Outgoing General Manager of South Western Railway Takes Stock of Progress in FY 2020-21

The outgoing General Manager of South Western Railway Ajay Kumar Singh took stock of achievements in the financial year to end on 31st March 2021. He is set to retire from Indian Railways on 31st March 2021.

Indian Railways has not yet announced his replacement.

In a media interaction today, the GM looked back at all the work done during his tenure at the zone. According to information provided by SWR, the following works were completed during this period:

Operations

1. Non-consequential accidents reduced from 13 in 2018 to 5 in 2020-21.
2. The punctuality of trains in the zone rose from 88% to 96% between 2018 to 2021. SWR shot up from 16^th to 4^th position overall among all Zonal Railways.
3. Operating Ratio (a figure that shows the ratio of expenditure to earning) improved from 400% in April 2020 to 132% in Feb 2021.
4. E office implemented in all units of SWR and many digitalization initiatives.

Freight Business

1. In 2020-21, freight loading crossed 3 million tonnes each month. SWR surpassed the loading figures of last year (2021: loaded 37.07 till today i.e. 27.3.21, last year i.e. in 2020 loaded 36.70 million tonnes).
2. Business Development Units were set up on SWR and have performed well. As a result, 189 rakes of automobiles were loaded compared to 23 rakes last year.
3. The highest number of wagons in the last 4 years were loaded on 26^th March.
4. Increase in food grains loading by 511% and fertilizer by 90% this year compared to last year till date.

Infrastructure

1. 112 Subways and 12 Road Over Bridges constructed/commissioned in the last two years by eliminating level crossings. RUB at Londa constructed in a record 90 days.
2. 363 track km of work was completed and commissioned in the last two years. This includes 50 km new line work.
3. 207 km (including new line work) was commissioned this financial year and is one of the highest on Indian Railways.
4. Two lines were reopened for passenger traffic after more than 20 years. These are Hospet-Kotturu and Ambewadi-Alnawar.
5. Electrification work on 636 route km was commissioned in two years. The number of electrified lines in SWR doubled in the last 2 years.
6. Sectional Speed increased to 110 Kmph in 503 route Km ​ ​(earlier no route in SWR was fit for with 110 Kmph) and Speed increased on Loop lines ​to 30 Kmph in 332 Km.
7. Re-modelling of Hubballi Yard/Station with state of the art electronic interlocking completed at Rs.100 crores. No of platforms increased from 5 to 8. Has the world’s longest platform of 1,505 mts. Doubling from all three directions – Londa – Gadag commissioned. Second Entry on Gadag Road made operational. The third entry also coming up.
8. Yard remodelling works at Bengaluru, Yesvantpur, Mysuru and Hosapete approved completed.
9. Hubballi and Mysuru workshops are now handling LHB coaches.
10. 4,535 kWp Solar panels were installed, Solar panels at 128 stations & 306 LC gates provided.
11. Revival of a defunct century-old water reservoir at Devaragudihal, 15 km from Hubballi made SWR establishments and quarters self-sufficient in water.

Passenger Services and Amenities

1. Rs.176 crores spent on passenger amenities in the last two years.
2. New station buildings were constructed at many stations, including Dharwad, Davanagere & Belagavi. Mysuru and Yesvantpur were redeveloped.
3. 24 Foot Over Bridges,8 Escalators, 8 lifts were installed at various stations.
4. 26 pairs new trains introduced in last 2 years
5. Train connectivity to KIA Bengaluru airport introduced.
6. SWR was the first zone in the country to provide Wi-Fi connectivity for passengers at all stations.
7. First Centralized AC Terminal in entire nation provided at Sir M Visveswaraya Terminal, Bengaluru at a cost of Rs.314 Cr with 7 platforms, to decongest KSR Bengaluru and Yeswantpur Stations.
8. First Railway Museum opened in North Karnataka at Hubballi. Mysuru Railway Museum renovated and redeveloped. Malgudi museum developed at Arasalu Station.

SWR’s COVID-19 efforts

1. During Covid-19 time, 320 Sleeper Coaches converted into Covid Care Coaches in a record time of 10 days.
2. 268 Shramik specials transported 3.91 lakh passengers during Covid19 time to 55 destinations in 17 states.
3. 2.9 Lakh meals were distributed.
4. After the lockdown in SWR, 70% of the earlier express trains have been resumed. This is the zone that has resumed highest number of trains in the entire country.