improve The Services and Facilities to Railway Passengers
Improvement to Passenger amenities on Indian Railways (IR) is a continuous process. Present day passengers expect visible and qualitative improvement in public utilities and amenities provided at the Stations. With a view to meeting the expectations of the passengers, Indian Railways is making all out effort to provide improved facilities at the stations including those located in small cities/towns. Indian Railways has more than 8000 Stations. It has always been the endeavour of the Railways to provide adequate amenities to the passengers at the stations. Certain amenities are provided at the time of construction of new stations based on anticipated volume of traffic. Amenities are further augmented from time to time with growth in passenger traffic handled at stations, based on the felt need, expectations of the travelling public and availability of funds.
In the recent past Indian Railways has taken various steps to improve the services and facilitate the passengers, some of which are given below.
At stations:
- Lifts and Escalators at the stations for facilitating movement across platforms.
- Battery Operated Vehicles for carrying passengers before/after the train journey, especially senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
- Yatri Mitra Sewa for passengers requiring wheel-chair assistance.
- Well appointed Retiring Rooms, Waiting Halls and Executive Lounges to relax for passengers during transit.
- Wi-fi facility at 127 important stations on IR.
In Reservations and travel:
- Introduction of the Alternate Train Accommodation Scheme known as ‘VIKALP’ to give option to waitlisted passengers to shift to alternate train having vacant accommodation.
- Provision of facility to physically handicapped persons to book reserved tickets online.
- Introduction of paperless unreserved ticket booking through mobile phone.
- Automatic refund of confirmed/ Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC)/e-tickets on cancellation of trains.
- Enhancement of Senior Citizen Quota as well as quota earmarked for physically handicapped persons.
- Making provision in the system for automatic preparation of reservation charts at least four hours before the scheduled departure of train.
- Provision of facility to book available accommodation after preparation of first reservation chart through internet as well as across any computerized Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counter upto preparation of second reservation chart.
- Acceptance of all International Credit/Debit cards for booking of e-tickets through Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) website.
- The passengers having confirmed/RAC/Waitlisted PRS counter tickets may cancel the same through IRCTC website (irctc.co.in) or through 139 within the prescribed time limit and the refund amount maybe collected across PRS counter on surrendering the original ticket.
- In order to facilitate cancellation of PRS counter tickets at relatively smaller stations, one of the Unreserved Ticketing System(UTS) cum PRS counters (wherever PRS booking facility is available) has been earmarked for granting refund beyond the working hours of PRS counters/Current counters. This facility is available in respect of PRS counter tickets for those trains whose scheduled departure time is within the next 24 hours.
- Establishment of Yatri Ticket Suvidha Kendras for issuing of tickets through public private partnership for establishment and operation of computerised Passenger Reservation System (PRS)-cum Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS) terminals.
- Facility for booking unreserved ticket including platforms tickets and Season Tickets through mobile phone in the 6 suburban sections of IR in Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Secunderabad and in Delhi – Palwal and Delhi-Ghaziabad sections of Northern Railway
- Commencement of concierge services with facility for online booking of wheelchairs through IRCTC website at New Delhi and 23 other stations.
- Provision of Automatic Ticket Vending Machines to facilitate purchase of unreserved journey tickets.
- Extension of e-ticketing facility to foreign debit/credit cards for foreign tourists and NRIs.
- Commissioning of online booking of retiring room at over 488 Railway stations.
Regular inspections are conducted by Officers, Service Improvement Group (SIG), Passenger Amenities Committee (PAC) & Passenger Services Committee (PSC) to monitor the availability and maintenance of passenger facilities at stations and remedial measures are taken as and when deficiencies are noted.
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 Rajya Sabha on 04.08.2017 (Friday).
****
The Union Minister for Railways, Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu witnessing the Exchange of Agreements with the Stakeholders as part of “Mission Electrification” & “First EPC (Engineering Procurement Construction)” Contract of Indian Railways, in New Delhi on August 04, 2017. The Minister of State for Communications (Independent Charge) and Railways, Shri Manoj Sinha and the Chairman, Railway Board, Shri A.K. Mital are also seen.
The Union Minister for Railways, Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu witnessing the Exchange of Agreements with the Stakeholders as part of “Mission Electrification” & “First EPC (Engineering Procurement Construction)” Contract of Indian Railways, in New Delhi on August 04, 2017. The Minister of State for Communications (Independent Charge) and Railways, Shri Manoj Sinha and the Chairman, Railway Board, Shri A.K. Mital are also seen.
The Union Minister for Railways, Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu releasing the publication at the Exchange of Agreements with the Stakeholders as part of “Mission Electrification” & “First EPC (Engineering Procurement Construction)” Contract of Indian Railways, in New Delhi on August 04, 2017. The Minister of State for Communications (Independent Charge) and Railways, Shri Manoj Sinha and the Chairman, Railway Board, Shri A.K. Mital are also seen.
The Union Minister for Railways, Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu releasing the ‘Business Plan 2017-18’, at the Exchange of Agreements with the Stakeholders as part of “Mission Electrification” & “First EPC (Engineering Procurement Construction)” Contract of Indian Railways, in New Delhi on August 04, 2017. The Minister of State for Communications (Independent Charge) and Railways, Shri Manoj Sinha and the Chairman, Railway Board, Shri A.K. Mital are also seen.
The Minister of State for Communications (Independent Charge) and Railways, Shri Manoj Sinha addressing at the Exchange of Agreements with the Stakeholders as part of “Mission Electrification” & “First EPC (Engineering Procurement Construction)” Contract of Indian Railways, in New Delhi on August 04, 2017. The Union Minister for Railways, Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu and the Chairman, Railway Board, Shri A.K. Mital are also seen.
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Ministry of Railways
11-August, 2017 15:05 IST
Installation of Display Screens At Railway Stations
Railways propose to install display screens at foot-over bridges, platforms, waiting rooms etc. at Railway Stations under Railway Display Network (RDN) project. RailTel Corporation of India Ltd, a Public Sector Undertaking under the administrative control of Ministry of Railways, has been appointed as Nodal Agency to implement and manage Indian Railway’s RDN system.
Railway Display Network is envisaged to become a unique medium of communication with passengers which will not only provide necessary information and social messages to the passengers but will also become a medium of enriched infotainment.
Along with train information, it is proposed to display advertisement and social messages on the display screens. Railway Display Network will generate revenue by displaying contextualized advertisements for pre-agreed duration and frequency. Railway Display Network is planned to be built and operated on a self-sustainable model with no capital investment by Indian Railways.
Railway Display Network system will:
i) Display information related to train arrival, departure, train running status, platform and other passenger related information round the clock.
ii) Display information related to passenger amenities, comfort, convenience and safety.
iii) Display emergency messages on SOS basis and messages related to Disaster Management.
iv) Infotainment and social messages for engaging passengers.
v) Self-sustainable model by generating revenue through advertisement or any other related revenue generation opportunities.
The Proof of Concept (Pilot) of the project has since been completed at 16 stations of Indian Railways and around 500 display screens have been installed for the pilot project. The Railway Display Network system including installation of Display screens is expected to cover all A1, A, B, C, and D category stations of Indian Railways.
Railway Display Network system is proposed to be built and operated on a self-sustainable model with no capital investment by Indian Railways. Roll-out of the Railway Display Network system at various designated stations is expected to be done in a phased manner, starting with deployment at A1 category stations followed by A, C and other category stations. The complete project is expected to be completed in 4 years.
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 Rajya Sabha on 11.08.2017 (Friday).
****
Ministry of Railways
11-August, 2017 15:03 IST
Diffrent Types of Goods Wagons
There are 2,58,584 different types of wagons available over Indian Railways. The zone-wise holding of wagons are as under:
(i) Central Railway : 17246
(ii) Eastern Railway : 17581
(iii) East Central Railway : 23379
(iv) East Coast Railway : 19173
(v) Northern Railway : 13591
(vi) North Central Railway : 19089
(vii) North Eastern Railway :4570
(viii) Northeast Frontier Railway :6449
(ix) North Western Railway :8728
(x) Southern Railway :8996
(xi) South Central Railway :22607
(xii) South Eastern Railway :35269
(xiii) South East Central Railway :28119
(xiv) South Western Railway :8675
(xv) Western Railway :11781
(xvi) West Central Railway :13331
______
Total :258584
The present availability of wagons is adequate for meeting the present demand for rail transport.
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 Rajya Sabha on 11.08.2017 (Friday).
****
Ministry of Railways
11-August, 2017 15:02 IST
Chemisty Stalls at Railways Stations
To augment the emergency medical facilities at railway stations, policy guidelines for setting up of chemist stalls/corners are already in vogue vide Commercial Circular number 50/2000 dated 03.11.2000 and Commercial Circular number 67/2008 dated 02.12.2008 wherein Zonal Railways have been advised to provide Chemist Stalls at all A1 Category of stations. At present, 21 exclusive chemist stalls are operational on Indian Railways. The names of stations where chemist stalls as provided by Zonal Railways are Appended. Further, pursuant to announcement made in Rail Budget 2016-17, in order to have a single outlet/stall at platforms for non-catering items required during travelling, it has been decided to set up Multi Purpose Stalls (MPS) at railway stations wherein items permitted for sale are miscellaneous items, books/magazines/news paper, chemist stall items-OTC (over the counter) medicines and non-pharmacy items viz. dry/spray milk powder etc. In the MPS policy, individuals are also eligible to participate in the bidding process.
The names of stations where chemist stalls as provided by Zonal Railways are as under:-
Zonal Railway
No. of Exclusive Chemist Stall
Name of Station
Central
2
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus
East Coast
3
Visakhapatnam, Bhubaneswar, Puri
Eastern
1
Howrah
Northeast Frontier
1
Guwahati
Northern
1
Lucknow Jn.
North Western
1
Jodhpur Jn.
South Central
2
Secunderabad Jn., Vijayawada Jn.
South East Central
2
Raipur Jn., Bilaspur Jn.
Western
8
Mumbai Church Gate, Mumbai Central, Andheri, Valsad, Surat, Vadodara Jn., Ahmedabad Jn., Ujjain Jn.
Total
21
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 Rajya Sabha on 11.08.2017 (Friday).
****
Ministry of Railways
11-August, 2017 15:00 IST
Safety Measures At Unmanned Level Crossings
Following two trial projects are in progress for ensuring safety at unmanned level crossings:-
(i) Development and implementation of Satellite based system for warning at unmanned level crossing gates of Indian Railways has been undertaken by Research Designs & Standards Organisation (RDSO)/Ministry of Railways and Space Applications Centre/Indian Space Research Organisation (SAC/ISRO).
(ii) Development and implementation of a “Suitable and Viable Vandal-Proof Advance Warning System” (Radio & Radio Frequency Identification based) to Pre-warn road users against approaching train at unmanned level crossing gate was undertaken by RDSO in association with IIT/Kanpur at one LC gate. Based on the report submitted, RDSO is now conducting extended field trials at 10 unmanned LC gates in association with IIT/Kanpur to check the efficacy of the system.
Based on the extended trial report, the adoption of the technologies shall be considered.
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 Rajya Sabha on 11.08.2017 (Friday).
****
11-August, 2017 15:05 IST
Installation of Display Screens At Railway Stations
Railways propose to install display screens at foot-over bridges, platforms, waiting rooms etc. at Railway Stations under Railway Display Network (RDN) project. RailTel Corporation of India Ltd, a Public Sector Undertaking under the administrative control of Ministry of Railways, has been appointed as Nodal Agency to implement and manage Indian Railway’s RDN system.
Railway Display Network is envisaged to become a unique medium of communication with passengers which will not only provide necessary information and social messages to the passengers but will also become a medium of enriched infotainment.
Along with train information, it is proposed to display advertisement and social messages on the display screens. Railway Display Network will generate revenue by displaying contextualized advertisements for pre-agreed duration and frequency. Railway Display Network is planned to be built and operated on a self-sustainable model with no capital investment by Indian Railways.
Railway Display Network system will:
i) Display information related to train arrival, departure, train running status, platform and other passenger related information round the clock.
ii) Display information related to passenger amenities, comfort, convenience and safety.
iii) Display emergency messages on SOS basis and messages related to Disaster Management.
iv) Infotainment and social messages for engaging passengers.
v) Self-sustainable model by generating revenue through advertisement or any other related revenue generation opportunities.
The Proof of Concept (Pilot) of the project has since been completed at 16 stations of Indian Railways and around 500 display screens have been installed for the pilot project. The Railway Display Network system including installation of Display screens is expected to cover all A1, A, B, C, and D category stations of Indian Railways.
Railway Display Network system is proposed to be built and operated on a self-sustainable model with no capital investment by Indian Railways. Roll-out of the Railway Display Network system at various designated stations is expected to be done in a phased manner, starting with deployment at A1 category stations followed by A, C and other category stations. The complete project is expected to be completed in 4 years.
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 Rajya Sabha on 11.08.2017 (Friday).
****
Ministry of Railways
11-August, 2017 15:03 IST
Diffrent Types of Goods Wagons
There are 2,58,584 different types of wagons available over Indian Railways. The zone-wise holding of wagons are as under:
(i) Central Railway : 17246
(ii) Eastern Railway : 17581
(iii) East Central Railway : 23379
(iv) East Coast Railway : 19173
(v) Northern Railway : 13591
(vi) North Central Railway : 19089
(vii) North Eastern Railway :4570
(viii) Northeast Frontier Railway :6449
(ix) North Western Railway :8728
(x) Southern Railway :8996
(xi) South Central Railway :22607
(xii) South Eastern Railway :35269
(xiii) South East Central Railway :28119
(xiv) South Western Railway :8675
(xv) Western Railway :11781
(xvi) West Central Railway :13331
______
Total :258584
The present availability of wagons is adequate for meeting the present demand for rail transport.
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 Rajya Sabha on 11.08.2017 (Friday).
****
Ministry of Railways
11-August, 2017 15:02 IST
Chemisty Stalls at Railways Stations
To augment the emergency medical facilities at railway stations, policy guidelines for setting up of chemist stalls/corners are already in vogue vide Commercial Circular number 50/2000 dated 03.11.2000 and Commercial Circular number 67/2008 dated 02.12.2008 wherein Zonal Railways have been advised to provide Chemist Stalls at all A1 Category of stations. At present, 21 exclusive chemist stalls are operational on Indian Railways. The names of stations where chemist stalls as provided by Zonal Railways are Appended. Further, pursuant to announcement made in Rail Budget 2016-17, in order to have a single outlet/stall at platforms for non-catering items required during travelling, it has been decided to set up Multi Purpose Stalls (MPS) at railway stations wherein items permitted for sale are miscellaneous items, books/magazines/news paper, chemist stall items-OTC (over the counter) medicines and non-pharmacy items viz. dry/spray milk powder etc. In the MPS policy, individuals are also eligible to participate in the bidding process.
The names of stations where chemist stalls as provided by Zonal Railways are as under:-
Zonal Railway
No. of Exclusive Chemist Stall
Name of Station
Central
2
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus
East Coast
3
Visakhapatnam, Bhubaneswar, Puri
Eastern
1
Howrah
Northeast Frontier
1
Guwahati
Northern
1
Lucknow Jn.
North Western
1
Jodhpur Jn.
South Central
2
Secunderabad Jn., Vijayawada Jn.
South East Central
2
Raipur Jn., Bilaspur Jn.
Western
8
Mumbai Church Gate, Mumbai Central, Andheri, Valsad, Surat, Vadodara Jn., Ahmedabad Jn., Ujjain Jn.
Total
21
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 Rajya Sabha on 11.08.2017 (Friday).
****
Ministry of Railways
11-August, 2017 15:00 IST
Safety Measures At Unmanned Level Crossings
Following two trial projects are in progress for ensuring safety at unmanned level crossings:-
(i) Development and implementation of Satellite based system for warning at unmanned level crossing gates of Indian Railways has been undertaken by Research Designs & Standards Organisation (RDSO)/Ministry of Railways and Space Applications Centre/Indian Space Research Organisation (SAC/ISRO).
(ii) Development and implementation of a “Suitable and Viable Vandal-Proof Advance Warning System” (Radio & Radio Frequency Identification based) to Pre-warn road users against approaching train at unmanned level crossing gate was undertaken by RDSO in association with IIT/Kanpur at one LC gate. Based on the report submitted, RDSO is now conducting extended field trials at 10 unmanned LC gates in association with IIT/Kanpur to check the efficacy of the system.
Based on the extended trial report, the adoption of the technologies shall be considered.
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 Rajya Sabha on 11.08.2017 (Friday).
****
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Mumbai to Delhi in 13 hours, Railways to upgrade existing train
The Railways is finally moving to connect the country’s most high-profile route — Delhi-Mumbai — by upgrading an existing train to complete the journey in 13 hours, three hours less that the current running time for the Rajdhani, official sources told The Indian Express. The move is expected to make this link a “true overnighter”, sources said.
The first trial of this service was conducted recently, using the Linke Hofman Busch (LHB) coaches of the Rajdhani. The Railway Ministry is now assessing the results and will conduct further trials, said sources. Members of the Railway Board will also discuss issues related to the new service in a meeting this month, said sources. Railway Board Member (Rolling Stock) Ravindra Gupta, who proposed this service, is spearheading the project.
While the existing 24-coach Mumbai Rajdhani has a sanctioned speed of 130 kmph, its average speed is about 90 kmph due to the curves and numerous other speed restrictions along the 1,386-km route that takes 15.35 hours. For the new project, a 14-coach train will be used, pulled by a single engine, even though two engines were deployed in the first trial for faster acceleration and deceleration.
The LHB coaches are designed to run at a top speed of over 150 kmph — the engines are capable of 200 kmph. However, speed restrictions owing to tracks, signalling systems and other route conditions, have forced the existing rakes to under-perform in terms of speed, said sources. In what is being termed a “soft trial”, the 14-coach rake took a little more than 13 hours with two operational halts to complete the journey. The Railways’ engineers now believe that the final product will have to cut the six halts currently on the route to two, or even one.
The second, “more serious” trial will happen after the Railway Board meeting, a member, who did not wish to be named, told The Indian Express. The sanctioned speed of the new service under trial will continue to be 130 kmph, but efforts are being made to verify if stretches where the train can attain and remain at that speed for longer can be extended. This is key to the project’s success, said sources.
The Mumbai-Delhi route, patronised largely by business travellers, has seen a major shift in favour of airlines in recent years. A true overnighter will claw back a sizeable pie of that market, said Ministry officials. This plan is parallel to the futuristic plan, which was sanctioned recently, of developing Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah routes into special corridors with semi-high-speed services. While that will take years and heavy investments in infrastructure upgrade, this project will take off soon, sources said.
http://indianexpress.com/article/in...n-railways-to-upgrade-existing-train-4785576/
The Railways is finally moving to connect the country’s most high-profile route — Delhi-Mumbai — by upgrading an existing train to complete the journey in 13 hours, three hours less that the current running time for the Rajdhani, official sources told The Indian Express. The move is expected to make this link a “true overnighter”, sources said.
The first trial of this service was conducted recently, using the Linke Hofman Busch (LHB) coaches of the Rajdhani. The Railway Ministry is now assessing the results and will conduct further trials, said sources. Members of the Railway Board will also discuss issues related to the new service in a meeting this month, said sources. Railway Board Member (Rolling Stock) Ravindra Gupta, who proposed this service, is spearheading the project.
While the existing 24-coach Mumbai Rajdhani has a sanctioned speed of 130 kmph, its average speed is about 90 kmph due to the curves and numerous other speed restrictions along the 1,386-km route that takes 15.35 hours. For the new project, a 14-coach train will be used, pulled by a single engine, even though two engines were deployed in the first trial for faster acceleration and deceleration.
The LHB coaches are designed to run at a top speed of over 150 kmph — the engines are capable of 200 kmph. However, speed restrictions owing to tracks, signalling systems and other route conditions, have forced the existing rakes to under-perform in terms of speed, said sources. In what is being termed a “soft trial”, the 14-coach rake took a little more than 13 hours with two operational halts to complete the journey. The Railways’ engineers now believe that the final product will have to cut the six halts currently on the route to two, or even one.
The second, “more serious” trial will happen after the Railway Board meeting, a member, who did not wish to be named, told The Indian Express. The sanctioned speed of the new service under trial will continue to be 130 kmph, but efforts are being made to verify if stretches where the train can attain and remain at that speed for longer can be extended. This is key to the project’s success, said sources.
The Mumbai-Delhi route, patronised largely by business travellers, has seen a major shift in favour of airlines in recent years. A true overnighter will claw back a sizeable pie of that market, said Ministry officials. This plan is parallel to the futuristic plan, which was sanctioned recently, of developing Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah routes into special corridors with semi-high-speed services. While that will take years and heavy investments in infrastructure upgrade, this project will take off soon, sources said.
http://indianexpress.com/article/in...n-railways-to-upgrade-existing-train-4785576/
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