Minister of Railways and Commerce &Industry,Shri Piyush Goyal launched CORAS (Commando for Railway Security) of Indian Railways and new establishment manual for Railway Protection Force today. Chairman, Railway Board, Shri Vinod Kumar Yadav, other Railway Board Members,DG, RPF, Shri Arun Kumar, General Manager, Northern Railway, Shri T.P.Singh, along with senior Railway officials were present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry,Shri Piyush Goyalsaid, “Today we are committed to develop India as a Clean India, Healthy India, Prosperous and Secure India. Keeping in mind the threat from disruptive forces, induction of CORAS was planned in Railway Protection Force. CORAS team will be provided best, most modern equipment and world class training. Lauding the efforts of RPF soldier Shivcharan Gurjar, who rescued eight lives in flood stricken areas of Gujarat, Shri Goyal appreciated the commendable work of RPF soldiers. Shri Goyal urged the people to crack down on touts and immediately inform the authorities so the menace of ticket touting may be eliminated permanently.”

Shri Goyal announced that a new state of the art commando training centre to beestablished in Jagadhri, Haryana. Shri Goyal added that a new network of CCTV cameras at every station will be set up to enhance the security of Railway passengers. The link of these cameras will be given to the local stations, GRP, RPF, Divisional office and to the Minister’s office. Shri Goyal also congratulated RPF officers and each soldier for extending security to passengers and Railway property in far-flung areas round the clock. Shri Goyal thanked Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi for taking the concern about the safety of train passengers. Launch of CORAS is an important step in this direction. Shri Goyalalso conveyed his greetings to the Nation on Independence Day and Rakshabandhan.

Speaking on the occasion, Chairman, Railway Board,Shri Vinod Kumar Yadav said, “CORAS, a special Railway Unit is a result of detailed policy formulation. Railway Protection Force is always involved in protecting Railway passengers and Railway property in far and inaccessible threat prone areas. To meet the challenges to Railway security, CORAS, a separate Commando Unit of RPF hasbeen established. This special unit is given world class training and best facilities. This special unit will be able to meet any challenging situation.”

Speaking on the occasion, Director General, Railway Protection Force, Shri Arun Kumar said, “Railway plays an important role in connecting nook and corner of the country. To tackle the threats to Railway passengers or establishments, a special task force having trained manpower was required. Railway is currently carrying out projects, which are strategically and economically important. Commissioning of CORAS will address challenges to these ongoing projects as well as any challenging situation for Railway travellers. The commandos in CORAS are well trained in reputed institutions and are capable of meeting any precarious situation. This new unit will strengthen the Railway security.”

BACKGROUND OF CORAS (Commandos for Railway Security)

VISION STATEMENT

· To develop world level capabilities of specialized responder for any situation pertaining to damage, disturbance, disruption of train operations, attack/hostage/hijack, disaster situations in railway areas.

· Following the doctrine of graded response, minimum effective force shall be used for providing fool proof security to Indian Railways and its users.

SALIENT FEATURES

· Carved out from motivated and willing young staff of RPF/RPSF.

· With an average age between 30-35 years, CORAS will always be young and motivated staff.

· Very high physical standards to join CORAS.

· Commando Coys shall be deployed in Left Wing Extremism (LWE)/Insurgency/Terrorism affected Railway areas.

Source: https://pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1582001

Delhi-Mumbai, Delhi-Howrah overnight train journeys will no longer be a dream! Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led CCEA has given its nod to Indian Railways ambitious project of 160 kmph train journeys.

Delhi-Mumbai, Delhi-Howrah overnight train journeys will no longer be a dream! Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has given its nod to Indian Railways ambitious project of 160 kmph train journeys on Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah routes. The nod comes after the project was accorded priority status in Piyush Goyal-led Indian Railways 100 day roadmap plan. What this effectively means for Indian Railways passengers is that soon the Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah Rajdhani Express-style trains will be able to complete a trip in just 12 hours, attaining a maximum speed of 160 kmph!

In the recently held Cabinet meet, it was decided that the speed potential on the Delhi-Mumbai route (including Vadodara-Ahmedabad) and the Delhi-Howrah route (including Kanpur-Lucknow) will be increased to 160 kmph over the next few years. While the Delhi-Mumbai project would require an investment of Rs 6,806 crore, the Delhi-Howrah one will cost Rs 6,685 crore. The ambitious projects are expected to be completed by 2022-2

Delhi-Mumbai in 12 hours: Top facts and benefits

• Travel time between Delhi and Mumbai to come down by 3.5 hours. Presently the fastest Rajdhani Express takes around 15 hours.
• Impetus to semi-high speed trains like the Vande Bharat Express. LHB coaches fit for 160 kmph speed too.
• Delhi-Mumbai route passes through Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra. All 7 states on 1,483 kilometres long route expected to benefit.
• 60% increase in average speed of passenger trains and doubling of average speed of freight traffic

Delhi-Howrah in 12 hours: Top facts and benefits

• Travel time between Delhi and Howrah to come down by 5 hours. Presently the fastest Rajdhani Express takes around 17 hours.
• Impetus to semi-high speed trains like the Vande Bharat Express. LHB coaches fit for 160 kmph speed too.
• Delhi-Howrah route passes through Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. All 5 states on 1,525 kilometres long route expected to benefit.
• 60% increase in average speed of passenger trains and doubling of average speed of freight traffic

Both the projects would involve track fencing, mobile train radio communication system, automatic train protection system (world-class). Additionally, all level crossings will be eliminated on the two routes to be able to attain speeds of 160 kmph. The projects will be funded through extra budgetary resources. The projects will have a multiplier effect, with several crore mandays of jobs being generated. The Delhi-Howrah and Delhi-Mumbai routes together account for 29% of passenger traffic and 20% of freight traffic, hence forming crucial lengths of the Golden Quadrilateral.

Source: https://www.financialexpress.com/infrastructure/railways/delhi-mumbai-delhi-howrah-rajdhani-express-indian-railways-160-kmph-12-hours-trains/1669200/