PM will flag off three Vande Bharat trains on 31 August

 Posted Date: 30 August 2024, 2:59 PM, PIB Delhi

Tourism will get a new direction with better connectivity and faster speed

PIB file photo

New Delhi: 30 August 2024: (PIB//The Rail Screen Desk)::

Who doesn't like a fast and comfortable journey? The people of India have been dreaming of this for a long time. The new Vande Bharat trains are now giving a new direction to better connectivity, faster travel, and tourism in Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will dedicate three new Vande Bharat Express trains to the nation through video conferencing on August 31, 2024 at 12:30 pm. These trains are the embodiment of the Prime Minister's vision of 'Make in India' and Aatmanirbhar Bharat, which will provide better connectivity and faster travel experience in Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.

The new Vande Bharat trains will run on Meerut-Lucknow, Madurai-Bengaluru, and Chennai-Nagercoil routes. These trains will reduce travel time significantly compared to the current options due to their high speed. Meerut City-Lucknow Vande Bharat will save about 1 hour, Chennai Egmore-Nagercoil Vande Bharat will save about 2 hours, and Madurai-Bengaluru Vande Bharat will save about 1.5 hours.

Vande Bharat trains will provide world-class services to passengers and meet the long-standing demands of the people of the region. These state-of-the-art trains will not only revolutionize transportation but will also give a boost to tourism and business in three major states - Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.

The launch of the new Vande Bharat Express trains will usher in a new era in railway service for regional assssssss, professionals, businessmen, and students who will be able to experience fast, convenient, and comfortable travel. 

With the introduction of such high-speed trains, a new history is being created for Indian Railways and you all are here to witness it. It is not easy to make such dreams come true.

RPF caught YouTuber for dangerous railway track stunt

 Posted Date: 02 Aug 2024 4:00 PM by PIB Delhi

RPF DG appealed to citizens not to get involved in illegal activities and report any such act

Symbolic Images Created with AI Playground Team

New Delhi: 02 August 2024: (PIB//Rail Screen Desk)::

Earlier, such acts were done by illiterate youth only to show their foolishness. Then when the selfie culture started, similar boys started risking their lives to take selfies on the banks of rivers, canals and streams. Such stupid bravery started being shown by standing at the door of moving trains. Many boys lost their lives in these cycles. Those who survived also got serious injuries. Now some YouTubers have started showing the stupidity of playing with similar dangers. To prevent such incidents, security forces personnel have started performing their duties with full alertness.

In a major crackdown on reckless behaviour, the Railway Protection Force has apprehended a YouTuber for endangering public safety by criminal tampering with railway tracks for publicity. Viral videos on Twitter had shown a person placing various kinds of objects on railway tracks, prompting an urgent investigation. The culprit, Gulzar Sheikh has uploaded more than 250 videos on his YouTube channel and has over 2 lakhs subscribers. His on-camera activities posed a significant risk to both railway safety and operations.

Through a detailed analysis of Sheikh's YouTube profile and social media presence, RPF Unchahar, Northern Railway registered the offence under various provisions of the Railway Act on 01/08/2024. On the same day, a joint team of RPF and Local Police arrested Mr. Gulzar Sheikh, son of Syed Ahmed from his residence in Khandrauli Village, Soraon (Allahabad), Uttar Pradesh.

While appreciating RPF, Lucknow Division for the prompt and effective action, DG RPF emphasized that legal action against Mr. Gulzar Sheikh would serve as a strong deterrent to persons attempting to compromise the safety of Indian Railways. He reiterated the importance of railway safety and assured the public that any attempts to undermine rail safety will be met with firm resolve and strict legal action and those engaging in such activities will be prosecuted to ensure maximum punishment.

DG RPF also appealed to the public not to indulge in such activities and report any acts which compromise the railway security and safety. Such information can be given to the Railway Protection Force or on Rail Madad through the toll-free helpline number 139.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.