Second Generation Vande Bharat Trains Have Enhanced Safety Features, Better Ride Index And Passenger Amenities

Second Generation Vande Bharat Trains Have Enhanced Safety Features, Better Ride Index And Passenger Amenities

Posted On: 23 MAR 2023 5:40PM by PIB Delhi

The new and improved Second Generation Vande Bharat Trains Ver 2.0 with enhanced safety features, better ride index and passenger amenities have been successfully introduced over Indian Railways.

Eight rakes of such Vande-Bharat trains are running in regular service (Mumbai Central – Gandhinagar, New Delhi –Amb Andaura, Chennai - Mysuru, Bilaspur-Nagpur, Howrah-New Jalpaiguri, Secundrabad –Vishakhapatnam, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus- Sainagar Shirdi, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus-Solapur), in addition to the two rakes of first generation of Vande Bharat trains running between New Delhi-Varanasi and New Delhi- Mata Vaishno Devi.

New Vande Bharat Trains have following features:

Faster acceleration and semi High speed operation up to 160 KMPH.

Fully Sealed Gangway for Free Passenger Movement

Automatic Plug Doors

Reclining Ergonomic Seats and Comfortable Seating with revolving seats in executive class.

Better Ride Comfort.

Mobile charging sockets for every seat.

Mini Pantry with provision of Hot Case, Bottle Cooler, Deep freezer & Hot Water Boiler

Direct and Diffused Lighting.

For Divyangjan passengers special lavatory in DTC.

Emergency openable Windows and fire extinguisher in each coach

CCTVs in all Coaches

Emergency Alarm Push buttons and Talk Back Units on all Coaches.

Better fire safety – Aerosol based fire detection and suppression system

Driver-Guard communication with voice recording facility & Crash hardened memory

Coach condition monitoring System (CCMS) display with remote monitoring

Disaster lights – 4 numbers in each coach in case of Emergency

 4 platform side cameras including rear view cameras outside the coach.

Fitted with KAVACH.

Indian Railways has planned to manufacture 75 Vande-Bharat Chair Car Trains that would connect different parts of the country.

Manufacture of Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains are also planned for middle and long distance trains journey.

All these trains have design/operating speed of maximum 180/160 kmph.

IR has also envisaged to manufacture Vande-Bharat sleeper trains with speed potential of 200 kmph.

At present, there are no such immediate proposals under consideration.

However, introduction of Vande Bharat services is an ongoing process on Indian Railways subject to operational feasibility, traffic justification, availability of rolling stock etc.

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 .

Download original Document

Cancellation of Special Trains from 31.03.2021,Wrong News Clips Are Being Circulated in Social Media 

Ministry of Railways

Report in social media that Railways is going to cancel special train services from 31st March is misleading.

Posted On: 15 MAR 2021 7:15PM by PIB Delhi

Kindly refer to some news report in social media that Railways is going to cancel its trains which are currently operational from 31st March,2021 is purely misleading and not based on facts.

Wrong news clips are being circulated in social media.  All may please be informed that the video being circulated is last year's news being peddled today.

Indian Railways has not made any such announcement.

It may be noted that express trains and suburban trains currently operational as special trains will continue to run. It is also requested that the passengers may follow covid protocol while travelling.

Source:PIBNEWS

 Expansion of Railways with Private Participation

Ministry of Railways

Expansion of Railways with Private Participation

Posted On: 03 FEB 2021 7:01PM by PIB Delhi

It is estimated that Indian Railways would need capital investment of Rs. 50 lakh crore upto the year 2030 for network expansion, capacity augmentation, setting up of freight terminals, station redevelopment, rolling stock induction and other modernization/ upgradation works etc. to enable better delivery of passenger and freight services and to improve Railways’ modal share in transport. In order to bridge the gap in capital funding and bring in modern technology and improve the operational efficiencies, it is planned to use Public Private Partnership (PPP) model in several initiatives including network expansion and induction of modern rakes to run passenger trains on select routes with an objective to provide improved service delivery to passengers. However, the responsibility of train operations and safety will continue to be with Indian Railways. As of now, 150 trains in 12 clusters have been planned for induction of modern passenger rakes on PPP basis.

In case of PPP in train operations, mechanism has been planned to enable return on investment to private participation through collection of revenue and payment of haulage charges and revenue share to Indian Railways.

This information was given by the Minister of Railways, Commerce & Industry and Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Shri Piyush Goyal in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha.

Additional  Suburban Services in Mumbai From 29.01.2021

Railways to run 204 additional suburban services in Mumbai from 29th January. With this, around 95% of the total suburban services will be restored.

Passengers, who are not allowed to travel yet, may refrain from rushing to the stations.

Source:Ministry Of Railways

Refund of Fare For Cancelled Trains,Time Limit Extended for Nine Months From the Date of Journey (21.03.2020 to 31.07.2020)

Ministry of Railways

Ministry of Railways extends time limit beyond six months for cancellation of PRS counter tickets and refund of fare across reservation counters for the journey period 21.03.2020 to 31.07.2020.

This is applicable only for cancelled regular time tabled trains

Posted On: 07 JAN 2021 3:28PM by PIB Delhi

Ministry of Railways has decided to extend the time limit beyond six months and upto nine months from the date of journey for cancellation of PRS counter tickets and refund of fare across reservation counters for the journey period 21.03.2020 to 31.07.2020. It is applicable only for regular time tabled trains cancelled by Railways. In case of ticket cancelled through 139 or through IRCTC website, the time limit for surrendering of such ticket for the above mentioned period across reservation counter upto nine months from the date of journey.

After lapse of six months from the date of journey, many passengers may have deposited the tickets to Claims Office of Zonal Railways through TDR or through general application along with original tickets, full refund of fare on such PRS counter tickets shall also be allowed for such passengers.

Earlier, comprehensive guidelines for cancellation of tickets and refund of fare, due to COVID-19 situation have been issued. As per instruction for trains cancelled by Railways, relaxation has been given for submission of PRS counter tickets upto six months from the date of journey (instead of 3 days excluding day to journey) and in case the PRS counter tickets cancelled through 139 or through the website of IRCTC, refund across the counter upto six months from the date of journey.

Source:PIBNEWS

NO change in policy to run all express trains including festival specials and clone specials as fully reserved train Only  as yet

Ministry of Railways

Permission given to Zonal Railways to issue unreserved tickets is meant ONLY for suburban and limited no of local passenger trains operating on few zones.

There has been NO change in policy to run all express trains including festival specials and clone specials as fully reserved train ONLY as yet.

Further changes, as and when they happen, would be informed to all concerned accordingly.

Posted On: 13 DEC 2020 4:48PM by PIB Delhi

Few Stories have been published in certain sections of media about issuance of unreserved tickets . It is informed for guidance of all that-

There has been NO change in policy to run all express trains including festival specials and clone specials as fully reserved train ONLY as yet.

Accordingly till, further advice the existing mail express special trains including festival/holiday specials, clone specials which are running on fully reserved basis (as on date) shall be continued as fully reserved only, by issuing reserved tickets for second class coaches and passenger portion of SLRs also."

Permission given to Zonal Railways to issue unreserved tickets is meant ONLY for suburban and limited no of local passenger trains operating on few zones.

Running of trains, norms of travel and reservations are constantly evolving under Covid times. Further changes, as and when they happen, would be informed to all concerned accordingly

Source:PIBNEWS

 Metro Railway, Kolkata to run 204 Train Services from 07th December, 2020

Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of Railways, Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution commends Kolkata Metro for extending its services

Posted On: 05 DEC 2020 1:24PM by PIB Delhi

In order to enhance passenger convenience for the people of Kolkata, Kolkata Metro has decided to run additional services and extend timings of its services from Monday (i.e.07th December, 2020).

Metro Railway, Kolkata will run 204 daily services instead of  190 services from Monday to Saturday from 07.12.2020(Monday).

Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of Railways, Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution commends Kolkata Metro for extending its services in a tweet.

The first service will start from both ends i.e. from Dum Dum and Kavi Subhash at 07.00 hrs instead of 08.00hrs and from Noapara at 07.09 hrs instead of 08.09 hrs.

From Monday onwards, the last service will leave Kavi Subhash and Dum Dum at  21.30 hrs instead of  21.00 hrs and from Noapara at 21.25 hrs instead of 20.55 hrs.Services will be available in every 7 minutes during morning and evening peak hours.

For senior citizens, ladies and children (below 15 years), e-pass will not be required throughout the day. For all other passengers, e-pass will not be required in between 07.00 hrs to 08.30 hrs in the morning and 20.00 hrs onwards in the evening.

No token will be issued, only Smart Card shall be used.

Source:PIBNEWS

 Shalimar-Secunderabad via Rayanapadu-Gunadala weekly Special Trains w.e.f 14.10.2020

Ministry of Railways

SER TO RUN WEEKLY AC SPECIAL TRAIN BETWEEN SHALIMAR AND SECUNDERABAD VIA RAYANAPADU-GUNADALA BYPASSING VIJAYAWADA

Posted On: 12 OCT 2020 10:07PM by PIB Kolkata

Kolkata, October 12, 2020

With a view to clear the extra rush of passengers during forth coming festive occasion, it has been decided to run weekly AC Special Train between Shalimar and Secunderabad leaving Shalimar w.e.f 14/10/2020 and leaving Secunderabad w.e.f 13/10/2020 (via Rayanapadu-Gunadala bypassing Vijayawada ) till further advice.

Shalimar-Secunderabad (02773) Weekly AC Special leaving Shalimar every Wednesday at 16.05 hrs will reach Secunderabad at 18.30 hrs, the next day. In the return direction, Secunderabad-Shalimar (02774) weekly AC Special will leave Secunderabad every Tuesday at 05.40 hrs arriving Shalimar at 09.05 hrs, the next day.

The Special train will have one First AC, three AC 2 Tier and fourteen AC 3 Tier coaches. This pair of train will stop at Santragachi, Kharagpur, Balasore, Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Khurda Road, Brahmapur, Srikakulam Road, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, Samalkot, Rajahmundry, Rayanapadu and Warangal stations between Shalimar and Secunderabad bypassing Vijayawada.

Source:PIBNEWS

 Government of India Approves Kolkata East-West Metro Corridor Project 

Government of India approves Kolkata East-West Metro Corridor in Kolkata city & surrounding urban localities

Length of metro line is 16.6 km

Project cost is Rs. 8575 crore

Posted On: 07 OCT 2020 4:08PM by PIB Delhi

Government has approved the Ministry of Railways’ proposal for revised cost estimate for construction of Construction of Kolkata East West Metro Corridor Project at an estimated cost of  Rs. 8574.98  crore. The project envisages construction of a Metro Corridor between Salt Lake Sector-V to Howrah Maidan in West Bengal for a total route length of 16.6 kms. The project is being implemented by Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation Limited [KMRCL] which is a CPSE under Ministry of Railways, set up as a special purpose vehicle. The pre-pandemic target for completion of their project was December,2021. Efforts are being taken to minimise the impact of pandemic on completion of the project. The project includes immense technological challenges like tunnel below river Ganges which is the 1st transportation tunnel in India under any major river as well as Howrah Station which is one of the deepest Metro stations in India.

The mega project envisions creation of an efficient transit connectivity between business district of Kolkata with industrial city of Howrah in west and Salt Lake City in east through a safe, accessible and comfortable mode of public transport. Since this corridor connects three most important parts of the Kolkata Metropolitan Area i.e. Howrah, Business area of Kolkata and New Settlements in Salt Lake it is going to revolutionize the mass rapid transport in Kolkata and adjoining Howrah and Bidhanangar. This will connect important landmarks like Howrah, Sealdah, Esplanade and Salt Lake Sector-V which is an IT hub.

It will integrate multiple modes of transport like the Metro, Sub-urban Railways, ferry and bus transport by constructing interchange hubs. This will ensure smooth and seamless mode of transport to lakhs of daily commuters.

Project Benefits:

•           Benefit to people by providing a safe, efficient and environment friendly transport system.

•           Reduction in commuting time.

•           Reduced fuel consumption.

•           Reduction in capex on road infrastructure

•           Reduction in pollution and accident

•           Enhanced Transit Oriented Development (TOD)

•           Increase in value of land bank in the corridor and generate additional revenue

•           Creation of jobs

      Ease traffic Kolkata and help in pollution control.

      Reduce commuting time.

 Source:PIBNEWS

Special Trains with Additional Stoppages w.e.f 01.10.2020 -East Coast Railway

It has been decided to provide additional stoppages of the following Special trains w.e.f. 1st October, 2020 as per following