Ministry of Railways
04-April, 2018 17:54 IST
Catering Facility in Railways
Improvement of catering services is an on-going process. In its endeavour to provide quality and hygienic food to the 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.
At present, 378 mobile and 9208 static catering units are operational in Indian Railways. 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. At present, IRCTC has taken over almost all mobile units in phased manner from Zonal Railways and they are contracting out mobile units centrally. Details of the names of the contractors (companies/firms) providing catering services in trains are as under:-
S. No.
Name of Company/firm
1
Doon’s Caterers
2
Express Food Services
3
Brandavan Food Products
4
R. K. Associates & Hoteliers Private Limited
5
Sanraj Hospitality
6
Roop Caterers
7
J. K. Ghosh
8
Arenco Catering
9
Deepak & Company
10
Sunshine Caterers Private Limited
11
Krishna Enterprises
12
Food World
13
Satyam Caterers Private Limited
14
Om Sai Ram Enterprises
15
Ambuj Hotel & Real Estate Private Limited
16
A. S. Sales Corporation
17
Poorvanchal Caterers
18
P. Siva Prasad
19
Boon Catering Company Private Limited
20
Singh Caterers & Vendors
21
Alok Kumar Ghosh
22
Griham Food & Hotel Private Limited
23
Variety Pantry Services Private Limited
24
Golden Caterers
25
Hakmichand D. & Sons
26
A. A. Catering Company
27
Hotel Rajasthan
28
New Classic Caterers Private Limited
29
Pplus Facility Management Services Private Limited
30
R. K. Food Products
31
Salasar Enterprises
32
P. K. Shefi
33
Classic Caterers
34
Kwality Caterers
35
P. R. Kumar
36
Seema Caterers
37
Srinathji Caterers
38
Vasantham Catering
39
Fine Caterers & Suppliers
40
K. M. Musthafa
41
K. M. A. Caterers
42
Sai Balaji Food & Beverage (India) Private Limited
43
Speed Catering Services Private Limited
44
Sree Venkateswara Enterprises
45
ABC Enterprises
46
Kannelite Facility Management Services
47
Quinn India
48
Sunil Catering Services
As per the provisions of New Catering Policy 2017, the following ceiling limits are applicable for various categories of catering units:-
(i) Stand alone Automatic Vending Machines (AVMs): An entity is allowed to hold a maximum of 10 AVMs over each Zonal Railway.
(ii) Milk Stalls: Authorized franchisee/agencies of allottees (apex dairy cooperative societies approved by Government, dairy cooperative federations/members of NCDFI and/or developed under the aegis of Operation Flood Programme, bodies/agencies registered/certified by FSSAI) are allowed to hold a maximum of five milk stalls per Railway Division.
(iii) Minor catering units: A licensee is allowed to hold a maximum of five minor catering units per Division.
(iv) Food Plaza, Food Courts and Fast Food Units: An individual/firm/company is allowed to hold a maximum of two units per Division, subject to a further limit of 25 units over Indian 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
04-April, 2018 17:50 IST
First Aid And Medical Facilities in Trains
First Aid Boxes containing essential drugs and dressing materials are provided with the guards of all passenger carrying trains. In addition, Augmented First Aid Boxes with wide range of medicines, disposable medical material, etc. have been provided with the Train Superintendents/ Guards of Rajdhani/Shatabdi Express trains and some nominated trains. Front line staffs deployed on trains are also trained in rendering First Aid. The Station Masters of all stations have details of doctors, clinics and hospitals, both Government and Private, in the vicinity of the station, so that their services could also be availed, in emergencies. Ambulance services of both Railway hospitals and State Governments are utilized when required.
A pilot project of deployment of doctors in Duronto Trains was undertaken for a period of two years. During the Pilot Project, it was noted that serious patient could not be treated on board and had to be de-trained for medical treatment at a hospital only because the medical equipments, such as ECG machines etc. do not function properly on the trains due to noise/ vibration etc.
The issue of rendering Medical Assistance/ First Aid to the passengers was examined by Hon’ble Supreme Court and it was ordered that a committee of experts be constituted by All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi and recommendations of the committee be implemented by Ministry of Railways. Accordingly, the recommendations of the committee were obtained and have been implemented.
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
04-April, 2018 17:48 IST
Elimination of Unmanned Railway Crossings
It has been decided to eliminate all Unmanned Level Crossings (UMLCs) on Broad Gauge (BG) route in next 2 years by either of the following methods:-
- Closure – Closing unmanned level crossings having NIL/negligible Train Vehicle Unit (TVU).
- Merger – Merger of unmanned level crossing to nearby manned or unmanned gates or subway/Road Under Bridge (RUB)/Road Over Bridge (ROB) by construction of diversion road.
- Provision of Subways/RUBs.
- Manning – The unmanned level crossings which cannot be eliminated by above means will be progressively manned based on rail-road traffic volume, visibility conditions.
Other steps taken to avoid accidents at level crossings are as follows:
(i) Global Positioning System (GPS) tracker to ensure presence of Gate Mitra at UMLCs will be provided by June 2018.
(ii) Public awareness campaigns are being done at different places like villages, Gram Panchayat, weekly market, bus stands, schools and other public places.
(iii) Periodic inspection of such level crossings is being carried out.
(iv) Social awareness campaigns are being done to educate road users with the use of print and electronic media for observance of safe practices prescribed in Motor Vehicles Act and Indian Railways Act.
(v) Short Message Service (SMS) campaigns are being done to create awareness amongst road users.
(vi) Nukkad Nataks are being organized at public places with theme “Safety at Level Crossings”.
(vii) Joint ambush checks along with civil police are being carried out to counter misadventure in front of approaching trains.
(viii) Level crossing awareness week is being organized every year in June by the 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
04-April, 2018 17:53 IST
Provision of More Accommodation to Travelling Passengers
With a view to provide more accommodation to travelling passengers, Indian Railways, subject to operational feasibility, commercial viability and availability of resources, augments the load of existing services, which is an on-going process.
Indian Railways, as a matter of policy, have already decided that all the Mail/Express trains (except fully reserved trains like Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Duronto, etc.) introduced after 2007-08, shall have at least 6 general class coaches in their standard composition as per feasibility. Besides, to cater to the travelling needs of General Class passengers, Indian Railways operates fully unreserved services like Jan Sadharan, Janseva, Jan Nayak Express and also operates Passenger trains and Intercity services for short distance travel. With this end in view, Indian Railways in the Railway Budget 2016-17, has announced to introduce the Antyodaya Express, a long-distance, fully unreserved, superfast train service, and also to add two to four Deen Dayalu coaches in some long distance trains for unreserved travel to enhance the carrying capacity for the unreserved class passengers. 4 pairs of Antyodaya trains have already been introduced so far.
Accordingly, 507 coaches including 150 General class coaches have been attached on permanent basis during the year 2017-18 up to February 2018, in existing trains.
Further, to clear extra rush of passengers during festive season, vacations, religious congregations (like Kumbh, Ardh Kumbh, Sabrimala, Urs, etc.), Melas, etc., Indian Railways to the extent feasible and justified, not only operates special trains but also augments the loads of existing trains to create extra accommodation for travelling passengers. With this end in view, Indian Railways operated 33,775 trips of special trains and utilized 91,958 coach trips, during the year 2017-18 (up to February 2018), which is also an on-going process on Indian 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
04-April, 2018 17:54 IST
Facilities for Divyangjan Passengers at Railway Stations
In order to provide better accessibility to Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), short term facilities as detailed below have been planned at all stations, beginning with ‘A-1’, ‘A’ & ‘B’ category stations:
- Standard ramp for barrier free entry.
- Earmarking at least two parking lots.
- Non-slippery walk-way from parking lot to station building.
- Signages of appropriate visibility.
- At least one drinking water tap suitable for use by Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan).
- At least one toilet (on the ground floor).
- ‘May I help you’ Booth.
In addition, long term facilities, as detailed below, have been planned at ‘A-1’, ‘A’ & ‘B’ category stations:
- Engraving on edges of platform.
- Provision of facility for inter-platform transfer.
There are 709 ‘A-1’, ‘A’ & ‘B’ category stations catering to the bulk of passenger traffic on Indian Railways, out of which 667 stations have been provided with all short-term facilities. Details of railway stations provided with facilities for Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) under all categories of stations are given below:-
S.No.
Facility for Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan)
Approximate
number of stations, where facility provided
1.
Standard ramp for barrier free entry
2435
2.
Earmarking at least two parking lots
1360
3.
Non-slippery walk-way from parking lot to station building
1415
4.
Signages of appropriate visibility
1435
5.
At least one drinking water tap suitable
for use by Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan)
1870
6.
At least one toilet (on the ground floor)
1820
7.
May I help you booth
1090
8.
Engraving on edges of platforms
1785
9.
Provision of facility for inter-platform transfer
1240
In order to facilitate easy movement of elderly, sick and Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) and for smooth access to platforms at major railway stations, 473 escalators at 171 stations and 330 lifts at 137 stations have been provided so far. Further, work is in progress for 303 nos. of escalators at 115 stations and 306 nos. of lifts at 98 stations. Additionally 372 escalators have been sanctioned for Mumbai Sub-urban sections in financial year 2017-18 on Out-of-Turn basis.
Further, in the Budget 2017-18, it has been announced by Hon’ble Finance Minister that about 500 stations shall be provided with escalators/lifts progressively as part of “Saugamya Bharat Mission” at all ‘A-1’, ‘A’ & ‘C’ category stations with footfall of 25,000 and above and stations of tourist importance. The proposal for the same has been approved at a cost of `2589 crores for escalators and `404 crores for lifts.
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
04-April, 2018 17:52 IST
Refund Facilities on Cancellation of Railway Tickets
The details of different avenues available for a passenger to get refund of fare on cancellation of tickets as per Railway Passengers (Cancellation of Tickets and Refund of Fares) Rules, 2015 are as under:-
(i). Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counter tickets/Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS) tickets on surrendering of original ticket are cancelled and amount due is refunded across the reservation/booking counters, within the prescribed time limit.
(ii). E-ticket is cancelled/ Ticket Deposit Receipt (TDR) filed online on the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) website within the prescribed time limit. The refund amount is credited to the account from where the payment for the booking of ticket has been made.
(iii). In exceptional circumstances as per Refund Rule, TDR can be filed for getting refund beyond prescribed time limit.
(iv). PRS counter tickets can also be cancelled through IRCTC website (
www.irctc.co.in) or through 139 and refund amount can be collected across the reservation/booking counters on surrendering of original tickets within the prescribed time limit.
(v). Station masters of nominated stations have powers to allow cancellation of tickets and grant refund of fare in exceptional circumstances.
As per Railway Passengers (Cancellation of Tickets and Refund of Fares) Rules, 2015, the e-tickets booked through IRCTC website are cancelled/TDR filed through the IRCTC website only within the prescribed time limit. In exceptional circumstances, passenger may approach to IRCTC or Office of Chief Commercial Managers (Refund) of concerned zonal Railways for grant of refund. In case payment is deducted and the Passenger Name Record (PNR)/ticket is not issued due to technical reasons, the refund is processed by IRCTC automatically on the following day of the transaction made by user after confirmation through the file of transaction from bank and PNR generation from PRS.
All cancellation and refund of fare is governed by Notification dated 4th Nov., 2015 as Railway Passengers (Cancellation of Tickets and Refund of Fares) Rules, 2015. In exceptional circumstances there is already provision for refund of fare by Chief Commercial Managers (Refund) of concerned zonal Railways. Also, Station Managers of nominated stations of zonal Railways have been authorized to grant refund of fare on counter tickets in exceptional circumstances.
Further to the provision indicated above, to facilitate the passengers PRS counter tickets are also cancelled at relatively smaller stations wherever PRS booking facility is available throughout the day and refund is granted beyond the working hours of PRS counters/current counters.
Also to facilitate e-tickets passengers in case of cancellation of trains, automatic cancellation is done and refund amount due is credited in the account from which the booking transaction took place. Cancellation or Filing of online TDR is not required in such cases.
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
04-April, 2018 17:52 IST
Joint Venture of Railways
Agreements have been signed for manufacturing and maintenance of electric and diesel locomotives. As per contract 800 electric locomotives and 1000 diesel locomotives are to be manufactured and supplied from the factory set up by the companies at Madhepura (Bihar) and Marhowra (Bihar) respectively over a period of 11 years. Two Joint Venture (JV) companies have been set up for this purpose. Ministry of Railways is a 26% stakeholder in these two JV companies. The companies would also undertake maintenance/supervision of the first 500 locomotives by setting up maintenance facilities at Saharanpur, Nagpur, Roza and Ghandhidham.
The project envisages transfer of technology for maintenance to Indian Railway staff in terms of providing benchmarking of maintenance facilities as well as global practices in undertaking maintenance of these locomotives. The maintenance facilities would revert back to the Indian Railways on completion of the maintenance obligations following which the maintenance would be carried out by Indian Railways staff. These projects were approved by the Cabinet in 2010 and subsequently the bidding documents were also approved by the Cabinet in 2014. The companies were selected through an international competitive bidding process. Compliance to the requirement of national security and public interest is a part of the eligibility criteria.
The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) of Government of India had issued the consolidated Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Policy which allows FDI in Railway Infrastructure sector on automatic route in the areas namely :-
(i) Suburban corridor projects through PPP;
(ii) High speed train project;
(iii) Dedicated freight lines;
(iv) Rolling stock including train sets and locomotive/coaches manufacturing and maintenance facilities;
(v) Railway Electrification;
(vi) Signalling systems;
(vii) Passenger terminals;
(viii)Infrastructure in industrial part pertaining to railway line/sidings including electrified railway lines and connectivities to main railway line; and
(ix) Mass Rapid Transport Systems.
Further, the Indian Railways undertakes outsourcing of certain facilities like cleaning, pay and use toilets, retiring rooms, parking etc. on need based manner to improve efficiency.
Interest of the railway staff is taken into consideration while outsourcing.
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
04-April, 2018 17:51 IST
Inspection and Repair of Rail Bridges
There is a well established system of inspection of bridges on Indian Railways. All the bridges are inspected twice a year, one before the onset of monsoon and one detailed inspection after the monsoon. In addition, certain bridges are also inspected more frequently depending upon their condition. Repair / strengthening / rehabilitation / rebuilding of railway bridges is a continuous process and is undertaken whenever so warranted by their physical condition as ascertained during these inspections and not on the basis of age. If the corrective / remedial measures are expected to take a long duration due to the complexity of the site situation, etc., suitable safety measures like imposing speed restrictions and keeping such bridge under close watch are taken till the bridge is repaired / strengthened / rehabilitated / rebuilt.
During last five year (2012-13 to 2016-17), a total of 3675 bridges have been repaired / strengthened / rehabilitated / rebuilt on Indian Railways. As on 01.04.2017, a total of 3017 railway bridges are sanctioned for repaired / strengthened / rehabilitated / rebuilt.
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
04-April, 2018 17:51 IST
Project Swarn in Railways
Project Swarn has been started to upgrade the condition of Rajdhani and Shatabdi Express Trains. This initiative is likely to give improved look to the coaches.
The objective of Project Swarn is to significantly improve the passenger experience across 9 dimensions which include coach interiors, toilets, onboard cleanliness, staff behavior, catering, linen, punctuality, security, on-board entertainment. Real time feedback is also a part of Project Swarn.
There are 29 Rajdhani and Shatabdi Express trains identified under this scheme. Out of these, work has already been completed on 16 trains. Work is targeted for completion on balance trains within next 8 months.
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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