Page 14 - Indian Railways

Centre plans to evacuate more thermal coal through coastal shipping

Plan to evacuate more thermal coal via coastal shipping as Railways faces network congestion woes

1 dead, 7 injured as Bengaluru-Kamakhya Express derails in Odisha's Cuttack

Seven people were injured as an express train derailed in Odisha's Cuttack district on Sunday, officials said. Eleven coaches of the SMVT Bengaluru-Kamakhya AC Express derailed at Nirgundi near Manguli at 11.54 am, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of the East Coast Railway Ashok Kumar Mishra said. Odisha Fire Service Director-General Sudhansu Sarangi said seven injured people have been rescued and taken to a nearby hospital. "The maximum number of injured persons should not be more than 10," he said. Personnel of the NDRF and Odisha Fire Service were assisting the railway in the rescue operation, he added. The train was heading to Kamakhya station in Assam's Guwahati from Bengaluru. Mishra said a relief train has been sent to the spot. "Arrangements are being made to help the affected passengers reach their destinations. Our priority is to restore the line at the earliest and accordingly, other trains will be diverted," he said. Three trains were diverted because of the ..

Redevelopment of 60 Northeast railway stations begins under 'Amrit Bharat'

In total, 92 stations within the Northeast Frontier Railway's jurisdiction are earmarked for redevelopment under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme

Vande Bharat train to Kashmir: PM Modi to launch service on April 19

The long-awaited train will initially operate on the Katra-Baramulla route, before being extended to Jammu

Railways caught 21.6 mn ticketless passengers, earned Rs 562 cr: Vaishnaw

The Indian Railways has caught about 2.16 crore passengers travelling without ticket in 2023-24 and an amount of approximately Rs 562.40 crore as excess charges was realized from these travellers, the Lok Sabha was informed on Wednesday. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said this in a written reply while responding to questions raised by some members regarding the number of passengers caught without ticket during 2023-24 and other related issues. "During the year 2023-24 a total of approximately 2.16 crore passengers were detected travelling without ticket across the Indian Railways and an amount of approximately Rs 562.40 crore as excess charges (excluding fare) was realized from these passengers," Vaishnaw said When asked to provide statewise/station-wise data of ticketless travellers, Vaishnaw said that it is not maintained that way. "Special ticket checking campaigns are undertaken by zonal railways from time to time keeping in view the local conditions or as per directions ..

Railways overlooked food quality, using gas stoves in pantry: Parl panel

The committee also chastised railways for failing to progressively switch over from gas burners to electric power equipment in pantry cars

Rail mishaps dropped 90% since Lalu's time, Vaishnaw tells Rajya Sabha

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told Rajya Sabha that rail accidents fell 90 per cent since 2005-06, from 698 to 73, due to investment in tech like Kavach, stronger rails, and safety focus

Lok Sabha to discuss demands for grants under Railway Ministry, Jal Shakti

Congress leaders also submitted a motion for adjournment to discuss the "affordable quality of medicines for a healthier future" and "Impact of new RBI rule on Jewel loans"

Railways on course to achieve Scope 1 net zero in 2025: Ashwini Vaishnaw

Scope 1 emissions are greenhouse gases emitted directly from an organisation's own sources or those under its direct control

Railways' financial health sound, paying expenses from own income: Vaishnaw

Indian Railways' financials are in good condition with continuous improvement efforts underway, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Rajya Sabha on Monday. During a debate on the working of the Railways Ministry, Vaishnaw noted that the national transporter has successfully overcome pandemic-related challenges, with passengers returning to train travel and both passenger and cargo traffic showing growth. During 2023-24, Indian Railways reported a revenue of approximately Rs 2,78,000 crore against expenses of Rs 2,75,000 crore. Major expenditure components include staff costs (Rs 1,16,000 crore), pension payments (Rs 66,000 crore), energy expenses (Rs 32,000 crore), and financing costs (Rs 25,000 crore). "Railways is fulfilling its expenses from its own income because of good performance. ...Overall, the financial condition is good and we are trying to improve it on constant basis," Vaishnaw stated. The minister highlighted that Railways subsidises passenger fares while .

Trains increase coal freight capacity; power units stock up before summer

Sector experts point that demand would be met on the back of thermal power yet again

Railways clears tracks for India's first 40-kilometre hyperloop project

IIT Madras incubated TuTr Hyperloop to launch the world's first commercial hyperloop technology-based project next month

13,000 extra general tickets sold on Feb 15: Vaishnaw on Delhi stampede

Railways sold 13,000 extra general tickets at NDLS on Feb 15, the day of the stampede that killed 18; Rs 2.01 crore in compensation disbursed to 33 affected families, says railway minister

Railways' new safety steps: Smart planning or knee-jerk reaction?

Train-related information must be communicated clearly at the railway stations. At large stations, such as New Delhi Railway Station, more digital screens displaying arrivals and departures are needed

Anticipated cost of connecting Kargil with railways Rs 1.31 trn: Vaishnaw

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said a Detailed Project Report of the new Bilaspur-Manali-Leh line has been prepared

Improve freight services, diversify beyond coal, cement: Rlys parl panel

The panel suggests a service model similar to the passenger system

Holi special trains 2025: Indian Railways launches 62 trains to ease rush

Indian Railways has announced special Holi trains to avoid the high passenger demand during the festival. Holika Dahan will be on Mar 13, followed by Holi on Mar 14, and a weekend on Mar 15 and 16

Parl passes Railways (Amendment) Bill; Vaishnaw highlights infra, safety

Parliament on Monday passed a bill aimed at streamlining and modernizing railway operations in India with Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stating that the government was laying thrust on infrastructure development, safety and technology.Rajya Sabha passed the bill, which had earlier been passed by Lok Sabha.In his reply to the debate, Vaishnaw, who is Minister of Railways, Communications, and Electronics & IT, emphasized the bill's role in empowering field offices, enhancing efficiency, and reinforcing cooperative federalism.He said the bill is designed to simplify existing laws and does not diminish the powers of state governments. Instead, it promotes decentralization by granting full authority to general managers in railway zones to approve projects up to Rs 1,000 crore.Highlighting the government's commitment to railway development, Vaishnaw cited substantial budget allocations in states where the ruling party is not in power. Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and West Bengal ...

Focus on automatic train protection system: Parl committee to Railways

Improving crowd management, adopting energy-efficient technologies, and enhancing onboard amenities are some of the suggestions

Opposition accuses govt of trying to control Railway Board via new Bill

Opposition members in the Rajya Sabha on Monday accused the government of trying to take control of the Railway Board through the Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2024, and alleged that it was avoiding scrutiny by a parliamentary panel. Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw moved the Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2024, for consideration in the Upper House. The bill, which was passed by the Lok Sabha in December last year, seeks to enhance the functioning and independence of the Railway Board. With the inclusion of the Railway Board under the 1989 Railway Act, the appointment, qualifications, tenure and criteria for the Chairman and members of the Board will be the responsibility of the central government. The Bill also includes provisions to appoint an independent regulator that will oversee matters like fare determination and ensure the competitiveness of the Railways. "You have just gone for 'governmentalisation' of the Railway Board," Congress member Vivek K Tankha said while initiating ...