Monday 15 March, 2010

Open Letter to Chairman Railway Board

problems and Issues Facing
By Signal & Telecom Deptt.
This is to bring to your attention that S&T Dept of almost 16 zonal railways have following major issues ( partial list, this is just begining) :
1. Lack of through understanding of how new Interlocking applications are designed.

2. Engineers in S&T dept lack expertise to develop strong requirement specifications and do not have thorough verification & validation methods. According to major contractors or vendors, they think Indian Railways Engineers do not communicate clearly their expectations and this results in poor deliverable. Vendors or contractors also think that this major reason why projects are delayed and costing Indian Railway huge amount of money for simple modifications to design specification, verification and validation activities.

3. Engineers in S&T Dept are quiting Indian Railway to join private sector, one reason could be better pay, chance to work in better technology and training opportunities
Given this situation it is important that Railway Board fix the situation. We all know that S&T (Signaling and Telecommunication is an important backbone of Indian Railways.

Railway Board should recognize that people are the major assets and thorough emphasis should be placed on productivity improvements and what tools or technologies people need to make them successful which will ultimately benefit Indian Railways in upgrading its technology tool set.

Please suggest Railway Board to pay attention to safety.
--
Regards,
Dr. Tapan Kumar Roy (Phd)
Singur, West Bengal

Incorrect information at Railway Board site

Why Indian Railways websites ( Railway Board and Zonal Railways) are not updated. Hon'ble Minister Mamta Banerjee are you Listening?


1. For example Mr C.P Verma is still shown as Add Member Signal in the Railway Board.
2. Indian Railway Zonal web sites lacks the usability and navigation. For example it's so painful to move form one page to the other
3. It's a shame that Web Administrator of Indian Railway site hasn't noticed the spelling mistakes / Typos. Can someone take ownership and accountability of the web site.
It paints a negative picture to the outside world that we don't know our english. We should be saying we are much better than chinese
--
Regards,
Dr Tapan Kumar Roy (Phd)

Tipu’s ticket to Chandni Chowk

City launches online protest
against Mamata’s slew of
new names for Metro stations

Kolkata : Railway minister Mamata Banerjee seems to be lining up her top 10 — or is it threatening to be top 20? — heroes of Bengal along the Metro rail tracks in the form of stations. Garia Bazar is Kavi Nazrul, though there is no similarity between the Metro station and the poet except that they are both big, the latter figuratively.

The same applies to Naktala and Gitanjali, Bansdroni and Masterda Surya Sen, Kudghat and Netaji. There seems to be no connection between the stations and the men — and one book — except in Mamata’s mind. Only Tollygunge, the Bengali film hub, can be linked to Mahanayak Uttam Kumar. But very few yet have the temerity to demand at a Metro counter: “Duto Mahanayak Uttam Kumar!” Even in the maddest rush it’s possible to imagine the absurdity of Bengal’s biggest screen actor as a concrete structure. Besides, as many Calcuttans fervently believe, there can be only one Uttam Kumar.

And now Maidan is set to become Gostha Pal, Park Street Station, Mother Teresa and Chandni Chowk, Tipu Sultan, though Tipu Sultan is from outside Bengal.

Some Calcuttans are protesting. They feel that if there is an attempt to change the name of something as vital to everyday life as a Metro station, it should be left to the people. They have started an online campaign to protest against the new names at http://mystationmychoice.blogspot.com/ where a citizen can sign his or her name.

“Why should someone else decide if Maidan Station should become Gostha Pal? Or, if Park Street Station should now be called Mother Teresa? Or, if Chandni Chowk Station should be Tipu Sultan?” asks the campaign. Every day lakhs of Calcuttans spend money to use the Metro and then suddenly somebody else decides what the Metro stations will be called. “If anybody should decide, it should be us,” the campaign declares.

“Worldwide underground station names are based on the convenience of commuters. To expect the commuter to know that Masterda Surya Sen is Bansdroni is callousness,” says Pradeep Kakkar, involved in the campaign.

The railway minister should have witnessed the plight of a family from south India which wanted to go to a locality near Garia Bazar. They didn’t know exactly which station to get down at. Others didn’t either. Imagine the visitors’ confusion when they were offered the wide range of choices from Gitanjali to Kavi Nazrul, through Masterda Surya Sen and Netaji. They were clueless, about the localities as well as the pronunciation.

“When the new stadium is built at Behala, will we buy one Uttam Kumar and go to Satyajit Ray (the name of the new stadium)?” asks a commuter in his 20s.

“The Calcutta Municipal Corporation can’t change the name of a street without a certain process, which involves people’s views. There should be a similar process for changing a Metro station’s name too,” says Kakkar. .

Not that great men have fared too well as destination points in Bengal: a hero can easily become an abbreviation. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Calcutta has become NSCBI Airport.

But then powers-that-be changing names without taking into consideration what people want is a tradition in Calcutta. When the city became “Kolkata” under the CPM government, it became so despite the reservations of many.

If the Metro stations’ new names are felt to be an imposition of selective history, Calcutta’s new name was felt to be an erasure — even an evasion — of history.

Metro on Sunday has two suggestions: One, let there be a poll in the city on whether it wants the new, grand names lacking in logic or the old, simple ones. Two, if the city wants fancy names, Mamata has many more Great Bongs (with titles too, Mamata seems to have a fondness for names with titles) to be named as stations: Maharshi Debendranath, Sahityasamrat Bankimchandra, Amar Kathashilpi Saratchandra, Dayar Sagar Vidyasagar, Rishi Aurobindo, Biplabi Kabi Sukanto, Biplabini Matangini…

Are we missing out on someone?

Sunday 14 March, 2010

Nano arrives on Mamata wagons

Calcutta : The car Mamata Banerjee drove away from Bengal has come back to the state on her railway wagons. On the first day of operations of the automobile logistics unit at Shalimar, the Tata Nano was the largest in number — 96 — among all vehicles that were transported there for dispatch. The unit was inaugurated by Mamata today in the presence of representatives of major automobile manufacturing companies.

The 96 Nanos were manufactured in Tata’s Pantnagar factory in Uttarakhand. Railway sources said the ministry earned around Rs 6 lakh as freight revenue by transporting the car from Izatnagar in Uttar Pradesh. The sources said Ace, a small truck produced by Tata Motors, was also brought in the wagons along with 80 Maruti cars.

The wagons carrying the cars had arrived earlier today. “The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) is working with the railway ministry for setting up the hubs and transporting automobiles by rail. Tata Motors, which is also a part of SIAM, is also working with the ministry,” a spokesperson of the company said.

Mamata had launched an agitation in Singur in 2007 against the land acquisition for the Nano manufacturing unit. She demanded the return of 400 acres to the unwilling farmers.

Ratan Tata, who heads the Tata Group, ultimately moved the unit to Sanand in Gujarat.

“The automobile hub in Shalimar was a pilot project and we will set up such hubs with help of SIAM in nine more places. On the one hand, the automobile manufacturers will gain. On the other, the railways’ business will increase,” Mamata said at the inauguration. Her ministry has plans to set up the hubs in Siliguri, Guwahati, Chennai, Pune, Nashik, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, New Delhi and Ernakulum.

“Now 5,000 cars are being unloaded in Shalimar. We are confident that 60,000 cars will be dispatched from this place annually,” said M.M. Singh, a SIAM representative. “At present, around 99 per cent of the automobiles are transported by road. Our target is to transport 25 per cent of the automobiles by rail,” he said.

Mamata today also announced that the takeover process of Burn Standard and Braithwaite was in the final stages. “It will be placed in the cabinet soon,” she said.

Friday 12 March, 2010

Deve Gowda abuses authority by riding car up to platform
Former PM and JD (s) leader HD Deve Gowda abuses authority by riding car up to platform at Bangalore railway station to cheer supporters

Bangalore : what can be termed as a gross violation of rules and utter misuse of power, former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, along with his posse, drove two Toyota Fortuners onto the platform of Bangalore City railway station yesterday.

What's more, Deve Gowda got the cars parked right next to the train to see off farmers leaving for New Delhi to attend a protest rally he had organised. Gowda took a later flight to Delhi.

Akhil Agarwal, the divisional railway manager (DRM), said, "I don't know if Deve Gowda really required this special arrangement.

Vehicles aren't allowed onto the railway platforms except for any medical emergency." However, officials from South Western Railway claimed that Deve Gowda didn't violation any railway rules he travelled just 10-15 metres from the main gate.

Speaking to Miedia Persons, Milind Dharamsena, state general secretary JD (S), said, "Deve Gowda has been suffering from gastroenteritis and thus was unable to walk. We requested the railways to grant us the permission to let him drive up the platform to which they obliged."

All not well

Besides, sources from the party claimed that Gowda was hindered by his leg ailments. As he was on an official tour, he was left with no choice but to take the vehicles inside the station. "Several politicos, including the Chief Minister Yeddyurappa, do the same while they leave for official trips," a party functionary said.

Special privileges

Party officials even claimed that Deve Gowda has a special privilege of getting driven up to an aircraft at any airport to avoid security hassles. However, government rules do not permit this.

A R Infant, additional director general of police, railways, denied any knowledge of the incident. "It is a matter concerning the former prime minister's security. I cannot comment on this," he said.

Tuesday 9 March, 2010

Court cases of Civil Engineering Deptt.

Sh. Y.S.Chaudhary had filed two cases in Principal Bench of CAT, New Delhi in the year 2008, regarding Civil Engineering Department i.e.

1. For grant of 238 additional posts for Group ‘A’ induction, which were granted earlier and subsequently taken back after the judgment in the Jabalpur, CAT.

2. For granting ante-dating i.e. DPC from the date of vacancy instead of from the date it is conducted with 2-4 year delay. It is heartening to inform everybody that both of these cadres have since been decided positively in the month of January, 2010. It is a great achievement as the judgment in the case of anti-dating is a landmark judgment, Mr.Y.S.Chaudhary who monitored both the cases, deserve to be congratulated for all this, as it is only he who is able to obtain such decisions, at the cost of his service, his family welfare and despite many hurdles put in by many. Congratulation to Mr.Y.S.Chaudhary, and all Group ‘B’ officers should be indebted to him for raising/struggling their just cause with the administration.

1. In the first case, since the case of the loss in Jabalpur was taken in supreme Court by the Federation and got summarily dismissed this could not be decided at CAT, despite favourable decision in the S&T case by Supreme Court of India in Sept.2002, and we have been advised to take it to Supreme Court for review of their judgment,however with positive comments. Thus, one intermediate stage which we would have been dragged positively i.e. High Court has been avoided.

2. In the second case, the Principal Bench of CAT at New Delhi has given the judgment in favour of the Group ‘B’ officers through a very vital and landmark judgment of 37 pages on 29th January, 2010. We had demanded that instead of giving DPC effective date from the prospective date of DPC meeting – i.e. 14/01/2005, in case of Sh. Chaudhary’s batch to 01/01/2002 or 31/03/2002 i.e.which was the date of vacancies/panel year for the panel year 2002-03 which means anti dating by more than 3 years.

Though the total judgment is important, but, few important extracts are produced below for ready reference.:-

“Para-28
Therefore we have no hesitation in holding that the present case will not fall in the category mention in para 6.4.1 above i.e . “ where for reasons beyond control, the DPC could not be held” and therefore Para 6.4.4 would not be applicable. The case, therefore, must be categorised as a case of unexplained delay attributable to administrative laxity/lapses. In fact, although this may not be the case here, such delays can also be deliberate and can be resorted to, to deprive an individual or a group/class of individuals, the benefit of promotion which would accrue to them in normal cause had their cases been dealt with promptly. Such a position cannot be allowed to continue or go unnoticed. pensionery 29. The delay in this case has caused material prejudice to the applicants which would be of a permanent and continuing nature as it would affect him (them) at every stage of his (their) careers, loss of seniority, delay in further promotions and also monetary loss throughout service and perhaps even after retirement (as a result of the drawl of lower benefits). As this delay has occurred for absolutely no fault on their part, there is considerable justification for considering positively the request of the applicants to ante date their promotion/induction to Group ‘A’ junior scale of IRSE from the date when the vacancies actually arose in 2002-03 instead of from 14/01/2005."

3. In view of the above, The respondents notification dated 187/05/2006 is quashed and set aside. The respondents are directed to convene a review DPC to consider the promotion/ induction of the applicants from the date when the vacancies arose in 2002-2003 and thereafter to pass appropriate follow up orders with regard to their seniority in Group ‘A’ subject to is being ensured that the seniority accorded does not result in the applicants superseding officers who were senior to them in Group ‘B’ and have already been promoted to Group ‘A’. This may be done within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

What to do now

In view of this positive judgment’ we have now to ensure its implementation at the earliest. In fact5, at the time of initiation of the case, the Federation was requested to enlist themselves as a necessary party to the case,.Had that would have been done, it would have been easier for us to obtain the decree for all departments. However, they did not heed to our advise at that time . what has been done, is done, now we allshould sit together and decide our future line of action, so that this great judgment is at least now useful to everyone. S&T Deptt. has already filed a petition and Electrical is going to file shortly.

However, Federation is requested to ensure that the judgment is implemented at the earliest without any appeal at higher level. In view of the fact that Railway Board had already vide their letter to DOPT dated 01/07/2004.said as under:-

It is however,found that due to various reasons,steps most inescapable and inbuilt Into the DPC mechanism,the DPCs get delayed,but evan in those cases the Promotions are made effective in terms of the DOP&Ts instructions quoted in Para 2 above.The Gp.B officers of Railways have been representing for quite sometime that whenever there is a delay in holding DPC and such delays are not Attributable to affected officers, the promotions may be given retrospective effect from the vacancy year.In other words,the date of effect of such inductions Should be reckoned from the ‘date as due’ rather than date of approval of Commission in order to avoid hardship in such cases.

Ministry of Railways is of the opinion that the demand of the Group ‘B’ officers of reasonable and merits consideration.Advice of the DOP&T is accordingly Solicited for favourable consideration.

Further Federation may call a important meeting at the earliest to decide future action for meeting with the requirements.

Federation with all its office bearers are required to stand up to accept the challenge, and consolidate the achievement made possible by the heroic act of Sh. Y.S.Chaudhary, for getting everything that has happened in between.

All persons who are otherwise interested may also contact Shri Y.S.Chaudhary

Analysis By

S.K.Bansal

Monday 8 March, 2010

CENTRAL RAILWAY TO RUN 1528 SUMMER SPECIALS DURING APRIL TO JULY 2010

RESERVATION OPENS ON 11, 12 & 13 MARCH 2010


Salient Features

1. Weekly Super fast Specials between CST Mumbai and Asansol (26)
2. Weekly Specials between CST Mumbai and Kamakhya (24)
3. Weekly Specials between LTT and Haridwar (26)
4. Jan Shatabdi Specials between CST Mumbai and Sai Nagar Shirdi via Manmad (156)
5. Shatabdi Super fast Specials between Pune and Hyderabad (104)
6. Weekly Specials between Nagpur and Raichur (26)
7. Weekly Specials between Nagpur and Ahmedabad (26)

During 2010, Central Railway will run 1528 Summer Special trains to various destinations. This include new destinations like Asansol, Kamakhya, Haridwar, Nagpur and Raichur/Ahmedabad. The details are as under:

1. DAILY SPECIALS BETWEEN LATUR AND NANDED (178)
Train No.0101 Dn will leave Latur at 07.20 hours daily from 2.4.2010 to 29.6.2010 and will arrive at Hazur Sahib Nanded at 13.00 hours same day.
Train No.0102 Up will leave Hazur Sahib Nanded at 13.30 hours from 2.4.2010 to 29.6.2010 and will arrive at Latur at 19.10 hours same day.
2. 4 DAYS A WEEK SFS BETWEEN CSTM AND KARWAR (76)
Train No.0109 Dn will leave CST Mumbai at 22.15 hours on every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 1.4.2010 to 6.6.2010 and will arrive at Karwar at 08.20 hours next day.
Train No.0110 Up will leave Karwar at 17.45 hours on every Wednesday, Friday Sunday and Monday from 2.4.2010 to 7.6.2010 and will arrive at CST Mumbai at 04.30 hours next day.
3.WEEKLY SPECIALS BETWEEN LTT AND HARIDWAR (26)
Train No. 0113 Dn will leave Lokmanya Tilak Terminus at 07.55 hours on every Tuesday from 6.4.2010 to 29.6.2010 which will arrive at Haridwar at 18.45 hours next day.
Train No. 0114 Up will leave Haridwar at 06.45 hours on every Thursday from 8.4.2010 to 1.7.2010 which will arrive Lokmanya Tilak Terminus at 19.00 hours next day.
4. WEEKLY SPECIALS BETWEEN NAGPUR AND RAICHUR (26)
Train No. 0115 Dn will leave Nagpur at 10.35 hours on every Friday from 2.4.2010 to 25.6.2010 which will arrive at Raichur at 03.15 hours next day.
Train No. 0116 Up will leave Raichur at 04.30 hours on every Saturday from 3.4.2010 to 26.6.2010 which will arrive at Nagpur at 21.15 hours on the same day.
5. WEEKLY SPECIALS BETWEEN CSTM AND KAMAKHYA (24)
Train No.0117 Dn will leave CST Mumbai at 11.05 hours on every Thursday from 8.4.2010 to 24.6.2010 and will arrive at Kamakhya at 14.30 hours on third day.
Train No.0118 Up will leave Kamakhya at 19.40 hours on every Sunday from 11.4.2010 to 27.6.2010 and will arrive at CST Mumbai at 23.40 hours on third day.
6. WEEKLY SUPER FAST SPECIALS BETWEEN CSTM AND NAGPUR (26)
Train No.0119 Dn will leave CST Mumbai at 22.20 hours on every Wednesday from 7.4.2010 to 30.6.2010 and will arrive at Nagpur at 13.20 hours next day.
Train No.0120 Up will leave Nagpur at 21.30 hours on every Thursday from 8.4.2010 to 1.7.2010 and will arrive at CST Mumbai at 12.30 hours next day.
7. WEEKLY SPECIALS BETWEEN PUNE AND LUCKNOW (26)
Train No. 0121 Dn will leave Pune at 16.15 hours on every Sunday from 4.4.2010 to 27.6.2010 and will arrive at Lucknow Jn. at 17.10 hours next day.
Train No. 0122 Up will leave Lucknow Jn. at 06.30 hours on every Tuesday from 6.4.2010 to 29.6.2010 and will arrive Pune at 11.05 hours next day.
8. WEEKLY SPECIALS BETWEEN NAGPUR AND AHMEDABAD (26)
Train No. 0123 Dn will leave Nagpur at 08.10 hours on every Saturday from 3.4.2010 to 26.6.2010 and will arrive at Ahmedabad at 04.00 hours next day.
Train No. 0124 Up will leave Ahmedabad at 16.25 hours on every Sunday from 4.4.2010 to 27.6.2010 and will arrive at Nagpur at 12.15 hours next day.
9. WEEKLY UNRESERVED SPECIALS BETWEEN LTT AND LUCKNOW (26)
Train No. 0125 Dn will leave Lokmanya Tilak Terminus at 13.45 hours on every Wednesday from 7.4.2010 to 30.6.2010 which will arrive at Lucknow at 14.25 hours next day.
Train No. 0126 Up will leave Lucknow at 15.00 hours on every Thursday from 8.4.2010 to 1.7.2010 which will arrive at Lokmanya Tilak Terminus at 16.20 hours next day.
10. WEEKLY SFS BETWEEN CSTM AND VARANASI (24)
Train No. 0127 Dn will leave CST Mumbai at 12.30 hours on every Wednesday from 7.4.2010 to 23.6.2010 which will arrive at Varanasi at 16.00 hours next day.
Train No. 0128 Up will leave Varanasi at 19.50 hours on every Thursday from 8.4.2010 to 24.6.2010 which will arrive at CST Mumbai at 23.30 hours next day.
11. WEEKLY AC SFS BETWEEN CSTM AND GORAKHPUR (26)
Train No. 0129 Dn will leave CST Mumbai at 13.30 hours on every Monday from 5.4.2010 to 28.6.2010 which will arrive at Gorakhpur at 20.35 hours next day.
Train No. 0130 Up will leave Gorakhpur at 23.30 hours on every Tuesday from 6.4.2010 to 29.6.2010 which will arrive at CSTM at 06.05 hours on third day.
12. WEEKLY SFS BETWEEN CSTM AND AGRA CANTT. (26)
Train No. 0131 Dn will leave CST Mumbai at 11.05 hours on every Monday from 5.4.2010 to 28.6.2010 which will arrive at Agra Cantt. at 09.40 hours next day.
Train No. 0132 Up will leave Agra Cantt. at 14.40 hours on every Tuesday from 6.4.2010 to 29.6.2010 which will arrive at CST Mumbai at 14.40 hours next day.
13. WEEKLY SPECIALS BETWEEN LTT AND LUCKNOW (26)
Train No. 0133 Dn will leave Lokmanya Tilak Terminus at 10.15 hours on every Saturday from 3.4.2010 to 26.6.2010 which will arrive at Lucknow at 12.50 hours next day.
Train No. 0134 Up will leave Lucknow at 15.00 hours on every Sunday from 4.4.2010 to 27.6.2010 which will arrive at LTT at 16.20 hours next day.
14. WEEKLY SFS BETWEEN PUNE AND AGRA CANTT. (26)
Train No. 0135 Dn will leave Pune at 14.10 hours on every Sunday from 4.4.2010 to 27.6.2010 which will arrive at Agra Cantt. at 13.00 hours next day.
Train No. 0136 Up will leave Agra Cantt. at 14.40 hours on every Monday from 5.4.2010 to 28.6.2010 which will arrive at Pune at 15.35 hours next day.
15. JANSHATABDI SPLS B/W CSTM AND SHIRDI VIA MMR (120)
Train No. 0137 Dn will leave CSTM at 06.30 hours daily (except Tuesday) from 1.4.2010 to 7.6.2010 which will arrive (via Manmad) at Sainagar Shirdi at 12.45 hours same day.
Train No. 0138 Up will leave Sainagar Shirdi at 17.25 hours daily (except Tuesday) from 1.4.2010 to 7.6.2010 which will arrive (via Manmad) at CSTM at 23.35 hrs same day.
16. WEEKLY SPECIALS BETWEEN CSTM AND PATNA (26)
Train No. 0141 Dn will leave CSTM at 00.50 hours on every Friday from 2.4.2010 to 25.6.2010 (first special will leave from CSTM in the midnight of 1/2.4.2010) which will arrive at Patna at 11.00 hours next day.
Train No. 0142 Up will leave Patna at 13.30 hours on every Saturday from 3.4.2010 to 26.6.2010 which will arrive at CSTM at 23.45 hours next day.
17. WEEKLY SUPER FAST SPECIALS BETWEEN LTT AND ALLAHABAD (26)
Train No. 0143 Dn will leave Lokmanya Tilak Terminus at 12.25 hours on every Saturday from 3.4.2010 to 26.6.2010 which will arrive at Allahabad at 12.20 hours next day.
Train No. 0144 Up will leave Allahabad at 14.45 hours on every Sunday from 4.4.2010 to 27.6.2010 which will arrive at Lokmanya Tilak Terminus at 14.40 hours next day.
18. WEEKLY AC SFS BETWEEN CSTM AND LUCKNOW (26)
Train No. 0145 Dn will leave CSTM at 13.30 hours on every Friday from 2.4.2010 to 25.6.2010 which will arrive at Lucknow at 14.25 hours next day.
Train No. 0146 Up will leave Lucknow at 20.30 hours on every Saturday from 3.4.2010 to 26.6.2010 which will arrive at CSTM at 22.15 hours next day.
19. WEEKLY SPECIALS BETWEEN CSTM AND GORAKHPUR (26)
Train No. 0147 Dn will leave CST Mumbai at 12.30 hours on every Saturday from 3.4.2010 to 26.6.2010 which will arrive at Gorakhpur at 23.45 hours next day.
Train No. 0148 Up will leave Gorakhpur at 09.50 hours on every Monday from 5.4.2010 to 28.6.2010 which will arrive at CST Mumbai at 19.00 hours next day.
20. WEEKLY SPECIALS BETWEEN PUNE AND AHMEDABAD (26)
Train No. 0149 Dn will leave Pune at 15.20 hours on every Thursday from 1.4.2010 to 24.6.2010 which will arrive at Ahmedabad at 04.00 hours next day.
Train No. 0150 Up will leave Ahmedabad at 14.10 hours on every Friday from 2.4.2010 to 25.6.2010 which will arrive at Pune at 04.45 hours next day.
21. BI-WEEKLY UNRESERVED SPLS B/W LTT AND GKP (52)
Train No. 0151 Dn will leave Lokmanya Tilak Terminus at 12.30 hours on every Friday and Sunday from 2.4.2010 to 27.6.2010 which will arrive at Gorakhpur at 23.45 hours next day.
Train No. 0152 Up will leave Gorakhpur at 09.50 hours on every Sunday and Tuesday from 4.4.2010 to 29.6.2010 which will arrive at Lokmanya Tilak Terminus at 19.00 hours next day.
22. WEEKLY SPECIALS BETWEEN PUNE AND GORAKHPUR (24)
Train No. 0153 Dn will leave Pune at 15.30 hours on every Wednesday from 7.4.2010 to 23.6.2010 which will arrive at Gorakhpur at 03.30 hours on third day.
Train No. 0154 Up will leave Gorakhpur at 15.15 hours on every Friday from 9.4.2010 to 25.6.2010 which will arrive at Pune at 05.15 hours on third day.
23. BI-WEEKLY UNRESERVED SPECIALS BETWEEN LTT AND VARANASI (52)
Train No. 0155 Dn will leave LTT at 12.30 hours on every Tuesday and Thursday from 1.4.2010 to 29.6.2010 which will arrive at Varanasi at 15.25 hours next day.
Train No. 0156 Up will leave Varanasi at 17.55 hours on every Wednesday and Friday from 2.4.2010 to 30.6.2010 which will arrive at LTT at 23.30 hours next day.
24. WEEKLY SPECIALS BETWEEN LTT AND MUZAFFARPUR (24)
Train No. 0157 Dn will leave LTT at 13.20 hours on every Wednesday from 7.4.2010 to 23.6.2010 which will arrive at Muzaffarpur at 23.50 hours next day.
Train No. 0158 Up will leave Muzaffarpur at 06.00 hours on every Friday from 9.4.2010 to 25.6.2010 which will arrive at LTT at 22.45 hours next day.
25. WEEKLY SPECIALS BETWEEN LTT AND SHIRDI VIA MMR (26)
Train No. 0159 Dn special will leave LTT at 22.45 hours on every Monday from 5.4.2010 to 28.6.2010 which will arrive at Sainagar Shirdi at 05.00 hours next day.
Train No. 0160 Up special will leave Sainagar Shirdi at 07.30 hours on every Tuesday from 6.4.2010 to 29.6.2010 which will arrive at LTT at 14.10 hours same day.
26. WEEKLY SPECIALS BETWEEN LTT AND DARBHANGA (26)
Train No. 0161Dn will leave LTT at 00.50 hours on every Tuesday from 6.4.2010 to 29.6.2010 which will arrive at Darbhanga at 14.15 hours next day.
Train No. 0162 Up will leave Darbhanga at 23.45 hours on every Wednesday from 7.4.2010 to 30.6.2010 which will arrive at LTT at 12.30 hours on third day.
27. 4 DAYS IN A WEEK SHATABDI SFS B/W PUNE AND HYD (104)
Train No. 0163 Dn will leave Pune at 06.00 hours on every Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 1.4.2010 to 29.6.2010 which will arrive at Hyderabad at 14.30 hours same day.
Train No. 0164 Up will leave Hyderabad at 15.20 hours on every Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 1.4.2010 to 29.6.2010 which will arrive at Pune at 23.55 hours same day.
28. WEEKLY SPECIALS BETWEEN DADAR AND ERNAKULAM (18)
Train No. 0165 Dn will leave Dadar (T) at 12.45 hours on every Wednesday from 7.4.2010 to 2.6.2010 which will arrive at Ernakulam at 18.00 hours next day.
Train No. 0166 Up will leave Ernakulam at 23.20 hours on every Thursday from 8.4.2010 to 3.6.2010 which will arrive at Dadar (T) at 04.35 hours on third day.
29. WEEKLY SPECIALS BETWEEN DADAR AND KOCHUVELI (20)
Train No. 0167 Dn will leave Dadar at 12.45 hours on every Saturday from 3.4.2010 to 5.6.2010 which will arrive at Kochuveli at 23.00 hours next day.
Train No. 0168 Up will leave Kochuveli at 04.45 hours on every Monday from 5.4.2010 to 7.6.2010 which will arrive at Dadar at 12.00 hours next day.
30. WEEKLY SFS B/W CSTM AND ASANSOL (26)
Train No. 0169 Dn will leave CSTM at 11.05 hours on every Saturday from 3.4.2010 to 26.6.2010 which will arrive at Asansol at 23.15 hours next day.
Train No. 0170 Up will leave Asansol at 19.45 hours on every Monday from 5.4.2010 to 28.6.2010 which will arrive at CSTM at 07.45 hours on third day.
31. WEEKLY UNRESERVED SPECIALS BETWEEN LTT AND GORAKHPUR (26)
Train No. 0171 Dn will leave Lokmanya Tilak Terminus at 13.20 hours on every Saturday from 3.4.2010 to 26.6.2010 which will arrive at Gorakhpur at 19.00 hours next day.
Train No. 0172 Up will leave Gorakhpur at 23.30 hours on every Sunday from 4.4.2010 to 27.6.2010 which will arrive at Lokmanya Tilak Terminus at 07.45 hours on third day.
32. WEEKLY SPECIALS BETWEEN PUNE AND JAIPUR (26)
Train No. 0229 will leave Pune at 15.20 hours on every Sunday from 4.4.2010 to 27.6.2010 which will arrive at Jaipur at 13.40 hours next day.
Train No. 0230 will leave Jaipur at 09.00 hours on every Saturday from 3.4.2010 to 26.6.2010 which will arrive at Pune at 08.05 hours next day.
33. WEEKLY SFS B/W PUNE AND HAZARAT NIZAMUDDIN (26)
Train No. 0477 Dn will leave Pune at 14.10 hours on every Friday from 2.4.2010 to 25.6.2010 which will arrive at H. Nizamuddin at 16.40 hours next day.
Train No. 0478 Up will leave H. Nizamuddin at 08.55 hours on every Thursday from 1.4.2010 to 24.6.2010 which will arrive at Pune at 11.05 hours next day.
34. BI-WEEKLY SFS B/W LTT AND ALLAHABAD (26)
Train No. 0481 Dn will leave LTT at 16.55 hours on every Wednesday and Saturday from 28.4.2010 to 9.6.2010 which will arrive at Allahabad at 19.30 hours next day.
Train No. 0482 Up will leave Allahabad at 10.45 hours on every Tuesday and Friday from 27.4.2010 to 8.6.2010 which will arrive at LTT at 13.15 hours next day.
35. WEEKLY SPECIALS BETWEEN LTT AND GUWAHATI (26)
Train No. 0553 Dn will leave LTT at 11.05 hours on every Tuesday from 6.4.2010 to 29.6.2010 which will arrive at Guwahati at 15.10 hours on third day.
Train No. 0554 Up will leave Guwahati at 20.00 hours on every Friday from 2.4.2010 to 25.6.2010 which will arrive at LTT at 23.40 hours on third day.
36. WEEKLY GARIBRATH SPECIALS BETWEEN DADAR AND CHENNAI CENTRAL (22)
Train No. 0656 Dn will leave Dadar at 12.40 hours on every Thursday from 8.4.2010 to 17.6.2010 which will arrive at Chennai Central at 09.15 hours next day.
Train No. 0655 Up will leave Chennai Central at 15.00 hours on every Wednesday from 7.4.2010 to 16.6.2010 which will arrive Dadar at 11.15 hours next day.
37. WEEKLY SPECIALS BETWEEN SHIRDI AND CHENNAI CENTRAL (22)
Train No. 0678 Dn special will leave Sainagar Shirdi at 09.20 hours on every Thursday from 8.4.2010 to 17.6.2010 which will arrive at Chennai Central at 12.05 hours next day.
Train No. 0677 Up special will leave Chennai Central at 15.15 hours on every Tuesday from 6.4.2010 to 15.6.2010 which will arrive at Sainagar Shirdi at 16.30 hours next day.
38. WEEKLY GARIB RATH SPLS B/W SHIRDI AND YESVANTPUR (32)
Train No. 0686 Dn special will leave Sainagar Shirdi at 18.20 hours on every Wednesday from 17.3.2010 to 30.6.2010 which will arrive at Yesvantpur at 20.00 hours next day.
Train No. 0685 Up special will leave Yesvantpur at 07.30 hours on every Tuesday from 16.3.2010 to 29.6.2010 which will arrive at Sainagar Shirdi at 08.00 hours next day.
39. WEEKLY SPECIALS BETWEEN DADAR AND HYDERABAD (22)
Train No. 0731 Dn will leave Dadar at 16.50 hours on every Sunday from 18.4.2010 to 27.6.2010 which will arrive at Hyderabad at 10.00 hours next day.
Train No. 0732 Up will leave Hyderabad at 22.00 hours on every Saturday from 17.4.2010 to 26.6.2010 which will arrive Dadar at 15.30 hours next day.
40. WEEKLY SPECIALS BETWEEN DADAR AND NANDED (22)
Train No. 0736 Dn will leave Dadar at 23.00 hours on every Wednesday from 14.4.2010 to 23.6.2010 which will arrive at Nanded at 11.20 hours next day.

Train No. 0735 Up will leave Nanded at 23.20 hours on every Tuesday from 13.4.2010 to 22.6.2010 which will arrive Dadar at 13.15 hours next day.
41. SPECIALS BETWEEN PANDHARPUR AND NANDED (12)
Train No. 0738 will leave Pandharpur at 21.15 hours on 10.4.2010, 25.4.2010, 10.5.2010, 24.5.2010, 8.6.2010 and 22.6.2010 which will arrive at Nanded at 09.00 hours next day.
Train No. 0737 will leave Nanded at 21.30 hours on 9.4.2010, 24.4.2010, 9.5.2010, 23.5.2010, 7.6.2010 and 22.6.2010 which will arrive Pandharpur at 08.00 hours next day.
42. WEEKLY SFS B/WCST MUMBAI AND HOWRAH (26)
Train No. 0859 Dn will leave CST Mumbai at 11.05 hours on every Friday from 9.4.2010 to 2.7.2010, which will arrive at Howrah at 19.30 hours next day.
Train No. 0860 Up will leave Howrah at 14.35 hours on every Wednesday from 7.4.2010 to 30.6.2010 which will arrive at CST Mumbai at 23.30 hours next day.
43. WEEKLY GARIBRATH SPLS B/W CSTM AND JABALPUR (28)
Train No. 2188A will leave CST Mumbai at 13.35 hours on every Thursday from 1.4.2010 to 1.7.2010 which will arrive at Jabalpur at 06.00 hours next day.
Train No. 2187A will leave Jabalpur at 19.30 hours on every Wednesday from 31.3.2010 to 30.6.2010 which will arrive at CST Mumbai at 12.15 hours next day.
44. BI-WEEKLY SPLS B/W SHIRDI AND VISHAKHAPATTANAM (30)
Train No. 0868 special will leave Sainagar Shirdi at 18.20 hours on 11th, 14th, 18th, 21st, 25th, 28th March, 1st, 4th, 8th, 11th, 15th, 18th, 22nd, 25th 29th April 2010 which will arrive at Vishakhapatnam at 22.45 hours next day.
Train No. 0867 special will leave Vishakhapatnam at 05.30 hours on 10th, 13th, 17th, 20th, 24th, 27th, 31st March, 3rd, 7th, 10th, 14th, 17th, 21st, 24th, 28th April 2010 which will arrive at Sainagar Shirdi at 11.00 hours next day.
TEACHERS' SPECIAL

The following specials will be earmarked to run as Teachers' Specials. Reservation for which will be announced later.

0143 LTT-Allahabad Special leaving LTT on 1.5.2010
0127 CSTM-Varanasi Special leaving CSTM on 5.5.2010
0144 Allahabad-LTT Special leaving Allahabad on 6.6.2010
0128 Varanasi-CSTM Special leaving Varanasi on 10.6.2010

RESERVATION
Reservation for summer special train number will begin
For Train Nos. 0141, 0147, 0157, 0161, 0127, 0129, 0553, 0133, 0153, 0117, 0121, 0143, 0145, 0169, 0481, 2187-A, 2188-A from 11.3.2010.
For Train Nos. 0113, 0115, 0119, 0120, 0135, 0131, 0137, 0138, 0159, 0160, 0477, 0859, 0229 from 12.3.2010.
For Train Nos. 0165, 0167, 0109, 0110, 0101, 0123, 0124, 0149, 0150, 0163, 0656, 0678, 0736, 0738, 0731 from 13.3.2010.
TATKAL RESERVATION
Tatkal reservation will also be available two days in advance of the date of journey on all these summer specials.

India's 1st Air-Conditioned
Double-Decker Rail Coach
Developed In RCF, Kapurthala

Kapurthala (Punjab) : The Rail Coach Factory (RCF), Kapurthala boasts of developing a prototype of the country's first air-conditioned double-decker coach. The officials of the factory claim that the double-decker coach has been completed in a record time of eight months.

The RCF started preparing such coaches after Union Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee announced in her Railway Budget speech in 2009 that AC double-decker trains will be manufactured to cope up with heavy rush of commuters.

RCF's General Manager Pardeep Kumar said that the preliminary testing of the double-decker prototype has been conducted successfully, and it would be rolled out next month for trials. "We have made India's first double-decker AC coach in the RCF. We have completed a prototype of the coach and the first stage of testing of the coach has also been completed successfully this month. Earlier also, double-decker coaches were made but they did not have any AC and had some or the other manufacturing problems. So, we have overcome all those problems and made this coach with a completely new design," Kumar said.

Earlier on Wednesday, Union Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee had announced that Indian Railways would introduce double-decker trains as a pilot project. "India's Railway Minister announced that two trains would be running between Delhi and Kolkata as a part of the pilot project. Depending on the response, the project will be further extended in terms of number of coaches," Kumar said.

Kumar further said that after the successful completion of the oscillation trails by the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO), the RCF would start manufacturing double-decker coaches for trains. The new coach shell design is capable of running at a speed of 160 kilometer/hour, and it will be 1.5 feet higher than the normal coach and will have a seating capacity of about 130.

India's 1st Air-Conditioned
Double-Decker Rail Coach
Developed In RCF, Kapurthala

Kapurthala (Punjab) : The Rail Coach Factory (RCF), Kapurthala boasts of developing a prototype of the country's first air-conditioned double-decker coach. The officials of the factory claim that the double-decker coach has been completed in a record time of eight months.

The RCF started preparing such coaches after Union Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee announced in her Railway Budget speech in 2009 that AC double-decker trains will be manufactured to cope up with heavy rush of commuters. RCF's General Manager Pardeep Kumar said that the preliminary testing of the double-decker prototype has been conducted successfully, and it would be rolled out next month for trials.

"We have made India's first double-decker AC coach in the RCF. We have completed a prototype of the coach and the first stage of testing of the coach has also been completed successfully this month. Earlier also, double-decker coaches were made but they did not have any AC and had some or the other manufacturing problems. So, we have overcome all those problems and made this coach with a completely new design," Kumar said.

Earlier on Wednesday, Union Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee had announced that Indian Railways would introduce double-decker trains as a pilot project. "India's Railway Minister announced that two trains would be running between Delhi and Kolkata as a part of the pilot project. Depending on the response, the project will be further extended in terms of number of coaches," Kumar said.

Kumar further said that after the successful completion of the oscillation trails by the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO), the RCF would start manufacturing double-decker coaches for trains. The new coach shell design is capable of running at a speed of 160 kilometer/hour, and it will be 1.5 feet higher than the normal coach and will have a seating capacity of about 130.