A comprehensive system called the Clean Train Station System has been introduced in the Indian Railways by standardizing the methods of ensuring cleaning of trains at identified intermediate stations. The new system was necessitated because of the intensive use of our trains and the long distance traveled. By the end of November 2005, the system has already been implemented at Ratlam, Bhusawal, Asansol, Vishakhapatnam and New Jalpaiguri and it is proposed to introduce this system at 12 more railway stations viz. New Delhi, Kanpur, Gorakhpur, Jaipur, Erode, Vijayawada, Raurkela, Bilaspur, Mughal Sarai, Hubli, Ahmedabad and Itarsi. This was stated by Shri Lalu Prasad, Union Minister for Railways at the Consultative Committee Meeting of MPs attached to the Ministry of Railways held here today.
Others present in the meeting included Shri Naranbhai J. Rathwa and Shri R. Velu, Ministers of State for Railways, Shri J. P. Batra, Chairman, Railway Board, members of the Railway Board and other senior officials. The Members of Parliament, who attended the meeting, included Sarvashri Nizamuddin, Abdul Mannan Hossain, Furkan Ansari, Chandra Sekhar Sahu, D. C. Srikantappa, Amitava Nandy, Alkesh Das, Prabodh Panda, Devidas A. Pingale, D. Ravinder Naik, Rabindra Rana, A.T.G. R. Patil, R. K. Dhawan, A. K. Patel, T. S. Bajwa, Birabhadra Singh, Ms Kiran Maheshwari, Smt. Susmita Bauri and Smt. Maya Singh.
Shri Lalu Prasad told the members that the railways have already carried 481 million tonnes of freight loading till December 2005 and are expecting to achieve 665 million tonnes of freight loading against the target of 635 million tonnes, in this financial year, which will be a landmark in this field.
The Minister said that a National Train Enquiry System (NTES) has also been started at 188 railway stations. The system provides information to passengers about the train running positions and departure/arrival timings of different trains. It enables passengers to make enquiries over the phone which are answered automatically by the IVRS system. Shri Lalu Prasad told the members that Unreserved Ticketing System has been developed through which a passenger can buy an unreserved ticket three days in advance. The system is already in vogue at 355 locations and is being extended to 350 more locations.
Touch Screen facility has been introduced at 66 locations and a passenger can now get information about his own travel just by touching the screen of a computer. The facility is being extended to 30 more locations.
The Minister told the members that the Indian Rail Catering & Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has made a beginning by introducing Food Plazas. Automatic Vending Machines are being opened at Reservation Centres, Goods Offices, Parcel Offices and Station complexes to make available hot and cold drinks to the people. The facility of mobile charger has already been provided in AC coaches and will be extended to other coaches as well.
The safety and security of railways is a matter of utmost concern to the Ministry. 10000 constables including 470 women have been recruited in the Railway Protection Force. The number of accidents are coming down and a Corporate Safety Plan has been proposed at a cost of Rs.31835 crore under which signalling, traffic and rolling stock are not only being modernized but new techniques are also being adopted for the same. The old bridges, tracks and other properties are being revamped. Shri Lalu said that a non-lapsable Special Railway Safety Fund (SRSF) introduced in the year 2001 has been utilized for renewal of 11740 km of railway track besides renovation of 2700 bridges
.
The members expressed satisfaction over the excellent performance of the railways particularly freight revenue and launching of the new container policyj permitting private parties to run container trains for both import-export and domestic traffic. However, members said that there was ample room for improving passenger amenities at various railway stations like catering, cleanliness at platforms and trains, train enquiry system, drinking water facilities etc. One of the members suggested provision for a doctor in long distance trains. Another member suggested addition of more unreserved coaches in long distance trains. Members also suggested steps to ensure more security for women, steps to check unauthorized entry in trains, introduction of touch screen system in all platforms specially at New Delhi station both on Ajmeri Gate and Paharganj side etc.
IKC/HK/CK
(Release ID :15047)