NORTHERN RAILWAY ACTION TO FULFILL THE BUDGETARY PLANS DURING YEAR 2016-17
Video 1 [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsG7x2B7y1E&w=420&h=315]
video 2 [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxobH8NjHZU&w=420&h=315]
New Delhi: Genral Manager A.K.Puthia said “As Northern Railway gears to fulfil rail projects and passenger-centric initiatives laid out in the Rail Budget 2016-17, Shri Puthia laid out the broad statement of action plans and financial statement of the zone. Taking an over-view of the varied scenario of the Railway vis-à-vis the previous year, Shri Puthia pointed out to the marked change in general public perception regarding the improved state of cleanliness at railway stations and in trains. He attributed this to the consistent efforts of the Railway to spruce its premises of littering and garbage, especially the targeted anti-littering drive and Shramdaan initiatives of Railway personnel under the Swacch Rail programme. Cleaning contracts awarded to 86 stations and imprest for cleanliness to Station Masters extended to 923 stations. The On-board House-keeping services on trains have been extended to 94 trains during the current year. Bio-toilets are now provided in 900 coaches of Northern Railway. The Vacuum-cum-Bio-Toilet presently introduced as a pilot project in Dibrugarh Rajdhani would be progressively extended.
Capacity Enhancement has been a targeted goal. During the year, Northern Railway added about 200 km to its track length, a noteworthy record of consistent endeavor. This includes significant achievements like construction of 80 km long Jind-Sonepat new rail line, doubling of 23 Km long Ambala-Dhapper and 35 km long Mansa-Kotfateh rail sections, construction of a fourth line between Palwal-Asauti. During the year 2016-17, NR plans for doubling of 300 km racks. The electrification of the Ghaziabad-Moradabad section has brought about great operational advantage eliminating traction change time losses while enhancing speed of trains also enabling a saving of six lakh litre of diesel in a single month. Northern Railway envisages completing the on-going electrification work of the Meerut-Saharanpur rail section soon. The other electrification works targeted during the year ahead include the Haridwar-Dehradun and Jammu Tawi-Shrimata Vaishno Devi Katra. On the passenger-initiatives segment, lifts shall be provided at 86 stations and escalators at 86 locations during 2016-17. Northern Railway has targeted 7800 kilowatt Solar energy generation during 2016-17. On the energy conservation front, 15,000 LED based lights shall be provided including LED lights in 250 coaches. Mobile charging points would be provided at 580 coaches. By stepping up its anti-touting drives, Northern Railway has apprehended 26% more touts and 35% increase in action against Unauthorised ticketing agencies during the year. The General Manager also mentioned the impact of railroko agitations on train operations and resultant loss in earnings as well as damage to Rail property. On the whole, during the year cancellation of nearly 2700 trains had to be cancelled due to these agitations. Through active role of RPF in preventing the crime and punitive measures nearly 41,000 persons could be convicted on NR, and a penalty of Rs.1.45 crores has been realised.
