On the occasion of 71st Republic Day, I convey my warmest greetings to all our railwaymen and their families and also convey my special greetings to our millions of valued customers. I take this opportunity also to wish all of you a very Happy and Prosperous New Year.
In the first three quarters of the current financial year freight loading in Container has surpassed last year’s loading by 10.2%. We have captured short lead container traffic from JNPT to Vapi area which was hitherto on road. This has facilitated an increase of loading of 67 rakes per month.
We have introduced 3 new trains viz. LTT- Madgaon Weekly AC Double Decker and Two DEMU services six days a week between Lonand and Phaltan for the benefit of passengers. We also ran 2475 Special trains out of which 1186 trains originated/terminated on Central Railway. Apart from this, 29 coaches on permanent basis in 5 mail/express trains and 6301 coaches on temporary basis in regular trains have been attached to clear the extra rush of passengers. Shuttle services between Aman Lodge and Matheran suspended due to heavy rains have been resumed in December 2019.
Central Railway’s ticket checking earnings during the period from April to December 2019 is Rs.155 crore which is an increase of 14.44% over the same period last year. Non-fare revenue earnings have increased to Rs.54.27 crore registering an increase of 32.53% over previous year. The sale of scrap also generated revenue of Rs.266 crore. Central Railway is saving approximately Rs.55 crore per month by procuring cheaper power through Open Access.
Central Railway’s suburban system is the lifeline of Mumbai. 15-car services have now been increased from 16 to 22. All EMU rakes have been provided with LED tube lights for better illumination. 32 EMU rakes with Bombardier electrics and better passenger amenities are inducted in service. The much awaited AC local will be introduced shortly. To facilitate fast ticketing to millions of commuters over Mumbai Suburban System, 92 one touch ATVMs have been installed at 42 suburban stations. The rescue operation in co-ordination with various agencies for 1050 passengers of Mahalaxmi Express stranded in unprecedented flooding was highly appreciated by one and all.
We have initiated an innovative concept of modifying a dismantled coach and converting it into a booking office at Pune station and opened an Oxygen Parlour at Nashik Road station to combat air pollution. Locomotive branding by advertising on locomotives on Nagpur Division, Improved VHF communication in Khandala-Lonavala ghat section of Mumbai Division by using leaky cables and commissioning water recycling plant at Kurduwadi for better water management are also few of good initiatives taken by Central Railway.
We are committed towards green environment. Approximately 6.48 lakh saplings have been planted. 35 bottle crushing machines have been installed. 15 nurseries have also been developed and 30 major stations got ISO 14001 Certification. ‘Swachchta Hi SewaPakhwada’ was observed over Central Railway from 16th to 30th September 2019 with a view to ensure visible and tangible improvement in cleanliness at all station premises to commemorate the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhiji. Ministry of Jal Shakti, department of Drinking Water and Sanitation has awarded ChhatrapatiShivajiMaharaj Terminus as the best swachh iconic place out of 30 places selected in 3 separate phases.
Infrastructure development is our focus area. The work of railway electrification in Pune-Shindavane, Kopargaon-Yeola, Miraj-Kolhapur, Butibori-Sindi and Miraj-Dahalgaon sections has been completed. Important works of doubling / third line in Kopargaon-Yeola, Sindi-Butibori, Shenoli-Takari and chord line in Daund-Manmad, Kalaburagi-Savalgi and Wadsinghe-Bhalwani section are completed. Electronic Interlocking has been commissioned at 11 stations over Central Railway, thereby improving the reliability of signaling gears.
We are committed to provide passenger amenities to our esteemed customers.RailNeer Plant has been commissioned at Butibori station. Total 28 rakes have been upgraded under project ‘Utkrisht’ and 30 more rakes have been planned to be upgraded soon. We have converted 36 LHB rakes into Head On Generation mode and 54 locomotives fit to work on HOG. Mumbai division has installed big screen indicators showing departure time of 30 upcoming local trains at ChhatrapatiShivajiMaharaj Terminus station.
We have fitted 18,437 Bio-Toilets in 5010 coaches which is about 98% of the coaches of Central Railway. Free Wi-Fi facility has been provided at 350 stations so far. We have also provided 21 escalators, 15 foot over bridges and 1 lift in the current financial year.
We have accorded highest priority to the security of our passengers. First of its kind, state of the art, Central Railway Cyber Crime Cell established at Pune is making valuable contribution towards controlling crime, illegal business of ticketing etc. The mass awareness programme ‘My Left Is My Right’ with a view to control crowd in railway premises inculcating orderliness and discipline among the commuters is being conducted regularly. RPF staff have rescued 749 children including 238 girls. ‘Operation Suvidha’ has been launched against those travelling in compartments earmarked for ladies and divyang passengers.
Staff Welfare is our prime concern. Special equipments were distributed to the disabled railway employees and wards during the celebration of International Day of persons with disabilities. A handbook on information about various schemes and facilities for persons with disability in Railway service has been released. Staff welfare schemes like “HarGhar Mein Beti” for adoption of girl child and hostel grant for higher education of girl child have been introduced under Staff Benefit Fund. Around 200 Joint Replacements and 200 minimally invasive spine surgeries have been performed at Byculla Railway Hospital which is the highest in the Indian Railway. 14 Cochlear implant surgeries have been performed in the ENT department in addition to 116 head and neck surgeries, which is also unique to this Railway.
Our sportspersons have excelled in their respective fields. Our team won Gold Medal in the All India Railway Cue Sports Championship 2019-20. ShriNagrajBhanudasKhursane, Nagpur won Gold Medal in 3000 mtrs. running race in the 85th All India Railway Athletics Championship held at Pune. ShriSiddarth Parikh and ShriMalkeet Singh both from Mumbai won Gold Medal in Billiards in All India Railway Championship. Central Railway School, Kalyan became the champions in All India Railway Schools Athletic Meet held recently at Bilaspur and won 14 Gold, 6 Silver and 3 Bronze medals. Our Cultural Team won first prize in Group Dance in the All India Inter Railway Cultural Competition held recently at Bilaspur.
We have also displayed our humane side when our officers and staff extended all possible help to the people in flood ravaged area in Maharashtra.
The above achievements would not have been possible without the positive support of the Trade Unions and the matchless zeal, vigour and teamwork of all the officers, supervisors and staff. I take this opportunity to compliment all the officers, supervisors and staff for their excellent teamwork, dedication to duty and untiring efforts in achieving our objectives. I am quite sure that fulfilling the expectations of the rail users; Central Railway will continue its glorious journey towards excellence.
“ JAI HIND ”
