MAMTA BURNING MIDNIGHT OIL IN

FORMULATING THE RAIL BUDGET

LALU THROUGH HIS LOYALS

STILL RULES RAILWAYS

While Rly. Miniater Ms. Mamta Benerjee is burning midnight oil in formulating Budget proposals, Lalu and his hand picked men in railway ministry are ruling the Railways.

New Delhi : While Minister for Railways Ms. Mamta Benerjee has taken over as the Cabinet Minister for Railways in the new UPA Government, RJD supremo and former Minister for Railways Lalu Prasad Yadav’s writ still runs in the Ministry of Railways corridors through his hand picked loyal officers. Sources of the rly ministry says that these officers are occupying important key positions supposed to be filled up after ACC (Appointment committee of Cabinet)’s approval.

However, sources said, since these officers were not fulfilling the norms of seniority and suitability required for these positions, DPC (Departmental Promotion Committee), which interalia included Secretary/DOPT & Chairman Rly. Board, could not recommended the names of Lalu’s loyals even during Lalu’s regime.

However, now a senior officer in the rly ministry says that Lalu did not care for the ACC’s approval and issued local orders posting them having no legal or administrative sanctity as these orders were in violation of ACC guidelines.

Sources in the ministry said, the blatant disregard to ACC guidelines occurred when the key post of Secretary/Rly. Board fell vacant with superannuation of Shri Mathew John, Secretary /Rly. Board, on 31^st December. Lalu posted Sh.K.B.L.Mittal as Secretary/Rly. Board without seeking ACC’s approval and in sheer disregard to DPC’s recommended panel of senior and eligible officers.

Sources says that Shri Mittal has been known as Lalu’s very much loyal man while working as DRM/Danapur/ECR and thereafter was rewarded with coveted assignments of EDME (Traction) in the Ministry of Railways (Railway Board) and CME/Northern Railway.

The story does not end here, because sources reveales that Shri Mittal was hand picked by Lalu again to award Rs. 1000 crore tender for the new wheel factory proposed at Chhapra. In an unprecedented manner, Shri Arun Bhagra, Chief Administrative Officer, Rail Wheel Factory, Chhapra (CAO/RWF/CHP) was shunted out unceremoniously and Shri Mittal was posted as CAO/RWF/CHP for 3 months while keeping CME/NR’s post vacant. sources said.

Sources says that Shri Mittal awarded Rs. 1000 crore tender and came back as CME/NR. However, the next reward came sooner than later when he was posted as Secretary/Rly. Board superseding many seniors and against DPC’s recommended panel without ACC’s approval. said sources.

Sources in the rly ministry says that Shri Mittal also played a crucial role in moving a proposal for providing a lifetime Platinum pass for the former Minister FOR Rlys, withholding the fact that in the past Court had struck down a similar move initiated in Ramvilas Paswan’s regime in response to a PIL.

Sources said, It is also a fact that Shri Mittal had a chequered career and has always been under cloud for his professional competence and personality traits. At one point of time he was not even cleared by the Board for the position of DRM on account of his performance below the bench mark. However, the officer leveraged his industry connections and could get his name included in the next DRM panel, sources in the Railway Ministry revealed.

Sources in ministry said, It is a known fact that the cabinet minister can only post the seniormost and suitable officer temporarily for 3 months only on a post requiring ACC approval. However, not only Shri K. B. L. Mittal was posted as Secretary/Rly. Board in violation of DPC recommendations and ACC guidelines, the officer has been unauthorisedly continuing to hold the charge of Secretary/Rly. Board for the last 6 months.

Sources says that Shri Mittal is enjoying his half a month long summer vacation in Spain on an official foreign jaunt since 20^th june whereas honest and senior officers recommended for the post of Secretary/Rly. Board look up to Ms. Mamta Benerjee, who is known for delivering justice.

Now it is for Mamta to take note of these happenings, clean up the mess left over by his predecessor and thus bring in transparency and deliver justice.

WR launches Street Plays to bring
awareness against Trespassing

MUMBAI : President of Western Railway Women's Social Service Committee, Mrs. Anila Verma today launched the series of Street Play, "Kahani Patri Ki" at Churchgate Railway Station. The play will be presented at various stations of WR suburban section from 22nd June, 2009 to 30th June, 2009 as part of WR's "Anmol Jeevan" anti-trespassing drive.

On this occasion, Mrs. Verma urged the commuters not to risk their lives by crossing the railway tracks. In an emotional appeal to the commuters, she said that their family depends on them. They should'nt play with their hopes and happiness by trespassing. She applauded the WR's efforts of bringing a social awareness among the commuters of the menace of trespassing through the help of a popular and dramatic medium.

Presented by the Western Railway Cultural Association, the Street Play aims at establishing a direct communication with the commuters and educating them on the dangers of trespassing.

Trespassing endangering lives every day

Precious lives are lost while crossing tracks. For saving few minutes, people endanger their lives by crossing the tracks. Trespassing is mainly done to avoid the Foot Over Bridges or FOR exiting the platforms. Such short cuts can cut the life short and those who become handicapped live rest of their life to regret. Trespassing either as a habit or occasional, is always dangerous, as time for
reaction is very less. It is always advisable to refrain from such unsafe forms of commuting.

WR committed to stop menace of trespassing

Western Railway is making all out efforts to stop this misadventure of people. To make the crossing of platforms easier we have provided Foot Over Bridges/subways at all stations. 75 Foot Over Bridges(FOBs) and 7 subways are already provided at suburban stations . Works of providing more FOBs, strengthening and widening of existing FOBs, providing of landing etc. are being carried. Boundary walls and divider railings have been erected at vulnerable locations to dissuade crossing of railway lines. Apart from barricading and providing FOBs & Subways, Western Railway has posted RPF personnel at stations prone to crossing of track. In year 2008, 8179 persons were caught crossing railway lines from whom Rs.12 lakh was realised as fine and 163 persons were sent to jail. Also special drives are run on tresspassing/roof top travelling
sections.

‘Anmol Jeevan’ an all out effort to curb trespassing

Since February, 09 WR has launched a special drive ‘Anmol Jeevan’ to bring a full stop to trespassing. All resources are being roped in to stop this evil. For one month RPF constables ran special drive to punish the offenders and 2448 persons were caught. Rs.7.16 lakh was collected as fine and 80 persons were sent to jail. This was followed by social awareness by running placard campaign with the help of NCC, Scouts & Guides cadets. Even the WR employees visit the schools to educate the students who will in turn educate their parents; this form of awareness is eyed at eradicating the problem by striking the emotional chord. Regular advertisements in newspapers, on radio channels, jingles on platforms etc. are also released to educate commuters.

Street Plays : A step ahead to spread awareness

Going further, WR is organizing street plays at various stations to educate commuters against the evils of trespassing. As part of ‘Anmol Jeevan’ anti trespassing awareness drive, a Special Awareness Campaign in form of Street Plays has been organised in association with Western Railway Womens Social Service Committee(WRWSSC). Smt. Anila Verma, President WRWSSC launched the street play at Churchgate station on 19th June 2009. The Street Plays aim at
educating the commuters on the dangers of trespassing and making them socially aware of the menace of trespassing through the help of a popular and dramatic medium. The Street Plays will be enacted by the artists of the WR Cultural Association at various stations where the evil of trespassing is rampant.

Synopsis of the Play

The Street play highlights the dangers of trespassing. However important as it may seem to be, to reach your destination at the earliest, for whatever reasons, one should not risk their lives by trespassing. As is showcased in the play, the man who advices another not to cross tracks, himself jumps on to the tracks to change platforms when he receives a distress call on his mobile and looses his life. The street plays will be enacted at various stations from 22nd June to
30th June, 09.

WRWSSC-A Humane Approach

The street plays drive is supported by WR’s social service wing, Western Railway Womens Social Service Committee(WRWSSC). WRWSSC has played an important role by conceptualising this dramatic & emotional campaign and also as always, lent full support to this project. WRWSSC has always played a stellar role in imparting support and disbursing financial assistance to those affected in natural calamities like earthquakes, Floods, etc. Financial assistance was also given by them to the train bomb blast victims.

‘Anmol Jeevan’ bringing positive results

The efforts of WR have started showing results. There has been a considerable dip in the accident cases of trespassing. During April and May this year 92 persons were killed and 188 were injured as against 109 killed and 242 injured in 2008 for same period.

Western Railway as mass carrier of the city understands its social responsibility and is leaving no stone unturned in making the suburban travel safer for its commuters. However all efforts of WR will be in effective without constructive participation from public. Western Railway urges its commuters to abstain from crossing of railway tracks, Roof top travelling, hanging out or any
unsafe travel.

ECoR REVIEWS SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR MONSOON

Bhubaneswar, June 19, In order to minimize maintenance problems and safety hazards during monsoon, East Coast Railway is planning precautions in advance of the onset of the monsoons. Railways are taking monsoon precautions from 10th June till 15th November every Year.

According to precautionary instructions clearly laid down, all catch water drains and side drains have been cleared of silt, vegetation and other obstructions to ensure free flow and quick drainage of storm water. The waterways of bridges have been cleared of vegetation and other obstructions.

Protective and river training works have been maintained in good condition and repairs carried out wherever necessary. Full Supply level (FSL) in the case of canals, and Danger Level (DL) have been painted with bright red band across each pair adjacent to the abutment so as to be clearly visible to the patrolmen, special Watchmen and Drivers.

Arrangements have been made not to allow water to stagnate on the track. In yards, cross drains and longitudinal drains have been cleared/provided to proper grades. In hilly areas, where there have been incidences of falling boulders in past, a survey have been carried out to locate loose boulders and such loose boulders have been dropped in a systematic manner. Selections of patrolman and watchman have been made and they have been trained and tested for their knowledge of rules. The duties to be performed by them have been clearly explained to them.

During entire monsoon, Railway tracks will be continuously patrolled day and night by patrolmen to observe any danger or interruption and protect trains and travelling passengers from any unusual occurrences. Arrangements have been made to stock sufficient quantities of rails, sleepers, materials for cribs, ballast, sand/quarry dust and boulders at suitable points near vulnerable locations, so that the materials may be rushed to site as required in case of any washout of bridge, etc. Temporary bridge spans and steel columns to be erected immediately for restoration have been kept in readiness.

ECoR APPEALS TO RATH YATRA PASSENGERS
TO BE EXTRA CAREFUL IN OVERCROWDED TRAINS

Bhubaneswar, June 19, East Coast Railway has launched a special awareness drive for traveling passengers in overcrowded trains. Railway administration has urged the passengers to avoid train journey on footboard, buffers and rooftop of the train compartments for their safe journey.

Passengrs are requested not to take food and drinking items from the strangers, not to carry any inflammable items like gas cylinder, stoves, debris, even cigarettes and matchbox etc., not to touch suspicious things like tiffin box, baggage etc. without any owner, to avoid train journey without or with improper tickets, not to lean from train compartment of the running train and no to entrain or detrain when the train is in motion.

ECoR has also urged the co-passengers and voluntary organisations to take special care of the concerned passengers and counsel those who are leaning from running trains, traveling on rooftop, footboard and buffers of the train and who carrying inflammable items etc.

Railway Protection Force (RPF) staff have also been advised to take special measures like precautions on crowd control, and to keep a watch on touts and anti-socials particularly in crowded areas like Booking and PRS counters, enquiry counters etc.

RAILWAY RATH YATRA ARRANGEMENTS
REVIEWED AT GENERAL MANAGER’S LEVEL

Bhubaneswar, June 18, Shri A. K. Jain, General Manager, East Coast Railway and South Eastern Railway today reviewed Railway arrangements for Rath Yatra - 2009 at Puri. Shri Jain visited Puri accompanied by Sr. Railway officials. He instructed officers of Khurda Road Division to give utmost priority to comforts and conveniences of pilgrims coming to Puri by Rail.

Safety, Security and Punctuality of Rath Yatra special trains were stressed upon. General Manager laid great stress upon sanitation and cleanliness of station premises in view of huge crowd congregation. He also ordered the opening of a round-the-clock Control Room to look into passengers’ issues as well as smooth train operations.

Highest emphasis is to be given on effective announcements at station and smooth disbursal of tickets through additional ticket booking counters. RPF personnel were also advised to remain in the highest state of alertness all through the festival period. Shri Jain complimented his officers and staff for the preparations done and advised them to keep it up.

ECoR REVIEWS SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR MONSOON

Bhubaneswar, June 19, In order to minimize maintenance problems and safety hazards during monsoon, East Coast Railway is planning precautions in advance of the onset of the monsoons. Railways are taking monsoon precautions from 10th June till 15th November every Year.

According to precautionary instructions clearly laid down, all catch water drains and side drains have been cleared of silt, vegetation and other obstructions to ensure free flow and quick drainage of storm water. The waterways of bridges have been cleared of vegetation and other obstructions.

Protective and river training works have been maintained in good condition and repairs carried out wherever necessary. Full Supply level (FSL) in the case of canals, and Danger Level (DL) have been painted with bright red band across each pair adjacent to the abutment so as to be clearly visible to the patrolmen, special Watchmen and Drivers.

Arrangements have been made not to allow water to stagnate on the track. In yards, cross drains and longitudinal drains have been cleared/provided to proper grades. In hilly areas, where there have been incidences of falling boulders in past, a survey have been carried out to locate loose boulders and such loose boulders have been dropped in a systematic manner. Selections of patrolman and watchman have been made and they have been trained and tested for their knowledge of rules. The duties to be performed by them have been clearly explained to them.

During entire monsoon, Railway tracks will be continuously patrolled day and night by patrolmen to observe any danger or interruption and protect trains and travelling passengers from any unusual occurrences. Arrangements have been made to stock sufficient quantities of rails, sleepers, materials for cribs, ballast, sand/quarry dust and boulders at suitable points near vulnerable locations, so that the materials may be rushed to site as required in case of any washout of bridge, etc. Temporary bridge spans and steel columns to be erected immediately for restoration have been kept in readiness.


sd/-
Sr. Public Relations Officer
For Chief Public Relations Officer


ECoR APPEALS TO RATH YATRA PASSENGERS TO BE EXTRA CAREFUL IN OVERCROWDED TRAINS

Bhubaneswar, June 19, 2009


East Coast Railway has launched a special awareness drive for traveling
passengers in overcrowded trains. Railway administration has urged the
passengers to avoid train journey on footboard, buffers and rooftop of the train
compartments for their safe journey.

Passengrs are requested not to take food and drinking items from the strangers,
not to carry any inflammable items like gas cylinder, stoves, debris, even
cigarettes and matchbox etc., not to touch suspicious things like tiffin box,
baggage etc. without any owner, to avoid train journey without or with improper
tickets, not to lean from train compartment of the running train and no to
entrain or detrain when the train is in motion.

ECoR has also urged the co-passengers and voluntary organisations to take
special care of the concerned passengers and counsel those who are leaning from
running trains, traveling on rooftop, footboard and buffers of the train and who
carrying inflammable items etc.

Railway Protection Force (RPF) staff have also been advised to take special
measures like precautions on crowd control, and to keep a watch on touts and
anti-socials particularly in crowded areas like Booking and PRS counters,
enquiry counters etc.


Sd/-
Sr. Public Relations Officer


RAILWAY RATH YATRA ARRANGEMENTS REVIEWED AT GENERAL MANAGER’S LEVEL

Bhubaneswar, June 18, 2009


Shri A.K. Jain, General Manager, East Coast Railway and South Eastern Railway
today reviewed Railway arrangements for Rath Yatra - 2009 at Puri. Shri Jain
visited Puri accompanied by Sr. Railway officials. He instructed officers of
Khurda Road Division to give utmost priority to comforts and conveniences of
pilgrims coming to Puri by Rail.

Safety, Security and Punctuality of Rath Yatra special trains were stressed
upon. General Manager laid great stress upon sanitation and cleanliness of
station premises in view of huge crowd congregation. He also ordered the opening
of a round-the-clock Control Room to look into passengers’ issues as well as
smooth train operations.

Highest emphasis is to be given on effective announcements at station and smooth
disbursal of tickets through additional ticket booking counters. RPF personnel
were also advised to remain in the highest state of alertness all through the
festival period. Shri Jain complimented his officers and staff for the
preparations done and advised them to keep it up.

ECoR embarks on precaution

BHUBANESWAR : Last year’s prolonged disruption in traffic services caused by floods and mud slide has prompted the East Coast Railways (ECoR) to embark on monsoon precaution measures.

The railway authorities which have identified the stretches vulnerable to floods have initiated steps to clear obstructions and vegetations that lead to water surge during the monsoons. The waterways are being cleared, while full supply level in the case of canals and danger levels have been marked to make it clearly visible to patrolmen and special watchmen and drivers.

Arrangements are being made not to allow water to stagnate on tracks. The ECoR sources said, catch water drain and side drains have been cleared of silt, vegetation and obstructions to ensure quick run off of storm water.

“Most such problems are encountered in the coastal and north coastal areas where tracks were swept away last year during floods,’’ an official said.

In the hilly areas of Keonjhar, Koraput and Rayagada, nature of problem is a tad different. Mudslide and falling of boulders have constantly been posing problem for railway authorities. A survey was carried out to locate loose boulders which were then systematically dropped from their locations.

During the entire monsoon, railway tracks will be patrolled day and night by to observe any danger or interruption and protect trains and passengers from any unusual occurrences. Selections of patrolmen and watchmen have already been made and they have been trained in this connection.

Besides, ECoR has also arranged stocking of sufficient quantities of rails, sleepers, materials for cribs, ballast, sand anbd quarry dust and boulders at suitable points near vulnerable locations so that these may be rushed to sites in case of any washout of bridge. For restorartion, temporary bridge spans and steel columns have already been kept in readiness.

Women fall prey to train robbers

Vadodara : Four persons forcibly entered the ladies compartment of Ernakulam-Okha Express at Panvel railway station in Maharashtra and looted valuables like gold jewellery, cash and mobile phones worth Rs2.76 lakh from female passengers. One of the looters attacked an old woman with a knife when she tried to foil their loot attempt.

An official complaint could be lodged only at Vadodara railway police station due to apathy of the police at Vasai and the guard of the train.

Manglaben Anthony D'souza (55), a resident of Mafta village in Goa, was travelling in the train, which had started around noon on Thursday. She was coming to Vadodara for her cardiac check-up. At about 10.30 pm, the train stopped at Panvel. After the train started, four persons, agedbetween 20-25 years, who were speaking Marathi and Hindi, boarded the ladies compartment. When Manglaben and other passengers protested, they pleaded that they would shift to general compartment at the next stop as the train had started. But as soon as the train gained speed, the four tied handkerchiefs on their faces and took out a knife and threatened lady passengers to hand over their valuables.

Manglaben managed to pull the chain to stop the train. But the looters forcibly closed all the windows and doors of the train.. To the surprise of passengers, no railway official came to check the ladies compartment. Within five minutes, the train again started.

Accused in the 1996 train blast commits suicide

Ghaziabad : Shakeel, accused in the 1996 bomb blast in frontier mail train and lodged in Dasna district jail, today committed suicide by hanging himself in his high-security barrack in the prison today june 19.

He hanged himself with the help of a loop made of cloth and was taken to district hospital where he was declared brought dead, Jail Superintendent V K Singh said, adding the body has been sent for postmortem.

Shakeel was facing criminal trial for his alleged involvement in the 1996 bomb blasts in the frontier mail train in Ghaziabad , he said.

He was arrested in 1999 and was kept in Tihar jail in Delhi. In September 2006, he was shifted to Dasna district jail.

Shakeel was facing trial under various sections of IPC and explosives act. His family, residing in Philakuwa town of the district, has been informed about the incident, Singh said.

Meanwhile, District Magistrate R Ramesh Kumar has ordered a magisterial probe in the matter. Two persons were killed in the blast which occurred in the train here in 1996.

Indian Railways to manufacture stainless steel coaches

New Delhi : The railways have decided to manufacture low cost stainless steel coaches to improve the riding comforts of passengers. The Rail Coach Factory at Kapurthala in Punjab has recently rolled out 28 such coaches, which would be first introduced on the Amritsar to Jaynagar route for the Shaheed Express train.

According to sources, these newly designed coaches are similar in looks to the LHB German coaches which are being currently used in the Rajdhani Express and Shatabdi Express trains across the country. The salient features of these coaches are that they have superior aesthetics, better riding comforts and low maintenance cost as well.

A Railway Board official said that the newly designed coaches are all set to herald an era of stainless steel coaches in the Indian Railways which would be used in all mail and express trains. The railways have, so far, introduced stainless steel coaches in the Rajdhani Express and Shatabdi Express trains only.

Official said that the coach factory has decided to replace the flat bogies currently being used in LHB coaches to indigenously manufactured bogies to bring down the manufacturing cost of stainless steel coaches. Use of German based LHB technology in manufacturing each air conditioned coach has been too expensive now. However, the use of new indigenous technology in manufacturing stainless steel coaches with a modified ICF type bogie is likely to reduce about 40% manufacturing cost being incurred on production of each LHB coach, adding that the railways would, thus, save a huge sum of money in manufacturing such coaches for mail and express trains.

According to source, that apart, the railways have decided to manufacture fireproof coaches from safety point of view. The RCF has been manufacturing new fireproof coaches which are likely to replace all outdated and general coaches in future. The railways have started manufacturing fireproof AC and sleeper coaches based on the technology and design of the LHB German coaches.

Railway Board official said under the new design approved by the Board, the curtain and other fittings inside the AC coaches are fire resistant. In the event of any incident, it is not much harmful for passengers. These fireproof coaches are being manufactured by super fine stainless steel materials.

Sourced further added that the railways have taken a policy decision to replace the existing ICF Swiss coaches with LHB German coaches to enhance safety measures on running trains. Currently, the ECR has more than 2500 coaches, including AC and sleeper ones, which need immediate replacement to maintain foolproof safety.

ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE DERAILED IN

MUMBAI CENTRAL YARD

An electric locomotive no 21878 derailed in Mumbai Central Yard at 17.15 hrs today due to which train no 2953 August Kranti Rajdhani Express scheduled to depart at 17.40 hrs will be delayed.

LOCAL TRAIN MOVES INTO DEAD END,

TRAFFIC UNINTERRUPTED

An up through local train No. VR-474A from Virar to Churchgate moved into the dead end buffer at platform No.3 of Churchgate railway station at 14.50 hrs today due to which two commuters suffered simple injury while three others had trivial injury. An Ex gracia payment of Rs.500/- each was made to the two passengers with simple injury.

The passengers were given first aid by the railway doctor and discharged. Divisional Railway Manager, Mumbai Central Shri C.P. Sharma visited the site along with senior officers. A departmental enquiry will be conducted. However, the suburban train movement was not affected and the trains were run normally.