MoSR reviews performance of Kolkata Metro, SER, ER Zones; assure new Rakes

MoSR reviews performance of Kolkata Metro, SER, ER Zones; assure new Rakes

Kolkata (KOAA): The Minister of State for Railways, Mr Manoj Sinha, today reviewed the performance of South Eastern Railway, Metro Railway and Eastern Railway ~ all headquartered in Kolkata and also took stock of the ongoing railway projects in and around the city.

He held a marathon review meeting with the general managers and senior officials of the three zonal railways at the South Eastern Railway headquarters at Garden Reach in the city. The meeting began at 9.55 a.m.

During the meeting, general managers of SER, MR and ER briefed Mr Sinha in detail highlighting the overall financial position of the respective railway zones, punctuality of train services, efforts to increase passenger revenue, safety issues, action plan to eliminate unmanned level crossings, catering services in case of SER and ER, efforts to improve cleanliness and the functioning of monitoring mechanism to address passenger complaints.

The minister was also updated about the status of the ongoing railway projects and the hurdles in implementing them.

The minister also asked the GMs of ER and SER to emphasise on elimination of unmanned level crossings, try to devise a system of passenger feedback especially on amenities and catering services on trains and railway stations.

Mr Radhey Shyam, who happens to be the GM of both SER and Metro Railway, urged the minister to facilitate availability of more rakes for smooth and better functioning of Metro train services.

The Kolkata Metro rail authorities today asked for more rakes of the trains from the Centre to ensure better services.  Radhey Shaym, General Manager, Metro Railway requested the Minister for more rakes for smooth and better functioning of Metro Railway system, Metro sources said.

Sinha expressed his happiness on the overall performance of the Metro Railway and agreed to look into the problems regarding the availability of more rakes in near future, they said.

In a separate meeting, Sinha reviewed the amenities, safety and security of passengers and particularly arrangements made by Eastern Railway during the festive season, Eastern Railway sources said.

Sinha expressed his happiness over the performance and activities concerning passenger related issues, safety and security of passengers by Eastern Railway, they said, adding the Minister advised the General Manager R K Gupta to maintain the good work.

After reviewing the performance of South Eastern Railway (SER), Sinha expressed his satisfaction on its overall performance and requested SER General Manager to give emphasis on elimination of unmanned level crossings, try to devise a system of passenger feedback regarding amenities and catering and improvement in overall asset reliability.

Minister urged to put Metro Rakes’ production on fast track

Minister of State for Railways Mr.Manoj Sinha was urged to expedite the production of seven air-conditioned rakes for the Metro Railway, failing which services may get affected. The minister said he will take up the matter on his return to New Delhi. Sinha urged Eastern and South Eastern Railway to pay more attention to passenger amenities and evolve a modern feedback system.

“Metro Railway general manager Radhey Shyam told the minister that production of the seven AC rakes by Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Perambur, has been held up as the Ministry of Railways hasn’t yet finalized a tender for supply of electrical equipment by BHEL. Seven of the rakes in the Metro’s stable are over 25 years old and can’t remain in service for much longer,” the GM told the minister.

“If these rakes develop snags and stop running, the entire schedule will collapse inconveniencing lakhs of commuters,” Sinha was told. “The minister, who is a qualified engineer, understood the technical aspects and promised to take up the matter with the Railway Board once he returns to New Delhi,” a senior Metro official said after the meeting.

According to sources, ICF has already started building the shells and is awaiting supply of electrical equipment. At the moment, Metro has 27 rakes, 13 of which are air-conditioned. Of the remaining, seven are over 25 years old. One of these was condemned recently. If the remaining six old rakes stop running, Metro will be left with 20. This wouldn’t allow services at five minute intervals.During the meetings with Metro, Eastern and South Eastern Railways, Sinha made it clear that the Ministry of Railways is passing through a financial crisis and a lot of funds may not be available.