Two Years Achievements of Ministry of Railways (May 2014 to May 2016)

Two Years Achievements of Ministry of Railways (May 2014 to May 2016)

I .PASSENGER AMENITIES AND DIGITAL INDIA INITIATIVES

• Indian Railways launched three social media platforms on Facebook, Twitter and You Tube with the handle @railminindia.  Ministry of Railways employed first of its kind, a real time 24×7 public grievance system through Twitter and provided medical, security and other emergency assistance to travelling passengers
• All India Security Helpline 182 set up to report any untoward incident and seek emergency help during travel
• The All India Passenger Helpline ‘138’ provided for all other query/complaints during travel
• A mobile based application viz. Complaint Management System (COMS) launched
• E-catering facility launched at 100 stations. 408 railway    stations designated for providing E-catering
• A massive scheme for providing Water Vending Machines (WVMs) to provide RO Water at affordableprices is under implementation by Railway PSU IRCTC
• Reservation quota of two lower berths per coach in Sleeper class enhanced to four lower berths per coach for Senior Citizens and Women
• Tatkal reservation timings have been staggered to serve dual purpose of providing convenience to the passengers and for staggering traffic on the e-ticket portal.All agents are debarred from booking tickets during first thirty minutes of opening of booking
• Automatic refund of Confirmed /RAC e-tickets on cancellation of trains similar to waitlisted e-tickets is granted without filing of TDR
• Time limit for booking reserved tickets was increased to 120 days w.e.f. 01.04.2015
• Destination alert and wake up alarm services launched on 139
• Automatic Destination Alerts to passengers through SMS for Rajdhani and Duronto trains.
• E-ticketing facility launched for disabled persons and for accredited journalist on concession pass.
• Mobile charging facilities in all new general class coaches initiated.
• Out of 1252 Stations identified for upgradation to Adarsh Stations’, 986 stations have so far been developed. 160 developed in last two years
• Scheme namely ‘SMS Gateway’ launched enabling passengers to get SMS alerts on the status of reserved tickets
• New Generation system put in place which can book 7200 online tickets instead of 2000 tickets per minute and can attend 2,00,000 enquiries instead of 50000 per minute
• Rationalization of Computerized Passenger Reservation System (PRS) done to enable passengers to buy tickets even after the preparation of reservation charts
• Paperless unreserved ticketing including Paperless Platforms tickets through mobile phone introduced in suburban sections of Western Railway, Central Railway, South Central Railway, Southern Railway, Eastern Railway, South Eastern Railway
• Pilot Project of hand Held Terminals for TTEs launched
• E-booking of disposable linen started on trains at New Delhi Railway Station and Nizamuddin Railway Station, Mumbai Central (BCT), Chattarpati Shivaji Terminus (CSTM), Southern Railway
• E-booking of Wheel chair launched
• Currency Coin cum Card operated Automatic Ticket Vending Machines installed at select stations.
• Initiated one of the largest free public wifi fi systems in the world. Launched at 26 stations with a plan to extend it to 100 Stations by December this year and to 400 stations by 2018.
• The booking of retiring rooms at different railway stations made online making it convenient and transparent
• E-Ticketing portal in Hindi launched
• 60 lifts and 150 escalators provided in last 2 years at Railway stations
• Model Rake (a passenger carrying train with 24 coaches) developedwith improved interiors, colour scheme, aesthetics and amenity fittings. This is running as a train between New Delhi and Varanasi.
• Cancellation of confirmed, RAC and Waitlisted PRS counter tickets made easy using IRCTC website or phone No. 139.
• Provision made for acceptance of international debit and credit cards for payment of E-ticket through IRCTC website
• Yatri Ticket/Sewa Kendra (YTSK) Scheme launched to allow private agents to operate ticketing terminals for selling reserved as well as unreserved tickets
• Indian Railways started six pilgrims’ special tourist trains. More such trains being planned in subsequent phases
• Dustbins to be provided in non AC coaches also
• NIFT, Delhi has been engaged for designing of bedroll etc.
• A new ‘Rail Neer’ plant for package drinking water set up at Ambernath (Mumbai).
• In order to increase availability of accommodation for general class passengers on long distance Mail/Express trains, GMs were delegated powers to de-reserve Sleeper Class (SL) coaches as General Coaches (GS) in identified trains & sectors
• Suvidha Trains with graded pricing structure introduced with facility for booking on PRS in addition to e-tickets and facility of limited refund on cancellation of ticket
• The Defense Travel System to eliminate exchange of defense warrants was rolled out on the NGeT platform. Till date about 2000 Defense units have started issuing tickets through this platform without exchange of warrants
• Number of berths available for physically challenged has been increased from 2 to 4
• ‘VIKALP’, Alternative Train Accommodation System (ATAS)  launchedwith a view to provide confirmed accommodation to waitlisted passengers and also to ensure optimal utilization of available accommodation. This facility is now available on New Delhi – Jammu, New Delhi – Lucknow, Delhi-Howrah, Delhi- Chennai, Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Secunderabad Circuits,
• Launched pre-cooked (ready-to-eat) meals of reputed brands on some trains.
• Commencement of provision of Braille signage on 3000 coaches has been given in order to facilitate travel to visually impaired passengers.
• Provision of foldable ladder in First AC coaches launched

• Provision of Bio degradable garbage bags to passengers started on pilot basis

• Escorting ladies special trains and ladies compartment by security squad

• Security helpline 182 activated and real time complaint resolution through Twitter employed with a high priority to women security issues

• Fitment of CCTV surveillance cameras for women security in trains initiated with first such fitment undertaken in Amritsar-New Delhi-Shan-e Punjab Express

• Development of security App over some of the Zonal Railways

• Middle bay reserved for women

• Pilot Project of Sale of Unreserved Tickets  through Hand Held Terminals initiated at Hazrat Nizammudin Railway Station of Northern Railway.

1. INFRASTRUCTURECREATION AND SUPPORT TO MAKE IN INDIA INITIATIVE

• Indian Railways has taken a giant leap forward in ‘Make in India’ drive by signing Agreement for setting up of Diesel Locomotive Factory (DLF) at Marhowra, Saran district, Bihar for procurement and maintenance of mainline most modern high power Diesel Electric Locomotives with M/s GE Diesel Locomotive Pvt. Ltd. A separate agreement signed with M/S ALSTOM for setting up of electric locomotive factory at Madhepura, Bihar for procurement and maintenance of most modern high power electric locomotives, both major PPP and FDI tenders of Indian Railways. This would be one of the highest FDI’s in India amounting to order book of almost Rs 40,000 Crore.

• The Ministry has initiated process for procuring high speed train sets which will improve average speed of passenger carrying trains thereby reducing journey time.

• MoU between India and Japan signed for Mumbai–Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Project using Shinkansen Technology covering a total of 508 kms. A new entity named National High Speed Ra Extension of newly introduced cancellation facility for PRS
• il Corporation Limited has been set up in February, 2016 to implement the project

• Further high speed studies are being conducted by Ministry of Railways on Diamond Quadrilateral High Speed Rail network. Feasibility studies of Delhi- Mumbai, Mumbai- Chennai and Delhi- Kolkata are underway.  The feasibility studies of Delhi-Nagpur and Mumbai –Nagpur corridors are being taken up through G2G cooperation with Chinese and Spanish governments respectively

• Ministry of Railways launched Gatimaan Express, country’s first semi high speed train with a maximum speed of 160 kmph between Delhi and Agra heralding a new era of high speed rail travel in India

• Redevelopment of 400 Stations to be developed on e-bidding on as is where is basis; 10 stations handed over to IRSDC

• Indian Railways commissioned 2828 Km of Broad Gauge lines, highest ever in 2015-16 against an average of 1528 Km from 2009-14.

• IR commissioned two mega bridges over river Ganga at Patna and Munger.With these, the Railway networks of North and South Bihar have been integrated.

• The executions of the biggest infrastructural projects in the country, Eastern and Western DFCs have been fast-tracked.  Revised cost estimates have been approved by the Cabinet and funding has been tied up.  Rs.25,320 Cr worth of contracts have been awarded in the last two years, which is more than double of the total contracts of Rs.12,240 Cr awarded since commencement. The first ever section on DFC of 56 km between Durgawati-Sasaram has been commissioned. The project is progressing well for commissioning in phases by 2019

• Rail Wheel Plant, Bela commissioned and regular production started

• Diesel loco factory at Varanasi is being expanded

• DEMU factory at Haldia was commissioned and Mid-life Rehabilitation Workshop for coaches at Jhansi completed.

• One of the most challenging railway projects, conversion of 1500 V DC to 25000 V AC traction system has been successfully completed over the entire Mumbai division of Central Railway.

• During 2014-16, 3105 route kilometres have been electrified, which is an average of 1552.5 RKM/ annum as against 1236 RKM/annum during previous five years.

• Construction of Electric Lolo Assembly & Ancillary Unit of CLW at Dankuni in West Bengal completed

• Modern LHB Coach manufacturing facility commissioned at ICF Chennai.

• The Chhapra factory has started regular production of cast wheels for rolling stock. The installed capacity of the plant is 1Lac wheels per annum.

• Foundation stone laid for setting up Traction Alternator Factory at Vidisha to manufacture 100 traction alternators per annum of high horse power diesel locomotives which are currently being imported

• Significant boost in elimination of unmanned level crossing which has resulted in safe operations. In 2015-16, a total of 1253 unmanned level crossings were eliminated and 1024 Road over/ Road under bridges were constructed. This marks an improvement of 35% against the average number from 2009-2014

III.REFORMS

• A Memorandum of Understanding with LIC of India for obtaining funds to the tune of Rs.1.5 lakh Cr signed.
• MOF approved issue of tax free bonds by IRFC amounting to Rs.6,000 Cr
• Discussions initiated with World Bank for setting up a Railway Infrastructure Development Fund of around USD 30 Bn
• Powers delegated and decentralized for improving efficiency and transparency. Measures for E-tendering, E-auctioning, E-ticketing, E-Governance, E-Freight Demand, E-Catering, E-Wheel Chair, E-Concierge etc. takenfor efficiency and transparency
• Ministry of Railways (MoR) signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for formation of Joint Venture Companies with six State Governments viz. Odisha, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Chhattisgarh and Telangana.JVs would undertake project development works for an identified basket of projects, which will inter-alia include surveys, preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) and getting requisite approvals, processing for sanctioning of identified projects and monitoring
• Ministry of Railways conducted world’s largest online exam for recruitment for almost 90 lakh aspirants. With a view to increase transparency, a new system of handing over the Question Booklets to the candidates has been introduced.A pilot project of uploading of Answer Keys and Cut-off marks has also been initiated.
• Deloitte, a consulting firm has been engaged for studying the manpower rationalization of the Group A services.  Report submitted and is under examination
• Four Centres of Railways Research set up in premier educational institutions
• Development of an online system initiated for grievance redressal of both serving as well as retired railwaymen
• Railways signed MoU to set up its own Railway Design Centre in collaboration with  National Institute of Design (NID)
• The process for putting in place a regulator “Rail Development Authority” has been initiated. A concept note was uploaded to receive feedback from all stakeholders. Process for drafting of a bill/executive order underway.
• 100 % FDI allowed in identified areas of railway sector and sectoral guidelines on FDI formulated
• Ministry of Railways implemented 100% E-procurement solution for all kinds of contracts – goods, works and services. It isIndia’s largest e-procurement system
• A web-enabled IT-Application “Project Monitoring and Information System (PMIS)” launched which will be implemented in Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramullah Rail Link (USBRL) project, followed by other mega and complex projects of Indian Railways. This will increase transparency in project monitoring

• “Technology Mission on Indian Railways (TMIR)” for Development/Research/Innovations in Railway Technologies in association with Department of Science & Technology, MoHRD and representatives of Industry has been set up
• Creation of Mobility Directorate in Railway Board’s Office
• Creation of Non-Fare Revenue Directorate in Railway Board’s Office
• Release of Handout on ‘Railway initiatives for Ease of Doing Business’ and Nomination of ‘Key Customer Managers’

1. GREEN INITIATIVES

• Commissioned 26 MW wind mill power plant at Jaisalmer

• 10MW Solar Plants installed in two years. Massive solarisation (1000 MW Solar Power Plants) planned in next Five years with an eye on making Railways, the largest solar power producer in the country

• Railways provided27,000 bio-toilets in trains in the last two years.A target of 30000 bio-toilets setfor the next financial year
• First ‘Green’ DEMU train introduced on Northern Railway to run between Rewari-Rohtak section

• A hybrid toilet system, combining best features of a   vacuum toilet system and indigenous bio-toilet system has been installed for trial in a First Class air conditioned coach of Dibrugarh Rajdhani which is running wellsince September 2015. The system does not require any waste handling facilities for evacuation and processing of waste. This system uses significantly less quantity of water is used for flushing
• A new separate Environment Management Directorate formed to address all environment related issues in a focused and integrated manner
• M/s. RITES has been engaged for setting up of two pilot plants at NDLS and JP for disposal for Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) in an environment friendly manner including conversion of Waste to Energy (bio-methanation)
• A major push was given to get additional sanction of more than 30 Water Recycling Plants during 2015-16. As against this, less than 30 WRPs have been functioning all these years
• Setting up of Automatic Coach Washing Plants in major coach maintenance depots
• After field trails, IR has now developed the environmental friendly composite sleepers made up of recycled plastic waste, which will be used over all girder bridges in future for improved maintainability and facilitating higher speeds and higher axle loads.
• Indian Railways has started a massive exercise of planting trees alongside Railway Track with the signing agreement with Haryana & Punjab Government in the first phase.

V. CLEANLINESS
Indian Railways joined the Swacch Bharat Abhiyan in a big way. It formulated an integrated policy on cleanliness

• 27 Charitable Institutions/Social Organizations invited to take part in ‘Swachh Rail, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ through Shramdaan campaign

• Criterion for qualification of OBHS trains revised to include all importantmail &express trains. 7 more Clean Train Stations added and 240 new trains added on OBHS in last two years

• “Clean My Coach” Servicelaunched for any cleaning requirement in the coach. A passenger can send an SMS on a mobile number 58888 or book through app and his request is attended to

• 16 more mechanised laundries set up in the last two years. Now around 45 percent linen is cleanedthrough mechanised laundries

• Intensive mechanised cleaning of coaching in coaching depots through professional agencies – 132 Coaching Depots in different Railways already have the system

• Cleaning of 50 major stations has been outsourced to professional agencies

• Cleanliness audit through 3^rd party started for Railway stations institutionalised. Ranking of stations based on cleanliness would be generated periodically

1. CONNECTIVITY IN NORTH EAST AND J&K

• Indian Railways completed Udhampur-Katra Broad gauge line in the State of Jammu and Kashmir bringing Katra on Broad Gauge Railway map
• Lumding-Silchar Broad gauge section inaugurated giving seamless BG connectivity to Barak Valley of Assam
• Meghalaya came on the rail map with the flagging off the first ever train from Guwahati to Medipathar in Meghalaya
• The Prime Minister laid the foundation for a new line to take rail connectivity to Mizoram’s capital Aizwal
• The Tripura’s Capital Agartala came on the broad gauge rail map
• Meter gauge will be fully eliminated in North-East in near future
• IR commissioned 545 KM of Broad Gauge lines in North East in 2015-16 in comparison to 110 KM per year from 2009-2014

VII.PPP IN RAIL LINE PROJECTS

• In 2015-16, Indian Railways generated an investment of Rs.15,000Cr through PPP. This is the highest achieved till now.
• Partnership with State Governments, Industry is being encouraged to undertake coal and mining connectivity projects.
• To encourage port connectivity projects, thrust has been given to implementation of projects under the participative model policy of 2012. Rail connectivity to Tuna Port at a cost of 142 Cr has been implemented in 2015. Also approvals under Joint Venture model have been granted to build rail connectivity to the ports of Jaigarh (Rs 771 Cr.), Rewas (Rs.349 Cr), and Dighi (Rs.724 Cr.)

• Ministry of Railways for the first time has decided to launch three annuity projects Badrak- Nargundi 3^rd line (900Cr.), Nagpur – Wardha 3^rd line 550Cr. and Kazipet- Vijayawada 3^rd line 1566 Cr in the current calendar year.

VIII. FREIGHT

• Massive rationalization of freight policies initiated
• Merry-Go-Round system introduced to capture short lead traffic near steel plants and thermal power house
• Post congestion charges withdrawn which will help in increasing traffic from the Ports to hinterland
• Two-Point/Multi Point/Mini Rake facility extended to maximize traffic.
• Roll on – Roll off scheme launched on Digha Rail Bridge over River Ganges near Patna. Under this scheme loaded trucks would be moved on the flat wagons to avoid congested roads across Ganges
• Busy season charge withdrawn.
• Automatic Freight Rebate Scheme for traffic loaded in Traditional Empty Flow Direction introduced
• Computerized system to register demands for wagons introduced. Electronic forwarding note and Electronic Railway Receipts introduced to enhance efficiency and transparency in freight operations
• Liberalised Wagon Investment Scheme, Wagon Leasing Scheme, Special Freight Train Operator Scheme, Private Freight Terminals, Automobile Freight Train Operator Scheme, accelerated to improve freight
• Auto hub at Walajabad in Chennai Division developed for automobiles moment
• Flagging off of Roll-On-Roll-Off(Ro-Ro) train Ex.-Bihta to Turki in Bihar.

1. SAFETY IN RAIL OPERATIONS

• Working towards ‘Zero Accident’ Mission.
• TPWS is a safety Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system conforming to European Train Control System (ETCS) Level-1.    TPWS trials at 160 Kmph were successfully conducted.
• 282 Level Crossing Gates have been interlocked with Signals to enhance safety.
• A cost effective indigenous safety system – Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) is being developed indigenously by RDSO and the trails are on.
• Pilot Project initiated for Improving Safety at Unmanned Level Crossing which include automatic warning to road users through flasher light and Sensing of Obstruction on level crossing and visual warning to train drivers

1. MISCELLANEOUS

• In the last two years, 14 MoUs/MoCs/other agreements for cooperation in rail sector have signed with Railways/Governments of Czech Republic, China, South Korea, Canada, Kazakhstan, Slovak Republic, UK, Japan, Germany, France, Russia & Sweden.
• Under Skill India Initiative, 53 locations across the country have been identified by setting up training centres
• Indian Railways made successful arrangements to transport drinking water to drought-affected areas of Latur district in Maharashtra
• Indian Railways lent helping hand during the Nepal earthquake tragedy by providing ‘Rail Neer’ bottles and by transporting Nepal evacuees
• Railways also helped during the J&K floods
• Railways were in the forefront in extending help to the Indian nationals returning from Yemen
• Indian Railway weightlifters (5 Women & 1 Men) represented India in the Commonwealth Youth; Junior & Senior Weightlifting Championship held at Pune from 11^th to 15^th November, 201. All Railway players won medals in this Championship
• Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed Ministry of Railways and PEC University of Technology for setting up of ‘Kalpana Chawla Chair’ on Geospatial Technology for Indian Railways at PEC University of Technology, Chandigarh.

PIB