After Union Railway minister Suresh Prabhu on Thursday tabled the passenger-centric Budget for 2016-17, Northern Railways, under the leadership of General Manager, A K Puthia gears up to fulfil the visions of the Budget.
Puthia, on Friday, held a press conference at Northern Railway Headquarters Office, Baroda House, New Delhi to brief the media about the action plans of the zone. Principal Heads of Departments and Divisional Railway Manager, Northern Railway, Delhi, Arun Arora were also present on the occasion.
As Northern Railway gears to fulfil rail projects and passenger-centric initiatives laid out in the Rail Budget 2016-17, Puthia laid out the broad statement of action plans and financial statement of the zone. Taking an overview of the varied scenario of the Railway vis-à-vis the previous year, Puthia pointed out to the marked change in general public perception regarding the improved state of cleanliness at railway stations and in trains.
He attributed this to the consistent efforts of the Railway to spruce its premises of littering and garbage, especially the targeted anti-littering drive and Shramdaan initiatives of Railway personnel under the Swachh Rail programme. Cleaning contracts awarded to 86 stations and impress upon for cleanliness to Station Masters extended to 923 stations. The On-board House-keeping services on trains have been extended to 94 trains during the current year. Bio-toilets are now provided in 900 coaches of Northern Railway.
The Vacuum-cum-Bio-Toilet presently introduced as a pilot project in Dibrugarh Rajdhani would be progressively extended.
Safety at Level-crossing has been a principal subject and 123 level-crossings eliminated through suitable construction of ROB/RUB/Sub-ways (LHS) on the zone vis-à-vis 75 constructions during 2014-15. During the year 2016-17, Northern Railway has a target of elimination of 200 Level-crossings through suitable construction of ROB/RUB/LHS.
Capacity Enhancement has been a targeted goal. During the year, Northern Railway added about 200 km to its track length, a noteworthy record of consistent endeavour.
Highlights
- Added about 200 km to its track length
- In 2016-17, NR plans for doubling of 300 km racks
- Saved six lakh litre of diesel in a single month by electrification of the Ghaziabad-Moradabad section
- Lifts to be provided at 86 stations and escalators at 86 locations during 2016-17
- 7,800 kilowatt solar energy generation target during 2016-17
- 15,000 LED-based lights shall be provided including LED lights in 250 coaches
- Mobile charging points to be provided at 580 coaches
- Has apprehended 26 per cent more touts and increased 35 per cent action against unauthorised ticketing agencies during the year
- 41,000 persons could be convicted on NR, and a penalty of Rs 1.45 crore has been realised