The popular Pune-Secundarabad Shatabdi Express has got a makeover under ‘Project Swarn’, with new colours and better facilities in all coaches of the train. The train has also been attached with an ‘Anubhuti Coach’, which includes facilities such as ergonomically designed seats, improved modular toilets and automatic sliding doors, among other things.

The revamped train will start service in its new look from Monday. The train got a complete makeover with PU paint and graphite dust-free coating on the exterior, and comfortable and pleasant interior in all 10 coaches. The train service will be formally inaugurated at 5.50 am on Monday at Pune station by Pune MP Anil Shirole.

Officials said that the coaches would have vinyl wrapping and red carpet in the passage. The train will also feature paintings of cultural heritage and folk traditions of Maharashta and Andhra Pradesh. Two CCTV cameras and room fresheners are installed in each coach. Seat numbers will also be written in Braille for visually impaired passengers. New mobile charging holders, new curtains, detachable headrests, LED reading lamps and digital clocks are also provided in the train. The train will have WiFi on board, allowing passengers to access the Internet on their gadgets.

The fare for the luxury Anubhuti coach will be 1.2 times more than the executive class fare for Shatabdi Express. No concessional tickets will be admissible in in the Anubhuti Coach. The train will depart from Pune at 5.50 am and reach Secundarabad at 2.50 pm. From Secundarabad, it will depart at 2.45 pm, reaching Pune at 11.10 pm.

Source: http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/project-swarn-pune-secundarabad-shatabdi-to-have-better-amenities-new-colours-4996711/

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Railways

24-December-2017 17:38 IST

Introduction of India’s First Ever Broad Gauge Air-conditioned AC EMU (Suburban Train) of 12-car rake fitted with Indigenous 3-phase Propulsion system On Mumbai Suburban Section of W. Railway on 25th December 2017

Railways’ New Year Bonanza For The Nation Especially for Mumbaikars.

Introductory run is scheduled from Borivali station in Mumbai.

2 Coaches earmarked as Ladies Coaches, Certain seats are earmarked for Senior Citizens and Divyangs

RPF to be deployed in each coach to ensure safety.

Discount in the fare to be given during the introductory period of initial 06 months.

 
The long awaited dream of Nation especially of Mumbaikars for ‘Cool Travelling’ in ‘Air Conditioned local train’ is going to be a pleasant reality, as First Ever Broad Gauge Air-conditioned AC EMU suburban train consisting of 12-car (12 coaches) fitted with Indigenous 3-phase Propulsion system of Ms BHEL on Mumbai Suburban Section of Western Railway is to be introduced on Monday, 25^th December,2017. As a New Year bonanza for the Nation and for Mumbaikars, this first Air Conditioned local train will depart on its historical introductory from Borivali station at 10.30 hrs and will reach Churchgate station on Monday, 25^th December, 2017. After the introduction the AC local train will be operated on the experimental basis between Churchgate & Borivali stations for a week i.e. from 25^th December to 31^st December, 2017. Afterwards w.e.f. 1^st January, 2018, this AC local train will be operated on regular basis as per the scheduled time table between Churchgate & Virar stations. Accordingly, w.e.f. 1^st January, 2018, total 12 services (6 services in UP & 6 services in DOWN direction) of  AC suburban train will be operated on weekdays only i.e. from Monday to Friday. It is decided that on Saturdays & Sundays, the rake of AC local train will not be operated for maintenance purpose.

As per the regular scheduled time table w.e.f. 1^st January, 2018 , the services of AC local train will replace existing 12 Non AC services, so the total average number of suburban services on WR’s suburban section will remain 1355, even after introduction of AC local train. Out of these 12 services of AC local train, 8 will run as fast local trains between Churchgate & Virar, stopping only at major stations i.e. Mumbai Central, Dadar, Bandra, Andheri, Borivali, Bhayander & Vasai Road in both directions. Similarly 3 fast services will run between Churchgate & Borivali stopping at Mumbai Central, Dadar, Bandra & Andheri stations in both directions. The remaining one service will run as slow service from Mahalaxmi to Borivali, which will stop at all intermediate stations. It has been decided that the AC EMU rake will be placed at Borivali station to start the introductory run at 10.30 hrs on 25^th December, 2017.

In this AC local train, coaches reserved for Ladies & Seats earmarked  for Senior Citizens/Divyangs are different from Standard Configuration. 1^st and 12^th coach from Churchgate end are earmarked as Ladies coaches and 7 seats in 2^nd and 11^th coach from Churchgate end are earmarked for Senior citizens while 10 seats in 4th and 7^th coach from Churchgate end are earmarked for Divyangs. It is also decided that suitable number of RPF constables will be deployed in each coach of this train to ensure proper security. Similarly, technicians will also be deputed in the train for trouble shooting purpose. Suitable announcements will also be ensured for opening of the door as per the platform position of upcoming station.

Fare Structure for AC local train :-

The fare structure of AC EMU service shall be as under :- 1) Base fare of the single journey of AC EMU shall be 1.3 times of the base fare of  existing fare of single journey ticket for first

class. However as an introductory offer for a period of initial six months, the base fare of single journey of AC EMU shall be charged 1.2 times of the base fare of existing fare of single journey ticket of first class.  The difference between 1.3 times and 1.2 times will be shown in the ticket as discount during the introductory period.

2) Season tickets :- Weekly, Fortnightly and monthly season tickets shall be charged equivalent  to 5, 7.5 and 10 single journey of AC EMU respectively. No other type of season tickets shall be issued for the time being.

3) AC EMU ticket holder shall also be allowed to travel by first class compartments of local trains.

The details of fare charges of AC local train are displayed as under :-

                     Comparison of 1st Class and AC Local Fare  in Rs. ( Base fare * 1.2 times for 1st 6 months )

Historical Background :

First Electric EMU train on Western Railway line was started on 5^th January, 1928 between Colaba to Borivali. BB&CI built the first Carshed at Bombay Central on 5^th January,1928 for maintenance of EMU rake. Another shed at Kandivali was established in the year 1984-85. With the increase in rake holding over the years a new shed was commissioned at Virar in April, 2013 to undertake maintenance of new technology EMU rakes. Over the last 90 years, the suburban rail service has grown rapidly. Today Western Railway runs 1355 suburban services carrying about 35 lakhs passengers per day with 89 Rakes. Initial rakes were of 4 coach configuration, which were later upgraded to 9 Car Rake in 1958. 12 Car Rakes were introduced in 1990. Today all the Rakes have been converted to 12 Car Rakes. First 15 Car Rake, which is longest suburban train, was introduced by Western Railway on 21.11.2009.As of now 54 services of 15 car are being run. By continuing the above saga, the First ever “Broad Gauge Air-conditioned AC EMU of 12-car rake fitted with Indigenous 3-phase Propulsion system of M/s. BHEL” on Indian Railway has been received in May-2017 on Western Railway for fulfilling the long standing demand of Mumbai suburban commuters.EMU Rolling Stock organisation of BCT Division has completed all the Static and Dynamic trials of the rake in co-ordination with RDSO on priority. To make the daily commute more comfortable, this rake is being introduced on 25^th December,2017   to the Mumbai Suburban passengers on Western Railway adding a new milestone in the Mumbai Suburban History.

Salient Features of Air Conditioned EMU:

1. Manufactured by Integral Coach Factory, Chennai of Indian Railways.
2. First Air conditioned EMU equipped with IGBT based 3 phase propulsion system.

iii.            Fully air conditioned rake with a capacity of 30 Ton per coach.

1. Automatic Door closure system.
2. LED based lighting for better illumination and energy conservation.
3. Equipped with Emergency Talk-back system. Passengers can seek assistance from guard of the train in distress condition.

vii.            Passenger carrying capacity – Seats 1028 Nos. and Total 5964 passengers.

viii.            LED based coach identification system for Alarm chain pulling & Door malfunctioning.

1. GPS based passenger information system with Audio-visual indication of stations.
2. PA system for Guard-Driver/ Passenger communication.
3. Stainless steel coaches with straight side walls.

xii.            Air suspension system for better Passenger comfort.

xiii.            Maximum speed – 100 Km/hour.

xiv.            Air Conditioned Driving Cab.

1. Aerodynamic nose cone driving cab.

xvi.            Equipped with Air tight vestibules connecting 6 coaches.

xvii.            Wide and large double sealed glass window for panoramic view.

xviii.            Comfortable modular polycarbonate seats for passengers.

xix.            Aluminum extruded modular luggage racks with polycarbonate transparent glass of bottom.

Automatic Door Closing System:

The door system is formed by two door leaves and drive unit mechanism located in the upper portal area. The door leaves were sliding on upper and lower rail guide, the movement of which is controlled by electrical signal received through TCMS from guard/ drivers cab. The door leaves were sliding inside pockets provided at the door opening. Following passenger safety features were provided in the automatic door closing system:

Ø   Train will not start or take traction if any of the doors of the train is open.

Ø   Automatic door will not open till the train comes to a complete halt.

Ø   Door can open both from inside and from outside of the coach with the help of emergency exit device. This device can also be used if the door fails to open automatically when required.  However, this emergency exit device will not operate when the train is in motion.

Ø   The location of emergency door opening device (operating rotary handle near door) and the method of its operation is displayed inside the coach for guidance to the passenger.

Ø   To avoid injury to passengers during closing operation of the door, doors will re-open thrice if any obstruction detection takes place. After first detection of obstruction there will be audio alarm to caution the passengers about door closing.

Passenger Carrying Capacity Coach Type-wise:

The rake comprised of three types of coaches to accommodate passengers; coach wise passenger capacity is as below:

The total capacity of the rake is 5964 passengers with 1028 seating capacity and 4936 standing capacity.

Safety features:

The Head-light and speed indicator cum recorder have been fitted on the Driving Cab. Auxiliary Warning System, Dead man’s handle, Wheel slip protection are available. In addition, following items are provided:

Event recorder: Event Recorder is provided in each driving motor coach’s Train Control and Management System (TCMS). Faults and events generated in various systems in each Basic unit were stored in respective event recorder (TCMS) of Motor coach.

Passenger alarm indication light in all coaches: Each coach is provided with an indication light on both sides of the coach. These lights are integrated with alarm chain pulling system.

Emergency evacuation of passenger Guidance:

To evacuate the passengers in case of emergencies, emergency ladders are provided with signage inside the coach.

Fire Fighting System:

Each Air Condition coach is equipped with 2 Nos of Fire Extinguisher with instruction to operate and proper arrow marking sticker.

Crew/Guard and Passenger Communication System:

GPS based passenger information system is provided in the rake.

(a)              Passenger Announcement- There is facility of Passenger announcement from motorman & guard cab to Passenger area.

(b)             Inter Communication- There is duplex Inter Communication available between Driver and Guard.

(c)              Coach Display in each coach- There are two single sided display and two double sided display in each coach. Also there are nine speakers provided in each coach for audio announcement by which motorman can communicate with passenger coach.

(d)             LED based Head code display in English and Hindi with handicap and ladies coach position is provided in front of the both driving motor coaches.

(e)              ETB: Emergency Talk Back unit is provided in the passenger areas (four in each coach) to communicate with motorman/guard during any emergency.

 Down Direction

UP Direction

The AC train services will not run on Saturdays & Sundays for maintenance purpose.

The AC train services will not run on Saturdays & Sundays for maintenance purpose.

 
The growth of suburban services during last 10 years is enumerated as under:

Source: http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=174809

The disruptive impact of demonetisation announced last year is a temporary phenomenon and the scrapping of the high-value currency would bring “permanent and substantial benefits”, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

In an interview to CNBC TV18, IMF Economic Counsellor and Director of Research Maurice Obstfeld said that although demonetisation, as well as implementation of the Goods and Services tax (GST) caused short-term disruptions, both measures would bring long-term benefits.

“The costs of demonetisation are largely temporary and we see permanent and substantial benefits accruing from the move,” Obstfeld said.

“Both demonetisation and the GST introduction will bring long-term benefits, though these caused short-term disruption,” he said.

The IMF Chief Economist described GST as a “work in progress” to which the Indian economy is “gradually adjusting”.

With businesses going into a “destocking” mode on inventories in anticipation of the GST rollout from July 1, sluggish manufacturing growth, among other factors, pulled down growth in the Indian economy during the first quarter of this fiscal to 5.7 per cent, clocking the lowest GDP growth rate under the Narendra Modi dispensation.

Breaking a five-quarter slump, however, a rise in manufacturing sector output pushed the growth rate higher to 6.3 per cent during the second quarter (July-September) of 2017-18.

Obstfeld also listed some of the reforms being undertaken by the Indian government that have impressed the multilateral agencies.

“The government has taken important first steps like bringing in the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, which helped India improve its position substantially in the World Bank’s ‘Ease of Doing Business’ rankings,” he said.

He also mentioned the recent recapitalisation plan for state-run banks announced by the government and the Asset Quality Review of commercial banks earlier ordered by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

Both measures are designed to address the issue of massive non-performing assets (NPAs), or bad loans, accumulated in the Indian banking system that have crossed a staggering Rs 8.5 lakh crore.

In a report released in Washington on Thursday, the IMF cautioned that the high volume of NPAs and the slow pace of mending corporate balance sheets are holding back investment and growth in India even though structural reforms have helped the nation record stronger growth.

The IMF’s Financial System Stability Assessment (FSSA) for India said that overall “India’s key banks appear resilient, but the system is subject to considerable vulnerabilities”.

“The financial sector is facing considerable challenges, and economic growth has recently slowed down,” the report said.

“High non-performing assets and slow deleveraging and repair of corporate balance sheets are testing the resilience of the banking system, and holding back investment and growth.”

“Stress tests show that… a group of public sector banks are highly vulnerable to further declines in asset quality and higher provisioning needs,” it added.

Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/indicators/demonetisation-gst-will-bring-long-term-benefits-imf/articleshow/62208387.cms

The Coal India Limited (CIL) Board today cleared the decks for signing of Fuel Supply Agreement (FSA), for supply of coal. Auction of coal linkages to Independent Power Producers (IPPs) having long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) have been concluded successfully by CIL whereby 27.18 Million Tonnes of annual coal linkages have been booked by 10 successful bidders.

In a major boost to 24×7 Affordable ‘Power for All’ vision of Government, these FSAs are expected to result in an annual generation of over 47 billion units per annum from the linkage coal, and an estimated savings in tariff of approx Rs. 125cr per annum for period upto 25 years.

The introduction of SHAKTI policy by Government replaced the earlier discretion based system of granting coal linkages. This transformation has helped in achieving accountability in allocation of coal. It has ensured access to coal for several stressed plants thereby also helping the banking sector and overall economy. It will also help in affordable power through transparent bidding on the basis of discount on tariffs.

Under the new policy guidelines for allocation of coal linkages to various segments of power sector issued by Ministry of Coal, CIL/SCCL are to grant coal linkages on notified price on auction basis for IPPs having already concluded domestic coal based PPAs. The bidding parameter will be levelised discount on existing tariff that the IPP is willing to provide. The likely benefit arising out of the weighted average discount on tariff as quoted by the bidders for 2.72 paise/kWh will be around Rs. 127 Crores per annum.

*****

Source: http://pib.nic.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1513480

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Railways

19-December-2017 17:20 IST

Indian Railways to Provide 100% LED Lighting on All Its Stations by the End of Current Financial Year

The Move Will Lead to Saving of About 240 Million Units of Electricity, Savings of About Rs.180 Cr. Annually

Till November 2017, about 3500 Railway stations have already been provided with 100% LED lights.

20 Lakh LED lights have been replaced at Stations across various Zonal Railways under this programme.

Ministry of Railways has also issued directives to Zonal Railways to provide LED light fittings to residential quarters as well.

Indian Railways Has Also Issued Policy for Use of Only LED Lights in All Railway Coaches/EMU, 1300 Non AC Coaches Already Converted With 100% LED Light.

Ministry of Railways is actively working to provide 100% LED lighting for its most of the Non-traction Energy needs like Railway Staff Colonies, Railway Stations, Railway Platforms etc. Under this 100% LED initiative, Ministry of Railways has decided to make all railway stations 100% LED lit by the end of current financial year i.e. by 31^st March, 2018. It is a huge initiative to provide energy efficient lighting which will eventually greatly help in conservation of environment as well.

Till date (i.e. till November 2017) about 3500 Railway stations have already been provided with 100% LED lights & all balance stations & Railway buildings will be completed in the current fiscal year. So far about 20 Lakh LED lights at stations have been replaced across various Zonal Railways under this programme. To take ahead provision of LED lights at all stations, ESCO mode in this area is also being pursued. A policy directive in this reference has been formulated and issued by Ministry of Railways. 100% LED lighting will hence improve the energy scene on Indian Railways and will reduce consumption by about 10% of total energy being utilized for its Non-traction uses, thus leading to savings of about 240 million units of electricity which will save about ₹180 Cr. annually to Railways.

With these initiatives in combination with several others in 2016-’17, 5.5% reduction was achieved in non-traction energy consumption in the year 2016-17 i.e. 4.1% reduction in energy consumption despite increase in load by 1.4% thus giving a savings of ₹100 Cr.  In the current year (6 months period i.e. April- September 2017) 7% reduction in non-traction energy consumption had already been achieved giving savings of ₹62 Cr. This in-fact was a quantum jump against the earlier average of 2% and transformed Energy Saving Pattern for railways.

Ministry of Railways has also issued directives to Zonal Railways to provide LED light fittings to residential quarters as well. Zonal Railways have already distributed about 20 lac LED luminaries to railway staff till October, 2017 under Domestic Efficient Lighting Programme (DELP) Scheme.

In addition, Indian Railways is also aiming to provide Energy efficient LED lights on all Railway coaches/EMU as well. Policy for use only LED lights in all Railway coaches has already been issued & Zonal Railways are preparing action plan. Already, 1300 non-AC second-class & 3-tier sleeper (GSCN) coaches have been converted with 100% LED lights.

*****

AKS/MKV/PM

Paying heed to the complaints it has been receiving from the citizens’ groups daily, the Central Railways (CR) has started clearing garbage lining the railway tracks.

Railway officials said 30,000 cubic metres of garbage was cleared from five locations between October and December. “Our plan is to collect 1,60,000 cubic metres of garbage in the next six months,” said Sunil Udasi, chief public relations officer, CR. “We have already collected more than 5 lakh garbage bags from these five locations. It is being slowly transported to city dumping grounds with the help of municipal corporation.”

HT had reported in February that citizens’ groups had started a twitter campaign to draw the attention of railway authorities to the dirty tracks on the Central and Western Railways. Dharmesh Barai from NGO Environment Life had identified 10 spots along railway tracks that had large quantities of garbage.

CR officials said garbage has been cleared from tracks near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Masjid Bunder, Thane, Parsik tunnel area, and Dharavi.

“The clean-up drive has already witnessed collection of lakhs of garbage bags from just five locations. As per our internal discussions, we have decided to execute the collection block-by-block, in a sequential manner. In the coming months, we will be moving northwards and focusing on sections between every station,” said Udasi.

“The main issue is domestic waste, and to control the issue, we have ensured that basic level of segregation is happening at all housing societies,” said a senior SWM official. “Awareness drives have been conducted at slum areas along railway lines, and the number of dumper trucks has also been increased at these locations for faster collection.”

Barai pointed out that notices need to be issued to societies and slum dwellers dumping waste on the tracks. “We welcome the long-awaited efforts taken by the railway authorities. However, strict monitoring needs to be done regularly along these tracks. Societies and markets that continue dumping garbage need to be penalised by either the BMC or railways,” he said. “Nullahs with outfalls along the railway lines also need a trash collection and removal system.”

While the developments have taken place only along the central line, the garbage problem persists along the western line as well. Officials from the Western Railways were not available for a comment.

Source: http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/5-lakh-bags-of-garbage-cleared-from-railway-tracks-in-mumbai/story-sRhGXALcbTMzKZeJjLUSDL.html