Indian Economy-News & Updates
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Hindustani78
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13-March, 2018 11:40 IST
Union Railway Minister Shri Piyush Goyal holds consultations with Architects & Planners to discuss issues related to Station Redevelopment Program
Program worth Rs. One Lakh Crore investments requires extensive involvement of Engineers, Planners, Architects and other Professionals besides the Contractors and Developers
The Union Minister of Railways and Coal Shri Piyush Goyal met with Architects and Planners to discuss issues related to Station Redevelopment Program. A total of 110 professionals from 54 firms participated in the meeting. The Minister was categorical that in view of the financial condition of Indian Railways and the paying capacity of public, there is a need for finding solutions that meet the aspirations of travelling public at low cost. Shri Piyush Goyal said “We shall work on providing innovative solutions tailored to uniquely Indian conditions. I am confident that we will eventually be in a position to share the expertise in other countries as well”.
This consultation meeting held with Architects was aimed to understand the issues and difficulties in participating in development/redevelopment of railway stations. The discussions were held on wide range of issues from the difficulties that the architects and planners are facing in participating in station redevelopment program; modifications required in various documents guiding the station design; general direction that station redevelopment program shall take. Minister Shri Goyal assured the participants that as desired the empanelment will be made in more categories; name of the Architect will be included in the plaque. The Minster also directed IRSDC to take up capacity building of Consultants as Station Development is as yet a new field. Shri Goyal also stated that young architects and planners shall also be involved in the station development program and they may be engaged for smaller/simpler stations.
It may be recalled that Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation Limited (IRSDC), as the nodal agency, is taking up redevelopment of around 600 major Railway stations across the country. Towards this objective of stakeholders’ consultation, an idea competition for development of 635 stations of Indian Railways, ‘SRIJAN’ (Station Rejuvenation Initiative through Joint ActioN) has been launched at MyGov portal since 26.01.2018.
This mammoth exercise will kickstart the program worth Rs 1,00,000 crore investments and requires extensive involvement of engineers, planners, architects and other professionals besides the contractors and developers. To prepare the plans for stations, IRSDC has taken up multiple initiatives:
The last date for submission of entries in this competition is 26.03.2018. The winners will get certificates and worthy ideas will be incorporated in the designs. IRSDC has also launched competition through Mygov portal for IRSDC logo and tagline. The winner for logo competition will get cash prize of Rs 75,000/-and for tagline also will get Rs 75,000/-. The last date of submission of entries is 26.3.18.
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13-March, 2018 11:40 IST
Union Railway Minister Shri Piyush Goyal holds consultations with Architects & Planners to discuss issues related to Station Redevelopment Program
Program worth Rs. One Lakh Crore investments requires extensive involvement of Engineers, Planners, Architects and other Professionals besides the Contractors and Developers
The Union Minister of Railways and Coal Shri Piyush Goyal met with Architects and Planners to discuss issues related to Station Redevelopment Program. A total of 110 professionals from 54 firms participated in the meeting. The Minister was categorical that in view of the financial condition of Indian Railways and the paying capacity of public, there is a need for finding solutions that meet the aspirations of travelling public at low cost. Shri Piyush Goyal said “We shall work on providing innovative solutions tailored to uniquely Indian conditions. I am confident that we will eventually be in a position to share the expertise in other countries as well”.
This consultation meeting held with Architects was aimed to understand the issues and difficulties in participating in development/redevelopment of railway stations. The discussions were held on wide range of issues from the difficulties that the architects and planners are facing in participating in station redevelopment program; modifications required in various documents guiding the station design; general direction that station redevelopment program shall take. Minister Shri Goyal assured the participants that as desired the empanelment will be made in more categories; name of the Architect will be included in the plaque. The Minster also directed IRSDC to take up capacity building of Consultants as Station Development is as yet a new field. Shri Goyal also stated that young architects and planners shall also be involved in the station development program and they may be engaged for smaller/simpler stations.
It may be recalled that Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation Limited (IRSDC), as the nodal agency, is taking up redevelopment of around 600 major Railway stations across the country. Towards this objective of stakeholders’ consultation, an idea competition for development of 635 stations of Indian Railways, ‘SRIJAN’ (Station Rejuvenation Initiative through Joint ActioN) has been launched at MyGov portal since 26.01.2018.
This mammoth exercise will kickstart the program worth Rs 1,00,000 crore investments and requires extensive involvement of engineers, planners, architects and other professionals besides the contractors and developers. To prepare the plans for stations, IRSDC has taken up multiple initiatives:
- International Design Competition for 3 Railway Stations, namely, Nagpur, Gwalior and Baiyappanhalli
- IRSDC has empaneled experienced consultants with multi-disciplinary teams
- IRSDC has also invited professionals to take initiatives and share their vision for railway stations for a token fee and in response, eleven architects have registered themselves for development of 74 railway stations.
- SRIJAN (Station Rejuvenation Initiative through Joint Action), an Ideas competition has been launched by IRSDC, where users and young minds are invited to put across their ideas for implementing “Low Cost High Visibility” items at station areas. Around 450 entries have been received so far.
The last date for submission of entries in this competition is 26.03.2018. The winners will get certificates and worthy ideas will be incorporated in the designs. IRSDC has also launched competition through Mygov portal for IRSDC logo and tagline. The winner for logo competition will get cash prize of Rs 75,000/-and for tagline also will get Rs 75,000/-. The last date of submission of entries is 26.3.18.
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Hindustani78
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13-March, 2018 11:40 IST
Union Railway Minister Shri Piyush Goyal holds consultations with Architects & Planners to discuss issues related to Station Redevelopment Program
Program worth Rs. One Lakh Crore investments requires extensive involvement of Engineers, Planners, Architects and other Professionals besides the Contractors and Developers
The Union Minister of Railways and Coal Shri Piyush Goyal met with Architects and Planners to discuss issues related to Station Redevelopment Program. A total of 110 professionals from 54 firms participated in the meeting. The Minister was categorical that in view of the financial condition of Indian Railways and the paying capacity of public, there is a need for finding solutions that meet the aspirations of travelling public at low cost. Shri Piyush Goyal said “We shall work on providing innovative solutions tailored to uniquely Indian conditions. I am confident that we will eventually be in a position to share the expertise in other countries as well”.
This consultation meeting held with Architects was aimed to understand the issues and difficulties in participating in development/redevelopment of railway stations. The discussions were held on wide range of issues from the difficulties that the architects and planners are facing in participating in station redevelopment program; modifications required in various documents guiding the station design; general direction that station redevelopment program shall take. Minister Shri Goyal assured the participants that as desired the empanelment will be made in more categories; name of the Architect will be included in the plaque. The Minster also directed IRSDC to take up capacity building of Consultants as Station Development is as yet a new field. Shri Goyal also stated that young architects and planners shall also be involved in the station development program and they may be engaged for smaller/simpler stations.
It may be recalled that Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation Limited (IRSDC), as the nodal agency, is taking up redevelopment of around 600 major Railway stations across the country. Towards this objective of stakeholders’ consultation, an idea competition for development of 635 stations of Indian Railways, ‘SRIJAN’ (Station Rejuvenation Initiative through Joint ActioN) has been launched at MyGov portal since 26.01.2018.
This mammoth exercise will kickstart the program worth Rs 1,00,000 crore investments and requires extensive involvement of engineers, planners, architects and other professionals besides the contractors and developers. To prepare the plans for stations, IRSDC has taken up multiple initiatives:
The last date for submission of entries in this competition is 26.03.2018. The winners will get certificates and worthy ideas will be incorporated in the designs. IRSDC has also launched competition through Mygov portal for IRSDC logo and tagline. The winner for logo competition will get cash prize of Rs 75,000/-and for tagline also will get Rs 75,000/-. The last date of submission of entries is 26.3.18.
****
13-March, 2018 11:40 IST
Union Railway Minister Shri Piyush Goyal holds consultations with Architects & Planners to discuss issues related to Station Redevelopment Program
Program worth Rs. One Lakh Crore investments requires extensive involvement of Engineers, Planners, Architects and other Professionals besides the Contractors and Developers
The Union Minister of Railways and Coal Shri Piyush Goyal met with Architects and Planners to discuss issues related to Station Redevelopment Program. A total of 110 professionals from 54 firms participated in the meeting. The Minister was categorical that in view of the financial condition of Indian Railways and the paying capacity of public, there is a need for finding solutions that meet the aspirations of travelling public at low cost. Shri Piyush Goyal said “We shall work on providing innovative solutions tailored to uniquely Indian conditions. I am confident that we will eventually be in a position to share the expertise in other countries as well”.
This consultation meeting held with Architects was aimed to understand the issues and difficulties in participating in development/redevelopment of railway stations. The discussions were held on wide range of issues from the difficulties that the architects and planners are facing in participating in station redevelopment program; modifications required in various documents guiding the station design; general direction that station redevelopment program shall take. Minister Shri Goyal assured the participants that as desired the empanelment will be made in more categories; name of the Architect will be included in the plaque. The Minster also directed IRSDC to take up capacity building of Consultants as Station Development is as yet a new field. Shri Goyal also stated that young architects and planners shall also be involved in the station development program and they may be engaged for smaller/simpler stations.
It may be recalled that Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation Limited (IRSDC), as the nodal agency, is taking up redevelopment of around 600 major Railway stations across the country. Towards this objective of stakeholders’ consultation, an idea competition for development of 635 stations of Indian Railways, ‘SRIJAN’ (Station Rejuvenation Initiative through Joint ActioN) has been launched at MyGov portal since 26.01.2018.
This mammoth exercise will kickstart the program worth Rs 1,00,000 crore investments and requires extensive involvement of engineers, planners, architects and other professionals besides the contractors and developers. To prepare the plans for stations, IRSDC has taken up multiple initiatives:
- International Design Competition for 3 Railway Stations, namely, Nagpur, Gwalior and Baiyappanhalli
- IRSDC has empaneled experienced consultants with multi-disciplinary teams
- IRSDC has also invited professionals to take initiatives and share their vision for railway stations for a token fee and in response, eleven architects have registered themselves for development of 74 railway stations.
- SRIJAN (Station Rejuvenation Initiative through Joint Action), an Ideas competition has been launched by IRSDC, where users and young minds are invited to put across their ideas for implementing “Low Cost High Visibility” items at station areas. Around 450 entries have been received so far.
The last date for submission of entries in this competition is 26.03.2018. The winners will get certificates and worthy ideas will be incorporated in the designs. IRSDC has also launched competition through Mygov portal for IRSDC logo and tagline. The winner for logo competition will get cash prize of Rs 75,000/-and for tagline also will get Rs 75,000/-. The last date of submission of entries is 26.3.18.
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Hindustani78
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Ministry of Commerce & Industry
14-March, 2018 18:27 IST
Indian Tea Exports Touch Record High in 2017
Indian tea exports touched a record high in 36 years at 240.68 million kgs in the year 2017. The previous high of 241.3 million kgs was achieved in the year 1981.
Indian teas were exported at an average price of more than three dollar per kg ,in 2017, to 12 countries :
Country
2017*
Qty (M.Kgs)
Value (M US$)
Unit Price ($/Kg)
Japan
3.33
20.57
6.18
Ireland
2.50
14.91
5.96
Australia
2.89
16.05
5.55
Canada
2.44
10.46
4.29
Singapore
0.45
1.90
4.22
U.S.A
14.09
58.44
4.15
Iran
28.05
108.64
3.87
Saudi Arabia
4.20
15.52
3.69
Germany
9.95
34.81
3.50
Netherlands
3.90
12.99
3.33
U.A.E
18.93
58.62
3.10
United Kingdom
15.99
48.39
3.03
*Provisional
This was informed by the Minister of State of Commerce and Industry, Shri C.R.Chaudhary, in the Rajya Sabha today.
It has been a continuous endeavour of Tea Board and the tea industry to strategize ways and means to increase export and enhance the share of Indian tea in the international market. Focused and sustained initiatives like arranging buyer-seller meets, effecting exchange of delegations, participating in international trade fairs and undertaking generic promotion of Indian brands in key markets are showing results.
The domestic market of tea has also been growing over the years and has been seen to directly affect the exportable surplus of tea in the country.
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Ministry of Commerce & Industry
14-March, 2018 12:00 IST
Index Numbers of Wholesale Price in India (Base: 2011-12=100)
Review for the month of February, 2018
The official Wholesale Price Index for ‘All Commodities’ (Base: 2011-12=100) for the month of February, 2018 remained unchanged at its previous month level of 115.8 (Provisional).
INFLATION
The annual rate of inflation, based on monthly WPI, stood at 2.48% (provisional) for the month of February, 2018 (over February, 2017) as compared to 2.84% (provisional) for the previous month and 5.51% during the corresponding month of the previous year. Build up inflation rate in the financial year so far was 2.30% compared to a build up rate of 4.92% in the corresponding period of the previous year.
Inflation for important commodities / commodity groups is indicated in Annex-1 and Annex-II.
The movement of the index for the various commodity groups is summarized below:-
PRIMARY ARTICLES (Weight 22.62%)
The index for this major group declined by 1.3 percent to 128.0 (provisional) from 129.7 (provisional) for the previous month. The groups and items which showed variations during the month are as follows:-
The index for ‘Food Articles’ group declined by 2.0 percent to 137.8 (provisional) from 140.6 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of fruits & vegetables (9%), gram, tea and masur (4% each), rajma and bajra (3% each), egg, fish-marine, peas/chawali, jowar and urad (2% each) and wheat (1%). However, the price of betel leaves (13%), ragi (3%) and arhar, maize, condiments & spices, coffee, moong, fish-inland, poultry chicken and paddy (1% each) moved up.
The index for ‘Non-Food Articles’ group declined by 0.1 percent to 120.6 (provisional) from 120.7 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of floriculture (15%), niger seed (5%), raw cotton and linseed (3% each), raw rubber and skins (raw) (2% each) and cotton seed, raw silk, rape & mustard seed and copra (coconut) (1% each). However, the price of soyabean (11%), hides (raw) (10%), mesta (8%), raw jute (5%), guar seed (4%), raw wool and fodder (2% each) and groundnut seed, castor seed, gingelly seed and sunflower (1% each) moved up.
The index for ‘Minerals’ group rose by 0.2 percent to 122.2 (provisional) from 121.9 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of iron ore (3%) and copper concentrate (1%). However, the price of sillimanite (9%), lead concentrate (4%), manganese ore (3%) and chromite and phosphorite (2% each) declined.
The index for ‘Crude Petroleum & Natural Gas’ group rose by 2.9 percent to 80.6 (provisional) from 78.3 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of crude petroleum (3%) and natural gas (2%).
FUEL & POWER (Weight 13.15%)
The index for this major group rose by 1.2 percent to 98.1 (provisional) from 96.9 (provisional) for the previous month. The groups and items which showed variations during the month are as follows:-
The index for ‘Coal’ group rose by 1.2 percent to 122.6 (provisional) from 121.1 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of non-coking coal (2%).
The index for ‘Mineral Oils’ group rose by 1.8 percent to 89.8 (provisional) from 88.2 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of ATF (7%), kerosene and lube oils (4% each), furnace oil (3%), HSD and petrol (2% each) and petroleum coke (1%). However, the price of bitumen and naphtha (2% each) declined.
MANUFACTURED PRODUCTS (Weight 64.23%)
The index for this major group rose by 0.4 percent to 115.2 (provisional) from 114.7 (provisional) for the previous month. The groups and items which showed variations during the month are as follows:-
The index for ‘Manufacture of Food Products’ group declined by 0.3 percent to 126.4 (provisional) from 126.8 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of molasses (16%), processed tea (7%), gram powder (besan) (6%), gur (4%), sugar (3%), butter, manufacture of macaroni, noodles, couscous & similar farinaceous products, powder milk, copra oil, processing and preserving of fish, crustaceans & molluscs and products thereof and castor oil (2% each) and honey, rapeseed oil, processing & preserving of fruit & vegetables, manufacture of health supplements, instant coffee and ice cream (1% each). However, the price of basmati rice (4%), rice products, bagasse and other meats, preserved/processed (3% each), cotton seed oil and manufacture of prepared animal feeds (2% each) and groundnut oil, rice, non-basmati, palm oil, coffee powder with chicory, spices (including mixed spices), ghee, vanaspati, soyabean oil, sunflower oil, wheat flour (atta) and salt (1% each) moved up.
The index for ‘Manufacture of Beverages’ group declined by 0.5 percent to 119.3 (provisional) from 119.9 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of country liquor (2%) and bottled mineral water, rectified spirit, aerated drinks/soft drinks (incl. soft drink concentrates) and wine (1% each).
The index for ‘Manufacture of Tobacco Products’ group rose by 0.9 percent to 152.7 (provisional) from 151.3 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of cigarette (2%) and biri (1%).
The index for ‘Manufacture of Textiles’ group rose by 0.6 percent to 113.7 (provisional) from 113.0 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of weaving & finishing of textiles, cotton yarn, synthetic yarn and manufacture of made-up textile articles, except apparel (1% each). However, the price of manufacture of other textiles (1%) declined.
The index for ‘Manufacture of Wearing Apparel’ group rose by 0.4 percent to 139.0 (provisional) from 138.5 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of men/boys suits, coats and jackets and babies garments, knitted (1% each).
The index for ‘Manufacture of Leather and Related Products’ group rose by 0.7 percent to 121.6 (provisional) from 120.7 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of canvas shoes (3%), belt & other articles of leather (2%) and gloves of leather, leather shoe, travel goods, handbags, office bags, etc. and harness, saddles & other related items (1% each). However, the price of vegetable tanned leather and plastic/pvc chappals (1% each) declined.
The index for ‘Manufacture of Wood and of Products of Wood and Cork ‘ group rose by 0.1 percent to 130.9 (provisional) from 130.8 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of wooden splint (2%) and lamination wooden sheets/veneer sheets and wooden box/crate (1% each). However, the price of plywood block boards, wooden block-compressed or not and wooden panel (1% each) declined.
The index for ‘Manufacture of Paper and Paper Products’ group declined by 1.2 percent to 120.0 (provisional) from 121.4 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of corrugated sheet box (9%), pulp board (5%) and map litho paper, tissue paper, paper carton/box, duplex paper, base paper and card board (1% each). However, the price of hard board (5%), newsprint (3%), paper for printing & writing, laminated paper and bristle paper board (2% each) and press board, poster paper, corrugated paper board and kraft paper (1% each) moved up.
The index for ‘Printing and Reproduction of Recorded Media ‘ group declined by 0.8 percent to 143.5 (provisional) from 144.6 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of printed labels/posters/calendars (3%), printed form & schedule (2%) and printed books (1%). However, the price of hologram (3d) (3%) and newspaper (1%) moved up.
The index for ‘Manufacture of Chemicals and Chemical Products’ group rose by 1.1 percent to 115.0 (provisional) from 113.8 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of hydrogen peroxide (13%), phthalic anhydride (9%), di- ammonium phosphate (6%), polyester film(metalized) and aromatic chemicals (5% each), amine, monoethyl glycol, creams & lotions for external application and ammonium phosphate (4% each), phosphoric acid, liquid air & other gaseous products, poly propylene (pp), explosive, polystyrene, expandable, perfume/scent and paint (3% each), carbon black, fungicide, liquid, varnish (all types), dye stuff/dyes incl. dye intermediates & pigments/colours, adhesive excluding gum, plasticizer, polyethylene, xlpe compound, nitrogenous fertilizer, others and additive (2% each) and caustic soda (sodium hydroxide), ethyl acetate, aniline (including pna, ona, ocpna), ammonium sulphate, ammonium nitrate, alkyl benzene, organic surface active agent, foundry chemical, detergent cake, washing soap cake/bar/powder, poly vinyl chloride (pvc), fatty acid, shampoo, printing ink, organic solvent, ethylene oxide, rubber chemicals and mixed fertilizer (1% each). However, the price of oleoresin (8%), sulphuric acid and menthol (6% each), sodium silicate (3%), nitric acid, toilet soap and gelatine (2% each) and camphor, acrylic fibre and viscose staple fibre (1% each) declined.
The index for ‘Manufacture of Pharmaceuticals, Medicinal Chemical and Botanical Products’ group declined by 0.8 percent to 120.7 (provisional) from 121.7 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of anti cancer drugs (32%), sulpha drugs (15%), vials/ampoule, glass, empty or filled (2%) and plastic capsules and api & formulations of vitamins (1% each). However, the price of anti allergic drugs and antidiabetic drug excluding insulin (i.e.tolbutam) (8% each), antioxidants (6%), ayurvedic medicaments, antibiotics & preparations thereof and steroids & hormonal preparations (including anti-fungal preparations) (2% each) and anti-retroviral drugs for HIV treatment and anti inflammatory preparation (1% each) moved up.
The index for ‘Manufacture of Rubber and Plastics Products’ group declined by 0.5 percent to 107.3 (provisional) from 107.8 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of medium & heavy commercial vehicle tube (12%), rubber components & parts (7%), motor car tube (5%), v belt (3%), 2/3 wheeler rubber tube and plastic film (2% each) and condoms and medium & heavy commercial vehicle tyre (1% each). However, the price of polypropylene film (4%), plastic button (3%), plastic bag, 2/3 wheeler tyre, plastic tank, rubberized dipped fabric, solid rubber tyres/wheels, polyester film (non-metalized) and rubber tread (2% each) and processed rubber, thermocol, elastic webbing, pvc fittings & other accessories, plastic bottle, plastic components and rubber moulded goods (1% each) moved up.
The index for ‘Manufacture of Other Non-Metallic Mineral Products’ group rose by 0.4 percent to 114.4 (provisional) from 114.0 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of ordinary sheet glass and fibre glass incl. sheet (3% each), lime & calcium carbonate, white cement and cement superfine (2% each) and ordinary portland cement, cement blocks (concrete), poles & posts of concrete, glass bottle, plain bricks, granite, non ceramic tiles, graphite rod and pozzolana cement (1% each). However, the price of ceramic tiles (vitrified tiles) (3%), porcelain sanitary ware (2%) and marble slab, clinker, asbestos corrugated sheet and toughened glass (1% each) declined.
The index for ‘Manufacture of Basic Metals’ group rose by 2.0 percent to 107.9 (provisional) from 105.8 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of rails and pig iron (6% each), sponge iron/direct reduced iron (DRI) and ms pencil ingots (5% each), ms wire rods, gp/gc sheet, angles, channels, sections, steel (coated/not) and hot rolled (HR) coils & sheets, including narrow strip (4% each), ferrosilicon, other ferro alloys, cold rolled (CR) coils & sheets, including narrow strip and alloy steel wire rods (3% each), brass metal/sheet/coils, lead ingots, bars, blocks, plates, MS bright bars, copper metal/copper rings and mild steel (ms) blooms (2% each) and copper shapes-bars/rods/plates/strips, cast iron, castings, stainless steel bars & rods, including flats, steel cables, ferrochrome, ferromanganese, galvanized iron pipes, stainless steel tubes, stainless steel coils, strips & sheets, aluminium disk and circles and alumnium foil (1% each). However, the price of steel forgings-rough (1%) declined.
The index for ‘Manufacture of Fabricated Metal Products, Except Machinery and Equipment’ group declined by 0.1 percent to 111.8 (provisional) from 111.9 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of sanitary fittings of iron & steel (23%), forged steel rings and hand tools (2% each) and steel container, iron/steel cap and jigs & fixture (1% each). However, the price of bracket (5%), steel door (4%), stainless steel tank (3%), steel structures (2%) and steel drums and barrels and steel pipes, tubes & poles (1% each) moved up.
The index for ‘Manufacture of Computer, Electronic and Optical Products’ group declined by 0.3 percent to 110.7 (provisional) from 111.0 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of scientific time keeping device (4%), telephone sets including mobile hand sets (2%) and meter (non-electrical) and capacitors (1% each). However, the price of electro-diagnostic apparatus, used in medical, surgical, dental or veterinary sciences (3%) and sunglasses and air conditioner (1% each) moved up.
The index for ‘Manufacture of Electrical Equipment’ group declined by 0.6 percent to 109.4 (provisional) from 110.1 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of solenoid valve (6%), transformer and jelly filled cables (4% each), electric switch and connector/plug/socket/holder-electric (2% each) and insulator, dry cells such as torch light batteries, electric & other meters and electric switch gear control/starter (1% each). However, the price of electrical resistors (except heating resistors) and insulating & flexible wire (4% each), electrical relay/conductor and acsr conductors (3% each), electric welding machine and aluminium/alloy conductor (2% each) and rotor/magneto rotor assembly, copper wire, domestic gas stove and aluminium wire (1% each) moved up.
The index for ‘Manufacture of Machinery and Equipment’ group rose by 1.5 percent to 109.7 (provisional) from 108.1 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of agricultural tractors (16%), pressure vessel and tank for fermentation & other food processing (10%), roller mill (raymond) (9%), hydraulic pump, lathes, air filters, mining, quarrying & metallurgical machinery/parts and air or vacuum pump (2% each) and industrial valve, roller & ball bearings, manufacture of bearings, gears, gearing & driving elements, separator, sewing machines and injection pump (1% each). However, the price of cranes (12%), solar power system (solar panel & attachable equipment) (6%), open end spinning machinery and filtration equipment (4% each), chemical equipment & system, excavator and packing machine (2% each) and drilling machine, gasket kit, harvesters, oil pump and pharmaceutical machinery (1% each) declined.
The index for ‘Manufacture of Motor Vehicles, Trailers and Semi-Trailers’ group rose by 0.4 percent to 111.1 (provisional) from 110.7 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of brake pad/brake liner/brake block/brake rubber, others (5%), engine (2%) and seat for motor vehicles, piston ring/piston & compressor, head lamp and body (for commercial motor vehicles) (1% each). However, the price of cylinder liners (2%) and wheels/wheels & parts, chassis of different vehicle types, silencer & damper and shafts of all kinds (1% each) declined.
The index for ‘Manufacture of Other Transport Equipment’ group rose by 0.3 percent to 112.0 (provisional) from 111.7 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of railway brake gear and emu coaches (2% each) and tanker and scooters (1% each).
The index for ‘Other Manufacturing’ group rose by 2.5 percent to 106.8 (provisional) from 104.2 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of gold & gold ornaments (3%) and playing cards, sports goods of rubber (incl. balls), plastic moulded-others toys, non mechanical toys and football (1% each). However, the price of stringed musical instruments (incl.santoor, guitars, etc.) (4%) and silver, intraocular lens and cricket ball (1% each) declined.
WPI FOOD INDEX (Weight 24.38%)
The rate of inflation based on WPI Food Index consisting of ‘Food Articles’ from Primary Articles group and ‘Food Product’ from Manufactured Products group decreased from 1.65% in January, 2018 to 0.07% in February, 2018.
FINAL INDEX FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER, 2017 (BASE YEAR: 2011-12=100)
For the month of December, 2017, the final Wholesale Price Index for ‘All Commodities’ (Base: 2011-12=100) and annual rate of inflation remained unchanged at its provisional level of 115.7 and 3.58 percent respectively as reported on 15.01.2018.
Next date of press release: 16/04/2018 for the month of March, 2018
This press release is available at http://eaindustry.nic.in
14-March, 2018 18:27 IST
Indian Tea Exports Touch Record High in 2017
Indian tea exports touched a record high in 36 years at 240.68 million kgs in the year 2017. The previous high of 241.3 million kgs was achieved in the year 1981.
Indian teas were exported at an average price of more than three dollar per kg ,in 2017, to 12 countries :
Country
2017*
Qty (M.Kgs)
Value (M US$)
Unit Price ($/Kg)
Japan
3.33
20.57
6.18
Ireland
2.50
14.91
5.96
Australia
2.89
16.05
5.55
Canada
2.44
10.46
4.29
Singapore
0.45
1.90
4.22
U.S.A
14.09
58.44
4.15
Iran
28.05
108.64
3.87
Saudi Arabia
4.20
15.52
3.69
Germany
9.95
34.81
3.50
Netherlands
3.90
12.99
3.33
U.A.E
18.93
58.62
3.10
United Kingdom
15.99
48.39
3.03
*Provisional
This was informed by the Minister of State of Commerce and Industry, Shri C.R.Chaudhary, in the Rajya Sabha today.
It has been a continuous endeavour of Tea Board and the tea industry to strategize ways and means to increase export and enhance the share of Indian tea in the international market. Focused and sustained initiatives like arranging buyer-seller meets, effecting exchange of delegations, participating in international trade fairs and undertaking generic promotion of Indian brands in key markets are showing results.
The domestic market of tea has also been growing over the years and has been seen to directly affect the exportable surplus of tea in the country.
****
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
14-March, 2018 12:00 IST
Index Numbers of Wholesale Price in India (Base: 2011-12=100)
Review for the month of February, 2018
The official Wholesale Price Index for ‘All Commodities’ (Base: 2011-12=100) for the month of February, 2018 remained unchanged at its previous month level of 115.8 (Provisional).
INFLATION
The annual rate of inflation, based on monthly WPI, stood at 2.48% (provisional) for the month of February, 2018 (over February, 2017) as compared to 2.84% (provisional) for the previous month and 5.51% during the corresponding month of the previous year. Build up inflation rate in the financial year so far was 2.30% compared to a build up rate of 4.92% in the corresponding period of the previous year.
Inflation for important commodities / commodity groups is indicated in Annex-1 and Annex-II.
The movement of the index for the various commodity groups is summarized below:-
PRIMARY ARTICLES (Weight 22.62%)
The index for this major group declined by 1.3 percent to 128.0 (provisional) from 129.7 (provisional) for the previous month. The groups and items which showed variations during the month are as follows:-
The index for ‘Food Articles’ group declined by 2.0 percent to 137.8 (provisional) from 140.6 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of fruits & vegetables (9%), gram, tea and masur (4% each), rajma and bajra (3% each), egg, fish-marine, peas/chawali, jowar and urad (2% each) and wheat (1%). However, the price of betel leaves (13%), ragi (3%) and arhar, maize, condiments & spices, coffee, moong, fish-inland, poultry chicken and paddy (1% each) moved up.
The index for ‘Non-Food Articles’ group declined by 0.1 percent to 120.6 (provisional) from 120.7 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of floriculture (15%), niger seed (5%), raw cotton and linseed (3% each), raw rubber and skins (raw) (2% each) and cotton seed, raw silk, rape & mustard seed and copra (coconut) (1% each). However, the price of soyabean (11%), hides (raw) (10%), mesta (8%), raw jute (5%), guar seed (4%), raw wool and fodder (2% each) and groundnut seed, castor seed, gingelly seed and sunflower (1% each) moved up.
The index for ‘Minerals’ group rose by 0.2 percent to 122.2 (provisional) from 121.9 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of iron ore (3%) and copper concentrate (1%). However, the price of sillimanite (9%), lead concentrate (4%), manganese ore (3%) and chromite and phosphorite (2% each) declined.
The index for ‘Crude Petroleum & Natural Gas’ group rose by 2.9 percent to 80.6 (provisional) from 78.3 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of crude petroleum (3%) and natural gas (2%).
FUEL & POWER (Weight 13.15%)
The index for this major group rose by 1.2 percent to 98.1 (provisional) from 96.9 (provisional) for the previous month. The groups and items which showed variations during the month are as follows:-
The index for ‘Coal’ group rose by 1.2 percent to 122.6 (provisional) from 121.1 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of non-coking coal (2%).
The index for ‘Mineral Oils’ group rose by 1.8 percent to 89.8 (provisional) from 88.2 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of ATF (7%), kerosene and lube oils (4% each), furnace oil (3%), HSD and petrol (2% each) and petroleum coke (1%). However, the price of bitumen and naphtha (2% each) declined.
MANUFACTURED PRODUCTS (Weight 64.23%)
The index for this major group rose by 0.4 percent to 115.2 (provisional) from 114.7 (provisional) for the previous month. The groups and items which showed variations during the month are as follows:-
The index for ‘Manufacture of Food Products’ group declined by 0.3 percent to 126.4 (provisional) from 126.8 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of molasses (16%), processed tea (7%), gram powder (besan) (6%), gur (4%), sugar (3%), butter, manufacture of macaroni, noodles, couscous & similar farinaceous products, powder milk, copra oil, processing and preserving of fish, crustaceans & molluscs and products thereof and castor oil (2% each) and honey, rapeseed oil, processing & preserving of fruit & vegetables, manufacture of health supplements, instant coffee and ice cream (1% each). However, the price of basmati rice (4%), rice products, bagasse and other meats, preserved/processed (3% each), cotton seed oil and manufacture of prepared animal feeds (2% each) and groundnut oil, rice, non-basmati, palm oil, coffee powder with chicory, spices (including mixed spices), ghee, vanaspati, soyabean oil, sunflower oil, wheat flour (atta) and salt (1% each) moved up.
The index for ‘Manufacture of Beverages’ group declined by 0.5 percent to 119.3 (provisional) from 119.9 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of country liquor (2%) and bottled mineral water, rectified spirit, aerated drinks/soft drinks (incl. soft drink concentrates) and wine (1% each).
The index for ‘Manufacture of Tobacco Products’ group rose by 0.9 percent to 152.7 (provisional) from 151.3 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of cigarette (2%) and biri (1%).
The index for ‘Manufacture of Textiles’ group rose by 0.6 percent to 113.7 (provisional) from 113.0 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of weaving & finishing of textiles, cotton yarn, synthetic yarn and manufacture of made-up textile articles, except apparel (1% each). However, the price of manufacture of other textiles (1%) declined.
The index for ‘Manufacture of Wearing Apparel’ group rose by 0.4 percent to 139.0 (provisional) from 138.5 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of men/boys suits, coats and jackets and babies garments, knitted (1% each).
The index for ‘Manufacture of Leather and Related Products’ group rose by 0.7 percent to 121.6 (provisional) from 120.7 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of canvas shoes (3%), belt & other articles of leather (2%) and gloves of leather, leather shoe, travel goods, handbags, office bags, etc. and harness, saddles & other related items (1% each). However, the price of vegetable tanned leather and plastic/pvc chappals (1% each) declined.
The index for ‘Manufacture of Wood and of Products of Wood and Cork ‘ group rose by 0.1 percent to 130.9 (provisional) from 130.8 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of wooden splint (2%) and lamination wooden sheets/veneer sheets and wooden box/crate (1% each). However, the price of plywood block boards, wooden block-compressed or not and wooden panel (1% each) declined.
The index for ‘Manufacture of Paper and Paper Products’ group declined by 1.2 percent to 120.0 (provisional) from 121.4 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of corrugated sheet box (9%), pulp board (5%) and map litho paper, tissue paper, paper carton/box, duplex paper, base paper and card board (1% each). However, the price of hard board (5%), newsprint (3%), paper for printing & writing, laminated paper and bristle paper board (2% each) and press board, poster paper, corrugated paper board and kraft paper (1% each) moved up.
The index for ‘Printing and Reproduction of Recorded Media ‘ group declined by 0.8 percent to 143.5 (provisional) from 144.6 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of printed labels/posters/calendars (3%), printed form & schedule (2%) and printed books (1%). However, the price of hologram (3d) (3%) and newspaper (1%) moved up.
The index for ‘Manufacture of Chemicals and Chemical Products’ group rose by 1.1 percent to 115.0 (provisional) from 113.8 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of hydrogen peroxide (13%), phthalic anhydride (9%), di- ammonium phosphate (6%), polyester film(metalized) and aromatic chemicals (5% each), amine, monoethyl glycol, creams & lotions for external application and ammonium phosphate (4% each), phosphoric acid, liquid air & other gaseous products, poly propylene (pp), explosive, polystyrene, expandable, perfume/scent and paint (3% each), carbon black, fungicide, liquid, varnish (all types), dye stuff/dyes incl. dye intermediates & pigments/colours, adhesive excluding gum, plasticizer, polyethylene, xlpe compound, nitrogenous fertilizer, others and additive (2% each) and caustic soda (sodium hydroxide), ethyl acetate, aniline (including pna, ona, ocpna), ammonium sulphate, ammonium nitrate, alkyl benzene, organic surface active agent, foundry chemical, detergent cake, washing soap cake/bar/powder, poly vinyl chloride (pvc), fatty acid, shampoo, printing ink, organic solvent, ethylene oxide, rubber chemicals and mixed fertilizer (1% each). However, the price of oleoresin (8%), sulphuric acid and menthol (6% each), sodium silicate (3%), nitric acid, toilet soap and gelatine (2% each) and camphor, acrylic fibre and viscose staple fibre (1% each) declined.
The index for ‘Manufacture of Pharmaceuticals, Medicinal Chemical and Botanical Products’ group declined by 0.8 percent to 120.7 (provisional) from 121.7 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of anti cancer drugs (32%), sulpha drugs (15%), vials/ampoule, glass, empty or filled (2%) and plastic capsules and api & formulations of vitamins (1% each). However, the price of anti allergic drugs and antidiabetic drug excluding insulin (i.e.tolbutam) (8% each), antioxidants (6%), ayurvedic medicaments, antibiotics & preparations thereof and steroids & hormonal preparations (including anti-fungal preparations) (2% each) and anti-retroviral drugs for HIV treatment and anti inflammatory preparation (1% each) moved up.
The index for ‘Manufacture of Rubber and Plastics Products’ group declined by 0.5 percent to 107.3 (provisional) from 107.8 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of medium & heavy commercial vehicle tube (12%), rubber components & parts (7%), motor car tube (5%), v belt (3%), 2/3 wheeler rubber tube and plastic film (2% each) and condoms and medium & heavy commercial vehicle tyre (1% each). However, the price of polypropylene film (4%), plastic button (3%), plastic bag, 2/3 wheeler tyre, plastic tank, rubberized dipped fabric, solid rubber tyres/wheels, polyester film (non-metalized) and rubber tread (2% each) and processed rubber, thermocol, elastic webbing, pvc fittings & other accessories, plastic bottle, plastic components and rubber moulded goods (1% each) moved up.
The index for ‘Manufacture of Other Non-Metallic Mineral Products’ group rose by 0.4 percent to 114.4 (provisional) from 114.0 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of ordinary sheet glass and fibre glass incl. sheet (3% each), lime & calcium carbonate, white cement and cement superfine (2% each) and ordinary portland cement, cement blocks (concrete), poles & posts of concrete, glass bottle, plain bricks, granite, non ceramic tiles, graphite rod and pozzolana cement (1% each). However, the price of ceramic tiles (vitrified tiles) (3%), porcelain sanitary ware (2%) and marble slab, clinker, asbestos corrugated sheet and toughened glass (1% each) declined.
The index for ‘Manufacture of Basic Metals’ group rose by 2.0 percent to 107.9 (provisional) from 105.8 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of rails and pig iron (6% each), sponge iron/direct reduced iron (DRI) and ms pencil ingots (5% each), ms wire rods, gp/gc sheet, angles, channels, sections, steel (coated/not) and hot rolled (HR) coils & sheets, including narrow strip (4% each), ferrosilicon, other ferro alloys, cold rolled (CR) coils & sheets, including narrow strip and alloy steel wire rods (3% each), brass metal/sheet/coils, lead ingots, bars, blocks, plates, MS bright bars, copper metal/copper rings and mild steel (ms) blooms (2% each) and copper shapes-bars/rods/plates/strips, cast iron, castings, stainless steel bars & rods, including flats, steel cables, ferrochrome, ferromanganese, galvanized iron pipes, stainless steel tubes, stainless steel coils, strips & sheets, aluminium disk and circles and alumnium foil (1% each). However, the price of steel forgings-rough (1%) declined.
The index for ‘Manufacture of Fabricated Metal Products, Except Machinery and Equipment’ group declined by 0.1 percent to 111.8 (provisional) from 111.9 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of sanitary fittings of iron & steel (23%), forged steel rings and hand tools (2% each) and steel container, iron/steel cap and jigs & fixture (1% each). However, the price of bracket (5%), steel door (4%), stainless steel tank (3%), steel structures (2%) and steel drums and barrels and steel pipes, tubes & poles (1% each) moved up.
The index for ‘Manufacture of Computer, Electronic and Optical Products’ group declined by 0.3 percent to 110.7 (provisional) from 111.0 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of scientific time keeping device (4%), telephone sets including mobile hand sets (2%) and meter (non-electrical) and capacitors (1% each). However, the price of electro-diagnostic apparatus, used in medical, surgical, dental or veterinary sciences (3%) and sunglasses and air conditioner (1% each) moved up.
The index for ‘Manufacture of Electrical Equipment’ group declined by 0.6 percent to 109.4 (provisional) from 110.1 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of solenoid valve (6%), transformer and jelly filled cables (4% each), electric switch and connector/plug/socket/holder-electric (2% each) and insulator, dry cells such as torch light batteries, electric & other meters and electric switch gear control/starter (1% each). However, the price of electrical resistors (except heating resistors) and insulating & flexible wire (4% each), electrical relay/conductor and acsr conductors (3% each), electric welding machine and aluminium/alloy conductor (2% each) and rotor/magneto rotor assembly, copper wire, domestic gas stove and aluminium wire (1% each) moved up.
The index for ‘Manufacture of Machinery and Equipment’ group rose by 1.5 percent to 109.7 (provisional) from 108.1 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of agricultural tractors (16%), pressure vessel and tank for fermentation & other food processing (10%), roller mill (raymond) (9%), hydraulic pump, lathes, air filters, mining, quarrying & metallurgical machinery/parts and air or vacuum pump (2% each) and industrial valve, roller & ball bearings, manufacture of bearings, gears, gearing & driving elements, separator, sewing machines and injection pump (1% each). However, the price of cranes (12%), solar power system (solar panel & attachable equipment) (6%), open end spinning machinery and filtration equipment (4% each), chemical equipment & system, excavator and packing machine (2% each) and drilling machine, gasket kit, harvesters, oil pump and pharmaceutical machinery (1% each) declined.
The index for ‘Manufacture of Motor Vehicles, Trailers and Semi-Trailers’ group rose by 0.4 percent to 111.1 (provisional) from 110.7 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of brake pad/brake liner/brake block/brake rubber, others (5%), engine (2%) and seat for motor vehicles, piston ring/piston & compressor, head lamp and body (for commercial motor vehicles) (1% each). However, the price of cylinder liners (2%) and wheels/wheels & parts, chassis of different vehicle types, silencer & damper and shafts of all kinds (1% each) declined.
The index for ‘Manufacture of Other Transport Equipment’ group rose by 0.3 percent to 112.0 (provisional) from 111.7 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of railway brake gear and emu coaches (2% each) and tanker and scooters (1% each).
The index for ‘Other Manufacturing’ group rose by 2.5 percent to 106.8 (provisional) from 104.2 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of gold & gold ornaments (3%) and playing cards, sports goods of rubber (incl. balls), plastic moulded-others toys, non mechanical toys and football (1% each). However, the price of stringed musical instruments (incl.santoor, guitars, etc.) (4%) and silver, intraocular lens and cricket ball (1% each) declined.
WPI FOOD INDEX (Weight 24.38%)
The rate of inflation based on WPI Food Index consisting of ‘Food Articles’ from Primary Articles group and ‘Food Product’ from Manufactured Products group decreased from 1.65% in January, 2018 to 0.07% in February, 2018.
FINAL INDEX FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER, 2017 (BASE YEAR: 2011-12=100)
For the month of December, 2017, the final Wholesale Price Index for ‘All Commodities’ (Base: 2011-12=100) and annual rate of inflation remained unchanged at its provisional level of 115.7 and 3.58 percent respectively as reported on 15.01.2018.
Next date of press release: 16/04/2018 for the month of March, 2018
This press release is available at http://eaindustry.nic.in
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Ministry of Railways
14-March, 2018 17:25 IST
Modernization of Ticketing System in Railways
Indian Railways provide computerized PRS (Passenger Reservation System) and UTS (Unreserved Ticketing System) counters at various locations. In addition to ticket counters, reserved tickets can be booked online and through Mobile App. Similarly, unreserved tickets can be booked through Automatic Ticket Vending Machines, Mobile phone as well as ticket booking counters. Indian Railways have also authorized following ticketing agents to issue Railway tickets:
i. Jan Sadharan Ticket Booking Sewaks (JTBS) to issue unreserved tickets in various parts of important cities.
ii. Yatri Ticket Suvidha Kendra (YTSK) licencee to issue reserved as well as unreserved tickets through computerised Passenger Reservation System (PRS)-cum- Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS) terminals provided in their premises.
iii. Station Ticket Booking Agents (STBA) to issue unreserved tickets from station premises of certain ‘E’ category stations.
iv. Rail Travellers’ Service Agents (RTSAs) to book tickets online (both i and e-tickets) through website of Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation (IRCTC).
v. E-ticketing agents authorised by IRCTC to book e-tickets through website of IRCTC.
vi. Facilitators, who are retired Railway personnel, to issue unreserved tickets to the general public through Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs).
Aforesaid steps have been taken for improving the ticketing system further and to facilitating hassle-free issuing of tickets to passengers. During the checks, instances of attempt to misuse reservation system do come to notice particularly during peak rush periods. With a view to keeping a check on the activities of unscrupulous elements including touts and unauthorised ticketing agents and to making general public aware of the implication of purchasing tickets from unscrupulous elements various steps have been taken which include streamlining of reservation system, making it more transparent, imparting information relating to availability of current status of reservation, increased digitization, conducting checks etc., the details of which are as follows:
i. Restriction on agents on booking of tickets during first thirty minutes of opening of Advance Reservation Period (ARP) booking and Tatkal booking.
ii. Condition of carrying one of the prescribed proofs of identity in original during journey by any one of the passengers booked on the ticket.
iii. Automatic preparation of reservation charts at least 4 hours before scheduled departure of train and thereafter booking of available accommodation through internet as well as through computerized Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters.
iv. Making provision in the PRS system to transfer vacant available accommodation after preparation of second reservation chart to next remote location.
v. Introduction of Alternate Train Accommodation Scheme (ATAS) known as ‘VIKALP’ for providing confirmed accommodation to waitlisted passengers and also to ensure optimal utilization of available accommodation.
vi. Modification of Railway Passengers (Cancellation of Ticket and Refund of Fare) Rules to discourage speculative booking of tickets.
vii. Provision of CCTVs at important PRS locations.
viii. Only one booking in one user login session except for return/ onward journey between 0800 and 1200 hours.
ix. Provision of CAPTCHA in the booking page of e-ticket/i-ticket on the IRCTC website to check use of scripting tools by unscrupulous elements for cornering of tickets.
x. Introduction of a time check of 35 seconds for completion of online booking of tickets to avoid misuse through use of scripting software.
xi. Making One Time Password (OTP) mandatory for payment of tickets booked online.
xii. Conducting joint as well as independent checks by Commercial, Vigilance & Security Departments to curb the activities of touts.
xiii. Touts so apprehended taken up as per provisions of Law.
xiv. Intensification of checks during peak rush and festival periods. Touts and unauthorized vendors apprehended and prosecuted as per provision of section 143 & 144 of the Railways Act, 1989.
xv. Supplementing checks conducted at Reservation Offices by checks on the train to detect the cases of transferred reserved tickets i.e. persons found travelling fraudulently against accommodation actually reserved in the name of another passenger.
xvi. Conducting checks in booking offices, reservation offices, trains etc. to curb malpractices by Railway staff in connivance with touts. Stringent action taken against the railway staff under Disciplinary and Appeal Rules, if found indulging in malpractices.
xvii. Deployment of RPF staff at important Passenger Reservation System (PRS) Centers to prevent touting activities.
xviii. Surveillance is kept on the possible activities of touts and unauthorised vendors through Close Circuit Television Cameras installed at important Railway Stations.
xix. Taking action against illegal users of online e-ticketing under provision of section 143 of Railways Act, 1989.
xx. Educating general public through Public Address System and media, not to buy tickets from touts/unscrupulous elements and consequences of buying tickets from these sources.
xxi. Installation of Point of Sale (POS) machines in association with State Bank of India at various locations of Indian Railways i.e. PRS locations, UTS locations, Parcel/Goods locations.
xxii. Withdrawal of service charges applicable on transactions against credit/debit cards for purchasing journey tickets at Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS)/ Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters.
xxiii. Acceptance of international Credit/ Debit cards issued outside India for booking of e-tickets through IRCTC website.
xxiv. Informing passengers about change in their reservation status in the case of Waiting list/RAC to confirmed, cancellation of trains, delayed running of train for more than one hour through SMS.
xxv. Granting of refund automatically to e-ticket holders in the case of cancellation of trains.
xxvi. Provision of facility of cancellation of confirmed/RAC/ waitlisted PRS counter tickets through IRCTC website (www.irctc.co.in) or through 139.
Whenever any case of irregularity committed by authorized ticketing agent comes to notice, suitable action as per provision of the agreement/rule is taken. Such instances generally occur during peak rush period when demand exceeds supply.
Indian Railways have taken various steps with a view to modernising the ticketing process like launching of Next Generation e-ticketing system with increased server capacity, implementation of multi layer security comprising Frontend and Backend Firewall, Web Application Firewall etc. Further, for promoting booking of e-ticket various steps have been taken viz. acceptance of various cashless modes of payment such as net banking, credit debit cards, cash cards and e-wallets; withdrawal of service charge on online booking of tickets from 23.11.2016 (till 31.03.2018), acceptance of Short Message Service sent by IRCTC and screen shot of e-ticket displayed through laptops/palmtops/mobile phones in lieu of Electronic Reservation Slip for travel on trains.
Further, following works have been sanctioned for modernization of ticketing system:
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
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Ministry of Railways
14-March, 2018 17:24 IST
Cashless Ticket Booking In Railways
Following schemes have been introduced for promotion of cashless transaction on Indian Railways:-
i. The facility of online booking of reserved tickets has been provided through Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) website. The payment for tickets booked through IRCTC website is made through various cashless modes such as net banking, through credit/debit cards, cash cards and e-wallets. To incentivise payment through digital means, service charge on online booking of tickets was withdrawn for the tickets booked from 23.11.2016. The facility has been extended upto 31.03.2018.
ii. Indian Railways have tied up with State Bank of India to install 10,000 Point of Sale (POS) machines at various locations of Indian Railways i.e. Passenger Reservation System (PRS)/ Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS) ticket booking counters and Parcel/Goods locations.
iii. Booking of tickets through mobile phone has also been introduced wherein payment can be made through credit/debit cards, net banking, e-wallets etc.
iv. Service charge applicable on transactions against credit/debit cards for purchasing journey tickets at UTS/PRS counters has been withdrawn.
v. International credit/debit cards issued outside India are accepted for booking of e-tickets through IRCTC website.
vi. Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs) have been introduced to facilitate sale of unreserved tickets which have provision of payment through smart cards.
vii. 0.5% discount is given on purchase of season tickets through digital means with effect from 01.01.2017 upto 31.03.2018.
viii. An optional travel insurance scheme with coverage of `10 lakh each had been launched at premium of `0.92 per passenger for those passengers who purchase their online e-ticket (RAC/confirmed ticket holder) from IRCTC website. Subsequently, this insurance scheme is being offered free of cost from 10.12.2016 and has been presently extended up to 31.08.2018 for those passengers who purchase their online e-ticket (RAC/confirmed ticket holder) from IRCTC website.
ix. 5% discount is given for digital payment of catering services on Indian Railways. This scheme has been extended up to 31.03.2018.
x. Provisions have been made in new Catering Policy 2017 for installation of facility of cashless transaction viz. POS/Swipe machine etc. in all the mobile and static units.
xi. 5% discount is given on online payment made for availing services like online booking of retiring rooms with effect from 01.01.2017.
xii. It has been decided to provide 5% discount on the total value of basic fare in PRS reserved counter ticket subject to maximum amount of discount on a ticket of `50 for payments made through Unified Payment Interface (UPI) including Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM) subject to value of ticket being `100 and more.
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
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Ministry of Railways
14-March, 2018 17:22 IST
Discontinuation of pasting of reservation chart
Based on a similar successful experiment conducted by South Western Railway, the practice of pasting of reservation charts on train coaches was discontinued at New Delhi, Hazrat Nizamuddin, Bombay Central, Chennai Central, Howrah and Sealdah stations of Indian Railways on experimental basis for a period of three months. Keeping in view the positive feedback received from Zonal Railways, it has been decided to discontinue pasting of reservation charts on reserved coaches of trains at all erstwhile A1, A & B category of stations as a pilot project for six months starting from 01.03.2018.
The logic behind doing away with the practice of pasting of reservation charts on reserved coaches is as under:-
(i) Passengers holding confirmed ticket are aware of their coach/berth number as the same is indicated on the tickets at the time of booking itself, except in case of First Class air-conditioned class.
(ii) At present around 65% of the reserved tickets are being issued through internet for which, mobile number is invariably captured on which an SMS is sent at the time of booking.
(iii) Waitlisted and Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC) passengers get their status update on their registered mobile number through SMS at the time of preparation of first reservation chart which is at least four hours before the scheduled departure of the train.
(iv) Digital charting system has been installed at major stations and at other stations manual boards are installed for displaying the status of the waitlisted tickets to guide the passengers.
(v) Apart from the above, Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) service through 139, online booking website is available for passengers for checking the status of the tickets on real time basis.
(vi) It will save the cost of stationery as well as savings on account of manpower involved in pasting of reservation charts.
In view of the reasons mentioned above, now there is no need for the passengers to check their reservation status through the reservation charts displayed on the coaches. Moreover, reservation charts continue to be displayed on the station platforms for passengers including senior citizens who would like to view it on charts/ digital charts in all stations including A-1, A & B category stations.
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
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Ministry of Railways
14-March, 2018 17:21 IST
Women compartments in trains and security measures for passengers including women passengers
Earmarking of accommodation for different categories of passengers including women passengers is done based on demand pattern and availability of accommodation, which is a continuous and ongoing process.
Section 58 of the Railways Act, 1989 provides for earmarking of accommodation for female passengers in trains. Accordingly, in trains carrying passengers, Indian Railways have earmarked following accommodation for female passengers:
i. A reservation quota of six berths in sleeper class (SL) in long distance Mail/Express trains has been earmarked for ladies irrespective of age travelling alone or in a group of female passengers.
ii. A combined quota of six lower berths per coach in Sleeper class and three lower berths per coach in Air Conditioned 3 tier (3AC) and Air Conditioned 2 tier (2AC) classes for senior citizens, female passengers 45 years of age and above, and pregnant women when travelling alone. In case of Rajdhani, Duronto and fully Air Conditioned Express trains, the number of berths to be earmarked under this quota in 3AC is 4 lower berths per coach as against 3 lower berths per coach in normal Mail/Express trains.
iii. A reservation quota of six berths in Air Conditioned 3 tier (3AC) in Garib Rath Express trains has been earmarked for exclusive use of female passengers irrespective of age travelling alone or in a group of female passengers.
iv. Second class accommodation for women in the second Class-cum-Luggage-cum Guard’s Coach(SLR) in most of the long distance trains.
v. Unreserved coaches/compartments for female passengers in EMU (Electrical Multiple Unit)/DMU (Diesel Multiple Unit)/ MMTS (Multi
Modal Transport System) trains & local passenger trains depending upon demand pattern as well as availability of accommodation.
vi. Running of ladies special Electrical Multiple Units (EMU)/ Mainline Electrical Multiple Units (MEMU) / Multi Modal Transport System (MMTS) services on the suburban sections of Mumbai, Kolkata, Secunderabad and Chennai as well as on the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) sections.
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.
However, to provide security to passengers including women passengers, following steps are being taken by Indian Railways:
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. Surveillance is kept through CCTV cameras, provided at about 394 stations over Indian Railways, to ensure safety and security of passengers.
3. Ladies Special trains running in Metropolitan cities are being escorted by lady RPF personnel. The train escorting parties have been briefed to keep extra vigil on the ladies coaches en route and at halting stations in long distance trains.
4. Through various social media platforms viz. Twitter, Facebook etc., Railways are in regular touch with passengers including women passengers to enhance security of passengers and to address their security concern.
5. Security Help Line number 182 is made operational over Indian Railways for security related assistance to passengers in distress.
6. An Integrated Security System consisting of surveillance of vulnerable stations through Close Circuit Television Camera Network, Access Control etc. has been sanctioned to improve surveillance mechanism over 202 railway stations.
7. Regular drives are conducted to prevent entry of male passengers in compartments reserved for ladies, and if found, they are prosecuted under the provisions of Railways Act.
8. 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.
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
****
Ministry of Railways
14-March, 2018 17:19 IST
Steps to improve passenger services and amenities in Railways
Indian Railways has more than 8500 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, on the basis of the need felt, expectations of the travelling public and availability of funds.
In the recent past, Indian Railways have taken various steps to improve passenger services and facilitate, 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 IR.
In Reservations and during 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. Automatic refund of confirmed/ Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC) / e-tickets on cancellation of trains.
iv. Enhancement of Senior Citizen Quota as well as quota earmarked for physically handicapped persons.
v. 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.
vi. Acceptance of all International Credit/Debit cards for booking of e-tickets through Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) website.
vii. 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.
viii. 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.
ix. Commencement of concierge services with facility for online booking of wheelchairs through IRCTC website at New Delhi and 23 other stations.
x. Provision of Automatic Ticket Vending Machines to facilitate purchase of unreserved journey tickets.
xi. Commissioning of online booking of retiring room at over 490 Railway stations.
Provision of enhanced passenger amenities in train coaches is a continual endeavour of the Indian Railways (IR).
i. Some of the policy decisions taken in this regard are:
a) Provision of cushioned seats in General Second class coaches.
b) Provision of bottle holder in Non-AC Sleeper Class coaches.
c) Provision of dust bins in Non-AC coaches.
d) Provision of mugs with chain in Non-AC coaches.
e) Provision of Health Faucets in AC as well as Non-AC Sleeper class coaches, etc.
ii. IR has also planned to improve the interior of the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) design coaches. New interiors with more pleasing colours, aesthetically designed fittings, paneling, improved toilets, etc. will be provided in the existing coaches by refurbishing them during Mid Life Rehabilitation (MLR). Work in 700 such Model rake coaches is being progressively carried out, out of which more than 100 Model rake coaches have already been turned out.
iii. Various premium services like Humsafar, Tejas, Antyodaya and coaches like Deen Dayalu and Anubhuti, which have improved passenger amenities, have also been introduced in service.
iv. IR has launched Project Swarn with the objective of significantly improving the passenger experience. In total, 14 Rajdhani and 15 Shatabdi trains will be covered.
v. For the assistance of visually impaired travelers, Integrated Braille signages, i.e signages superimposed with Braille scripts, are being provided in the newly manufactured coaches of IR. Retrofitment of the same in existing coaches has also been taken up in a phased manner.
In addition to above, to cater the needs of passengers, Indian Railway introduces new services and extends/increase the frequency of existing services. Efforts are made to speed-up train services and augment them, subject to operational feasibility and commercial justification. These are on-going process on Indian Railway. Further, to meet the extra rush of passengers during festival/holidays special trains are operated and extra coaches are also attached in trains.
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
****
Ministry of Railways
14-March, 2018 17:18 IST
Electrification of Railway Network
About 38,000 route kilometres of Indian Railways’ Broad Gauge (B.G.) route is non electrified at present. Estimated cost of 100% electrification is ₹ 32,591 crore.
The surplus generated by Railways and the budget sanctioned for the electrification for the last five years is given below:
Year
Profit(In ₹ Crore)
Budget Outlay for Railway Electrification (In ₹ Crore)
Budget sanctioned towards electrification as percentage of total outlay
2012-13
8262.48
830
1.38
2013-14
3455.65
1005
1.58
2014-15
7690.75
1206
1.84
2015-16
9589.50
2163
2.16
2016-17
4437.46
3396
2.81
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
*******
Ministry of Railways
14-March, 2018 17:16 IST
Installation of Lifts and Escalators at Railway Stations
Railways has decided to provide escalators at all ‘A1’, ‘A’ & ‘C’ category stations (footfall 25000 and above for ‘C’ category stations) and lifts at A1’, ‘A’ & ‘C’ category stations and stations of tourist importance progressively. Accordingly, Railway has planned to provide additional 2589 additional escalators and 1000 lifts at Railway Stations.
So far, 473 escalators at 171 stations and 330 lifts at 137 stations have been provided. Further, work is in progress for about 308 nos. of escalators at 128 stations and 306 nos. of lifts at 97 stations. The Zone-wise details for lifts and escalators installed thereof are as under:
Zonal Railway-wise Position of Lift & Escalators
SN
Zonal Railway
No. of Escalator Installed
No. of Stations covered
No. of Lift Installed
No. of Stations covered
1
Central Railway
34
17
30
14
2
Eastern Railway
13
7
6
3
3
East Central Railway
6
3
-
-
4
East Coast Railway
6
2
9
4
5
Northern Railway
61
15
42
15
6
North Central Railway
17
7
3
2
7
Northeast Frontier Railway
4
2
-
-
8
North Western Railway
20
6
9
4
9
North Eastern Railway
20
8
12
4
10
Southern Railway
87
34
59
28
11
South Central Railway
42
15
49
20
12
South East Central Railway
8
3
12
5
13
South Western Railway
13
4
12
3
14
South Eastern Railway
12
6
10
4
15
Western Railway
43
14
46
18
16
West Central Railway
12
4
18
6
17
Metro
75
24
13
7
Total
473
171
330
137
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
****
Ministry of Railways
14-March, 2018 17:15 IST
Cashless Transaction in Railways
Keeping in view the Government’s directive to promote digital transactions and to facilitate passengers to make payments using credit/debit cards, Indian Railways have tied up with State Bank of India to install 10,000 Point of Sale (POS) machines at various locations of Indian Railways i.e. Passenger Reservation System (PRS)/ Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS) ticket booking counters and Parcel/Goods locations.
The cashless transaction in the case of freight business is more than 99%. As far as passenger business is concerned, during the period April, 2017 to February, 2018 approximately 66% of total reserved tickets were booked through cashless modes of payment through internet or through credit/debit cards across counters and approximately 70% of revenue has been received through cashless modes of payment in respect of reserved passenger segment.
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
****
Ministry of Railways
14-March, 2018 17:14 IST
Development and Beautification of Railway Stations
Presently, Railway stations are beautified/modernized under ‘Adarsh’ Station Scheme. Various passenger amenities which inter-alia include improvement to façade of the station building, retiring room, waiting room (with bathing facilities), separate waiting room for ladies, landscaping of circulating area, earmarked parking, signages, Pay & Use toilets, Foot Over Bridge, ramps at entry to station, separate parking for Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), Non-slippery walkway, ‘May I help you’ booth, trolley path etc. are proposed to be provided at Railway stations which are identified for development under this scheme as per the respective category of the station. So far, 18 Railway stations have been developed under this scheme during the financial year 2017-18.
At present, stations are taken up for development under ‘Adarsh’ Station Scheme and 44 stations in the State of Madhya Pradesh, have been identified for development under this scheme. Upgradation of stations on Indian Railways, including those in the State of Madhya Pradesh is a continuous and on-going process. Works in this regard are undertaken for improvement of passenger amenities depending upon need, volume of passenger traffic and inter-se priority subject to availability of funds.
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
****
14-March, 2018 17:25 IST
Modernization of Ticketing System in Railways
Indian Railways provide computerized PRS (Passenger Reservation System) and UTS (Unreserved Ticketing System) counters at various locations. In addition to ticket counters, reserved tickets can be booked online and through Mobile App. Similarly, unreserved tickets can be booked through Automatic Ticket Vending Machines, Mobile phone as well as ticket booking counters. Indian Railways have also authorized following ticketing agents to issue Railway tickets:
i. Jan Sadharan Ticket Booking Sewaks (JTBS) to issue unreserved tickets in various parts of important cities.
ii. Yatri Ticket Suvidha Kendra (YTSK) licencee to issue reserved as well as unreserved tickets through computerised Passenger Reservation System (PRS)-cum- Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS) terminals provided in their premises.
iii. Station Ticket Booking Agents (STBA) to issue unreserved tickets from station premises of certain ‘E’ category stations.
iv. Rail Travellers’ Service Agents (RTSAs) to book tickets online (both i and e-tickets) through website of Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation (IRCTC).
v. E-ticketing agents authorised by IRCTC to book e-tickets through website of IRCTC.
vi. Facilitators, who are retired Railway personnel, to issue unreserved tickets to the general public through Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs).
Aforesaid steps have been taken for improving the ticketing system further and to facilitating hassle-free issuing of tickets to passengers. During the checks, instances of attempt to misuse reservation system do come to notice particularly during peak rush periods. With a view to keeping a check on the activities of unscrupulous elements including touts and unauthorised ticketing agents and to making general public aware of the implication of purchasing tickets from unscrupulous elements various steps have been taken which include streamlining of reservation system, making it more transparent, imparting information relating to availability of current status of reservation, increased digitization, conducting checks etc., the details of which are as follows:
i. Restriction on agents on booking of tickets during first thirty minutes of opening of Advance Reservation Period (ARP) booking and Tatkal booking.
ii. Condition of carrying one of the prescribed proofs of identity in original during journey by any one of the passengers booked on the ticket.
iii. Automatic preparation of reservation charts at least 4 hours before scheduled departure of train and thereafter booking of available accommodation through internet as well as through computerized Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters.
iv. Making provision in the PRS system to transfer vacant available accommodation after preparation of second reservation chart to next remote location.
v. Introduction of Alternate Train Accommodation Scheme (ATAS) known as ‘VIKALP’ for providing confirmed accommodation to waitlisted passengers and also to ensure optimal utilization of available accommodation.
vi. Modification of Railway Passengers (Cancellation of Ticket and Refund of Fare) Rules to discourage speculative booking of tickets.
vii. Provision of CCTVs at important PRS locations.
viii. Only one booking in one user login session except for return/ onward journey between 0800 and 1200 hours.
ix. Provision of CAPTCHA in the booking page of e-ticket/i-ticket on the IRCTC website to check use of scripting tools by unscrupulous elements for cornering of tickets.
x. Introduction of a time check of 35 seconds for completion of online booking of tickets to avoid misuse through use of scripting software.
xi. Making One Time Password (OTP) mandatory for payment of tickets booked online.
xii. Conducting joint as well as independent checks by Commercial, Vigilance & Security Departments to curb the activities of touts.
xiii. Touts so apprehended taken up as per provisions of Law.
xiv. Intensification of checks during peak rush and festival periods. Touts and unauthorized vendors apprehended and prosecuted as per provision of section 143 & 144 of the Railways Act, 1989.
xv. Supplementing checks conducted at Reservation Offices by checks on the train to detect the cases of transferred reserved tickets i.e. persons found travelling fraudulently against accommodation actually reserved in the name of another passenger.
xvi. Conducting checks in booking offices, reservation offices, trains etc. to curb malpractices by Railway staff in connivance with touts. Stringent action taken against the railway staff under Disciplinary and Appeal Rules, if found indulging in malpractices.
xvii. Deployment of RPF staff at important Passenger Reservation System (PRS) Centers to prevent touting activities.
xviii. Surveillance is kept on the possible activities of touts and unauthorised vendors through Close Circuit Television Cameras installed at important Railway Stations.
xix. Taking action against illegal users of online e-ticketing under provision of section 143 of Railways Act, 1989.
xx. Educating general public through Public Address System and media, not to buy tickets from touts/unscrupulous elements and consequences of buying tickets from these sources.
xxi. Installation of Point of Sale (POS) machines in association with State Bank of India at various locations of Indian Railways i.e. PRS locations, UTS locations, Parcel/Goods locations.
xxii. Withdrawal of service charges applicable on transactions against credit/debit cards for purchasing journey tickets at Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS)/ Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters.
xxiii. Acceptance of international Credit/ Debit cards issued outside India for booking of e-tickets through IRCTC website.
xxiv. Informing passengers about change in their reservation status in the case of Waiting list/RAC to confirmed, cancellation of trains, delayed running of train for more than one hour through SMS.
xxv. Granting of refund automatically to e-ticket holders in the case of cancellation of trains.
xxvi. Provision of facility of cancellation of confirmed/RAC/ waitlisted PRS counter tickets through IRCTC website (www.irctc.co.in) or through 139.
Whenever any case of irregularity committed by authorized ticketing agent comes to notice, suitable action as per provision of the agreement/rule is taken. Such instances generally occur during peak rush period when demand exceeds supply.
Indian Railways have taken various steps with a view to modernising the ticketing process like launching of Next Generation e-ticketing system with increased server capacity, implementation of multi layer security comprising Frontend and Backend Firewall, Web Application Firewall etc. Further, for promoting booking of e-ticket various steps have been taken viz. acceptance of various cashless modes of payment such as net banking, credit debit cards, cash cards and e-wallets; withdrawal of service charge on online booking of tickets from 23.11.2016 (till 31.03.2018), acceptance of Short Message Service sent by IRCTC and screen shot of e-ticket displayed through laptops/palmtops/mobile phones in lieu of Electronic Reservation Slip for travel on trains.
Further, following works have been sanctioned for modernization of ticketing system:
- Modernization of Passenger Reservation System has been sanctioned at a cost of ₹ 109.44 crores in 2017-18. It will facilitate capability to handle higher number of transactions per second.
- Modernisation of Unreserved Ticketing System has been sanctioned at a cost of ₹ 180.94 crores in 2017-18. It will cater to the growth in future in terms of number of transactions, terminals and locations. The existing hardware which has reached end of life will be replaced with latest technology equipments.
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
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Ministry of Railways
14-March, 2018 17:24 IST
Cashless Ticket Booking In Railways
Following schemes have been introduced for promotion of cashless transaction on Indian Railways:-
i. The facility of online booking of reserved tickets has been provided through Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) website. The payment for tickets booked through IRCTC website is made through various cashless modes such as net banking, through credit/debit cards, cash cards and e-wallets. To incentivise payment through digital means, service charge on online booking of tickets was withdrawn for the tickets booked from 23.11.2016. The facility has been extended upto 31.03.2018.
ii. Indian Railways have tied up with State Bank of India to install 10,000 Point of Sale (POS) machines at various locations of Indian Railways i.e. Passenger Reservation System (PRS)/ Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS) ticket booking counters and Parcel/Goods locations.
iii. Booking of tickets through mobile phone has also been introduced wherein payment can be made through credit/debit cards, net banking, e-wallets etc.
iv. Service charge applicable on transactions against credit/debit cards for purchasing journey tickets at UTS/PRS counters has been withdrawn.
v. International credit/debit cards issued outside India are accepted for booking of e-tickets through IRCTC website.
vi. Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs) have been introduced to facilitate sale of unreserved tickets which have provision of payment through smart cards.
vii. 0.5% discount is given on purchase of season tickets through digital means with effect from 01.01.2017 upto 31.03.2018.
viii. An optional travel insurance scheme with coverage of `10 lakh each had been launched at premium of `0.92 per passenger for those passengers who purchase their online e-ticket (RAC/confirmed ticket holder) from IRCTC website. Subsequently, this insurance scheme is being offered free of cost from 10.12.2016 and has been presently extended up to 31.08.2018 for those passengers who purchase their online e-ticket (RAC/confirmed ticket holder) from IRCTC website.
ix. 5% discount is given for digital payment of catering services on Indian Railways. This scheme has been extended up to 31.03.2018.
x. Provisions have been made in new Catering Policy 2017 for installation of facility of cashless transaction viz. POS/Swipe machine etc. in all the mobile and static units.
xi. 5% discount is given on online payment made for availing services like online booking of retiring rooms with effect from 01.01.2017.
xii. It has been decided to provide 5% discount on the total value of basic fare in PRS reserved counter ticket subject to maximum amount of discount on a ticket of `50 for payments made through Unified Payment Interface (UPI) including Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM) subject to value of ticket being `100 and more.
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
****
Ministry of Railways
14-March, 2018 17:22 IST
Discontinuation of pasting of reservation chart
Based on a similar successful experiment conducted by South Western Railway, the practice of pasting of reservation charts on train coaches was discontinued at New Delhi, Hazrat Nizamuddin, Bombay Central, Chennai Central, Howrah and Sealdah stations of Indian Railways on experimental basis for a period of three months. Keeping in view the positive feedback received from Zonal Railways, it has been decided to discontinue pasting of reservation charts on reserved coaches of trains at all erstwhile A1, A & B category of stations as a pilot project for six months starting from 01.03.2018.
The logic behind doing away with the practice of pasting of reservation charts on reserved coaches is as under:-
(i) Passengers holding confirmed ticket are aware of their coach/berth number as the same is indicated on the tickets at the time of booking itself, except in case of First Class air-conditioned class.
(ii) At present around 65% of the reserved tickets are being issued through internet for which, mobile number is invariably captured on which an SMS is sent at the time of booking.
(iii) Waitlisted and Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC) passengers get their status update on their registered mobile number through SMS at the time of preparation of first reservation chart which is at least four hours before the scheduled departure of the train.
(iv) Digital charting system has been installed at major stations and at other stations manual boards are installed for displaying the status of the waitlisted tickets to guide the passengers.
(v) Apart from the above, Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) service through 139, online booking website is available for passengers for checking the status of the tickets on real time basis.
(vi) It will save the cost of stationery as well as savings on account of manpower involved in pasting of reservation charts.
In view of the reasons mentioned above, now there is no need for the passengers to check their reservation status through the reservation charts displayed on the coaches. Moreover, reservation charts continue to be displayed on the station platforms for passengers including senior citizens who would like to view it on charts/ digital charts in all stations including A-1, A & B category stations.
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
.****
Ministry of Railways
14-March, 2018 17:21 IST
Women compartments in trains and security measures for passengers including women passengers
Earmarking of accommodation for different categories of passengers including women passengers is done based on demand pattern and availability of accommodation, which is a continuous and ongoing process.
Section 58 of the Railways Act, 1989 provides for earmarking of accommodation for female passengers in trains. Accordingly, in trains carrying passengers, Indian Railways have earmarked following accommodation for female passengers:
i. A reservation quota of six berths in sleeper class (SL) in long distance Mail/Express trains has been earmarked for ladies irrespective of age travelling alone or in a group of female passengers.
ii. A combined quota of six lower berths per coach in Sleeper class and three lower berths per coach in Air Conditioned 3 tier (3AC) and Air Conditioned 2 tier (2AC) classes for senior citizens, female passengers 45 years of age and above, and pregnant women when travelling alone. In case of Rajdhani, Duronto and fully Air Conditioned Express trains, the number of berths to be earmarked under this quota in 3AC is 4 lower berths per coach as against 3 lower berths per coach in normal Mail/Express trains.
iii. A reservation quota of six berths in Air Conditioned 3 tier (3AC) in Garib Rath Express trains has been earmarked for exclusive use of female passengers irrespective of age travelling alone or in a group of female passengers.
iv. Second class accommodation for women in the second Class-cum-Luggage-cum Guard’s Coach(SLR) in most of the long distance trains.
v. Unreserved coaches/compartments for female passengers in EMU (Electrical Multiple Unit)/DMU (Diesel Multiple Unit)/ MMTS (Multi
Modal Transport System) trains & local passenger trains depending upon demand pattern as well as availability of accommodation.
vi. Running of ladies special Electrical Multiple Units (EMU)/ Mainline Electrical Multiple Units (MEMU) / Multi Modal Transport System (MMTS) services on the suburban sections of Mumbai, Kolkata, Secunderabad and Chennai as well as on the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) sections.
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.
However, to provide security to passengers including women passengers, following steps are being taken by Indian Railways:
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. Surveillance is kept through CCTV cameras, provided at about 394 stations over Indian Railways, to ensure safety and security of passengers.
3. Ladies Special trains running in Metropolitan cities are being escorted by lady RPF personnel. The train escorting parties have been briefed to keep extra vigil on the ladies coaches en route and at halting stations in long distance trains.
4. Through various social media platforms viz. Twitter, Facebook etc., Railways are in regular touch with passengers including women passengers to enhance security of passengers and to address their security concern.
5. Security Help Line number 182 is made operational over Indian Railways for security related assistance to passengers in distress.
6. An Integrated Security System consisting of surveillance of vulnerable stations through Close Circuit Television Camera Network, Access Control etc. has been sanctioned to improve surveillance mechanism over 202 railway stations.
7. Regular drives are conducted to prevent entry of male passengers in compartments reserved for ladies, and if found, they are prosecuted under the provisions of Railways Act.
8. 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.
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
****
Ministry of Railways
14-March, 2018 17:19 IST
Steps to improve passenger services and amenities in Railways
Indian Railways has more than 8500 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, on the basis of the need felt, expectations of the travelling public and availability of funds.
In the recent past, Indian Railways have taken various steps to improve passenger services and facilitate, 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 IR.
In Reservations and during 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. Automatic refund of confirmed/ Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC) / e-tickets on cancellation of trains.
iv. Enhancement of Senior Citizen Quota as well as quota earmarked for physically handicapped persons.
v. 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.
vi. Acceptance of all International Credit/Debit cards for booking of e-tickets through Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) website.
vii. 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.
viii. 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.
ix. Commencement of concierge services with facility for online booking of wheelchairs through IRCTC website at New Delhi and 23 other stations.
x. Provision of Automatic Ticket Vending Machines to facilitate purchase of unreserved journey tickets.
xi. Commissioning of online booking of retiring room at over 490 Railway stations.
Provision of enhanced passenger amenities in train coaches is a continual endeavour of the Indian Railways (IR).
i. Some of the policy decisions taken in this regard are:
a) Provision of cushioned seats in General Second class coaches.
b) Provision of bottle holder in Non-AC Sleeper Class coaches.
c) Provision of dust bins in Non-AC coaches.
d) Provision of mugs with chain in Non-AC coaches.
e) Provision of Health Faucets in AC as well as Non-AC Sleeper class coaches, etc.
ii. IR has also planned to improve the interior of the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) design coaches. New interiors with more pleasing colours, aesthetically designed fittings, paneling, improved toilets, etc. will be provided in the existing coaches by refurbishing them during Mid Life Rehabilitation (MLR). Work in 700 such Model rake coaches is being progressively carried out, out of which more than 100 Model rake coaches have already been turned out.
iii. Various premium services like Humsafar, Tejas, Antyodaya and coaches like Deen Dayalu and Anubhuti, which have improved passenger amenities, have also been introduced in service.
iv. IR has launched Project Swarn with the objective of significantly improving the passenger experience. In total, 14 Rajdhani and 15 Shatabdi trains will be covered.
v. For the assistance of visually impaired travelers, Integrated Braille signages, i.e signages superimposed with Braille scripts, are being provided in the newly manufactured coaches of IR. Retrofitment of the same in existing coaches has also been taken up in a phased manner.
In addition to above, to cater the needs of passengers, Indian Railway introduces new services and extends/increase the frequency of existing services. Efforts are made to speed-up train services and augment them, subject to operational feasibility and commercial justification. These are on-going process on Indian Railway. Further, to meet the extra rush of passengers during festival/holidays special trains are operated and extra coaches are also attached in trains.
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
****
Ministry of Railways
14-March, 2018 17:18 IST
Electrification of Railway Network
About 38,000 route kilometres of Indian Railways’ Broad Gauge (B.G.) route is non electrified at present. Estimated cost of 100% electrification is ₹ 32,591 crore.
The surplus generated by Railways and the budget sanctioned for the electrification for the last five years is given below:
Year
Profit(In ₹ Crore)
Budget Outlay for Railway Electrification (In ₹ Crore)
Budget sanctioned towards electrification as percentage of total outlay
2012-13
8262.48
830
1.38
2013-14
3455.65
1005
1.58
2014-15
7690.75
1206
1.84
2015-16
9589.50
2163
2.16
2016-17
4437.46
3396
2.81
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
*******
Ministry of Railways
14-March, 2018 17:16 IST
Installation of Lifts and Escalators at Railway Stations
Railways has decided to provide escalators at all ‘A1’, ‘A’ & ‘C’ category stations (footfall 25000 and above for ‘C’ category stations) and lifts at A1’, ‘A’ & ‘C’ category stations and stations of tourist importance progressively. Accordingly, Railway has planned to provide additional 2589 additional escalators and 1000 lifts at Railway Stations.
So far, 473 escalators at 171 stations and 330 lifts at 137 stations have been provided. Further, work is in progress for about 308 nos. of escalators at 128 stations and 306 nos. of lifts at 97 stations. The Zone-wise details for lifts and escalators installed thereof are as under:
Zonal Railway-wise Position of Lift & Escalators
SN
Zonal Railway
No. of Escalator Installed
No. of Stations covered
No. of Lift Installed
No. of Stations covered
1
Central Railway
34
17
30
14
2
Eastern Railway
13
7
6
3
3
East Central Railway
6
3
-
-
4
East Coast Railway
6
2
9
4
5
Northern Railway
61
15
42
15
6
North Central Railway
17
7
3
2
7
Northeast Frontier Railway
4
2
-
-
8
North Western Railway
20
6
9
4
9
North Eastern Railway
20
8
12
4
10
Southern Railway
87
34
59
28
11
South Central Railway
42
15
49
20
12
South East Central Railway
8
3
12
5
13
South Western Railway
13
4
12
3
14
South Eastern Railway
12
6
10
4
15
Western Railway
43
14
46
18
16
West Central Railway
12
4
18
6
17
Metro
75
24
13
7
Total
473
171
330
137
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
****
Ministry of Railways
14-March, 2018 17:15 IST
Cashless Transaction in Railways
Keeping in view the Government’s directive to promote digital transactions and to facilitate passengers to make payments using credit/debit cards, Indian Railways have tied up with State Bank of India to install 10,000 Point of Sale (POS) machines at various locations of Indian Railways i.e. Passenger Reservation System (PRS)/ Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS) ticket booking counters and Parcel/Goods locations.
The cashless transaction in the case of freight business is more than 99%. As far as passenger business is concerned, during the period April, 2017 to February, 2018 approximately 66% of total reserved tickets were booked through cashless modes of payment through internet or through credit/debit cards across counters and approximately 70% of revenue has been received through cashless modes of payment in respect of reserved passenger segment.
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
****
Ministry of Railways
14-March, 2018 17:14 IST
Development and Beautification of Railway Stations
Presently, Railway stations are beautified/modernized under ‘Adarsh’ Station Scheme. Various passenger amenities which inter-alia include improvement to façade of the station building, retiring room, waiting room (with bathing facilities), separate waiting room for ladies, landscaping of circulating area, earmarked parking, signages, Pay & Use toilets, Foot Over Bridge, ramps at entry to station, separate parking for Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), Non-slippery walkway, ‘May I help you’ booth, trolley path etc. are proposed to be provided at Railway stations which are identified for development under this scheme as per the respective category of the station. So far, 18 Railway stations have been developed under this scheme during the financial year 2017-18.
At present, stations are taken up for development under ‘Adarsh’ Station Scheme and 44 stations in the State of Madhya Pradesh, have been identified for development under this scheme. Upgradation of stations on Indian Railways, including those in the State of Madhya Pradesh is a continuous and on-going process. Works in this regard are undertaken for improvement of passenger amenities depending upon need, volume of passenger traffic and inter-se priority subject to availability of funds.
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
****
Hindustani78
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Prime Minister's Office
15-March, 2018 13:27 IST
PM conveys his greetings on Consumer Rights Day
Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has conveyed his greetings on Consumer Rights Day.
PM said, "Greetings on World Consumer Rights Day. The consumer plays an important role in the economy. Government of India is not only focussing on consumer protection but also consumer prosperity."
***
15-March, 2018 13:27 IST
PM conveys his greetings on Consumer Rights Day
Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has conveyed his greetings on Consumer Rights Day.
PM said, "Greetings on World Consumer Rights Day. The consumer plays an important role in the economy. Government of India is not only focussing on consumer protection but also consumer prosperity."
***
Hindustani78
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Ministry of Commerce & Industry
15-March, 2018 19:09 IST
Minister of Commerce & Industry, Suresh Prabhu, Chairs Meeting on Making India USD 5 Trillion Economy in 7 Years
Suresh Prabhu, Minister of Commerce& Industry addressing members of the task force.
Minister of Commerce& Industry, Suresh Prabhu, today chaired a working group on making India a USD 5 trillion economy in 7 years. The meeting was attended by heads of CII, FICCI, IFC, NASSCOM, NitiAayog and senior officials from the Departments of Commerce and DIPP.
The Minister said that India’s GDP could reach USD 5 trillion provided that there is consistent growth in manufacturing, services and agricultural sectors. The Minister underlined key role of the private sector to create new business models and strategies and leverage new technologies in order to fuel growth in the Indian economy. Government will act as the facilitator in this process.
The participants underlined the need to factor in technological disruptions, challenges due to climate change, positive use of India’s demographic dividend, conscious effort to make India’s manufacturing sector a part of global value chain and recognizing the importance of small and medium scale enterprises to fuel India’s growth story.
Government of India has focused on twelve Champion Sectorsto push growth in manufacturing and generate job opportunities in India. These sectors have potential to become global champions and drive double digit growth in manufacturing.
****
15-March, 2018 19:09 IST
Minister of Commerce & Industry, Suresh Prabhu, Chairs Meeting on Making India USD 5 Trillion Economy in 7 Years
Suresh Prabhu, Minister of Commerce& Industry addressing members of the task force.
Minister of Commerce& Industry, Suresh Prabhu, today chaired a working group on making India a USD 5 trillion economy in 7 years. The meeting was attended by heads of CII, FICCI, IFC, NASSCOM, NitiAayog and senior officials from the Departments of Commerce and DIPP.
The Minister said that India’s GDP could reach USD 5 trillion provided that there is consistent growth in manufacturing, services and agricultural sectors. The Minister underlined key role of the private sector to create new business models and strategies and leverage new technologies in order to fuel growth in the Indian economy. Government will act as the facilitator in this process.
The participants underlined the need to factor in technological disruptions, challenges due to climate change, positive use of India’s demographic dividend, conscious effort to make India’s manufacturing sector a part of global value chain and recognizing the importance of small and medium scale enterprises to fuel India’s growth story.
Government of India has focused on twelve Champion Sectorsto push growth in manufacturing and generate job opportunities in India. These sectors have potential to become global champions and drive double digit growth in manufacturing.
****
Hindustani78
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Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
15-March, 2018 15:16 IST
Grievance Analysis and System Reform
A Grievance Analysis Study has been conducted in respect of top 40 grievance receiving Ministries/Departments/Organizations listed on CPGRAMS for identifying grievance prone area, their roots cause analysis and suggested systemic reforms for reducing such grievances. For the top 20 Ministries/Departments about 80 reforms have been suggested out of which 35 reforms have been implemented. These reforms include automatic refunds on cancellation of Railway Tickets, Single Window Pension through disbursing Banks, intensive mechanized cleaning of coaches, e-verification of Income Tax Returns, expeditious Income Tax Returns upto Rs. 50,000/- etc. The reforms have been implemented by the concerned Ministries/Departments so that grievances on these specific issues could be reduced.
Grievances are required to be redressed in a decentralized manner by the Ministries/Departments/Organizations concerned as per work allocations under the allocation of Business rules, 1961. The details of receipt and disposal of grievances for the Ministries/Departments for the last three years are as under:
Year
B/F
Received
Total
Disposed
% of disposal
2015
80065
879230
959295
769633
80.23
2016
189662
1194931
1384593
1187111
85.74
2017
197482
1417891
1615373
1493567
92.46
This was stated by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
****
Ministry of Railways
15-March, 2018 17:29 IST
Indian Railway goes Digital to motivate Employees to Share Good Work
Continuing on its transformation journey, Indian Railways has developed an Online Portal called “Rail Good Work Portal” to enable the employees to freely share the good work being done by them and encourage easy and fast replication of these good work by other units.
This has motivated the employees from various zones, production units and divisions of Indian Railways to freely share the good work done by them. Within a month of launch of this Portal in early February 2018, over 600 such works done have been shared by employees from across the Railway zones. Employees are enthusiastically describing and sharing the initiatives taken by them in various areas of their work like safety improvement, cost reduction, operations improvement, maintenance improvement, improving customer experience, energy conservation & environment improvement, digital initiatives and human resource development.
The good work samples uploaded by employees are supported with pictures/sketches to facilitate appreciation. The name, mobile number and email id of the person of the railway unit who has implemented the good work is also available on the Portal so as to enable the viewing employees to contact him or her to learn more about the good work and how it can be implemented.
This Portal provides a unique opportunity to field officers and staff of Railways to showcase their exemplary work which can be replicated across Indian Railways. In times to come this Platform will act as an enabler to the Railway System and also give a lot of confidence and sense of pride in their work to the Railway workforce.
*****
Ministry of Railways
15-March, 2018 17:22 IST
Ministry of Railways decides to revamp Platforms in Mumbai Suburban section to ensure safety of Rail passengers
Out of 421 suburban platforms, there was scope for raising 414 platforms 344 platforms have been raised, target date for the project is by June 2018
For enhancement of Safety of commuters and Rail users, Ministry of Railways has decided to revamp platforms in Mumbai Suburban stations. Over Central & Western Railway Suburban sections, the work of raising of 421 Platforms started in 2015. So far, 344 platforms have been raised. The target date of completions is by June 2018.
In Central Railway, out of 276 suburban platforms, there was scope for raising 269 platforms from 840 mm to 900 mm. So far 201 platforms have been raised upto 900 mm. The remaining 68 platforms are within revised Schedule of Dimension of 840-900 mm and work is under progress. Out of remaining 7 platforms, 3 platforms are redundant and being dismantled and 4 of Parel will be raised along with the work for construction of Parel Terminus.
In Western Railway, raising of platforms for 145 stations from 840 mm to 900 mm was taken up in January, 2015. Work on 143 platforms has been completed and work is under progress at 02 platforms. The work on these 02 platforms shall be completed by April, 2018.
Benefits of raised platforms are:
***
15-March, 2018 15:16 IST
Grievance Analysis and System Reform
A Grievance Analysis Study has been conducted in respect of top 40 grievance receiving Ministries/Departments/Organizations listed on CPGRAMS for identifying grievance prone area, their roots cause analysis and suggested systemic reforms for reducing such grievances. For the top 20 Ministries/Departments about 80 reforms have been suggested out of which 35 reforms have been implemented. These reforms include automatic refunds on cancellation of Railway Tickets, Single Window Pension through disbursing Banks, intensive mechanized cleaning of coaches, e-verification of Income Tax Returns, expeditious Income Tax Returns upto Rs. 50,000/- etc. The reforms have been implemented by the concerned Ministries/Departments so that grievances on these specific issues could be reduced.
Grievances are required to be redressed in a decentralized manner by the Ministries/Departments/Organizations concerned as per work allocations under the allocation of Business rules, 1961. The details of receipt and disposal of grievances for the Ministries/Departments for the last three years are as under:
Year
B/F
Received
Total
Disposed
% of disposal
2015
80065
879230
959295
769633
80.23
2016
189662
1194931
1384593
1187111
85.74
2017
197482
1417891
1615373
1493567
92.46
This was stated by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
****
Ministry of Railways
15-March, 2018 17:29 IST
Indian Railway goes Digital to motivate Employees to Share Good Work
Continuing on its transformation journey, Indian Railways has developed an Online Portal called “Rail Good Work Portal” to enable the employees to freely share the good work being done by them and encourage easy and fast replication of these good work by other units.
This has motivated the employees from various zones, production units and divisions of Indian Railways to freely share the good work done by them. Within a month of launch of this Portal in early February 2018, over 600 such works done have been shared by employees from across the Railway zones. Employees are enthusiastically describing and sharing the initiatives taken by them in various areas of their work like safety improvement, cost reduction, operations improvement, maintenance improvement, improving customer experience, energy conservation & environment improvement, digital initiatives and human resource development.
The good work samples uploaded by employees are supported with pictures/sketches to facilitate appreciation. The name, mobile number and email id of the person of the railway unit who has implemented the good work is also available on the Portal so as to enable the viewing employees to contact him or her to learn more about the good work and how it can be implemented.
This Portal provides a unique opportunity to field officers and staff of Railways to showcase their exemplary work which can be replicated across Indian Railways. In times to come this Platform will act as an enabler to the Railway System and also give a lot of confidence and sense of pride in their work to the Railway workforce.
*****
Ministry of Railways
15-March, 2018 17:22 IST
Ministry of Railways decides to revamp Platforms in Mumbai Suburban section to ensure safety of Rail passengers
Out of 421 suburban platforms, there was scope for raising 414 platforms 344 platforms have been raised, target date for the project is by June 2018
For enhancement of Safety of commuters and Rail users, Ministry of Railways has decided to revamp platforms in Mumbai Suburban stations. Over Central & Western Railway Suburban sections, the work of raising of 421 Platforms started in 2015. So far, 344 platforms have been raised. The target date of completions is by June 2018.
In Central Railway, out of 276 suburban platforms, there was scope for raising 269 platforms from 840 mm to 900 mm. So far 201 platforms have been raised upto 900 mm. The remaining 68 platforms are within revised Schedule of Dimension of 840-900 mm and work is under progress. Out of remaining 7 platforms, 3 platforms are redundant and being dismantled and 4 of Parel will be raised along with the work for construction of Parel Terminus.
In Western Railway, raising of platforms for 145 stations from 840 mm to 900 mm was taken up in January, 2015. Work on 143 platforms has been completed and work is under progress at 02 platforms. The work on these 02 platforms shall be completed by April, 2018.
Benefits of raised platforms are:
- It is convenient for commuters in alighting and boarding the train as the gap between footboard and the platforms becomes bare minimum.
- It also makes travel easier and more comfortable for Divyangjans.
***
Hindustani78
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The Chairman, Railway Board, Shri Ashwani Lohani honoring the two Gangmen (Shri Ram Niwas and Shri Priya Swami) for averting accident, at a function, in New Delhi on March 15, 2018.
The Chairman, Railway Board, Shri Ashwani Lohani honoring the two Gangmen (Shri Ram Niwas and Shri Priya Swami) for averting accident, at a function, in New Delhi on March 15, 2018.
The Chairman, Railway Board, Shri Ashwani Lohani honored the two Gangmen (Shri Ram Niwas and Shri Priya Swami) for averting accident, at a function, in New Delhi on March 15, 2018.
The Chairman, Railway Board, Shri Ashwani Lohani honoring the two Gangmen (Shri Ram Niwas and Shri Priya Swami) for averting accident, at a function, in New Delhi on March 15, 2018.
The Chairman, Railway Board, Shri Ashwani Lohani honored the two Gangmen (Shri Ram Niwas and Shri Priya Swami) for averting accident, at a function, in New Delhi on March 15, 2018.
Hindustani78
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Ministry of Railways
16-March, 2018 17:03 IST
Providing Healthy Food at Railway Stations
To provide pure and healthy food to passengers, a new Catering Policy has been issued on 27th February 2017. As per Catering Policy 2017, 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 on trains. In order to upgrade quality of food preparation, IRCTC is to set up new kitchens and upgrade existing ones. Further, detailed instructions/guidelines have been issued to the Zonal Railways for conducting joint inspections by Medical, Commercial and concerned infrastructure maintenance departments to inspect each and every catering unit (mobile and static) including base kitchens/cell kitchens on all Railway divisions/zones. Apart from this, regular and surprise inspections are done by Food Safety Officers, Designated Officers and Joint Food Safety Commissioners. A joint team of ticket checking staff and RPF/GRP staff also conduct surprise checks to prevent unauthorised vending on stations and trains. General Managers of the Zonal Railways have been requested to monitor such drives personally. Food samples collected by Food Safety Officers are sent to the nominated accredited Laboratories under Food Safety & Standard Act for analysis and testing. Penalties are imposed in cases of detection of unsatisfactory food samples and prosecutions are carried out as per provisions of Food Safety & Standard Rule -2011.
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
****
Ministry of Railways
16-March, 2018 17:02 IST
Improvements in passenger amenities in Train Coaches
Improvements in passenger amenities in train coaches are a continual endeavor of the Indian Railways (IR).
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
****
Ministry of Railways
16-March, 2018 17:00 IST
5850 Data Loggers provided at 42 Locations
Data Logger is an electronic device that records status of signaling gears present in Railway Signaling System. It helps in preventive maintenance and failure analysis. It also helps to critically analyze unusual incidences in station yards. Presently, Data Loggers at 42 locations are linked with Control Office Application (COA) for capturing and disseminating real time information of train running to the rail users. A total of 5850 Data loggers are provided at the stations as on 31.01.2018.
Zonal Railway wise position of the same are as under:
S.N.
Railway
No. of Data Loggers.
1
Central
466
2
Eastern
352
3
Northern
547
4
North Eastern
254
5
Northeast Frontier
358
6
Southern
505
7
South Central
574
8
South Eastern
286
9
Western
446
10
East Central
408
11
East Coast
254
12
North Central
230
13
North Western
397
14
South East Central
195
15
South Western
296
16
West Central
282
Total Indian Railways
5850
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
****
Ministry of Railways
16-March, 2018 16:59 IST
Modernisation of Railways
It is the continual endeavor of Indian Railways (IR) to take measures for modernization under various segments of infrastructure and services – coaches and passenger services, electric locomotives, diesel locomotives, electrification, signaling etc., of Railways. Some of the steps taken during the last three years for the same are as under :
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
****
Ministry of Railways
16-March, 2018 16:59 IST
More than 11.5 Crore tickets booked through Reservation Centres
The number of tickets booked in reservation centres during the last three years are:
2015-16 : 1488,58,451
2016-17 : 1403,30,264
2017-18 : 1162,55,931(Till February ’2018)
Number of reservation centres in the country(Zone -wise) at present, is as under:
S. No.
Zonal Railway
Number of reservation centres
1
Konkan Railway
28
2
West Central Railway
115
3
North Central Railway
120
4
East Coast Railway
131
5
South East Central Railway
132
6
South Eastern Railway
145
7
South Western Railway
169
8
North Eastern Railway
175
9
North Western Railway
191
10
East Central Railway
200
11
Eastern Railway
201
12
Central Railway
222
13
Northeast Frontier Railway
234
14
Southern Railway
312
15
Western Railway
322
16
South Central Railway
343
17
Northern Railway
418
Total 3458
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
****
Ministry of Railways
16-March, 2018 16:57 IST
Training provisions to Apprentices in Railways
Ministry of Railways is providing training to Apprentices in various disciplines/trades under Apprentices Act, 1961. The number of persons provided training in various disciplines/trades during last two years is given below:-
Persons trained trade-wise in the last two years
NAME OF TRADES / DISCIPLINES
2015-2016
2016-17
Mechanic/Diesel
439
773
Electrical/Electronic
0
14
Electrical/Diesel
6
33
Mechanic Electronic
46
52
Electrician
786
1172
Fitter
2100
2509
Carpenter
273
226
Mechanic Motor Vehicle
38
32
AC Mechanic
0
24
Mechanic
0
6
Welder (Gas & Electric)
896
733
Painter General
244
140
Paint and Trimming
0
6
Machinist
281
223
Turner
86
67
Crane Operator
0
1
Mechanic Machine Tool Maintenance (MMTM)
40
21
Refrigeration & Air Conditioner
31
26
Wireman
2
28
Computer Operator and Programming Asstt.
79
57
Offset Machine Minder
0
1
RFM
67
77
Armeture Winder
0
1
MMW
0
1
Inst. Mech.
16
11
Draftsman (Mech.)
2
0
Electric Power
0
12
Draftsman (Civil)
0
1
Strenographer
0
2
Plumber
9
16
SMW
17
17
Wireman
9
3
Lineman
1
1
CNC
0
5
M L Pathology
0
1
M L Radiology
0
2
Handset Repair Engineer Level-II
0
20
Programming and Systems Administration Asstt.
40
54
TOTAL
5508
6368
Stipend is paid to such Act Apprentice trainees as per sub-rule (1) of rule 11 of ‘Apprenticeship Rules, 1992, which states:-
(i) During the first year of training: Seventy percent of minimum wage of semi-skilled workers notified by the respective State or Union territory.
(ii) During the second year of training: Eighty percent of minimum wage of semi-skilled workers notified by the respective State or Union territory.
(iii) During the third and fourth year of training: Ninety percent of minimum wage of semi-skilled workers notified by the respective State or Union territory.
Provided that in the case where the minimum rate of wage for trade is not notified by the State Government or Union territory, then, the maximum wages of the Scheduled Employment notified by such State Government or Union territory for semi-skilled workers shall be taken into account for paying the stipend in respect of that trade.
Number of Act Apprentices trainees who have been provided jobs in the Railways itself during last three years are 656.
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
****
Ministry of Railways
16-March, 2018 16:55 IST
60% of Total Passenger carrying coaches fitted with Bio-Toilets
Approximately 60% of the total passenger carrying coaches over Indian Railways have been installed with bio-toilets. The earlier plan to fit bio-toilets in the entire fleet of coaches by the year 2021-22 has been advanced to 2019 in the Budget 2017-18.
A list of some of the trains having coaches equipped with bio-toilets is given below:-
Zonal Railways
Trains
Central
22135/36 Nagpur-Rewa Superfast Express,
22119/20 Mumbai CSTM-Karmali Tejas Express,
12131/32 Dadar-Sai Nagar Shirdi Express.
East Coast
18401/02 Puri-Okha Express,
18496/95 Bhubaneswar-Rameswaram Express,
12898/97 Bhubaneswar-Pondicherry Express.
East Central
55575/76 Darbhanga-Biraul Passenger,
13241/42 Banka-Rajendra Nagar Intercity Express,
12355/56 Rajendra Nagar-Jammu Tawi Archana Express.
Eastern
12343/44 Darjeeling Mail,
12377/78 Padatik Express,
12345/46 Saraighat Express.
North Central
22431/32 Allahabad-Udhampur Express,
12417/18 Prayagraj Express,
11107/08 Bundelkhand Express.
North Eastern
15045/46 Gorakhpur-Okha Express,
15119/20 Manduadih-Rameswaram Express,
12595/96 Gorakhpur-Anand Vihar Terminal Hamsafar Express.
Northeast Frontier
15635/36 Okha-Guwahati Express,
15647/48 Lokmanya Tilak (T)-Guwahati Express,
15717/18 Guwahati-Mariani Intercity Express.
Northern
14611/12 Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra-Ghazipur City Express,
14609/10 Hemkunt Express ,
12471/72 Swaraj Express.
North Western
22497/98 Shri Ganganagar-Tiruchchirappalli Humsafar Express,
14889/90 Bhagat Ki Kothi-Munabao Thar Express,
14811/12 Delhi Sarai Rohilla-Sikar Express.
Zonal Railways
Trains
South Central
12757/58 Secunderabad-Sirpur Kaghaznagar Express,
17019/20 Hyderabad-Jaipur Express,
12721/22 Hyderabad-Nizamuddin Dakshin Express.
South East Central
18241/42 Durg-Ambikapur Express,
18247/48 Bilaspur-Rewa Express,
58219/20 Bilaspur-Chirmiri Express.
South Eastern
18007/08 Shalimar-Vanjapur Intercity Express,
22877/78 Howrah-Ernakulam Antyodaya Express,
22887/88 Howrah-Yesvantpur Humsafar Express.
Southern
12635/36 Chennai Egmore-Madurai Vaigai Express,
12605/06 Chennai Egmore-Karaikudi Pallavan Express,
22661/62 Chennai Egmore-Rameswaram Sethu Express.
South Western
16589/90 Rani Channamma Express,
12627/28 Karnataka Express,
16501/02 Ahmedabad-Yesvantpur Express.
West Central
12121/22 Madhya Pradesh Sampark Kranti Express,
11449/50 Jabalpur-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Express,
12193/94 Jabalpur-Yesvantpur Express.
Western
22969/70 Okha-Varanasi Express,
19573/74 Okha-Jaipur Express,
19565/66 Okha-Dehradun Uttaranchal Express.
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
****
Ministry of Railways
16-March, 2018 16:53 IST
More than One Lakh Bio-Toilets installed in Trains
The targets vis-à-vis achievements for installation of bio-toilets in coaches by Indian Railways over the years are as below:
Year
2015-16
2016-17
2017-18
Total
Target
17000
30000
40000
87000
Achievement
15442
34134
51087 (February 2018)
100663
Indian Railways have installed 1,00,663 bio-toilets during 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18 (till February 2018) surpassing the cumulative target of installation of 87,000 bio-toilets.
The expenditure booked on installation of bio-toilets by Zonal Railways for the year 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18 (till December 2017) is as below:
(Rupees in Crores)
Year
2015-16
2016-17
2017-18
Total
Expenditure booked
63.2
234.74
216.03
513.97
In addition to above, expenditure incurred on fitment of bio-toilets in new coaches by Production Units during the year 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18 (till January 2018) is as below:
(Rupees in Crores)
Year
2015-16
2016-17
2017-18
Total
Expenditure incurred
90.1
91.8
99.8
281.7
The utilization of funds commensurate with the number of bio-toilets installed in coaches.
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
****
Ministry of Railways
16-March, 2018 16:04 IST
Indian Railways to Implement Electronic Reverse Auction for All High Value Procurements of Goods, Services and Works
Policy Decision to Improve Transparency and Competitive Bidding and Provide a Level Playing Field to the Industry Even 10% Cost Savings with Improved Competition May Result in Overall Annual Saving Upto Rs. 10,000 Crores
Indian Railways as a major reforms initiative has decided to implement Electronic Reverse Auction for all High Value procurements. A policy decision to this effect has been taken to include supply of Goods, Services and also for Projects and Works. The Reverse Auction will be applied to all Zonal Railways, Production Units and by all Railway PSUs.
Implementation of Electronic Reverse Auction will improve Transparency and Competitive Bidding and provide a level playing field to the Industry engaged in supply of Goods, Services and Works. New Software is being developed by CRIS, Railways own IT Wing and is expected to be ready to be adopted soon. Initially all Supply Tenders of over 10 crores each shall be covered through Electronic Reverse Auction. Similarly, all Services and Works above Rs. 50 crores each shall be covered through Electronic Reverse Auction. This shall cover bulk of Goods Procurements value wise.
Indian Railways procures Goods worth Rs 50,000 crores annually, needed for Production and Maintenance of Rolling Stock and for operation of Passenger and Goods, Services and other safety related works. In addition, Rs 10,000 crores worth of Track supply materials are procured. Projects and Works over Rs.one lakh crores are taken up for expansion of Railway infrastructure and upgradation.
Electronic Reverse Auction is expected to offer Industry greater ‘Ease of Doing Business’ as it will eliminate human intervention and will provide paperless transactions. Such electronic auction is expected to offer more competitive bids for Railways supply items and for Works. Even a 10% saving in cost due to improved competition may result in overall annual saving of upto Rs. 10,000 crores for procurements of Goods, Services and Works.
Reverse Auction software shall be easy to operate by all without charging any fee and with this, decision Making in high value purchase process will become digital and online. Reverse Auction shall also cover the Government of India policy initiatives taken such as “Make in India Policy”, MSME Policy and will also permit New Vendors with capabilities to develop.
*********
Ministry of Railways
16-March, 2018 12:46 IST
Ministry of Railways Devises action plan for improvement in passenger experience at Hazrat Nizamuddin station
Action plan envisages redesigning & earmarking the lanes for car/bus/ taxi/tsr /pedestrians, deploying uniformed marshals for regulation of traffic, parking for “DIVYANGS”
Ministry of Railways is constantly striving to improve passenger amenities and facilities for making the journey of passengers comfortable and pleasant.
Towards this objective, a committee of senior officers was nominated for identifying the amenities and facilities that could be further provided at Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station to make the overall experience of the passengers who visit that station even more pleasant and enjoyable. The committee was also tasked with preparing the Comprehensive Action Plan for removal of any deficiencies & for improvement of passenger amenities and experience at Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway station.
The nominated officers’ committee examined the entire station premises and prepared action plan has been made for execution in three phases namely –
Immediate measures (to be implemented by June’18)
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Ministry of Railways
16-March, 2018 12:17 IST
Railways introduces innovative analytical approach to locomotive scheduling to enhance productivity
Indian Railways has introduced an innovative analytical approach to optimize the deployment of electric and diesel locomotivesrun passenger trains. This involves use of a software based mathematical decision support system to increase the productivity of locomotives.
Indian Railways has a fleet of about 3300 electric and diesel locomotive running passenger trains across the country. Locomotives are deployed to run passenger trains through cyclic schedules called locomotive links. Hitherto, locomotive links were being manually prepared by the respective sixteen zones to operate the trains allocated to the zones.
Ministry of Railways, with the help of experts, has evolved and implemented the software based decision support system to optimize the deployment of locomotives to run passenger trains at an all India level. The decision support system utilizes a mathematical model to work out the minimum number of locomotives required to run all the passenger trains as per time table while meeting the maintenance and operations requirements.
A pilot optimization exercise has been conducted by Transformation Cell of Railway Board, with active participation of all the sixteen zonal railways. This has resulted in reorganizing of locomotive links, which will save 30 diesel and 42 electric locomotives (costing about Rs.720 crores) being currently run in passenger services. The revised links are under implementation. These 72 locomotives released from passenger operations will be utilized to run additional freight trains and earn additional revenues.
Since timetabling of passenger trains is a dynamic process in view of periodic changes in train schedules, introduction of new trains and also the change in traction due to ongoing electrification, Ministry of Railways in Budget 2018-19 have sanctioned a project to be implemented by CRIS to institutionalize this process of locomotive link optimization using decision support system software across Indian Railways.
*****
16-March, 2018 17:03 IST
Providing Healthy Food at Railway Stations
To provide pure and healthy food to passengers, a new Catering Policy has been issued on 27th February 2017. As per Catering Policy 2017, 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 on trains. In order to upgrade quality of food preparation, IRCTC is to set up new kitchens and upgrade existing ones. Further, detailed instructions/guidelines have been issued to the Zonal Railways for conducting joint inspections by Medical, Commercial and concerned infrastructure maintenance departments to inspect each and every catering unit (mobile and static) including base kitchens/cell kitchens on all Railway divisions/zones. Apart from this, regular and surprise inspections are done by Food Safety Officers, Designated Officers and Joint Food Safety Commissioners. A joint team of ticket checking staff and RPF/GRP staff also conduct surprise checks to prevent unauthorised vending on stations and trains. General Managers of the Zonal Railways have been requested to monitor such drives personally. Food samples collected by Food Safety Officers are sent to the nominated accredited Laboratories under Food Safety & Standard Act for analysis and testing. Penalties are imposed in cases of detection of unsatisfactory food samples and prosecutions are carried out as per provisions of Food Safety & Standard Rule -2011.
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
****
Ministry of Railways
16-March, 2018 17:02 IST
Improvements in passenger amenities in Train Coaches
Improvements in passenger amenities in train coaches are a continual endeavor of the Indian Railways (IR).
- Some of the policy decisions taken in this regard are:
- Provision of dust bins in Non-AC coaches.
- Provision of mugs with chain in Non-AC coaches.
- Provision of Health Faucets in AC as well as Non-AC Sleeper class coaches.
- OBHS has been made functional in 975 pair of trains of Indian Railways.
- Clean My Coach/Coach Mitra is functional in about 950 pair of trains.
- 58 in house mechanised laundries have been made functional and with these there is perceptible improvement in the quality of linen provided in trains.
- IR is improving the interior of the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) design coaches. New interiors with more pleasing colours, aesthetically designed fittings, panelling, improved toilets, etc. are being provided in the existing coaches by refurbishing them during Mid Life Rehabilitation (MLR). Work in 700 such Model rake coaches is being progressively carried out. Out of these, more than 100 Model rake coaches have already been turned out.
- Various premium services like Humsafar, Tejas, Antyodaya and coaches like Deen Dayalu and Anubhuti, which have improved passenger amenities, have also been introduced in service.
- IR has launched Project Swarn with the objective of significantly improving the passenger experience. In total, 14 Rajdhani and 15 Shatabdi trains will be covered.
- For the assistance of visually impaired travellers, Integrated Braille signage, i.e signage superimposed with Braille scripts, are being provided in the newly manufactured coaches of IR. Retrofitment of the same in existing coaches has also been taken up in a phased manner.
- All stations and passenger carrying trains are planned to be provided with CCTV based surveillance system and Wi-Fi facility.
- Railway is providing 18 nos. of mobile charging points in all class of passenger coaches including general class coaches in phased manner. So far, all AC coaches have been provided with mobile charging points and 11452 sleeper coaches out of 16918 coaches & 10554 general coaches out of 17237 have been provided with 18 nos. of mobile charging points.
- Indian Railways has been providing energy efficient LED lights to improve illumination level in coaches. So far, 5747 coaches have been provided with energy efficient LED lights.
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
****
Ministry of Railways
16-March, 2018 17:00 IST
5850 Data Loggers provided at 42 Locations
Data Logger is an electronic device that records status of signaling gears present in Railway Signaling System. It helps in preventive maintenance and failure analysis. It also helps to critically analyze unusual incidences in station yards. Presently, Data Loggers at 42 locations are linked with Control Office Application (COA) for capturing and disseminating real time information of train running to the rail users. A total of 5850 Data loggers are provided at the stations as on 31.01.2018.
Zonal Railway wise position of the same are as under:
S.N.
Railway
No. of Data Loggers.
1
Central
466
2
Eastern
352
3
Northern
547
4
North Eastern
254
5
Northeast Frontier
358
6
Southern
505
7
South Central
574
8
South Eastern
286
9
Western
446
10
East Central
408
11
East Coast
254
12
North Central
230
13
North Western
397
14
South East Central
195
15
South Western
296
16
West Central
282
Total Indian Railways
5850
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
****
Ministry of Railways
16-March, 2018 16:59 IST
Modernisation of Railways
It is the continual endeavor of Indian Railways (IR) to take measures for modernization under various segments of infrastructure and services – coaches and passenger services, electric locomotives, diesel locomotives, electrification, signaling etc., of Railways. Some of the steps taken during the last three years for the same are as under :
- Proliferation of Linke Hofmann Busch(LHB) coaches, which are technologically superior, have better speed potential, aesthetics and safety features. The Production Units of IR would be producing only LHB coaches from the year 2018-19 onwards.
- Semi high speed Gatimaan Express between Delhi and Agra has been introduced in service and is running at a maximum speed of 160 Kmph.
- For the assistance of visually impaired travelers, Integrated Braille signages, i.e. signages superimposed with Braille scripts, are being provided in the newly manufactured coaches of IR. Retrofitment of the same in existing coaches has also been taken up in a phased manner.
- 473 escalators at 171 stations have been provided. Similarly, there is a massive expansion program for provision of lifts and provision has been made for 500 railway stations in Budget(2018-19).
- A procurement cum Maintenance Agreement(PCMA) has been signed with Madhepura Electric Locomotive Private Limited (MELPL), a Joint Venture Company, for setting up of electric locomotive manufacturing facility at Madhepura, Bihar for manufacturing/supplying 800 High Horse Power.
- During last three years (2015-18) total number of 91 Railways Electrification projects consisting of 16353 route kilometers at an estimated cost of `16725.50 crore have been included in Budget and pace of electrification has been increased from present average of 1441 RKM/Annum to 4000 RKM/Annum.
- A work for modernisation of signaling system at a total cost of 44 million Euros on Ghaziabad-Kanpur section of North Central Railway was undertaken through funding from KFW (Kreditanstalt Fur Wiederaufbau) Bank, Germany.
- As per Budget announcement(2015-16) of Hon’ble MR, Indian Railways shall provide 1000 Mega Watt(MW) solar power plants & 200 MW wind power plants by 2020. Till date, solar power plants of 33.14 MW have already been installed & various other initiatives in this direction are in progress. Similarly, 36.5 MW of wind power plants have been installed so far & other initiatives are in progress.
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
****
Ministry of Railways
16-March, 2018 16:59 IST
More than 11.5 Crore tickets booked through Reservation Centres
The number of tickets booked in reservation centres during the last three years are:
2015-16 : 1488,58,451
2016-17 : 1403,30,264
2017-18 : 1162,55,931(Till February ’2018)
Number of reservation centres in the country(Zone -wise) at present, is as under:
S. No.
Zonal Railway
Number of reservation centres
1
Konkan Railway
28
2
West Central Railway
115
3
North Central Railway
120
4
East Coast Railway
131
5
South East Central Railway
132
6
South Eastern Railway
145
7
South Western Railway
169
8
North Eastern Railway
175
9
North Western Railway
191
10
East Central Railway
200
11
Eastern Railway
201
12
Central Railway
222
13
Northeast Frontier Railway
234
14
Southern Railway
312
15
Western Railway
322
16
South Central Railway
343
17
Northern Railway
418
Total 3458
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
****
Ministry of Railways
16-March, 2018 16:57 IST
Training provisions to Apprentices in Railways
Ministry of Railways is providing training to Apprentices in various disciplines/trades under Apprentices Act, 1961. The number of persons provided training in various disciplines/trades during last two years is given below:-
Persons trained trade-wise in the last two years
NAME OF TRADES / DISCIPLINES
2015-2016
2016-17
Mechanic/Diesel
439
773
Electrical/Electronic
0
14
Electrical/Diesel
6
33
Mechanic Electronic
46
52
Electrician
786
1172
Fitter
2100
2509
Carpenter
273
226
Mechanic Motor Vehicle
38
32
AC Mechanic
0
24
Mechanic
0
6
Welder (Gas & Electric)
896
733
Painter General
244
140
Paint and Trimming
0
6
Machinist
281
223
Turner
86
67
Crane Operator
0
1
Mechanic Machine Tool Maintenance (MMTM)
40
21
Refrigeration & Air Conditioner
31
26
Wireman
2
28
Computer Operator and Programming Asstt.
79
57
Offset Machine Minder
0
1
RFM
67
77
Armeture Winder
0
1
MMW
0
1
Inst. Mech.
16
11
Draftsman (Mech.)
2
0
Electric Power
0
12
Draftsman (Civil)
0
1
Strenographer
0
2
Plumber
9
16
SMW
17
17
Wireman
9
3
Lineman
1
1
CNC
0
5
M L Pathology
0
1
M L Radiology
0
2
Handset Repair Engineer Level-II
0
20
Programming and Systems Administration Asstt.
40
54
TOTAL
5508
6368
Stipend is paid to such Act Apprentice trainees as per sub-rule (1) of rule 11 of ‘Apprenticeship Rules, 1992, which states:-
(i) During the first year of training: Seventy percent of minimum wage of semi-skilled workers notified by the respective State or Union territory.
(ii) During the second year of training: Eighty percent of minimum wage of semi-skilled workers notified by the respective State or Union territory.
(iii) During the third and fourth year of training: Ninety percent of minimum wage of semi-skilled workers notified by the respective State or Union territory.
Provided that in the case where the minimum rate of wage for trade is not notified by the State Government or Union territory, then, the maximum wages of the Scheduled Employment notified by such State Government or Union territory for semi-skilled workers shall be taken into account for paying the stipend in respect of that trade.
Number of Act Apprentices trainees who have been provided jobs in the Railways itself during last three years are 656.
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
****
Ministry of Railways
16-March, 2018 16:55 IST
60% of Total Passenger carrying coaches fitted with Bio-Toilets
Approximately 60% of the total passenger carrying coaches over Indian Railways have been installed with bio-toilets. The earlier plan to fit bio-toilets in the entire fleet of coaches by the year 2021-22 has been advanced to 2019 in the Budget 2017-18.
A list of some of the trains having coaches equipped with bio-toilets is given below:-
Zonal Railways
Trains
Central
22135/36 Nagpur-Rewa Superfast Express,
22119/20 Mumbai CSTM-Karmali Tejas Express,
12131/32 Dadar-Sai Nagar Shirdi Express.
East Coast
18401/02 Puri-Okha Express,
18496/95 Bhubaneswar-Rameswaram Express,
12898/97 Bhubaneswar-Pondicherry Express.
East Central
55575/76 Darbhanga-Biraul Passenger,
13241/42 Banka-Rajendra Nagar Intercity Express,
12355/56 Rajendra Nagar-Jammu Tawi Archana Express.
Eastern
12343/44 Darjeeling Mail,
12377/78 Padatik Express,
12345/46 Saraighat Express.
North Central
22431/32 Allahabad-Udhampur Express,
12417/18 Prayagraj Express,
11107/08 Bundelkhand Express.
North Eastern
15045/46 Gorakhpur-Okha Express,
15119/20 Manduadih-Rameswaram Express,
12595/96 Gorakhpur-Anand Vihar Terminal Hamsafar Express.
Northeast Frontier
15635/36 Okha-Guwahati Express,
15647/48 Lokmanya Tilak (T)-Guwahati Express,
15717/18 Guwahati-Mariani Intercity Express.
Northern
14611/12 Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra-Ghazipur City Express,
14609/10 Hemkunt Express ,
12471/72 Swaraj Express.
North Western
22497/98 Shri Ganganagar-Tiruchchirappalli Humsafar Express,
14889/90 Bhagat Ki Kothi-Munabao Thar Express,
14811/12 Delhi Sarai Rohilla-Sikar Express.
Zonal Railways
Trains
South Central
12757/58 Secunderabad-Sirpur Kaghaznagar Express,
17019/20 Hyderabad-Jaipur Express,
12721/22 Hyderabad-Nizamuddin Dakshin Express.
South East Central
18241/42 Durg-Ambikapur Express,
18247/48 Bilaspur-Rewa Express,
58219/20 Bilaspur-Chirmiri Express.
South Eastern
18007/08 Shalimar-Vanjapur Intercity Express,
22877/78 Howrah-Ernakulam Antyodaya Express,
22887/88 Howrah-Yesvantpur Humsafar Express.
Southern
12635/36 Chennai Egmore-Madurai Vaigai Express,
12605/06 Chennai Egmore-Karaikudi Pallavan Express,
22661/62 Chennai Egmore-Rameswaram Sethu Express.
South Western
16589/90 Rani Channamma Express,
12627/28 Karnataka Express,
16501/02 Ahmedabad-Yesvantpur Express.
West Central
12121/22 Madhya Pradesh Sampark Kranti Express,
11449/50 Jabalpur-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Express,
12193/94 Jabalpur-Yesvantpur Express.
Western
22969/70 Okha-Varanasi Express,
19573/74 Okha-Jaipur Express,
19565/66 Okha-Dehradun Uttaranchal Express.
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
****
Ministry of Railways
16-March, 2018 16:53 IST
More than One Lakh Bio-Toilets installed in Trains
The targets vis-à-vis achievements for installation of bio-toilets in coaches by Indian Railways over the years are as below:
Year
2015-16
2016-17
2017-18
Total
Target
17000
30000
40000
87000
Achievement
15442
34134
51087 (February 2018)
100663
Indian Railways have installed 1,00,663 bio-toilets during 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18 (till February 2018) surpassing the cumulative target of installation of 87,000 bio-toilets.
The expenditure booked on installation of bio-toilets by Zonal Railways for the year 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18 (till December 2017) is as below:
(Rupees in Crores)
Year
2015-16
2016-17
2017-18
Total
Expenditure booked
63.2
234.74
216.03
513.97
In addition to above, expenditure incurred on fitment of bio-toilets in new coaches by Production Units during the year 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18 (till January 2018) is as below:
(Rupees in Crores)
Year
2015-16
2016-17
2017-18
Total
Expenditure incurred
90.1
91.8
99.8
281.7
The utilization of funds commensurate with the number of bio-toilets installed in coaches.
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
****
Ministry of Railways
16-March, 2018 16:04 IST
Indian Railways to Implement Electronic Reverse Auction for All High Value Procurements of Goods, Services and Works
Policy Decision to Improve Transparency and Competitive Bidding and Provide a Level Playing Field to the Industry Even 10% Cost Savings with Improved Competition May Result in Overall Annual Saving Upto Rs. 10,000 Crores
Indian Railways as a major reforms initiative has decided to implement Electronic Reverse Auction for all High Value procurements. A policy decision to this effect has been taken to include supply of Goods, Services and also for Projects and Works. The Reverse Auction will be applied to all Zonal Railways, Production Units and by all Railway PSUs.
Implementation of Electronic Reverse Auction will improve Transparency and Competitive Bidding and provide a level playing field to the Industry engaged in supply of Goods, Services and Works. New Software is being developed by CRIS, Railways own IT Wing and is expected to be ready to be adopted soon. Initially all Supply Tenders of over 10 crores each shall be covered through Electronic Reverse Auction. Similarly, all Services and Works above Rs. 50 crores each shall be covered through Electronic Reverse Auction. This shall cover bulk of Goods Procurements value wise.
Indian Railways procures Goods worth Rs 50,000 crores annually, needed for Production and Maintenance of Rolling Stock and for operation of Passenger and Goods, Services and other safety related works. In addition, Rs 10,000 crores worth of Track supply materials are procured. Projects and Works over Rs.one lakh crores are taken up for expansion of Railway infrastructure and upgradation.
Electronic Reverse Auction is expected to offer Industry greater ‘Ease of Doing Business’ as it will eliminate human intervention and will provide paperless transactions. Such electronic auction is expected to offer more competitive bids for Railways supply items and for Works. Even a 10% saving in cost due to improved competition may result in overall annual saving of upto Rs. 10,000 crores for procurements of Goods, Services and Works.
Reverse Auction software shall be easy to operate by all without charging any fee and with this, decision Making in high value purchase process will become digital and online. Reverse Auction shall also cover the Government of India policy initiatives taken such as “Make in India Policy”, MSME Policy and will also permit New Vendors with capabilities to develop.
*********
Ministry of Railways
16-March, 2018 12:46 IST
Ministry of Railways Devises action plan for improvement in passenger experience at Hazrat Nizamuddin station
Action plan envisages redesigning & earmarking the lanes for car/bus/ taxi/tsr /pedestrians, deploying uniformed marshals for regulation of traffic, parking for “DIVYANGS”
Ministry of Railways is constantly striving to improve passenger amenities and facilities for making the journey of passengers comfortable and pleasant.
Towards this objective, a committee of senior officers was nominated for identifying the amenities and facilities that could be further provided at Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station to make the overall experience of the passengers who visit that station even more pleasant and enjoyable. The committee was also tasked with preparing the Comprehensive Action Plan for removal of any deficiencies & for improvement of passenger amenities and experience at Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway station.
The nominated officers’ committee examined the entire station premises and prepared action plan has been made for execution in three phases namely –
- Immediate measures (to be implemented within 6 months),
- Short term measures (to be implemented in 6 to 12 months) and
- Long term measures (to be implemented in 12 to 18 months),
Immediate measures (to be implemented by June’18)
- Widening & smoothening of entry to approach road at 1st entry side and beautification along road.
- Parking for “Divyangs” to be earmarked near Main Porch.
- Complete renovation of toilet block and bathing area.
- Retro-reflective/LED Signage Boards to be designed aesthetically and to be located/placed at conspicuous & strategic locations in circulating area, concourse, Platforms and Foot over Bridges (FOB).
- At the circulating and parking area on main entry side, there is traffic congestion due to unauthorized parking by Taxi/Auto & unregulated stoppages for drop off & pick up and poor drainage. Redesigning & earmarking the Lanes for Car/Bus/ Taxi/TSR /pedestrians. Identifying locations for drop off/pick up and parking. Deploying uniformed marshals for regulation of traffic. New drainage pipes (RCC) & manholes/gutters.
- Sufficient no. of Stainless Steel benches to be provided at all platforms and concourses.
- Disused/ abandoned old structures (cages etc.) at various platforms be identified & removed from platform
- Unused porta-cabin structure on Platform-1 to be redeveloped as cloak room.
- Renovation of 2 Retiring Rooms on Ground Floor.
- RO Water plant at 2nd entry.
- Lift for Passengers at Platform No. 1.
- At platform no. 2/3 &4/5 new water booths and Platform resurfacing.
- Flooring of FOB (Okhla End) to be provided with Granite.
- Worn out AC Sheet of roof / broken false ceiling to be replaced with meta-colour sheet &False ceiling to be replaced with ACP, windows to be replaced in Booking Hall and Windows on 2nd Entry (1st Floor).
- Toilet blocks on Platform no. 4/5 & 6/7 to be provided on “Pay & Use” basis.
- AC roof Sheets of both FOBs to be replaced with meta-colour sheet.
- Stainless Steel railings for dividers to be provided on FOBs.
- Damaged drain along platform no. 6/7 to be constructed.
- Escalator on platform no. 6/7.
- Damaged platform copings to be replaced and damaged platform surfaces to be resurfaced with VDC flooring/Kota stone flooring.
- New toilet blocks to be provided on Platform no. 2/3,
- Damaged Valley gutter of shelters on Platforms to be replaced.
- Footpath to be provided on Approach road.
- Deluxe “Pay & Use” Toilet to be provided in circulating areas.
- Switching over to completely mechanized cleaning system at station.
- Escalator to be provided on 2nd entry Side FOB.
- Damaged washable aprons of Platform nos. 1, 5 & 7 to be repaired.
- Washable apron to be provided on Platform no. 3 & 4.
- Redevelopment and remodelling of 2nd entry.
- VIP lounge on Platform no. 1 (Okhla end) by IRCTC for development.
- Staff Quarters on Okhla side to be relocated & area vacated to be utilised for parking & other facilities
- Complete renovation of TTE Rest house.
*****
Ministry of Railways
16-March, 2018 12:17 IST
Railways introduces innovative analytical approach to locomotive scheduling to enhance productivity
Indian Railways has introduced an innovative analytical approach to optimize the deployment of electric and diesel locomotivesrun passenger trains. This involves use of a software based mathematical decision support system to increase the productivity of locomotives.
Indian Railways has a fleet of about 3300 electric and diesel locomotive running passenger trains across the country. Locomotives are deployed to run passenger trains through cyclic schedules called locomotive links. Hitherto, locomotive links were being manually prepared by the respective sixteen zones to operate the trains allocated to the zones.
Ministry of Railways, with the help of experts, has evolved and implemented the software based decision support system to optimize the deployment of locomotives to run passenger trains at an all India level. The decision support system utilizes a mathematical model to work out the minimum number of locomotives required to run all the passenger trains as per time table while meeting the maintenance and operations requirements.
A pilot optimization exercise has been conducted by Transformation Cell of Railway Board, with active participation of all the sixteen zonal railways. This has resulted in reorganizing of locomotive links, which will save 30 diesel and 42 electric locomotives (costing about Rs.720 crores) being currently run in passenger services. The revised links are under implementation. These 72 locomotives released from passenger operations will be utilized to run additional freight trains and earn additional revenues.
Since timetabling of passenger trains is a dynamic process in view of periodic changes in train schedules, introduction of new trains and also the change in traction due to ongoing electrification, Ministry of Railways in Budget 2018-19 have sanctioned a project to be implemented by CRIS to institutionalize this process of locomotive link optimization using decision support system software across Indian Railways.
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Hindustani78
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The Union Minister for Railways and Coal, Shri Piyush Goyal at the 58th National Cost Convention, in New Delhi on March 17, 2018.
The Union Minister for Railways and Coal, Shri Piyush Goyal at the 58th National Cost Convention, in New Delhi on March 17, 2018.
The Union Minister for Railways and Coal, Shri Piyush Goyal addressing the session titled “Indian Railways-Certified Management Accountants as game changers”, at the 58th National Cost Convention, in New Delhi on March 17, 2018.
The Union Minister for Railways and Coal, Shri Piyush Goyal at the 58th National Cost Convention, in New Delhi on March 17, 2018.
The Union Minister for Railways and Coal, Shri Piyush Goyal addressing the session titled “Indian Railways-Certified Management Accountants as game changers”, at the 58th National Cost Convention, in New Delhi on March 17, 2018.
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Ministry of Railways
19-March, 2018 18:30 IST
Indian Railways hands over 18 microprocessor controlled Indian locomotives to Myanma Railways.
It was the first project completed in the current Indian Line of Credit. RITES Ltd., a PSU of Ministry of Railways is a principal partner of Myanma Railways.
As per vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Indian Railways is playing a pivotal role in developing cordial relations with the neighboring countries. India and Myanmar have been long enjoying cooperation in the Railway sector over the last two decades.
To further boost the cooperation between two countries, Shri Rajen Gohain, Minister of State of Railways attended the formal handing over ceremony of 18th AC-DC 1350 HP diesel electric locomotive to Myanma Railways, supplied by RITES and manufactured by Diesel Locomotive Works, Varanasi, India.
These 18 locomotives are fitted with micro-processor control based system. 1350 HP AC/DC main line diesel locomotives with maximum speed of 100 KM PH have been customised for Myanma Railways, built by Diesel Locomotive Works, Varanasi, India. They are extremely fuel efficient are eqquipped with the latest features. Most of these supplies in the railway sector have been carried out under Indian Line of Credit. As per the agreement schedule, all locomotives were to be delivered by September, 2018. They have been delivered six months ahead of the schedule.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Rajen Gohain, Minister of State of Railways expressed his pleasure on the close cooperation between the two railway systems on regular basis since last 20 years. He congratulated Indian Railways in completing the project, much ahead of delivery schedule and providing locomotives with many contemporary new features over the earlier supplies. He thanked the Indian Embassy in Myanmar for their full coordination and assistance with the Myanmar authorities in easy facilitation of the project. The Minister said that this association will help strengthen friendly border relations with India.
Loco handing over ceremony held at Ney Pi Taw, Myanmar on March 19, 2018
On the occasion, HE U.Thant Sin Moung, Minister of Transportation and Communication mentioned the valued cordial relationship between the two countries and how it can go beyond the present interaction. He showed keen interest in the training programmes offered by the Indian Railways and on the Signaling and Telecommunication systems.
RITES, a Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Railways is the export arm of the railways undertaking various projects worldwide. RITES has engaged in the supply of Railway rolling stock (locomotives, coaches, wagons, permanent way maintenance vehicles), maintenance of railway infrastructure, technical studies, training of Myanmar Railway officials. Soon, RITES would take up the study for upgradation & maintenance of workshops. A team of experts from Diesel Modernization Works, Patiala would visit Myanmar soon.
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19-March, 2018 18:30 IST
Indian Railways hands over 18 microprocessor controlled Indian locomotives to Myanma Railways.
It was the first project completed in the current Indian Line of Credit. RITES Ltd., a PSU of Ministry of Railways is a principal partner of Myanma Railways.
As per vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Indian Railways is playing a pivotal role in developing cordial relations with the neighboring countries. India and Myanmar have been long enjoying cooperation in the Railway sector over the last two decades.
To further boost the cooperation between two countries, Shri Rajen Gohain, Minister of State of Railways attended the formal handing over ceremony of 18th AC-DC 1350 HP diesel electric locomotive to Myanma Railways, supplied by RITES and manufactured by Diesel Locomotive Works, Varanasi, India.
These 18 locomotives are fitted with micro-processor control based system. 1350 HP AC/DC main line diesel locomotives with maximum speed of 100 KM PH have been customised for Myanma Railways, built by Diesel Locomotive Works, Varanasi, India. They are extremely fuel efficient are eqquipped with the latest features. Most of these supplies in the railway sector have been carried out under Indian Line of Credit. As per the agreement schedule, all locomotives were to be delivered by September, 2018. They have been delivered six months ahead of the schedule.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Rajen Gohain, Minister of State of Railways expressed his pleasure on the close cooperation between the two railway systems on regular basis since last 20 years. He congratulated Indian Railways in completing the project, much ahead of delivery schedule and providing locomotives with many contemporary new features over the earlier supplies. He thanked the Indian Embassy in Myanmar for their full coordination and assistance with the Myanmar authorities in easy facilitation of the project. The Minister said that this association will help strengthen friendly border relations with India.
Loco handing over ceremony held at Ney Pi Taw, Myanmar on March 19, 2018
On the occasion, HE U.Thant Sin Moung, Minister of Transportation and Communication mentioned the valued cordial relationship between the two countries and how it can go beyond the present interaction. He showed keen interest in the training programmes offered by the Indian Railways and on the Signaling and Telecommunication systems.
RITES, a Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Railways is the export arm of the railways undertaking various projects worldwide. RITES has engaged in the supply of Railway rolling stock (locomotives, coaches, wagons, permanent way maintenance vehicles), maintenance of railway infrastructure, technical studies, training of Myanmar Railway officials. Soon, RITES would take up the study for upgradation & maintenance of workshops. A team of experts from Diesel Modernization Works, Patiala would visit Myanmar soon.
***
Hindustani78
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Ministry of Railways
20-March, 2018 11:55 IST
20% Posts Reserved For Course Completed Act Apprentices’ Who Were Engaged in Railway Establishments
Following is the text of Statement by Union Minister of Railways Shri Piyush Goyal in context of Students Agitation in Mumbai this morning:-
“Indian Railways is currently in the midst of a massive recruitment exercise. Indian Railways has come out with a policy to ensure a fair, transparent and competitive recruitment process that follows the law and the guidelines laid down by Hon’ble Supreme Court.
We have already reserved 20% posts for ‘Course Completed Act Apprentices’ who were engaged in Railway establishments under the Apprenticeship Act. This has been done as per Section 22(1) of the Apprentices Act and the various judgements pronounced by the Hon’ble Supreme Court from time to time. Applicants who completed the Apprenticeship course have also been given an age relaxation equal to the period of apprenticeship.
This is the single largest recruitment ever undertaken by any organisation in India and also the largest opportunity for all sections of youth, including the apprentices to join the Indian Railway in a very transparent and fair manner.
I appeal to my young friends to apply for these large number of jobs, for which the last date of application is 31/03/2018, and join the process of recruitment so that all applicants get a fair and equal opportunity to serve the country.”
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The Union Minister for Railways and Coal, Shri Piyush Goyal addressing a press conference, in New Delhi on March 20, 2018.
The Union Minister for Railways and Coal, Shri Piyush Goyal addressing a press conference, in New Delhi on March 20, 2018.
The Union Minister for Railways and Coal, Shri Piyush Goyal addressing a press conference, in New Delhi on March 20, 2018.
20-March, 2018 11:55 IST
20% Posts Reserved For Course Completed Act Apprentices’ Who Were Engaged in Railway Establishments
Following is the text of Statement by Union Minister of Railways Shri Piyush Goyal in context of Students Agitation in Mumbai this morning:-
“Indian Railways is currently in the midst of a massive recruitment exercise. Indian Railways has come out with a policy to ensure a fair, transparent and competitive recruitment process that follows the law and the guidelines laid down by Hon’ble Supreme Court.
We have already reserved 20% posts for ‘Course Completed Act Apprentices’ who were engaged in Railway establishments under the Apprenticeship Act. This has been done as per Section 22(1) of the Apprentices Act and the various judgements pronounced by the Hon’ble Supreme Court from time to time. Applicants who completed the Apprenticeship course have also been given an age relaxation equal to the period of apprenticeship.
This is the single largest recruitment ever undertaken by any organisation in India and also the largest opportunity for all sections of youth, including the apprentices to join the Indian Railway in a very transparent and fair manner.
I appeal to my young friends to apply for these large number of jobs, for which the last date of application is 31/03/2018, and join the process of recruitment so that all applicants get a fair and equal opportunity to serve the country.”
***
The Union Minister for Railways and Coal, Shri Piyush Goyal addressing a press conference, in New Delhi on March 20, 2018.
The Union Minister for Railways and Coal, Shri Piyush Goyal addressing a press conference, in New Delhi on March 20, 2018.
The Union Minister for Railways and Coal, Shri Piyush Goyal addressing a press conference, in New Delhi on March 20, 2018.
Hindustani78
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Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
20-March, 2018 16:14 IST
Government approves Plastic Park to be set up in Deoghar District, Jharkhand
Deoghar to become a Plastic Hub: Shri Ananthkumar
Union Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Ananthkumar announced that the Government of India has approved the setting up of a Plastic Park in Deoghar District, Jharkhand, here today. The project would be set up at a cost of Rs. 120 crores in an area of 150 acres and a range of polymer products including woven sacks, moulded furniture, water tanks, bottles, pipes mosquito nets, etc would be manufactured. It has great potential for attracting investment for setting up an ecosystem for plastic industry and generate employment opportunities for the local populace, the Minister informed.
Addressing the media, Shri Ananthkumar informed that the project is likely to provide direct employment generation to about 6000 people and indirect employment to over 30000 people. The Minister also requested the State government of Jharkhand to facilitate land/ building infrastructure to set up a Central Institute for Plastic Engineering & Technology (CIPET) alongside the Plastic Park so that invaluable human resource may be trained thereto become plastic engineers and technicians. This human resource is of vital importance as the plastic industry is growing at a rapid pace and the polymer consumption in India would double from the current 10 million metric tonnes to 20 million metric tonnes by 2022, the Minister added.
Shri Ananthkumar also announced the setting up of Rs. 3.5 crore Plastic Recycling unit at Deoghar to tackle the menace of plastic waste being generated due to the place being a tourist attraction. Deoghar receives over 5 crore tourists per year, leading to generation of a lot of plastic waste. This waste needs to be recycled scientifically to contain the plastic waste generation and ensure sustainable development, hence the plastic recycling unit would be of huge importance, the Minister informed.
The coming up of the Plastic Park, CIPET and the Plastic Recycling unit would build an ecosystem that would encourage setting up of Plastic Industry at Deoghar, thereby making it a ‘Plastic Hub’ in the future, Shri Ananthkumar said.
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20-March, 2018 16:14 IST
Government approves Plastic Park to be set up in Deoghar District, Jharkhand
Deoghar to become a Plastic Hub: Shri Ananthkumar
Union Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Ananthkumar announced that the Government of India has approved the setting up of a Plastic Park in Deoghar District, Jharkhand, here today. The project would be set up at a cost of Rs. 120 crores in an area of 150 acres and a range of polymer products including woven sacks, moulded furniture, water tanks, bottles, pipes mosquito nets, etc would be manufactured. It has great potential for attracting investment for setting up an ecosystem for plastic industry and generate employment opportunities for the local populace, the Minister informed.
Addressing the media, Shri Ananthkumar informed that the project is likely to provide direct employment generation to about 6000 people and indirect employment to over 30000 people. The Minister also requested the State government of Jharkhand to facilitate land/ building infrastructure to set up a Central Institute for Plastic Engineering & Technology (CIPET) alongside the Plastic Park so that invaluable human resource may be trained thereto become plastic engineers and technicians. This human resource is of vital importance as the plastic industry is growing at a rapid pace and the polymer consumption in India would double from the current 10 million metric tonnes to 20 million metric tonnes by 2022, the Minister added.
Shri Ananthkumar also announced the setting up of Rs. 3.5 crore Plastic Recycling unit at Deoghar to tackle the menace of plastic waste being generated due to the place being a tourist attraction. Deoghar receives over 5 crore tourists per year, leading to generation of a lot of plastic waste. This waste needs to be recycled scientifically to contain the plastic waste generation and ensure sustainable development, hence the plastic recycling unit would be of huge importance, the Minister informed.
The coming up of the Plastic Park, CIPET and the Plastic Recycling unit would build an ecosystem that would encourage setting up of Plastic Industry at Deoghar, thereby making it a ‘Plastic Hub’ in the future, Shri Ananthkumar said.
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Hindustani78
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Ministry of Railways
21-March, 2018 19:12 IST
Sanitary Pad Vending Machine at Railway Stations
The feasibility of installing Sanitary Pad Vending Machines is presently being examined through trial basis. Sanitary Pad Vending machines have been installed at several stations as a charitable measure, on no-profit-no-loss basis, by Railway Women’s Welfare Central Organization on trial. Depending on the success, further proliferation will be done.
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
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Ministry of Railways
21-March, 2018 19:10 IST
Railways drive against employees on unauthorized absence
In November, 2017, a drive was launched by the Railways to identify employees on unauthorised absence in various Zonal Railways and Production Units. A total of 13,521 employees were reported to be on unauthorised absence, the details of which are given below. Appropriate action under Disciplinary and Appeal Rules has been initiated against such absentees.
Break up of 13,521 Employees on unauthorised absence(Provisional)
Zonal Railway/Production Unit
No of Absentees
Central
1375
East Coast
683
East Central
1792
Eastern
1214
North Central
844
North Eastern
358
Northern
1301
North Western
360
South Central
650
South East Central
274
South Eastern
829
Southern
1476
South Western
216
West Central
550
Western
1414
Chittaranjan Locomotive Works
34
Diesel Locomotive Works
6
Diesel Loco Modernisation Works
6
Integral Coach Factory
115
Rail Coach Factory
19
Rail Wheel Factory
5
Total of Railways and PUs
13521
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
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Ministry of Railways
21-March, 2018 19:09 IST
Dedicated freight corridors to improve ease of logistics in Indian Railways
Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) is targeted for commissioning in phases by the year 2020. Eastern DFC connects the mineral and industrial belts of Eastern India with North India. Western DFC connects the ports on the western coast to the hinterland in Northern and North-Western India. The main objective underlying DFCs, is creation of an efficient, dedicated rail corridor for freight movement and thereby reduce the cost and improve the ease of logistics. DFC directly benefits the States coming on its alignment, namely Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra and other neighbouring States by facilitating creation of industrial corridors/clusters based on DFC.
Improvement in the freight transportations are envisaged with commissioning of DFC are :
(i) Improved connectivity to ports and industrial clusters.
(ii) Adequate carrying capacity for freight trains.
(iii) Increase in average speed of freight trains.
(iv) Possibility of running scheduled freight trains with guaranteed transit time.
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
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Ministry of Railways
21-March, 2018 19:08 IST
More than 85,00 crore set aside for periodic overhauling/servicing of Railway coaches
All the coaches running on Indian Railways are periodically overhauled as prescribed in maintenance manuals/instructions.
The Government has allocated Rs. 8560 crore in Budget Estimates 2017-18 for the periodic overhauling/servicing of railway coaches.
Acquisition of new coaches for replacement of over-aged stock is a continuous process on Indian Railways. Coaches are replaced after attaining their prescribed codal life or prematurely in case of heavy damage to structural members. The details of the coaches replaced in the last three years, Zone-wise are as under:-
Zonal Railway
2014-15
2015-16
2016-17
Central Railway
128
78
147
Eastern Railway
135
92
124
Northern Railway
148
219
229
North Eastern Railway
38
132
29
Northeast Frontier Railway
61
53
59
Southern Railway
217
112
270
South Central Railway
83
127
150
South Eastern Railway
56
93
84
Western Railway
90
150
157
East Central Railway
26
37
28
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
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Ministry of Railways
21-March, 2018 19:04 IST
Promotion of digital transactions In Railways
The amount of revenue received on account of ticket booking through digital means during the Financial Year 2017-18 ( up to February, 2018) is Rs. 27504.51 crore out of which the amount received on account of digital transaction in reserved passenger segment is Rs. 26100.27 crore which is approximately 70% of total passenger earnings in reserved segment. The amount received on account of digital transaction in unreserved passenger segment is Rs. 1404.24 crore which is approximately 9% of total passenger earnings in unreserved segment. The cashless transaction in case of freight traffic is above 99%.
Further, Indian Railways have undertaken following measures to promote digital transactions:-
i. The facility of online booking of reserved tickets has been provided through Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) website. The payment for tickets booked through IRCTC website is made through various cashless modes such as net banking, through credit/debit cards, cash cards and e-wallets. To incentivise payment through digital means, service charge on online booking of tickets was withdrawn for the tickets booked from 23.11.2016. The facility has been extended upto 31.03.2018.
ii. Indian Railways have tied up with State Bank of India to install 10,000 Point of Sale (POS) machines at various locations of Indian Railways i.e. Passenger Reservation System (PRS)/ Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS) ticket booking counters and Parcel/Goods locations.
iii. Booking of tickets through mobile phone has also been introduced wherein payment can be made through credit/debit cards, net banking, e-wallets etc.
iv. Service charge applicable on transactions against credit/debit cards for purchasing journey tickets at UTS/PRS counters has been withdrawn.
v. International credit/debit cards issued outside India are accepted for booking of e-tickets through IRCTC website.
vi. Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs) have been introduced to facilitate sale of unreserved tickets which have provision of payment through smart cards.
vii. 0.5% discount is given on purchase of season tickets through digital means with effect from 01.01.2017 upto 31.03.2018.
viii. It has been decided to provide 5% discount on the total value of basic fare in PRS reserved counter ticket subject to maximum amount of discount of Rs. 50 on a ticket for payments made through Unified Payment Interface (UPI) including Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM) subject to value of ticket being Rs. 100 and more.
ix. Electronic Payment system for collection of freight charges is already in place. All major customers are covered under this system and around 83% of total freight is being collected through it, besides, there is provision for collecting wagon registration fee under electronic registration of demand for wagons through IRCTC payment gateway.
The zone-wise detail of number of digital transaction over Indian Railways at the ticket booking counter, ticket booking through mobile phone and Automatic Ticket Vending Machine (ATVM) is given below : -
Number of Digital Transactions (In Lakhs)
ZONAL RAILWAYS
FY 2017-18 (Up to February)
FY 2016-17 (Up to February)
Central
1036.07
1218.33
East Central
0.13
0.01
East Coast
73.91
79.01
Eastern
57.44
43.09
North Central
21.55
0.08
North Eastern
192.93
108.47
Northeast Frontier
0.10
0.004
Northern
121.29
12.69
North Western
298.87
274.74
South Central
400.98
380.62
South East Central
56.32
30.13
South Eastern
14.87
16.65
Southern
376.35
335.01
South Western
71.63
33.15
West Central
163.75
103.83
Western
486.30
470.93
Total
3372.48
3106.73
The number of transactions at the IRCTC website (e-ticket/i-ticket) is as under:-
Financial Year
Number of transactions (in lakhs)
2017-18 ( upto February)
2237.83
2016-17
2092.95
Improvements in the system including digital transaction are a continuous process. Modifications in the ticket booking system and the payment receipt systems with regard to digitization are made in accordance with the advancements in the technologies for the benefit of the rail users.
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
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Ministry of Railways
21-March, 2018 18:09 IST
Ministry of Railways Sanctions Quadrupling Works in Bengaluru Area for enhancement of Suburban and other Railway Traffic to ease congestion
Two additional lines between Bengaluru and Whitefield will benefit 62,000 daily commuters in the IT hub area Ministry of Railways has sanctioned works to the tune of nearly Rs.1500 crores for line capacity expansion works in and around Bengaluru area
Keeping in view the requirements of augmenting line capacity, specially to meet the requirements of suburban traffic, Ministry of Railways has sanctioned the Quadrupling Project, with a provision of 02 additional lines (one on either side of the existing 02 lines) from Bengaluru Cantt. to Whitefield at a cost of Rs.492.87 crores.
As a measure to ease the congestion, it has been decided to strengthen the busy section with two additional lines between Bengaluru and Whitefield. This stretch of 25 Km will involve 6 most important stations -Bengaluru Cantonment, Bengaluru East, Baiyyapannahalli, Krishnarajapuram, Hoodi and Whitefield. This will benefit 62,000 daily commuters in this section by making commuting within Bengaluru easy and faster.
The Project will be taken up immediately and planned to be completed within a period of 2 – 3 years. It will be a boon for the local public of Bengaluru, specially belonging to the IT hub of Whitefield area. Presently, 146 and 94 trains are running from Bengaluru and Yesvantpur stations respectively out of which 122 are of suburban nature catering to commuters.
A major portion of these suburban trains are running in Bengaluru-Whitefield section. In view of increasing commuter requirement, in last one and half year itself, 26 suburban services have been introduced along with 7 long distance trains in Bengaluru area. Recently also, 4 suburban services between KSR Bengaluru- Baiyyappanahalli and Baiyappanahalli- Bengaluru have been introduced. KSR Bengaluru- Whitefield railway line is now congested and it’s line capacity utilization has exceeded 100%.
The project of Quadrupling between Bengaluru – Whitefield had been sanctioned during 1997-98 but was pending due to issues of land cost / availability, etc. Though MoUD subsequently recommended for Transit Oriented Development (TOD) of Krishnarajapuram and Whitefield stations involving extension of Bengaluru Metro, it had been decided to drop the quadrupling project considering its non-viability.
OTHER WORKS :-
In addition to the above, Ministry of Railways have, in the Budget 2018-19, sanctioned the following Doubling works around Bengaluru area which will serve to augment the line capacity in the Sections for running additional train services including suburban trains :
The above are in addition to the recently completed works viz. Doubling with Electrification of Yesvantpur – Yelahanka and Yelahanka – Channasandra sections at a cost of Rs.250 crores approx. and the major on-going work for development of new Coaching Terminal at Baiyyappanahalli at a cost of Rs.152 crores to de-congest the existing Terminals at Bengaluru and Yesvantpur.
Thus, Ministry of Railways has sanctioned works to the tune of nearly Rs.1500 crores for line capacity expansion works in and around Bengaluru area over the last 2-3 years which will go a long way in enabling running of additional trains including suburban trains.
These works have been sanctioned by Ministry of Railways at its own cost without waiting for their proposal on cost sharing basis with the State Government. Moreover, these works are in addition to the proposed Project of Suburban Railway System (including elevated corridors) for Bengaluru area at a total cost of Rs.17,000 crores approx. on Joint Venture basis with Government of Karnataka (announced in Budget 2018-19) for which discussions are already in progress.
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Ministry of Railways
21-March, 2018 16:44 IST
17.63 Lakh Senior Citizens give up Concessional value of passenger fare Subsidy
Indian Railways has gained an amount of Rs 28.98 Crores on account of senior citizens opting to give up subsidy.
Indian Railways have registered a rise of 35% in the number of senior citizens who have chosen to give up the subsidy. Option for giving up of concession in passenger fare for senior citizens to the element of 100% was already available. Further w.e.f. 22nd July 2017, senior citizens were given the option to avail either the full concession provided to them on rail tickets or half of it.
Till 22nd February 2018, 9.08 lakh senior citizens gave up 100% of their concessional value whereas 8.55 lakh senior citizens gave up 50% of concessional value of passenger fare. During the current financial year 2017-18, Indian Railways has gained an amount of Rs 28.98 Crores on account of senior citizens opting to give up subsidy.
At present, male senior citizens get 40 per cent while women get 50 per cent concession on the total fare. Though there are many categories of passengers including sportspersons and differently-abled persons who avail concessions, the major beneficiaries are in the senior citizen segment.
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Ministry of Railways
21-March, 2018 17:34 IST
Maintenance of Railway Tracks
Safety is accorded the highest priority by Indian Railways and all possible steps are undertaken on a continual basis to prevent accidents and to enhance safety. These include timely replacement of over-aged assets, adoption of suitable technologies for upgradation and maintenance of track, rolling stock, signalling and interlocking systems, safety drives, greater emphasis on training of officials and safety inspections at regular intervals to monitor and educate staff for observance of safe practices. The Railways’ Capital Outlay has been fixed at Rs. 1,20,000 crore in Revised Estimate 2017-18, which is Rs. 10,065 crore higher than Actual Expenditure 2016-17 of Rs.1,09,935 crore. To give fillip to passenger safety, the Government has introduced ‘Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh’ (RRSK) in 2017-18 with a corpus of Rs. 1 lakh crore to be spent over a period of five years, to clear the backlog of renewal/replacement of safety assents. The Capital Allocation of 2017-18 also includes Rs. 20,000 crore under ‘Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh’ (RRSK) to be spent on identified works under planheads Track Renewals, Bridge Works, Signalling and Telecommunication Works, Road Safety Works of Level Crossings and Road Over/Under Bridges, Rolling Stock, Traffic Facilities, Electrical Works, Machinery and Plant, Workshops, Passenger Amenities and Training.
Inspection of Railway Track is done as per Indian Railway Permanent Way (IRPW) Manual, which requires Inspection of track by mechanized means, supplemented by detailed manual inspection to ensure safety. Induction of state of the art technology is a continuous process. Induction of various state of the art technology for monitoring and inspection of rail tracks have been considered, such as Integrated Track recording Cars (TRCs), Ground Penetration Radar, Axle Box Mounted Accelerometers, Component Monitoring system and Vehicular Ultra Sonic Flaw Detection (USFD). Maintenance of track is done with fleets of state of the art track maintenance machines deployed over different Zonal Railways.
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
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Ministry of Railways
21-March, 2018 17:33 IST
New Catering Policy of Railways
New Catering Policy was notified on 27 February 2017, with the objective of providing quality food to rail passengers, by unbundling catering services on trains, and creating a primary distinction between food preparation and food distribution in trains. The essential features of the New Catering Policy 2017, inter-alia includes:- (i) Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) shall manage catering service on all mobile units and meals will be picked from nominated kitchens. (ii) The setting up/ development/ refurbishment of new or existing Base Kitchens/Kitchen units will be undertaken by IRCTC. These modern, state of the art kitchens will be owned, operated and managed by IRCTC. (iii) IRCTC shall engage service providers from hospitality industry for
service of food in trains. (iv) IRCTC to involve/empanel Self Help groups for providing catering related services. (v) Zonal railways shall manage minor static unit (catering stall /milk stalls/ trolleys etc). (vi) Allotments of General Minor Units at all category stations will be done through competitive open tendering system by divisions. (vii) For the purpose of allotment, a Refreshment Room (at B and below category of stations) or a stall or a trolley to be deemed as one unit. As such, a single unit is to be awarded through a single license. (viii) 33 % sub quota for women in allotment of each category of minor catering units at all category of station to be provided.
Steps taken/ being taken to ensure that good quality and hygienic food is served to the passengers inter-alia include (i) Optional Catering Service has been introduced as a pilot project, on 32 Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Duronto trains under the management of IRCTC. (ii) Introduction of station based E-catering for widening the range of options available to passengers for ordering food of their choice. (iii) Pilot for introduction of precooked food (‘ready to eat’ meals) in the range of options available to passengers. (iv) 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. (v) Operation of all India Helpline (No.138) for rail-users to lodge complaints/suggestions regarding food and catering services. (vi) A Twitter handle @ IRCATERING has also been made operational to cater to the complaints/suggestions with regard to catering services.
Allotment of catering contracts by IRCTC and Zonal Railways under the framework of Catering Policy 2017 is an on-going process, as per the need and requirement of catering services. At present IRCTC is managing 334 pairs of Duronto, Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Mail/Express trains and 223 static units.
Providing quality and hygienic food under both mobile and static catering units is the aim of the Railways. Checking of quality and quantity of food is an integral part of its inspection, which is being done regularly by Railway officials. All complaints are dealt strictly and action including monitory penalty, debarring and termination of contract is taken as per the gravity of the complaint and decisions are taken on case to case basis.
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
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Ministry of Railways21-March, 2018 17:32 IST
Categorization of Railway Stations
Criteria for categorisation of stations have been revised w.e.f. November, 2017. As per the new categorization, both number of footfalls and passenger earnings of stations have been taken into account for categorization of stations.
The stations have been clubbed into 3 groups i.e. Non-suburban (NSG), Suburban (SG) and Halt (HG). Further these groups have been put in grades ranging from 1-6, 1-3 and 1-3 respectively.
Category of stations
Criteria of Proposed Earnings
Criteria of Proposed outward Passengers handled@
NON SUBURBAN STATIONS
NSG 1
More than 500 Crore
More than 20 Million
NSG 2
More than 100 crore, less than or equal to 500 Crore
More than 10 Million, less than or equal to 20 Million
NSG 3
More than 20 Crore, less than or equal to 100 Crore
More than 05 Million, less than or equal to 10 Million
NSG 4
More than 10 Crore, less than or equal to 20 Crore
More than 02 Million, less than or equal to 05 Million
NSG 5
More than 01 Crore, less than or equal to 10 Crore
More than 01 Million, less than or equal to 02 Million
NSG 6
less than or equal to 01 Crore
less than or equal to 01 Million
SUBURBAN STATIONS
SG 1
More than 25 Crore
More than 30 Million
SG 2
More than 10 Crore, less than or equal to 25 Crore
More than 10 Million, less than or equal to 30 Million
SG 3
less than or equal to 10 Crore
less than or equal to 10 Million
HALT STATIONS
HG 1
More than 50 lakh
More than 03 lakh
HG 2
More than 05 lakh, less than or equal to 50 lakh
More than 01 lakh, less than or equal to 03 lakh
HG 3
less than or equal to 05 lakh
less than or equal to 01 lakh
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
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Ministry of Railways
21-March, 2018 17:31 IST
Green corridors will help sections become free from human waste discharge from trains
As a part of “Swachh Bharat Mission”, Indian Railways is proliferating bio-toilets on its coaching stock so that no human waste is discharged from coaches on to the track. In order to demonstrate the advantage of fitment of Bio-toilets, 6 Green corridors were made functional during the year 2016-2017. During the year 2017-18, 16 green corridors have already been made functional. Indian Railways has commissioned the following 22 sections as Green corridors free from human waste discharge from trains:-
Railway
Section
Date of Commissioning
Kms
State
Central Railway
Daund-Baramati
Feb, 2018
43
Maharashtra
Central Railway
Chalisgaon-Dhule
Dec, 2017
56
Maharashtra
East Central Railway
Sakari-Biraul
Mar, 2018
35
Bihar
Eastern Railway
Madhupur-Giridih
Feb, 2017
38
Jharkhand/West Bengal
Eastern Railway
Bhagalpur-Banka
Aug, 2017
53
Bihar
North Eastern Railway
Bhojipura-Pilibhit
Nov, 2017
40
Uttar Pradesh
North Eastern Railway
Chhapra-Thave
Jan, 2018
109
Bihar
Northeast Frontier Railway
Chaparmukh –Silghat
July, 2017
82
Assam
Northeast Frontier Railway
Katakhal-Bairabi
Jan, 2018
84
Assam
Northeast Frontier Railway
Arunachal-Vangaichungpao
Jan, 2018
61
Assam/
Manipur
North Western Railway
Barmer-Munabao
March,2017
119
Rajasthan
North Western Railway
Pipar Road-Bilara
March,2017
41
Rajasthan
North Western Railway
Hanumangarh-Sadalpur
April, 2017
178
Rajasthan
North Western Railway
Sikar- Loharu
Feb, 2018
150
Rajasthan/ Haryana
North Western Railway
Anupgarh-Suratgarh
Aug, 2017
77
Rajasthan
Southern Railway
Rameswaram-Manamadurai
July, 2016
119
Tamil Nadu
Southern Railway
Trichy –Manamadurai (excluding TPJ)
Oct,2017
151
Tamil Nadu
Southern Railway
Madurai- Manamadurai (excludingMDU)
Oct, 2017
48
Tamil Nadu
Southern Railway
Virudhnagar- Manamadurai (excluding VPT)
Oct, 2017
67
Tamil Nadu
Western Railway
Okha-Kanalus Junction
Oct, 2016
140
Gujarat
Western Railway
Porbandar-Wansjaliya
Oct, 2016
33
Gujarat
Western Railway
Dhola Junction Mahuva(excluding Rajula Road-Rajula City)
Jan, 2018
127
Gujarat
The plan to fit bio-toilets in the entire fleet of coaches of Indian Railways by the year 2021-22 has been advanced to 2019 in the Budget 2017-18. After completion of fitting of bio-toilets in all coaches, the complete Indian Railways network will automatically become human waste discharge free from coaches.
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
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Ministry of Railways
21-March, 2018 17:30 IST
Employment Generation in Railways
Filling up of vacancies in Railways is a continuous process through various modes of intake. The policy of the Railway administration is to fill up the vacancies as per the laid down procedure through Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) and Railway Recruitment Cells (RRCs). There is always a time-lag between occurrence of vacancies and processing the same for filling up, which involves notification of vacancies, holding examinations, finalizing of select panels and issue of appointment letters. However, manpower planning requires continuous review of sanctioned strength in view of ever changing technology, working systems and creation of new assets and introduction of new trains.
Recently, Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) have published two fresh notifications viz. Centralized employment Notification (CEN) No. 01/2018 on 03.02.2018, for recruitment for 26,502 vacancies of Asst. Loco Pilots (ALPs) & Technicians, and CEN No. 02/2018 on 10.02.2018, for recruitment for 62,907 vacancies of Level-1 (erstwhile Group ‘D’) staff. The closing dates of online applications for both these CENs are 31.03.2018.
The details of the employment given by Railways in technical and non technical grades during the last three years and the current year is as under –
(i) In Group ‘C’ categories :-
Year
Candidates empanelled for
Technical posts
Non-technicalposts
Total Candidates Empanelled
2014-15
6006
9185
15191
2015-16
22529
5466
27995
2016-17
17354
2233
19587
2017-18(upto 31.12.2017)
2223
14604
16827
Total
48112
31488
79600
(ii) Candidates empanelled by RRCs in last three years in Level-1 of 7th CPC Pay Matrix (18000-56900) :-
Year
Candidates empanelled in Level-1
2014-15
31995
2015-16
51808
2016-17
6731
Total
90534
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
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Ministry of Railways
21-March, 2018 16:48 IST
IRCTC introduces billing through Point of Sale (POS) hand held machines in trains to check overcharging by vendors
The POS billing machines are being introduced in trains in phases Currently it is avai1able in train no. 2627-28, SBC-NDLS Karnataka Express on pilot basis In next phase, 100 POS machines are being commissioned on 26 trains
Taking a step towards passenger awareness for menu & tariff of meal and catering items being sold onboard in trains, IRCTC is introducing billing through Point of Sale (POS) hand held machines in trains. There have been some complaints of passengers regarding overcharging by the vendors in trains. IRCTC has been continuously taking passenger friendly steps so as to ensure smooth catering services as well as disseminate information critical for passenger travelling in trains. This will help not only making passengers aware of relevant information but also in improving the passenger satisfaction.
The POS billing machines are being introduced in trains in phases. IRCTC has already introduced POS machines in train no. 12627-28, SBC-NDLS Karnataka Express on pilot basis. Further, in next phase, 100 POS machines are being commissioned on 26 trains. There are 50 rakes (composition of coaches forming a train) of the identified 26 trains. Each rake of the train shall be provided with 2 POS machines each to start with which shall be progressively increased as per the usage & response from passengers. IRCTC is also deploying its officials onboard on these trains for the purpose of monitoring the catering services. These Officials are also being provided with Tablets (Tab) which will be used for collection of passenger feedbacks.
The service providers managing the onboard services are also being trained at its Central Kitchen at Noida for usage of the POS machine which has the ability to manage MIS. The training shall commence with effect from 21.03.2018 and shall continue till 24.03.2018 for the first batch.
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21-March, 2018 19:12 IST
Sanitary Pad Vending Machine at Railway Stations
The feasibility of installing Sanitary Pad Vending Machines is presently being examined through trial basis. Sanitary Pad Vending machines have been installed at several stations as a charitable measure, on no-profit-no-loss basis, by Railway Women’s Welfare Central Organization on trial. Depending on the success, further proliferation will be done.
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
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Ministry of Railways
21-March, 2018 19:10 IST
Railways drive against employees on unauthorized absence
In November, 2017, a drive was launched by the Railways to identify employees on unauthorised absence in various Zonal Railways and Production Units. A total of 13,521 employees were reported to be on unauthorised absence, the details of which are given below. Appropriate action under Disciplinary and Appeal Rules has been initiated against such absentees.
Break up of 13,521 Employees on unauthorised absence(Provisional)
Zonal Railway/Production Unit
No of Absentees
Central
1375
East Coast
683
East Central
1792
Eastern
1214
North Central
844
North Eastern
358
Northern
1301
North Western
360
South Central
650
South East Central
274
South Eastern
829
Southern
1476
South Western
216
West Central
550
Western
1414
Chittaranjan Locomotive Works
34
Diesel Locomotive Works
6
Diesel Loco Modernisation Works
6
Integral Coach Factory
115
Rail Coach Factory
19
Rail Wheel Factory
5
Total of Railways and PUs
13521
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
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Ministry of Railways
21-March, 2018 19:09 IST
Dedicated freight corridors to improve ease of logistics in Indian Railways
Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) is targeted for commissioning in phases by the year 2020. Eastern DFC connects the mineral and industrial belts of Eastern India with North India. Western DFC connects the ports on the western coast to the hinterland in Northern and North-Western India. The main objective underlying DFCs, is creation of an efficient, dedicated rail corridor for freight movement and thereby reduce the cost and improve the ease of logistics. DFC directly benefits the States coming on its alignment, namely Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra and other neighbouring States by facilitating creation of industrial corridors/clusters based on DFC.
Improvement in the freight transportations are envisaged with commissioning of DFC are :
(i) Improved connectivity to ports and industrial clusters.
(ii) Adequate carrying capacity for freight trains.
(iii) Increase in average speed of freight trains.
(iv) Possibility of running scheduled freight trains with guaranteed transit time.
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
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Ministry of Railways
21-March, 2018 19:08 IST
More than 85,00 crore set aside for periodic overhauling/servicing of Railway coaches
All the coaches running on Indian Railways are periodically overhauled as prescribed in maintenance manuals/instructions.
The Government has allocated Rs. 8560 crore in Budget Estimates 2017-18 for the periodic overhauling/servicing of railway coaches.
Acquisition of new coaches for replacement of over-aged stock is a continuous process on Indian Railways. Coaches are replaced after attaining their prescribed codal life or prematurely in case of heavy damage to structural members. The details of the coaches replaced in the last three years, Zone-wise are as under:-
Zonal Railway
2014-15
2015-16
2016-17
Central Railway
128
78
147
Eastern Railway
135
92
124
Northern Railway
148
219
229
North Eastern Railway
38
132
29
Northeast Frontier Railway
61
53
59
Southern Railway
217
112
270
South Central Railway
83
127
150
South Eastern Railway
56
93
84
Western Railway
90
150
157
East Central Railway
26
37
28
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
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Ministry of Railways
21-March, 2018 19:04 IST
Promotion of digital transactions In Railways
The amount of revenue received on account of ticket booking through digital means during the Financial Year 2017-18 ( up to February, 2018) is Rs. 27504.51 crore out of which the amount received on account of digital transaction in reserved passenger segment is Rs. 26100.27 crore which is approximately 70% of total passenger earnings in reserved segment. The amount received on account of digital transaction in unreserved passenger segment is Rs. 1404.24 crore which is approximately 9% of total passenger earnings in unreserved segment. The cashless transaction in case of freight traffic is above 99%.
Further, Indian Railways have undertaken following measures to promote digital transactions:-
i. The facility of online booking of reserved tickets has been provided through Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) website. The payment for tickets booked through IRCTC website is made through various cashless modes such as net banking, through credit/debit cards, cash cards and e-wallets. To incentivise payment through digital means, service charge on online booking of tickets was withdrawn for the tickets booked from 23.11.2016. The facility has been extended upto 31.03.2018.
ii. Indian Railways have tied up with State Bank of India to install 10,000 Point of Sale (POS) machines at various locations of Indian Railways i.e. Passenger Reservation System (PRS)/ Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS) ticket booking counters and Parcel/Goods locations.
iii. Booking of tickets through mobile phone has also been introduced wherein payment can be made through credit/debit cards, net banking, e-wallets etc.
iv. Service charge applicable on transactions against credit/debit cards for purchasing journey tickets at UTS/PRS counters has been withdrawn.
v. International credit/debit cards issued outside India are accepted for booking of e-tickets through IRCTC website.
vi. Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs) have been introduced to facilitate sale of unreserved tickets which have provision of payment through smart cards.
vii. 0.5% discount is given on purchase of season tickets through digital means with effect from 01.01.2017 upto 31.03.2018.
viii. It has been decided to provide 5% discount on the total value of basic fare in PRS reserved counter ticket subject to maximum amount of discount of Rs. 50 on a ticket for payments made through Unified Payment Interface (UPI) including Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM) subject to value of ticket being Rs. 100 and more.
ix. Electronic Payment system for collection of freight charges is already in place. All major customers are covered under this system and around 83% of total freight is being collected through it, besides, there is provision for collecting wagon registration fee under electronic registration of demand for wagons through IRCTC payment gateway.
The zone-wise detail of number of digital transaction over Indian Railways at the ticket booking counter, ticket booking through mobile phone and Automatic Ticket Vending Machine (ATVM) is given below : -
Number of Digital Transactions (In Lakhs)
ZONAL RAILWAYS
FY 2017-18 (Up to February)
FY 2016-17 (Up to February)
Central
1036.07
1218.33
East Central
0.13
0.01
East Coast
73.91
79.01
Eastern
57.44
43.09
North Central
21.55
0.08
North Eastern
192.93
108.47
Northeast Frontier
0.10
0.004
Northern
121.29
12.69
North Western
298.87
274.74
South Central
400.98
380.62
South East Central
56.32
30.13
South Eastern
14.87
16.65
Southern
376.35
335.01
South Western
71.63
33.15
West Central
163.75
103.83
Western
486.30
470.93
Total
3372.48
3106.73
The number of transactions at the IRCTC website (e-ticket/i-ticket) is as under:-
Financial Year
Number of transactions (in lakhs)
2017-18 ( upto February)
2237.83
2016-17
2092.95
Improvements in the system including digital transaction are a continuous process. Modifications in the ticket booking system and the payment receipt systems with regard to digitization are made in accordance with the advancements in the technologies for the benefit of the rail users.
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
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Ministry of Railways
21-March, 2018 18:09 IST
Ministry of Railways Sanctions Quadrupling Works in Bengaluru Area for enhancement of Suburban and other Railway Traffic to ease congestion
Two additional lines between Bengaluru and Whitefield will benefit 62,000 daily commuters in the IT hub area Ministry of Railways has sanctioned works to the tune of nearly Rs.1500 crores for line capacity expansion works in and around Bengaluru area
Keeping in view the requirements of augmenting line capacity, specially to meet the requirements of suburban traffic, Ministry of Railways has sanctioned the Quadrupling Project, with a provision of 02 additional lines (one on either side of the existing 02 lines) from Bengaluru Cantt. to Whitefield at a cost of Rs.492.87 crores.
As a measure to ease the congestion, it has been decided to strengthen the busy section with two additional lines between Bengaluru and Whitefield. This stretch of 25 Km will involve 6 most important stations -Bengaluru Cantonment, Bengaluru East, Baiyyapannahalli, Krishnarajapuram, Hoodi and Whitefield. This will benefit 62,000 daily commuters in this section by making commuting within Bengaluru easy and faster.
The Project will be taken up immediately and planned to be completed within a period of 2 – 3 years. It will be a boon for the local public of Bengaluru, specially belonging to the IT hub of Whitefield area. Presently, 146 and 94 trains are running from Bengaluru and Yesvantpur stations respectively out of which 122 are of suburban nature catering to commuters.
A major portion of these suburban trains are running in Bengaluru-Whitefield section. In view of increasing commuter requirement, in last one and half year itself, 26 suburban services have been introduced along with 7 long distance trains in Bengaluru area. Recently also, 4 suburban services between KSR Bengaluru- Baiyyappanahalli and Baiyappanahalli- Bengaluru have been introduced. KSR Bengaluru- Whitefield railway line is now congested and it’s line capacity utilization has exceeded 100%.
The project of Quadrupling between Bengaluru – Whitefield had been sanctioned during 1997-98 but was pending due to issues of land cost / availability, etc. Though MoUD subsequently recommended for Transit Oriented Development (TOD) of Krishnarajapuram and Whitefield stations involving extension of Bengaluru Metro, it had been decided to drop the quadrupling project considering its non-viability.
OTHER WORKS :-
In addition to the above, Ministry of Railways have, in the Budget 2018-19, sanctioned the following Doubling works around Bengaluru area which will serve to augment the line capacity in the Sections for running additional train services including suburban trains :
- Doubling of track between Yesvantpur – Baiyyappanahalli – Channasandra (21.70 km.) at a cost of Rs.169.64 crores.
- Doubling of track between Baiyyappanahalli – Hosur (48 km.) at a cost of Rs.375.66 crores.
The above are in addition to the recently completed works viz. Doubling with Electrification of Yesvantpur – Yelahanka and Yelahanka – Channasandra sections at a cost of Rs.250 crores approx. and the major on-going work for development of new Coaching Terminal at Baiyyappanahalli at a cost of Rs.152 crores to de-congest the existing Terminals at Bengaluru and Yesvantpur.
Thus, Ministry of Railways has sanctioned works to the tune of nearly Rs.1500 crores for line capacity expansion works in and around Bengaluru area over the last 2-3 years which will go a long way in enabling running of additional trains including suburban trains.
These works have been sanctioned by Ministry of Railways at its own cost without waiting for their proposal on cost sharing basis with the State Government. Moreover, these works are in addition to the proposed Project of Suburban Railway System (including elevated corridors) for Bengaluru area at a total cost of Rs.17,000 crores approx. on Joint Venture basis with Government of Karnataka (announced in Budget 2018-19) for which discussions are already in progress.
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Ministry of Railways
21-March, 2018 16:44 IST
17.63 Lakh Senior Citizens give up Concessional value of passenger fare Subsidy
Indian Railways has gained an amount of Rs 28.98 Crores on account of senior citizens opting to give up subsidy.
Indian Railways have registered a rise of 35% in the number of senior citizens who have chosen to give up the subsidy. Option for giving up of concession in passenger fare for senior citizens to the element of 100% was already available. Further w.e.f. 22nd July 2017, senior citizens were given the option to avail either the full concession provided to them on rail tickets or half of it.
Till 22nd February 2018, 9.08 lakh senior citizens gave up 100% of their concessional value whereas 8.55 lakh senior citizens gave up 50% of concessional value of passenger fare. During the current financial year 2017-18, Indian Railways has gained an amount of Rs 28.98 Crores on account of senior citizens opting to give up subsidy.
At present, male senior citizens get 40 per cent while women get 50 per cent concession on the total fare. Though there are many categories of passengers including sportspersons and differently-abled persons who avail concessions, the major beneficiaries are in the senior citizen segment.
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Ministry of Railways
21-March, 2018 17:34 IST
Maintenance of Railway Tracks
Safety is accorded the highest priority by Indian Railways and all possible steps are undertaken on a continual basis to prevent accidents and to enhance safety. These include timely replacement of over-aged assets, adoption of suitable technologies for upgradation and maintenance of track, rolling stock, signalling and interlocking systems, safety drives, greater emphasis on training of officials and safety inspections at regular intervals to monitor and educate staff for observance of safe practices. The Railways’ Capital Outlay has been fixed at Rs. 1,20,000 crore in Revised Estimate 2017-18, which is Rs. 10,065 crore higher than Actual Expenditure 2016-17 of Rs.1,09,935 crore. To give fillip to passenger safety, the Government has introduced ‘Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh’ (RRSK) in 2017-18 with a corpus of Rs. 1 lakh crore to be spent over a period of five years, to clear the backlog of renewal/replacement of safety assents. The Capital Allocation of 2017-18 also includes Rs. 20,000 crore under ‘Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh’ (RRSK) to be spent on identified works under planheads Track Renewals, Bridge Works, Signalling and Telecommunication Works, Road Safety Works of Level Crossings and Road Over/Under Bridges, Rolling Stock, Traffic Facilities, Electrical Works, Machinery and Plant, Workshops, Passenger Amenities and Training.
Inspection of Railway Track is done as per Indian Railway Permanent Way (IRPW) Manual, which requires Inspection of track by mechanized means, supplemented by detailed manual inspection to ensure safety. Induction of state of the art technology is a continuous process. Induction of various state of the art technology for monitoring and inspection of rail tracks have been considered, such as Integrated Track recording Cars (TRCs), Ground Penetration Radar, Axle Box Mounted Accelerometers, Component Monitoring system and Vehicular Ultra Sonic Flaw Detection (USFD). Maintenance of track is done with fleets of state of the art track maintenance machines deployed over different Zonal Railways.
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
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Ministry of Railways
21-March, 2018 17:33 IST
New Catering Policy of Railways
New Catering Policy was notified on 27 February 2017, with the objective of providing quality food to rail passengers, by unbundling catering services on trains, and creating a primary distinction between food preparation and food distribution in trains. The essential features of the New Catering Policy 2017, inter-alia includes:- (i) Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) shall manage catering service on all mobile units and meals will be picked from nominated kitchens. (ii) The setting up/ development/ refurbishment of new or existing Base Kitchens/Kitchen units will be undertaken by IRCTC. These modern, state of the art kitchens will be owned, operated and managed by IRCTC. (iii) IRCTC shall engage service providers from hospitality industry for
service of food in trains. (iv) IRCTC to involve/empanel Self Help groups for providing catering related services. (v) Zonal railways shall manage minor static unit (catering stall /milk stalls/ trolleys etc). (vi) Allotments of General Minor Units at all category stations will be done through competitive open tendering system by divisions. (vii) For the purpose of allotment, a Refreshment Room (at B and below category of stations) or a stall or a trolley to be deemed as one unit. As such, a single unit is to be awarded through a single license. (viii) 33 % sub quota for women in allotment of each category of minor catering units at all category of station to be provided.
Steps taken/ being taken to ensure that good quality and hygienic food is served to the passengers inter-alia include (i) Optional Catering Service has been introduced as a pilot project, on 32 Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Duronto trains under the management of IRCTC. (ii) Introduction of station based E-catering for widening the range of options available to passengers for ordering food of their choice. (iii) Pilot for introduction of precooked food (‘ready to eat’ meals) in the range of options available to passengers. (iv) 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. (v) Operation of all India Helpline (No.138) for rail-users to lodge complaints/suggestions regarding food and catering services. (vi) A Twitter handle @ IRCATERING has also been made operational to cater to the complaints/suggestions with regard to catering services.
Allotment of catering contracts by IRCTC and Zonal Railways under the framework of Catering Policy 2017 is an on-going process, as per the need and requirement of catering services. At present IRCTC is managing 334 pairs of Duronto, Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Mail/Express trains and 223 static units.
Providing quality and hygienic food under both mobile and static catering units is the aim of the Railways. Checking of quality and quantity of food is an integral part of its inspection, which is being done regularly by Railway officials. All complaints are dealt strictly and action including monitory penalty, debarring and termination of contract is taken as per the gravity of the complaint and decisions are taken on case to case basis.
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
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Ministry of Railways21-March, 2018 17:32 IST
Categorization of Railway Stations
Criteria for categorisation of stations have been revised w.e.f. November, 2017. As per the new categorization, both number of footfalls and passenger earnings of stations have been taken into account for categorization of stations.
The stations have been clubbed into 3 groups i.e. Non-suburban (NSG), Suburban (SG) and Halt (HG). Further these groups have been put in grades ranging from 1-6, 1-3 and 1-3 respectively.
Category of stations
Criteria of Proposed Earnings
Criteria of Proposed outward Passengers handled@
NON SUBURBAN STATIONS
NSG 1
More than 500 Crore
More than 20 Million
NSG 2
More than 100 crore, less than or equal to 500 Crore
More than 10 Million, less than or equal to 20 Million
NSG 3
More than 20 Crore, less than or equal to 100 Crore
More than 05 Million, less than or equal to 10 Million
NSG 4
More than 10 Crore, less than or equal to 20 Crore
More than 02 Million, less than or equal to 05 Million
NSG 5
More than 01 Crore, less than or equal to 10 Crore
More than 01 Million, less than or equal to 02 Million
NSG 6
less than or equal to 01 Crore
less than or equal to 01 Million
SUBURBAN STATIONS
SG 1
More than 25 Crore
More than 30 Million
SG 2
More than 10 Crore, less than or equal to 25 Crore
More than 10 Million, less than or equal to 30 Million
SG 3
less than or equal to 10 Crore
less than or equal to 10 Million
HALT STATIONS
HG 1
More than 50 lakh
More than 03 lakh
HG 2
More than 05 lakh, less than or equal to 50 lakh
More than 01 lakh, less than or equal to 03 lakh
HG 3
less than or equal to 05 lakh
less than or equal to 01 lakh
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
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Ministry of Railways
21-March, 2018 17:31 IST
Green corridors will help sections become free from human waste discharge from trains
As a part of “Swachh Bharat Mission”, Indian Railways is proliferating bio-toilets on its coaching stock so that no human waste is discharged from coaches on to the track. In order to demonstrate the advantage of fitment of Bio-toilets, 6 Green corridors were made functional during the year 2016-2017. During the year 2017-18, 16 green corridors have already been made functional. Indian Railways has commissioned the following 22 sections as Green corridors free from human waste discharge from trains:-
Railway
Section
Date of Commissioning
Kms
State
Central Railway
Daund-Baramati
Feb, 2018
43
Maharashtra
Central Railway
Chalisgaon-Dhule
Dec, 2017
56
Maharashtra
East Central Railway
Sakari-Biraul
Mar, 2018
35
Bihar
Eastern Railway
Madhupur-Giridih
Feb, 2017
38
Jharkhand/West Bengal
Eastern Railway
Bhagalpur-Banka
Aug, 2017
53
Bihar
North Eastern Railway
Bhojipura-Pilibhit
Nov, 2017
40
Uttar Pradesh
North Eastern Railway
Chhapra-Thave
Jan, 2018
109
Bihar
Northeast Frontier Railway
Chaparmukh –Silghat
July, 2017
82
Assam
Northeast Frontier Railway
Katakhal-Bairabi
Jan, 2018
84
Assam
Northeast Frontier Railway
Arunachal-Vangaichungpao
Jan, 2018
61
Assam/
Manipur
North Western Railway
Barmer-Munabao
March,2017
119
Rajasthan
North Western Railway
Pipar Road-Bilara
March,2017
41
Rajasthan
North Western Railway
Hanumangarh-Sadalpur
April, 2017
178
Rajasthan
North Western Railway
Sikar- Loharu
Feb, 2018
150
Rajasthan/ Haryana
North Western Railway
Anupgarh-Suratgarh
Aug, 2017
77
Rajasthan
Southern Railway
Rameswaram-Manamadurai
July, 2016
119
Tamil Nadu
Southern Railway
Trichy –Manamadurai (excluding TPJ)
Oct,2017
151
Tamil Nadu
Southern Railway
Madurai- Manamadurai (excludingMDU)
Oct, 2017
48
Tamil Nadu
Southern Railway
Virudhnagar- Manamadurai (excluding VPT)
Oct, 2017
67
Tamil Nadu
Western Railway
Okha-Kanalus Junction
Oct, 2016
140
Gujarat
Western Railway
Porbandar-Wansjaliya
Oct, 2016
33
Gujarat
Western Railway
Dhola Junction Mahuva(excluding Rajula Road-Rajula City)
Jan, 2018
127
Gujarat
The plan to fit bio-toilets in the entire fleet of coaches of Indian Railways by the year 2021-22 has been advanced to 2019 in the Budget 2017-18. After completion of fitting of bio-toilets in all coaches, the complete Indian Railways network will automatically become human waste discharge free from coaches.
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
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Ministry of Railways
21-March, 2018 17:30 IST
Employment Generation in Railways
Filling up of vacancies in Railways is a continuous process through various modes of intake. The policy of the Railway administration is to fill up the vacancies as per the laid down procedure through Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) and Railway Recruitment Cells (RRCs). There is always a time-lag between occurrence of vacancies and processing the same for filling up, which involves notification of vacancies, holding examinations, finalizing of select panels and issue of appointment letters. However, manpower planning requires continuous review of sanctioned strength in view of ever changing technology, working systems and creation of new assets and introduction of new trains.
Recently, Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) have published two fresh notifications viz. Centralized employment Notification (CEN) No. 01/2018 on 03.02.2018, for recruitment for 26,502 vacancies of Asst. Loco Pilots (ALPs) & Technicians, and CEN No. 02/2018 on 10.02.2018, for recruitment for 62,907 vacancies of Level-1 (erstwhile Group ‘D’) staff. The closing dates of online applications for both these CENs are 31.03.2018.
The details of the employment given by Railways in technical and non technical grades during the last three years and the current year is as under –
(i) In Group ‘C’ categories :-
Year
Candidates empanelled for
Technical posts
Non-technicalposts
Total Candidates Empanelled
2014-15
6006
9185
15191
2015-16
22529
5466
27995
2016-17
17354
2233
19587
2017-18(upto 31.12.2017)
2223
14604
16827
Total
48112
31488
79600
(ii) Candidates empanelled by RRCs in last three years in Level-1 of 7th CPC Pay Matrix (18000-56900) :-
Year
Candidates empanelled in Level-1
2014-15
31995
2015-16
51808
2016-17
6731
Total
90534
This information was given by the Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
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Ministry of Railways
21-March, 2018 16:48 IST
IRCTC introduces billing through Point of Sale (POS) hand held machines in trains to check overcharging by vendors
The POS billing machines are being introduced in trains in phases Currently it is avai1able in train no. 2627-28, SBC-NDLS Karnataka Express on pilot basis In next phase, 100 POS machines are being commissioned on 26 trains
Taking a step towards passenger awareness for menu & tariff of meal and catering items being sold onboard in trains, IRCTC is introducing billing through Point of Sale (POS) hand held machines in trains. There have been some complaints of passengers regarding overcharging by the vendors in trains. IRCTC has been continuously taking passenger friendly steps so as to ensure smooth catering services as well as disseminate information critical for passenger travelling in trains. This will help not only making passengers aware of relevant information but also in improving the passenger satisfaction.
The POS billing machines are being introduced in trains in phases. IRCTC has already introduced POS machines in train no. 12627-28, SBC-NDLS Karnataka Express on pilot basis. Further, in next phase, 100 POS machines are being commissioned on 26 trains. There are 50 rakes (composition of coaches forming a train) of the identified 26 trains. Each rake of the train shall be provided with 2 POS machines each to start with which shall be progressively increased as per the usage & response from passengers. IRCTC is also deploying its officials onboard on these trains for the purpose of monitoring the catering services. These Officials are also being provided with Tablets (Tab) which will be used for collection of passenger feedbacks.
The service providers managing the onboard services are also being trained at its Central Kitchen at Noida for usage of the POS machine which has the ability to manage MIS. The training shall commence with effect from 21.03.2018 and shall continue till 24.03.2018 for the first batch.
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