SWR works to reduce carbon footprint

South Western Railway (SWR) general manager Kuldeep Chaturvedi claimed here that the SWR had in a bid to improve infrastructure and line capacity during 2010-11 laid 16 km of new lines, on the

Kadur-Sakrayapatna section.Speaking at the 53rd Railway Week celebrations organised by the SWR headquarters, he outlined the overall performance of SWR during 2010-11. “The gauge conversion on the Anandpuram-Talaguppa (45 km) and 45 km of track doubling between Ramnagaram-Chennapatna, Mysore-Naganahalli, Devanur-Ballekere and Mugad-Kambarganvi have already been completed,” he added.

Chaturvedi said, six pairs of new trains announced in the 2010 budget have been introduced. In addition to this, four mail ô express trains and three passenger trains were added. As many as 6,175 special trains were operated.

Giving special emphasis on improving the safety at level crossings, 10 unmanned level crossings have been turned into manned level crossings and 21 limited height road underbridges (RUBs) and eight normal-height road overbridges (ROBs) have been built. He said CCTVs have been installed at 11 important stations to improve safety in trains and stations. The works on Integrated Security System at Bangalore, Yeswantpur and Mysore stations are in progress. To reduce the carbon footprint, various energy-conservation measures were taken up which have saved 7.3 million units of energy worth Rs 3.92 crore during 2010-11.

Chaturvedi said SWR has carried 171.95 million passengers, registering an increase of 11.18 per cent over the previous year. The originating passenger earnings stood at Rs 1,068.20 crore, an increase of 11.65 per cent.

Over the previous year. However, the freight loading during the year was reduced by 11.2 per cent over the previous year, thanks to the ban on exporting iron ore. Mysore station the ‘Best’ Mysore railway station has won the Best Maintained Station Award under the category of major station for 2010-11.

SWR general manager Kuldeep Chaturvedi presented individual cash awards, meritorious certificates and medals among 143 railway employees, including 16 officers.