Today, on the auspicious occasion of 71st .republic day of our great nation, I wish to convey my best wishes to entire Railway fraternity of North Central Railway. This is an occasion to commemorate the values of our democracy and Republic. This is an occasion to reaffirm our commitment to liberty, fraternity and equality across our society and among all our citizens and above all, this is an occasion to celebrate India and the spirit of being Indian. This is also an occasion to recall our achievements and work upon our areas of concern to bring sustainable growth and provide better service to our customers.
This day last year we had started serving the pilgrims of the Kumbh 2019 and we had pledged to make sure that all pilgrims are given the best of facilities for their safe and timely rail travel. I am happy and proud to report that with the efforts of you all we were able to do so and earn accolades for the NCR and the Railways.
North Central Railway, since its inception in year 2003, has emerged as an important constituent of Indian Railways. Importance of our zone can be easily gauged by the fact that we carry 10 percent of total traffic of Indian Railways with just 5 percent of its assets and we serve strategically most crucial IR routes i.e. 58% of Delhi-Howrah and 24% of Delhi-Chennai routes. Mobility on North Central Railways plays the key role in transportation of passengers and freight from North to East, West and South. Though NCR is primarily a passing through Railway however we have taken significant steps to increase originating earning which is reflected in our performance with an increase of 1.3 percent in originating passenger earning and best ever 42.70 percent increase in sundry earnings by December 2019 over same period of last year.
Our food-grain and fertilizer loading have increased by 109 and 20 percent respectively in the current year. Regular drives against social evil of ticketless travel fetched us Rs 91.22 crores till December -19 registering an improvement of 5.90 percent over last year while additional revenue of Rs. 116 Crore has been generated through scrap sale till December, 2019.
Customer Satisfaction is the indicator of our success. In order to achieve it, our services are being upgraded continuously. For the convenience of our passengers, 5 stations have been developed as Adarsh stations during this year, 30 escalators and 18 lifts have been provided on different stations while 36 additional escalators and 30 lifts are planned for installation. 3 new Foot Over Bridges have been commissioned on Fatehpur Sikri, Bindki Road and Bamhrauli stations in the current financial year while 6 more foot over bridges shall be constructed by March. To ensure easy availability of tickets to passengers, 147 Automatic Ticket Vending Machines have been installed so far on various stations of NCR.
In addition to conventional methods of ticket sale, UTS on Mobile app is implemented in all three divisions and innovative Mobile UTS(MUTS) is deployed for ease of ticketing to pilgrims at Prayagraj in Magh Mela 2020.In order to provide quality catering services Train side vending has been started in 31 trains of Jhansi-Kanpur section along with E-catering in 28 pairs of trains. Water Vending machines have been provided at 149 locations for providing affordable and clean drinking water facility to passengers on various Railway Stations. With commissioning of Wi-fi at 200 stations during ongoing financial year this facility is now available at 247 stations. Public address systems have been installed at 57 additional stations. New c oach guidance system along with Integrated Passenger Information System has been commissioned on 5 stations. Urgent medical aid during journey was provided to more than 7500 passengers in the ongoing financial year.
To ease passenger rush, 610 trips of special trains were run over North Central Railway. In addition to prestigious Vande Bharat Express introduced from 15th February, 2019, two additional new trains, Lucknow-New Delhi Tejas Exp. & Kota-Etawah Exp. have also been started. 2947 additional Coaches were attached in various trains to meet temporary requirement while two trains were augmented on permanent basis. The Rail Bus Service on Mathura-Vrindaban section has been restored for convenience of passengers. Our efforts led to introduction of sleeper coaches in Humsafar express for the first time in Indian Railway.
To provide clean traveling environment to our valued passengers, On-board housekeeping services have been provided in all 29 qualifying trains of NCR. For ensuring good quality linen in AC coaches, mechanized laundries are in operation at Allahabad and Gwalior. The process of setting a 14 Ton BOOT Laundry at Allahabad is in advanced stages. All passenger coaches of NCR have been fitted with Bio-toilets& 121 NSG stations have been provided with Divyang toilets.
Our loco pilots have done commendable job in saving of energy worth over Rs. 60 Crores through electricity regeneration in 3-phase electric locomotives. As a part of Green Initiative and efforts to reduce capacity crunch over the zone Khairar-Manikpur, Bharatpur-Bandikui & Chunar-Chopan sections have been electrified this year. To further strengthen the noble initiative 12primary LHB rakes of NCR have been converted to HOG. We have also planted around 13.50 Lakh saplings in the current financial year. With sustained efforts we retained our position as leader in solar energy generation in Indian Railway.
North Central Railway serves the busiest routes of Indian Railways and has very fast growing requirement to run more trains. To cater this, additional capacity is being created through adding new infrastructure and strengthening the existing ones. Two new stations “Gazika & Usargaon” have been constructed this year. We have commissioned automatic signaling in Ajaibpur-Maripat and Rooma Chakeri sections of Allahabad division and Electronic Interlocking at 9 Stations. This includes Tundla which with 655 routes which is second biggest in such yard in India. With this all mechanical lever frames on Delhi-Howrah route have been eliminated, which is a big step in safety. Similarly Work of Govindpuri for provision of additional loops and attached yard remodeling has been completed. This will substantially improve operations at Kanpur. Bhimsen-Govindpuri doubling and Non-Interlocking work related to Parichha-Nandkhas doubling has also been recently completed. We have also improved average speed on various sections like Birla Nagar-Soni, Jhansi-Parichha, Parauna-Bhua sections of NCR. 11 permanent speed restrictions have also been relaxed or removed this year.
In connection with the DFC routes, yard remodeling at Maitha and Bhaupur has been completed. We started running goods trains on DFC from Bhadan and Khurja Jn and so far run 820 trains. This helped us in better operation of passenger carrying trains between Ghaziabad and Kanpur.
We are adopting latest technology and methods to upgrade safety, security and reliability in train operations. A comprehensive safety grid of automated wayside rolling stock monitoring systems is being developed over NCR. This system covers all major defects of rolling stock like Hot Axle, Brake Binding, Hanging Parts etc. Maintenance inputs to most important Railway asset i.e. P-way have been increased through 67% higher TRR, 51% CTR and 29% more deep screening work over last year. 25 Bridges have been rehabilitated during ongoing financial year. In order to strengthen communication, 195 KM OFC network laid over North Central Railway & Mobile Train Radio Communication in Ghaziabad-Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyay Jn. route has also been commissioned. In the current financial year NCR achieved a rare feat of punctuality improvement of over 20 percent while giving 40 percent more traffic blocks over the corresponding period of last year till December.
Safety in train operation has always remained our prime focus area. In a significant step towards improving safety of road users, 75manned level crossings have been closed this year and 4 ROBs and 23 RUBs have been constructed on various routes of NCR. Regular safety campaigns through Mobile Video Van, Radio, SMS, social Media etc. are being run to create large scale awareness. To overcome the problem of hindrance to train operation due to gate boom breakage, 34 sensitive level crossings have been provided with sliding booms in the current year. ‘Gate close Acknowledge button’ have also been provided at all 153 electrically interlocked gates for enhanced safety.
Information technology has emerged as the most important transparency tool over the recent years. It has not only empowered the end user but also enabled efficient and transparent functioning in offices. e-Office is already implemented in Jhansi division and Headquarters, while Agra and Allahabad divisions will adopt it by June-2020. Our vigilance wing has been active in curbing corruption. They have issued system improvement guidelines related to contractual work and employee provident fund for effecting fair and transparent work culture.
Security of passengers is always accorded highest priority on NCR. To curb ACP, 5518offenders caught and fine of Rs. 34,41,563/- has been realized. Besides this, 7355 persons indulged in unauthorized vending and 12500 illegal entrants in Divyang or ladies coach were also arrested. Our alert and vigilant staff received around 2500 calls from passengers and their security related needs were addressed on real-time basis. In addition, showing humane face, our security personnel have rescued 1100 kids separated from their families.
Our sportspersons have always kept our flag high at various sports arenas. I, congratulate Ms. Poonam Yadav on getting prestigious Arjun Award for her outstanding contribution to women’s cricket. Hockey players Ms. Gurjit Kaur and Ms. Nisha of NCR will be representing Nation in Olympic Games to be organized in Japan in2020. Our wrestler Shri Pawan won Gold medal & athlete Ms. Kavita Yadav won silver medal in recently concluded South Asian Games at Kathmandu. Our Agra division successfully organized Inter Railway Wrestling Championship in Oct.-2019.
Staff welfare has been our priority and facilities provided to them are being upgraded continuously for improved employee satisfaction. Facilities of High Dependency Unit and Critical care Ambulance are now available at Central hospital. We are ensuring health check-up for our entire work force through regular camps organized at work places, schools and various Railway hospitals. 57414 employees have been registered on UMID Portal for issue of the countrywide smart medical card and 45000 such cards for improved medical facilities are already issued. This will allow railwaymen to get medical attention at any Railway hospital in the country. Realising the importance of mid career training we have covered more than 90% of our work force under training program Project Saksham-II to equip them with requisite knowledge on assigned job and to sharpen their skills. Our Rajbhasha wing has been doing wonderfully well towards fulfillment of our statuary responsibility. One of our officer got Railway Minister Rajbhasha Medal and several employees have also won prizes at all India level Railway Rajbhasa competitions.
I complement and thank our recognized unions, federations and associations for playing a very constructive role in maintaining peaceful and cordial industrial relations over the Railway. All this would not have been possible without a fair, just and work culture and constructive thriving industrial relation environment.
I also express my gratitude to NCRWWO for their exemplary and selfless efforts in helping needy Railway families through various welfare schemes run by them. In addition to it, they are doing commendable works towards environmental awareness by planting saplings and organizing competitions etc. Drawing, painting, quiz and other competitions organized by NCRWWO for children on various concurrent issues will go a long way in development of the society. Our Scouts & Guides, Civil Defence and St. Johns Ambulance brigade personnel are also making valuable contributions to the society by serving the passengers during Mela and other rush periods.
Today on this occasion I call upon my fellow Railwaymen to join our hands together to the progress of North Central Railway, so that Indian Railway can further contribute in the nation building.
Jai Hind!
Rajiv Chaudhry
General Manager
