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Showing posts with label First in India. Show all posts
Showing posts with label First in India. Show all posts

Saturday, 9 April 2016

07:14

Shan-e-Punjab Express Becomes First Indian Train To Have CCTV Surveillance

Shan-e-Punjab Express Becomes First Indian Train To Have CCTV Surveillance

NEW DELHI:  Shan-e-Punjab Express today became country's first train to have CCTV cameras installed in all coaches, as part of Railways' efforts to strengthen security of passengers particularly women travellers.

"We have promised it in the budget and today we have fulfilled our promise," Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said after flagging off the CCTV-equipped train from Amritsar through video-conferencing in the national capital.

About 122 surveillance cameras have been installed in all 21 coaches including ladies compartment of Shan-e-Punjab Express at an estimated cost of Rs. 36 lakh.

"Passengers' security is our prime concern and measures have been taken for it. There are helplines, CCTV and integrated security system being provided at many stations," he said.

The CCTVs have been installed strategically at all doors and Mr Prabhu assured that the new measure will not compromise the privacy of passengers instead will act as deterrent against crime.

The guard's compartment of the New Delhi-Amritsar Shan-e-Punjab Express has been provided with a LCD screen for monitoring CCTV footage in the women's coach for prompt action.

CCTV footage of all coaches are being recorded on a portable device with a storage capacity of one month and can be retrieved by security personnel whenever required. Railways aims to equip more trains with such facilities to curb crime against women and reduce thefts and other such incidents in trains.

If a bulk order of CCTV is given then the cost will come down significantly, he said and added "We want to put it on the fast track and we are working it out."

Referring to cyber security, he said it is an issue and we have to address it through technology. Seeking states' cooperation, he said law and order is a state issue and we have to enhance security at rail premises with state governments' cooperation.

Notably, three coaches in a Mumbai suburban train have also been equipped with CCTV cameras on a pilot basis.

Source:NDTV.COM 
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Tuesday, 5 April 2016

23:54

MINISTER FOR RAILWAYS FLAGS OFF FIRST NEW SEMI HIGH-SPEED TRAIN “GATIMAAN EXPRESS” FROM H.NIZAMUDDIN TO AGRA CANTT. STATION

MINISTER FOR RAILWAYS FLAGS OFF FIRST NEW SEMI HIGH-SPEED TRAIN “GATIMAAN EXPRESS” FROM H.NIZAMUDDIN TO AGRA CANTT. STATION

05-04-2016

MINISTER FOR RAILWAYS FLAGS OFF FIRST NEW SEMI HIGH-SPEED TRAIN “GATIMAAN EXPRESS” FROM H.NIZAMUDDIN TO AGRA CANTT. STATION

COMMISSIONING OF MAIN CONCOURSE AT HAZRAT NIZAMUDDIN STATION ALONG WITH ENHANCED PASSENGER AMENITIES AND EXECUTIVE LOUNGE AT AGRA CANTT.
GATIMAAN EXPRESS WILL RUN o­n ALL DAYS OF WEEK EXCEPT FRIDAY
TRAIN HOSTESSES TO PROVIDE HOSPITALITY SERVICES o­n-BOARD
ATTRACTIVE GUIDED TOUR PACKAGES

In keeping with the budgetary proposal, Hon’ble Minister for Railways Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu flagged off India’s first semi high-speed train Gatimaan Express capable of running at a maximum speed of 160 kmph,  at a ceremony held at Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway station today (05.04.2016).  The launch of this train heralds a new era of high speed rail travel in India.  Railway Minister has emphasized about increasing the speed of both passengers and goods trains in budget speech. Hon’ble Mayor, Delhi Shri Subash Arya, Shri Maheish Girri, Hon’ble Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) were the distinguished guests o­n the occasion. Senior Railway officers include Shri A.K.Mital, Chairman, Railway Board, Members Railway Board, Shri A.K.Puthia General Manager, Northern Railway and Shri Arun Arora Divisional Railway Manager, Northern Railway, Delhi.  Following the inaugural run today i.e. 05.04.2016 from H. Nizamuddin, regular services will commence in the return direction i.e. from Agra Cantt. o­n the same day and from 06.04.2016 from Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station.

While speaking o­n the occasion Hon’ble Minister said that launching of Semi high speed Gatimaan Express was a big achievement for Indian Railways and had fulfilled the dream of Hon’ble Prime Minister.  He further added that Indian Railway shell run more Gatimaan trains o­n different sectors and this would enhance tourism in India.  He said it was their aim to increase average speed of all passengers and freight trains and Indian Railway have already started working o­n mission “Raftaar” and would be accomplished in 5 years time.
Powered by a 5500 HP electric locomotive, the non-stop train will have two Executive AC Chair Car and eight AC Chair Car coaches. The coaches to be used in Gatiman Express train are new LHB coaches with enhanced passenger amenities are turned out by RCF/Kapurthala.  The coaches have been fitted with bio toilets and are fit to run at 160 kmph.  The fare for chair car in fully air conditioned Gatimaan Express has been fixed at Rs 750, while for Executive Class it will be Rs 1,500.

The o­nboard catering o­n this train is being organized by Railways’ PSU, namely Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). IRCTC has made arrangements for deploying train hostesses also o­n board the train.  This train will see improve catering and will have options for different kinds of cuisines.  Another unique feature of this train is free of cost o­n board entertainment facility.  Under this facility, passengers can view various entertaining videos during travel o­n their Smart Phones, Tablet or Laptops even without internet connection through Wi-Fi. In conjunction with this train, IRCTC has also arranged two different Agra guided tour packages to coincide with the Time Table of this Gatimaan Express.  o­ne package is for the full day whereas the other package is for two days, the details of which could be seen at  www.irctc.co.in.

On this occasion hon’ble Railway Minister Shri Suresh Prabhu also inaugurated a new Executive Lounge constructed by IRCTC at Agra Cantt. Railway Station through remote from Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station.  Having a seating capacity for 75-80 persons, to be launched in phases, the lounge is located o­n Platform No-1 of Agra Cantt station. Modeled like o­n airport lounges, the lounge at Agra Cantt station provides a range of complimentary and paid facilities such as meals o­n order, channel music, hot beverages (tea/coffee) and soft drinks, round the clock Wi-Fi facility, luggage racks for in-house passengers, wheel chairs, recliners, TV, train information display, Business Centre with fax, printers, desktops, newspapers and magazines, clean toilets and shoe shiners. 

The services of the Executive Lounge will be available to passengers at a nominal entry fee of Rs.100 for two hours and Rs 50 for per additional hour. It includes the usage of Wi-Fi, toilets, recliners and browsing of newspapers and magazines apart from unlimited tea/coffee and soft beverages. Additional services such as the Wash & Change, meals and facilities at Business Centre are chargeable. Rate for wash and change is Rs 75. IRCTC also plans to provide more such executive lounges at Jaipur, Vishakhapatnam, Vijaywada, Howrah, Varanasi, Lucknow, Kanpur, Jammu. 

Hon’ble MR also commissioned the Main Concourse with enhanced facilities for passengers at Nizamuddin railway station.  The renewed main concourse has been provided with counters for platform ticket, Enquiry, May I help you booth as well as offices for Station Manager, Ticket Checking staff, etc. It has been provided with a spacious porch area for easy access of station premises to passengers. This beautiful main concourse is expected to provide better aesthetics and convenience to rail passengers. 

Schedule Of Regular Run Of 12050/12049 Between H. Nizamuddin And Agra Cantt. ‘Gatiman’ Express (Six Days A Week Except Friday) Train
The 12050 H. Nizamuddin- Agra Cantt. ‘Gatimaan’ Express (Six Days A Week Except Friday) Train will depart from H. Nizamuddinat 08.10 a.m. from 06.04.2016 to reach Agra Cantt. at 09.50 a.m. the same day. In the return direction, the 12049 H. Agra Cantt.- H. Nizamuddin ‘Gatiman’ Express (Six Days A Week Except Friday) Train will depart from Agra Cantt. at 05.50 p.m. from05.04.2016 to reach H. Nizamuddin at 07.30 p.m. the same day. The 12050/12049 H. Nizamuddin- Agra Cantt.- H. Nizamuddin ‘Gatiman’ Express (Six Days A Week Except Friday) train will have two Executive AC Chair Car & eight AC Chair Car coaches.                            
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Sunday, 27 December 2015

08:45

Mumbai: Central Railway rolls out first train with modified seats

Mumbai: Central Railway rolls out first train with modified seats 

On December 25, the Central Railway (CR) rolled out the first train with modified seats that can supposedly accommodate 336 more commuters. However, this has also raised a new debate on technological improvements, which only can bring long-term relief to the 75 lakh daily commuters on Mumbai suburban rail network. 

A certain section of railway officials feel the need to cut down the breadth and size of transformers that are installed inside motor coaches. Inside a 12-car local train, there are four motor coaches, each powering two trailer coaches. Sources said the motor coaches are like the heart of a train. “These motor coaches take up half the coach’s space. Technologically there is scope to lessen the width of the motor coach that would allow more people to be ferried,” said a senior CR official, on condition of anonymity.

A rough estimate reveals that by halving the space utilised by these motor coaches of a 12-car train, space can be created for accommodating commuters inside at least two coaches. For example, in Metro rail coaches, there are vestibule coaches and motors are either underneath or above the train coaches. The Research, Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) in Lucknow is the entity responsible for making and planning of any changes inside trains across India. “These changes have to be decided by the Railway Board in Delhi and the RDSO. Under the current frame of coach design, no such changes can be made,” said another railway official. 

The current format of trains with the modifications can accommodate 336 people more during peak hours. However, sources said that in case any changes are made in reducing the size of transformers — which they feel is possible — then it can easily provide accommodation for around 650 more people. The rail authorities also feel the need to improve the tonnage of wheels that carry these coaches. Presently, each coach can carry a weight of 16-20 tonnes. However, if the Railways bring in longitudinal seating — similar to Metro rail coaches — the carrying capacity of the wheels will have to go up to 25 tonnes. The CR authorities will also be modifying a second rake with 2+2 seating. Four coaches out of five coaches will be converted by the Matunga workshop by January or February 2016. 

 Source:Mid-day
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Wednesday, 16 December 2015

22:37

India and Japan sign 3 Pacts in Railway Sector

India and Japan sign 3 Pacts in Railway Sector

New Delhi: India and Japan have signed an MoU on 12th December, 2015 on cooperation and assistance in the Mumbai – Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Project (referred by many as Bullet Train project).

The two countries have also entered into two comprehensive technological cooperation agreements on 11th December 2015, for modernization and upgradation of Indian Railways.

These agreements have been signed during the official visit to India of His Excellency Mr. Shinzo Abe, the Prime Minister of Japan, during December 11 – 13, 2015.

The details of cooperation envisaged in the three Memorandums are as follows:

1)MoU between India and Japan on cooperation and assistance in the Mumbai – Ahmedabad HSR Project

India and Japan have signed an MoU on 12th December, 2015 on cooperation and assistance in the Mumbai – Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Project (referred by many as Bullet Train project). Japan has offered an assistance of over Rs.79,000 crore for the project. The loan is for a period of 50 years with a moratorium of 15 years, at an interest rate of 0.1 per cent.

The project is a 508 Kilometer railway line costing a total of Rs. 97,636 crore, to be implemented in a period of seven years. It has been agreed that Shinkansen Technology will be adopted for the project.  The cooperation of Japan will be fixed on transfer of technology and “Make in India”. Japan will assist India in training of personnel for HSR.

2) Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between Ministry of Railways and MLIT, Japan on technological cooperation

Areas of Cooperation:

(a) Railway Safety;
(b) Rolling stock including train sets/EMUs;
(c) Information sharing for station development and land value capture;
(d) Information sharing for environment friendly sanitation technology in trains
(e) Signalling and telecommunication;
(f) Railway Electrification;
(g) Civil structure and railway track system;
(h) Train control system;
(i) Mitigation of natural disasters;and
(j) Any other areas jointly determined by both Sides within the scope of this MoC.

3) MoU on technological cooperation between RDSO and Railway Technical Research Institute Japan

The main directions of cooperation between the Parties shall be the development of rail-related technical cooperation in which the Parties may have mutual interest, performance of consultation and other services,

The broad areas of technical cooperation may include:
(i)   Safety in train operation;
(ii)  Advanced techniques of maintenance;
(iii) Use of environment friendly technologies;
(iv) Throughput enhancement measures; and
(v)  Any other area jointly agreed upon by the Parties

Specific projects under the above cooperation areas and modalities of cooperation will be jointly discussed and decided by the parties.

Background

Union Railway Minister Shri Suresh Prabhu had wide-ranging discussions on various aspects of railways – covering modernization, safety and technology upgradation of Indian Railways – during his visit to Japan in September 2015. He held discussions with the concerned Ministers of Japan and met Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

On the investment requirements of Indian Railways, he had discussions with leading financial institutions and investment bankers and explained to them the 5 year USD 140 billion investment plan of Indian Railways. He had discussions with Pension Funds as well, to seek their investments in the Railways.

Another focus was the Technology upgradation of Indian Railways through cooperation of Research Designs and Standards Organization (RDSO) of India and the Japan Railway Technical Research Institute (JRTRI), both key railway research organizations.

The comprehensive technological cooperation as envisaged in the above Memorandums are the result of the above discussions and follow-up.
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Monday, 1 June 2015

07:43

Visvesvaraya Technological University will become India’s first University to offer PG Course in Railway Engineering

VTU will become India’s first University to offer PG Course in Railway Engineering

Belgaum (BGM): Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) is all set to introduce a postgraduate course (M.Tech.) in Railway Engineering from the academic year 2015-16. With that, the VTU will become India’s first university to provide a PG programme in Railway Engineering.

As experts in the university are giving final touches to the course material, Vice-Chancellor H.Maheshappa said that universities are expected to produce experts in substantial numbers to aid qualitative improvement of the complex railway engineering network.

Dr.Maheshappa said there is a great demand for trained engineers in Railway Engineering, and armed with a Degree from VTU, graduates have the opportunity to get involved in all projects close to home or further away. He said VTU enhances students’ employability with opportunities to gain industry experience, assisting them to secure mentoring opportunities, internships and placements.

D.H. Rao, former dean of VTU, said the syllabus for the PG programme is being articulated in consultation with experts in the domain area. The focus will be on topics such as Locomotive Design, Structural Analysis, Seating Design, Human Factors and Ergonomics, Braking System, Safety and Crash Engineering, and Aerodynamics for high speed, rail-road track design and analysis followed by nearly 16 weeks of internship and project.

The VTU was also working to have tie-up with the Railways Engineering Department for internship. Graduates will also have a solid grounding in Electrical Engineering and will be able to find employment in organisations across the electrical engineering industry as well.

The need for railway engineers is abundant for many existing and future expansion plans in constructing and maintaining Metro systems in India.
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