PASSENGER AMENITIES, SERVICES AND DIGITAL INDIA INITIATIVES
· Provision of All India Security Helpline ‘182’
All India Security Helpline ‘182’ has been provided over Indian Railway to facilitate the travelling passenger. The service is very important public service and may play an important role in any emergency like crime against women, onboard unlawful activity, train accidents, medical attention required fire etc.
· Provision of All India Passenger Helpline ‘138’
The All India Passenger Helpline ‘138’ has been provided as a public interface for quarries/complaints related to Medical Emergency, Cleanliness, Food & Catering, Coach Maintenance, Linen etc. (Except Security).
· Complaint Management System (COMS) Portal
For the help and assistance to bona fide railway passengers to give their feedback and also to register their complaints, Minister of Railways has launched Complaint Management System (COMS) portal on 02.03.2015 which consists of the following application
- A mobile app based complaints and suggestion application (currently on the android platform)
- A web based complaints ans suggestions application on URLwww.coms.indianrailways.gov.in
- As sms based complaints and suggestion application on the number 9717630982
· E-Catering - In order to widen the range of food options available to passengers, E-catering services have been introduced, through Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) in trains without pantry car or Train Side Vending as well as on 45 designated stations from where passengers of originating/passing trains can avail of this facility. IRCTC has set up a call centre with toll free no. 1800-1034-139, developed a website www.ecatering.irctc.co.inand also SMS facility to 139 as MEAL<PNR> to take orders.
· Water Vending Machine: As a recent initiative, to ensure availability of clean drinking water at low cost to the passengers, a policy on Water Vending Machines (WVMs) has been notified on 16/06/2015. These WVMs are to be set up by Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) at identified Railway stations.
· Pre-cooked Food (ready to eat meals) - Railways have conducted trials for service of pre-cooked (ready-to-eat) meals of reputed brands on some trains. A policy guideline on “Ready to Eat Meals” has been issued to zonal railways on 30.01.2015.
· First workshop of all Food Safety Officer, Designated Officers & IRCTC Officers held in Kolkata to improve the standard of food safety in Indian Railways.
· Executive Lounge: Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has introduced an Executive Lounge at New Delhi railway station. The Executive Lounge provide value added services at a charge, offering facilities such as WiFi Internet, buffet services, wash and change, concierge services for pre-departure and post-arrival assistance to passengers. IRCTC is in the process of setting up Executive Lounges at 48 more stations.
· Concierge Services: Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has introduced concierge services (pick-up & drop and porter services), as Pilot Project at a few railway stations. The stations are New Delhi, Mysore, Bhubaneswar, Howrah, Patna, Secunderabad, Jaipur, Tirupati, Ernakulam, Lucknow, Chandigarh, Lucknow Jn., Delhi, Hazrat Nizamuddin, Delhi Safdarjung, Anand Vihar Terminal, Delhi Cantt, Delhi Sarai Rohilla, Vijayawada, Guntur, Ahmedabad and Sabarmati Jn.
· Mid-Segment Tourist train: Indian Railways in association with Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has now introduced a mid-segment tourist train also. The all inclusive round trip packages covers rail transportation in different air-conditioned classes, local transportation, guided tour for sightseeing in groups, variety of meals and hotel accommodation etc. To begin with, a train on the circuit Delhi – Jaisalmer – Jaipur – Delhi commenced operation on 13.12.2015 while the second one on the circuit Delhi – Varanasi – Khajuraho – Agra – Delhi is scheduled to commence operation on 20.12.2015.
· New Trains : - Upto the month of November, 2015 112 new trains and 15 extension of trains and 5 increase in frequency have been implemented as announced in Railway Budget 2014-15. No new train has been announced in Railway Budget 2015-16
· Augmentation : - Indian Railways also facilitates the passengers by augmenting the load of popular trains services by attaching extra coaches on permanent basis and thereby generating extra carrying capacity. During the year 2015-16 upto November 2015, Indian Railways attached 691 coaches thereby generating an additional capacity of 45605 berth/seats which also includes augmentation of 52 pairs of Mail/Express trains to 23/24 coaches during the Year 2015-16
· Special Trains : - During peak seasons special trains are operated by Indian Railways to clear the extra rush of passengers. This year upto November to facilitate passengers, Indian Railways have run 23666 train trips in the Year 2015-16.
· Election Special :- During election in the State of Bihar, 36 Special trains were made to run.
· Mela Special : During Sinhastha Kumbh Mela – 2015 in order to cater the extra rush of passengers traffic, Board arranged additional rakes (of 236 coaches) and 32 cars of MEMU/DEMU rakes . During Mela period, 608 special were made run and 795 coaches were temporarily augmented. Besides, 789 GS coaches of regular train services were earmarked for the pilgrims.
· Non-Budget Trains : Owing to heavy public demand and completion of gauge-conversion of some sections the 13 pair Non-Budget new trains have been introduced upto December 2015.
· Experimental Stoppage in trains : - During the current year upto November, 2015, 146 stoppages have been provided in Mail/Express trains (in single) on an experimental basis.
· Computerised Parcel Management System implemented on New Delhi – Howrah, New Delhi – Mumbai, New Delhi – Chennai, Howrah-Chennai and Howrah-Mumbai route.
· Computerisation of Retiring Room booking launched at more than 480 locations.
· Paperless Unreserved Ticketing through Mobile Phone between Church Gate and Dahanu Road.
· Paperless Unreserved Ticketing through Mobile Phone between New Delhi –Palwal Section
· Destination Alerts to passengers through SMS for Rajdhani and Duronto trains.
· E-ticketing Portal in Hindi
· Currency Coin cum Card operated Automatic Ticket Vending Machines at New Delhi Railway Station.
· Currency-cum-coin-cum-card based Automatic Ticketing Vending Machines (ATVMs) commissioned over Central Railway, Easter Railway, Western Railway, Southern Railway, Northern Railway and South Central Railway.
· Concession based ticketing including online ticketing for the physically challenged persons using Photo identity Card issued by the Railways.
· Lower berths to senior citizens : With a view to facilitate senior citizens and female passengers when travelling alone, a combined reservation quota of two lower berths per coach in Sleeper class has been enhanced to four lower berths per coach is Sleeper class. Further w.e.f. 01.11.2015, the facility of booking tickets under senior citizen quota will be permitted even when two passengers eligible to book tickets under this quota intend to book.
· Staggering to Tatkal booking timings : - W.e.f. 15.06.2015, the timings for reservation under Tatkal scheme has been staggered and now it opens at 10.00 hours on the previous day of journey from train originating station. Also, all types of ticketing agents( YTSK, RTSAs, IRCTC agents, etc.) are debarred from booking tickets during first thirty minutes of opening of booking i.e. from 08.00 to 08.30 hours for general bookings, and from 10.00 to 10.30 hours and 11.00 to 11.30 hours for Tatkal booking in AC & non-AC classes respectively.
· Automatic refund of Confirmed / RAC e-tickets on cancellation of trains : Automatic refund of Confirmed /RAC e-tickets on cancellation of trains similar to waitlisted e-tickets is granted There is no requirement for cancellation/filing of TDR for refund of e-ticket in case of cancellation of trains.
· Introduction of Suvidha Trains : - Suvidha Trains have been introduced wherein the maximum Advance Reservation Period is 30 days while the minimum Advance Reservation Period is 10 days. Zonal Railways will decide the exact ARP of reach train within this limit.
· Opening of PRS counters beyond 2000 hours on week days and beyond 14.00 hours on Sundays : - Instructions were issued on 15.5.2014 wherein Zonal Railways were advised that subject to demand and availability of manpower, the PRS counters can be opened even beyond 20.00 hours on week days and beyond 14.00 hours on Sundays. This has facilitated the passengers in getting reserved tickets through PRS counters as per their convenience.
· Timings for advance reservation : - Time limits for booking reserved tickets was increased to 120 days w.e.f. 01.04.2015. This has facilitated the passengers to plan their journey well in advance.
· Change in timings of booking through internet : The timings of booking reserved tickets through internet have been changed and is now available daily from 00.30 hours to 23.45 hours.
· Fitment of dustbins in all coaches including non AC coaches.
· A special train on Gandhi Circuit covering places related to life and work of Mahatma Gandhi run.
· A kisan Yatra special train to help the farmers has also been run. Kisan Yatra special coaches have been operated from different parts.
· The frequency of Maitree Express was increased from 3 to 4 per week and an additional AC Chair Car was added.
· It has been decided to provide stainless steel mug with chain arrangement in Non-AC coaches also as being provided in AC coaches.
· It was decided to upgrade the specification and design of linen and curtains provided in AC coaches through consultancy with NIFT and accordingly an agreement was executed.
· Commencement of provision of Braille signage on 3000 Coaches.
INFRASTRUCTURE AND MAKE IN INDIA INITIATIVE
· The MoU between India and Japan has been signed on the cooperation and assistance in the Mumbai – Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Project. Japan has offered an assistance of over Rs.79,000 crores. The loan is for a period of 50 years with 15 years moratorium with the interest rate is 0.1 per cent. The project is a 508 Kilometer line costing a total of Rs. 97,636 crores. Then the project is to be implemented in a period of seven years. It has been agreed that for the Mumbai – Ahmedabad HSR Project Shinkansen Technology will be adopted. The cooperation of Japan on this project will also be fixed on transfer of technology and “Make in India”. Japan will assist India in training of personnel for HSR
· Provision of Optical Fibre Cable (OFC)
1,098 Rkms OFC has been laid. Cumulatively, 48,818 Rkms (approx.) OFC has been commissioned over Indian Railways enabling high speed communication network.
· Provision of Video Conferencing System
A new Video Conferencing System connecting Civil Engineering officials of Railway zones based on latest state of art technology has been commissioned in Board. This system has the provision of two concurrent Multi Part Conference of 60 participant of Railway Board & Zonal Railway having provision of simultaneous display of 24 participants of single screen.
· 2 locomotive factories at Madhepura and Marhowrah successfully bid after 7 years. DLF Marhowra will manufacture and supply modern diesel electric locomotives of 4500 HP and 6000 HP (which in combination can operate as 9000 HP and 12000 HP multiple units). ELF Madhepura will manufacture and supply modern electric locomotives of high horse power namely 12000 HP. Under the agreement, 1000 diesel locos will be manufactured in a period of 11 years with a basic cost of Rs.14,656 crore and 800 electric locos will be manufactured in a period of 11 years at a basic cost of Rs.19904 crore. The cost of setting up factories is around Rs.1300/- each. Taking into account the cost of setting up factories and maintenance facilities, these two projects together are worth Rs.40,000/- crore.
· Train sets for improving passenger comfort and reducing travel time ; EOI invited. 5 international bidders shortlisted for participation RFP.
· Rail Coach Factory at Kanchrapara – Fresh RFQ application have been called. Will be opened in December, 2015.
· Modern LHB Coach manufacturing facility Phase-1 commissioned at ICF Chennai. Indian Railways will shift 100% to 160 kmph fit LHB coaches in next 5 years.
· ICF Chennai has developed first of its kind stainless steel 3 phase energy efficient AC-AC transmission 1600 HP DEMU train set. The first air-conditioned DEMU was manufactured this year by ICF.
· DLW Varanasi developed designs and manufactured 5500HP Diesel Locomotives. Moving towards Make in India – Design in India.
· Indian Railways signed an Assured Off Take Agreements (AOT) for manufacturing of 1200 wagons per annum and rehabilitation of 300 wagons per annum for a period of 10 years with SAIL-RITES Bengal Wagon Industry Pvt. Ltd. (SRBWIPL) Kulti, West Bengal
· Traction Alternator Factory at Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh - The project aims to manufacture 100 traction alternators per annum of high horse power diesel locomotives which are currently being imported
FREIGHT
· Automotive rebate for Traditional Empty Flow Direction Traffic with a view to convert empty running of rakes into loaded one, automatic freight rebate scheme has been introduced from 25.6.2015 wherein all rakes loaded in notified empty flow direction are charged at Class – LR1 (Train load) and at Class-100 (Wagon load), subject to certain terms and conditions.
· Various proposals under different Railway schemes like Private Freight Terminals (PFT), Special Freight Train Operator Scheme (SFTO), Automobile Freight Train Operator Scheme (AFTO), Liberalized Wagon Investment Scheme (LWIS), Wagon Leasing Scheme (WLS) have been finalized.
· Mobile Application for Freight Operations (PARICHAALAN)
· Heavy Haul Initiative - The prototype of the 25T axle load BOXNS wagons has been made during Oct’15. The wagon will run at 100 kmph in loaded and empty condition with pay load to tare ratio of 4.1 as compared to conventional BOXNHL wagons, which have payload to tare ratio of about 3.6. These wagons will achieve increased throughput per week by 14.8%.
SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT, INNOVATION AND RESOURCE MOBILIZATION
· Innovative Funding initiatives and non traditional sources of funding:
Many initiatives were taken to explore alternative sources of funding, besides the traditional GBS route. These are listed as follows:
a) An Memorandum of Understanding with LIC of India was signed on 11.3.2015 for committed long-term funding to the tune of Rs 1.5 lakh crore over 5 years for financing Railway projects. First tranche of Rs 2000 cr has been received.
b) MOF approved issue of tax free bonds by IRFC amounting to Rs.6,000 crore during the FY 2015-16; the entire amount has been raised from the market.
c) World Bank was approached to explore the possibility of setting up a Railway Infrastructure Development Fund for raising resources for long term investment in Railways. A detailed scope and options study has been commissioned by World Bank which is currently in progress.
d) World Bank loan of USD 650 million to finance Eastern DFC – Phase 3 (Khurja-Ludhiana & Khurja-Dadri section) has been negotiated as a direct loan to DFCCIL under Govt. of India guarantee.
e) IRFC’s proposal to raise a Syndicated Foreign Currency Loan of USD 400 million to re-finance an earlier ECB of the same amount, aimed at achieving a saving in debt service costs by about Rs.33 crore, has been agreed and backed by MOR.
· Speedy Project Implementation and Execution:
Following steps were taken to improve project delivery by addressing the issues of fund availability and empowerment of field organization:
a) Identification of projects leading to throughput enhancement/network decongestion was done and these projects were prioritized for dedicated financing and targeted execution. These projects have been provided adequate funding to enable timely completion.
b) For prompt and speedy execution of Railway Projects, it was decided to delegate full powers to General Managers for acceptance of tenders. The powers to revise estimates have also been enhanced.
· Policy Formulation:
a) The policy guidelines on station redevelopment on Swiss challenge mode, were finalized and issued.
b) Model Concession agreement for Customer Funded model was finalized and issued.
c) Model Agreement for EPC was finalized and issued.
· Obtaining professional input from outside agencies:
a)A Working Group and an Advisory Body have been constituted to assist in suggesting modified accounting system.
b) Financial Services Cell headed by Adv (Finance) has been constituted in the Railways and services of SBICAPS are being engaged to obtain expert inputs.
c) An Advisory Board on Railway finances with members drawn from the highest echelons of financial world like SBI Chairman, MD & CEO/ IDFC Bank and Shri Raghav Bahl, Founder, The Quintillion Media Pvt. Ltd. has been constituted. Members have given valuable ideas and suggestions on diverse topics like investment strategies and accounting reform.
SAFETY
· Working towards ‘Zero Accident’ Mission.
· Train Protection Warning System (TPWS):<span sty