Significant step towards combating human trafficking

Posted On: 19 MAR 2024 9:00 PM by PIB Delhi

NCW and RPF signed a MoU for the purpose 

New Delhi: 19th March 2024: (Media Link//PIB//The Rail Screen Desk)::

Situation on female human trafficking is still serious. Human trafficking remains a significant issue in India, with women and girls disproportionately affected. India is one of the major source, transit, and destination countries for trafficking.

In a significant step towards combating human trafficking, the National Commission for Women (NCW) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Railway Protection Force (RPF). Through this collaborative effort, both organizations pledged to provide training and sensitize RPF officials to effectively address the problems of women trafficking within the Indian Railway network.

The National Commission for Women and the Railway Protection Force came together to announce a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening efforts to combat human trafficking across India. The MOU was signed by NCW Joint Secretary A Asholi Chalai and RPF Inspector General Sarvapriya Mayank. It underscores the commitment of both organizations to tackle the grave issue of human trafficking, especially within the extensive network of Indian Railways.

The initiative comes as a response to the alarming statistics revealing that 70% of trafficked victims are women, highlighting the urgent need for concerted action to protect the most vulnerable in society. NCW, which established an Anti-Human Trafficking Cell on April 2, 2022, has already been working with the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to combat the trafficking of women.

“Women and young girls are particularly vulnerable to trafficking”, stated Smt. Rekha Sharma, Chairperson of NCW. “The vast railway network of Indian Railway, spanning over 65,000 kilometers and 7,500 stations, unfortunately, serves as a conduit for traffickers. RPF personnel stationed at railway stations play a pivotal role in preventing human trafficking and can act as the eyes and ears of the commission in addressing crimes against women”.  

The key objectives of the MOU encompass collaborative efforts to prevent human trafficking and rescue of trafficked women. This involves conducting sensitization workshops and training sessions for RPF personnel to enhance their awareness and prompt response to human trafficking incidents. Additionally, awareness campaigns will be launched targeting frontline railway staff and the general public to educate them about the signs of human trafficking and how to report such cases effectively.

Under the MoU, RPF personnel will receive ongoing sensitization and training, empowering them to remain alert and vigilant in identifying and reporting suspicious activities. This collaboration aims to enhance the capabilities of RPF personnel, enabling them to serve as an additional layer of defense against human trafficking.

Highlighting the ongoing effort of RPF aimed at preventing trafficking of women and girls through railways Sh. Manoj Yadava Director General (RPF) expressed hope that this effort will boost the capacity of RPF to combat crime against women.

This partnership between NCW and RPF signifies a significant step forward in the collective efforts to combat human trafficking and protect vulnerable women across India's railway network.

******//YB/SK//(Release ID: 2015613)****

Now Wifi facility provided at 6108 railway stations

Posted On: 29 March 2023 at 4:29 PM by PIB Delhi

151 Railway Stations of Punjab also included

New Delhi: 29th March 2023: (PIB//The Rail Screen)::

Indian Railways have decided to provide free Wi-Fi at all railway stations except halt. So far, Wi-Fi facility has been provided at 6108 stations. State-wise list is appended. The provision of Wi-Fi at stations depends upon the availability of Infrastructure like Optical Fiber Cable & Other resources.

Indian Railways is committed to make all its railway stations and trains accessible for Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) as part of “Sugamya Bharat Mission”. Improvement/ augmentation of customer amenities including those for differently abled passengers (Divyangjan) at Railway stations is a continuous process.

Expenditure incurred for customer Amenities during each of the last three years & current year is as under:

APPENDIX

State-wise list of stations where Wi-Fi facility provided till date: -

This information was given by the Minister of Railways, Communications and Electronic & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

**** YB/DNS//(Release ID: 1911792) 

Indian Railways completes 100% electrification of Odisha

Posted On: 22 MAR 2023 4:26 PM by PIB Delhi

 Electrification will reduce line haul cost by 2.5 times

The existing Broad Gauge network of Odisha (2,822 Route kms) is now 100% electrified

New Delhi//Bhubaneswar: 22nd March 2023: (PIB//The Rail Screen)::

On the lines of setting the target of achieving Net Zero Carbon Emitter by 2030, the Indian Railways has 100% electrified existing Broad Gauge network of Odisha. The existing Broad Gauge network of Odisha is 2,822 Route kilometre, which is 100% electrified, resulting in saving on account of reduced line haul cost (about 2.5 times lower), heavier haulage capacity, increased sectional capacity, reduced operating & maintenance cost of electric loco, energy efficient and eco-friendly mode of transportation with reduced dependence on imported crude oil, saving of foreign exchange.  Further, new Broad Gauge network shall be sanctioned along with electrification, in sync with Railways’ policy of 100% electrified network. 

Odisha state’s territory falls in the jurisdiction of East Coast, South Eastern & South East Central Railways. Some of the major railway stations in Odisha are: Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Puri, Sambalpur, Bhadrak, Rourkela, and Jharsuguda. The railway network plays an important role in the transportation of minerals, agricultural products, and other goods from Odisha to other parts of the country.

First railway line in Odisha was constructed between Cuttack - Khurda Road - Puri in 1897.

Some of the prestigious trains of Odisha state are: Howrah-Puri Express, Konark Express, Coromandel Express, Hirakud Express, Visakha Express, and Bhubaneswar-New Delhi Rajdhani Express. These trains provide convenient connectivity to various parts of the state and other major cities in India.

***YB/DNS//(Release ID: 1909547

Shri Anil Kumar Lahoti takes charge as new Chairman

 Posted on: 01st January 2023 at 12:10 PM by PIB Delhi

He is also new CEO of Railway Board

New Delhi: 01st January 2023: (PIB//The Rail Screen):: 

Shri Anil Kumar Lahoti has taken over the charge of new Chairman & Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Railway Board (Ministry of Railways). The appointments committee of the Cabinet approved the appointment of Shri Anil Kumar Lahoti as Chairman & CEO of Railway Board. Prior to this, Shri Anil Kumar Lahoti has worked as Member (Infrastructure), Railway Board.

Sh. Lahoti belongs to Indian Railway Service of Engineers, 1984 batch and has been empanelled in the first panel of Indian Railways Management Service for Level-17. He has graduated in Civil Engineering with Gold Medal from Madhav Institute of Technology and Science, Gwalior and did his Master of Engineering (Structures) from University of Roorkee (IIT, Roorkee). During his more than 36 years of career in railways, he has worked in various capacities over Central, Northern, North Central, Western and West Central Railways and in Railway Board.

Shri Lahoti has earlier worked as General Manager, Central Railway and also looked after the charge of GM, Western Railway for several months. His stint as General Manager is credited with achieving highest ever freight and parcel traffic in terms of tonnage carried and revenue earned including running of the highest number of Kissan Rails. He also brought about record improvement in revenue by non-fare opportunities, sale of scrap and extensive ticket checking drives. He successfully steered and resolved the vexed issue of expansion of air conditioned sub-urban services in Mumbai. During his tenure, Central Railway recorded a quantum jump in execution and commissioning of infrastructure projects and commissioned the long awaited 5th & 6th line between Diva and Thane in Mumbai.

He had worked as Divisional Railway Manager, Lucknow, Northern Railway, where he took several initiatives to improve freight movement on the Lucknow-Varanasi-DDU route as an alternative to the congested Ghaziabad-Prayagraj-DDU route. His stint saw a substantial improvement in passenger amenities and cleanliness standards at stations on Lucknow division.

As Chief Administrative Officer (Construction) and Chief Engineer (Construction) on Northern Railway, he executed a large number of infrastructure projects of New Lines, Doubling and multi-tracking of track, yard remodelling, important bridges, station construction, etc. The Anand Vihar Terminal in Delhi and the iconic Ajmeri Gate side station building of New Delhi station were planned and constructed by him. He was also closely associated with planning for redevelopment of New Delhi station as a World Class station including commercial development of land and air space.

Shri Lahoti has taken training in Strategic Management and Leadership programs at Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, USA; Bocconi School of Management, Milan, Italy; and Indian School of Business, Hyderabad. He has carried out studies of development of stations in Hong Kong, Japan, UK, Germany and Switzerland including commercial development on railway land. He has also visited several countries in connection with developments in track technology and track maintenance machines.

***

51 years of deep and abiding friendship

Celebrating MaitriDiwas between India & Bangladesh On 

New Delhi: 6th December 2022: (The Rail Screen):: 

Ministery of Railways tweeted its happiness on Maitri Divas by tweeting a meesage with a photo.

Celebrating 51 years of deep and abiding friendship between India & Bangladesh On #MaitriDiwas; Indian Railways further bolsters this affiliation with efforts to enhance regional trade & rail connectivity with Bandhan Express and Mitali Express.

Month long Pan-India drive for execution of pending warrants

Posted On: 04th November 2022 at 3:55 PM by PIB Delhi

Drive for execution of pending warrants by RPF from 01.10.2022 to 31.10.2022

*319 offenders involved in 289 cases, evading the process of law, were arrested and produced before the concerned courts during the drive

*This included 52 offenders who were absconding for 10 to 15 years

New Delhi: 04th November 2022: (PIB//The Rail Screen)::

Railway Protection Force (RPF) is entrusted with the responsibility of security of Railway property and several steps are being taken to ensure it. The cases of theft of Railway Property is registered and enquired by RPF under the provisions of RP (UP) Act followed by detection, recovery of stolen Railway Property and arrest/prosecution of criminals. The force also launches prosecution under Railways Act 1989. During enquiry and in course of trial, warrants of arrest are issued by trial courts against offenders/accused who evade arrest and production before the court. Delay in execution of warrants or arrest of named accused persons causes delay in disposal of cases, puts additional pressure on Judiciary & Law Enforcement Agency and adversely interferes with administration of justice. In order to ensure expeditious execution of warrants and production of the absconders/accused persons before the court of law, a month long Pan-India drive, focusing on execution of warrants, was conducted over the Indian Railways from 01.10.2022 to 31.10.2022

During the drive, 319 offenders involved in 289 cases, evading the process of law, were arrested and produced before the concerned courts. This included 52 offenders who were absconding since 10 to 15 yrs.

The field formations of RPF will continue execution of warrants with the same spirit in future too.

***   YB/DNS (Release ID: 1873706)

Railways earns Rs 92345 Crores from Freight loading

Posted On: 01st November 2022 at 3:52 PM by PIB Delhi

This earning is till October 2022 in current financial year

*Freight Earnings increases by 17% as compared to the same period of last year

*Railways achieve Freight Loading of 855.63 MT till October’ 22- an improvement of 9% over last year loading

New Delhi: 01st November 2022: (PIB//The Rail Screen)::

On mission mode, Indian Railways' Freight loading for first seven months of this financial year 2022-23 has crossed last year’s loading and earnings for the same period.

On cumulative basis from April – Oct. 22, freight loading of 855.63 MT has been achieved against last year’s loading of 786.2 MT, an improvement of about 9% over last year loading. Railways have earned Rs 92345 crore against Rs 78921 crore last year which is an improvement of 17%.

During the month of October 22, Originating freight loading of 118.94 MT has been achieved against loading of 117.34 MT in Oct 21, which is an improvement of 1.4% over last year. Freight revenue of Rs. 13353 crore has been achieved against Rs 12313 crore freight earnings in October 21, thereby an improvement of 8% over last year.

Following the Mantra, “Hungry For Cargo”, IR has made sustained efforts to improve the ease of doing business as well as improve the service delivery at competitive prices which has resulted in new traffic coming to railways from both conventional and non-conventional commodity streams. The customer centric approach and work of Business Development Units backed up by agile policy making helped Railways towards this landmark achievement.

***  YB/DNS   (Release ID: 1872695)