Railways
Some passengers use fake letterheads to avail emergency quota: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw
According to the railway minister, approximately 36 per cent of the berths or seats earmarked under emergency quota were utilised on an average during the financial year 2023-24. "However, since a large number of requests are received from various quarters and are dealt with on a day-to-day basis, details of requests received for release of accommodation out of emergency quota are only preserved as per extant guidelines," he said.
772 new train services, including 100 Vande Bharats, introduced in five years: Rail Minister
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Rajya Sabha on Friday that 772 train services, including 100 Vande Bharat services, have been introduced in the Indian Railways network from 2019-2020 to 2023-2024. Vaishnaw's written response was in reply to a query by BJP MP Neeraj Shekhar regarding the number of new trains proposed for 2024-25 and details about new services started in the last five years.
Vande Bharat introduced without replacing existing train services: Railway Minister
The Indian Railways launched 102 Vande Bharat trains to operate alongside existing services. These new Chair Car variants, covering distances up to 760 km, connect states with Broad Gauge electrified networks. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw provided this information while addressing questions in the Rajya Sabha on July 29, 2024.
Railways experimented with baby berths to facilitate ease of travel for mothers: Ashwini Vaishnaw
According to Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, modification and upgradation in passenger coaches is a continuous process for the railways. "To facilitate ease of travel for mothers travelling with their babies, two baby berths were provided as attachment to two lower berths in one coach of Train No. 12229/30 Lucknow Mail on trial basis," the minister said in a written reply.
5.02 lakh recruitments in Railways during NDA government compared to 4.11 lakh in UPA rule: Ashwini Vaishnaw in Lok Sabha
Replying to the debate on the working of his ministry in Lok Sabha, Minister Vaishnaw highlighted that the ratio of general coaches, including sleeper and non-AC coaches, to AC coaches is almost 2:1.
Railway Board constitutes panel to examine 2016 report on work conditions of running staff
The Railway Board has formed a new committee, consisting of three senior officials, to review the implementation of 70 recommendations from the 2013 High Power Committee on running staff working conditions. The committee, established on July 26, will assess compliance with guidelines on working and rest hours, and submit its report within a month. Zonal railways must provide feedback by August 5. This committee follows another formed earlier in July to address broader issues affecting loco pilots and guards.
First Vande Sleeper is ready and undergoing tests: Ashwini Vaishnaw
Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the first Vande Bharat sleeper train is ready and undergoing tests. This train, designed for long-distance travel (700-1000 km), is being developed by BEML with plans to deliver 10 units by the end of FY 2024-25.
Four Amrit Bharat trains currently operating: Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw
The minister said Amrit Bharat services, which are fully non-AC trains, and comprise 12 sleeper class coaches and 8 general class coaches, are providing high quality services to the passengers. He said of the 4 Amrit Bharat services in operation, 15557/15558 Darbhanga-Anand Vihar (T) Amrit Bharat Express is running via SitamarhiRaxaul-Narkatiaganj-Gorakhpur-Lucknow.
9,784 railway bridges sanctioned for repairs, rebuilding as on April 1: Vaishnaw
These members were concerned about the status of collapse of railway bridges in the last three years and the number of persons killed and injured as a result of that. They also wanted to know the steps taken by the government to repair all the old railway bridges across the country. The railway minister clarified that no railway bridge has collapsed in Maharashtra during the last three years and all railway bridges are safe for train movement at permitted speed.
Goods train wagon derails in Bengal's New Jalpaiguri
The empty petroleum wagon, which was part of the goods train, was headed for Rangapani siding when it jumped the tracks at 11:45 am, NFR CPRO Sabyasachi De told PTI. He said there was no disruption in railway traffic movement in the region. Railway personnel cleared the tracks by promptly hauling the derailed wagon, De said.
Must Watch
Snag in signalling system at CSMT hits suburban services on Central Railway
Numerous passengers began hopping off the bogies and strolling down the tracks as the trains headed for CSMT gathered on the tracks. The problem, according to commuters, was affecting both the Slow and Fast routes on the Main Line, resulting in trains arriving 20 to 30 minutes late.
Jammu-Jodhpur express train halted in Punjab after bomb threat call
An express train going from Jammu to Rajasthan's Jodhpur was halted at Kasu Begu station in Firozpur, Punjab after police received a phone call regarding a bomb threat onboard, officials said on Tuesday. Ferozepur SSP Saumya Mishra said that police teams have reached the spot and an investigation is underway.
18 coaches of Mumbai-Howrah Mail derail in Jharkhand; 2 killed, several injured
West Singhbhum (Jharkhand): As many as six people were injured after several coaches of the Howrah-CSMT Express derailed near Chakradharpur in Jharkhand on July 30. The accident took place around 3:45 am, after which Accident Relief Medical Equipment (ARME), with staff and Additional Divisional Railway Managers CKP (Chakradharpur Railway Station), reached on-site to manage the situation.
Technical snags at 2 stations delay local train services on Mumbai's Western Railway network
Local train services on the Mumbai's Western Railway network were disrupted on Tuesday morning due to the "points failures" at Santacruz and Bhayandar stations, officials said. A points failure means a fault with the movable pieces of track or their operating equipment that enable trains to change tracks. The officials said that the failed track changing points at both these locations were restored in less than an hour.
India rail accidents: A happy journey or a fatal one? 17 lives lost, hundreds injured in 6 weeks
India has experienced numerous train derailments and passenger trains in the last six weeks, with the Odisha rail tragedy last year causing over 290 deaths. The recent incidents, including the Howrah-Mumbai Mail accident near Barabamboo in Jharkhand, have left two dead and over 20 injured. The toll of these accidents in June and July has risen to nearly 17, leaving more than 100 injured.
Mumbai Howrah Train Accident: List of trains cancelled after Mumbai-Howrah Mail derailed
Jharkhand Train Accident: India witnessed another tragic train accident as 18 coaches of the Mumbai-Howrah Mail derailed near Chakradharpur, Jharkhand, resulting in casualties. Two individuals have lost their lives, and 20 others sustained injuries. Rescue operations are underway. The incident caused the cancellation and regulation of several train services, impacting travel schedules in the region.
