General Manger NCR & NR, Rajiv Chaudhry reviewed position of Safety, new opportunities in freight loading, speed raising in New Delhi-Howrah and New Delhi Mumbai trunk routes to 160 Kmph etc. through video conferencing with PHODs of North Central Railway and Divisional Railway Managers Prayagraj, Jhansi and Agra.
Safety of trains and road users at level crossings has always remained a high priority item for Railways and many steps like construction of ROBs/RUBs in lieu of level crossings gates; interlocking of level crossing gates with signaling system of train ensuring that signal to trains comes only after closure of gate; provision of train approach warning at level crossing gates to alert gateman on approaching train from distance of 4kms; gate closure acknowledgement button as positive confirmation of gate closure communication between gateman and station master; provision of CCTV at busy level crossing gates etc. have been undertaken by North Central Railway .
With view to further enhance safety at level crossing gates General Manager emphasized on improvement in level crossing road surface and illumination infrastructure. GM suggested use of heavy duty pipe across the road surface for making speed beaker so as it doesn’t breaks frequently under load of heavy vehicles and protection against speeding vehicle is available through pipeline even if outer surface is damaged to some extent. He said that field level engineers must take stock of prevailing situation at each level crossing gate and design and construct roads at crossings in such a way that speed of approaching vehicle to level crossing is reduced to minimum but evacuation on other side of level crossing is faster . He also stressed that illumination audit of all level crossing gates must be done and any deficiency in illumination be removed immediately. Wherever local electricity is not available, adequate capacity solar light shall be fitted to ensure improved illumination and safety at level crossing gates.
On the front of freight loading North Central Railway with help of Newly formed Business Development units , improvements to goods sheds, freight loading incentive schemes etc. have been able to capture new freight traffic. This includes loading of 6.5 rakes pulses, loading of 09 rake PSC sleepers for DFC from Pahara, additional 03 rakes container loading by shifting of traffic from Okhala to Dadri, loading of one rake ballast from Gauriganj etc.
Reviewing loading performance, GM emphasized that BDUs at divisional and HQ level should interact with prospective customers more frequently to understand their requirement and then come up with workable solution to tap the available opportunity. Railways has announced slew of incentives in freight transportation through rail and latest being major subsidy in transportation of Fly ash in open wagons. To promote rail transportation of fly ash generated as byproduct from burning of coal in powerhouses etc.; 40% subsidy on transportation of fly-ash through open wagon has been announced by Ministry of Railways . This step will help in reducing input cost of fly ash brick construction and other usage and will also be environment friendly over transportation through road. North Central Railway is also working on subsidized station to station tariff (STS) for bulk loaders and one such proposal for loading by ITC from Dabra and Datia to its Bhopal plant have been finalized and loading is expected to start in current month.
Status of works required for raising speed of New Delhi- Howrah and New Delhi- Mumbai routes to 160 Kmph has been reviewed on 02.08.2020 by Ministry of Railways. North Central Railway is the most important Railway in speed enhancement work over both the trunk routes covering maximum stretch. During weekly review meeting of North Central railway on 04.08.20, General Manager Chaudhry directed for immediate planning of block working for these major works by all concerned departments i.e. Engineering, Electrical, Signalling and Mechanical. He stressed that current lean passenger operation period needs be utilized to maximum extent to carry out this massive work and directed all concerned agencies to mobiles resources immediately to start working on this ambitious and very important Railway project from September-2020.