logo
Traction distribution dept achieves ISO 9001:2015 certification

Traction distribution dept achieves ISO 9001:2015 certification

Hans India4 days ago

Vijayawada: In a significant first for Indian Railways, the Traction Distribution Department of South Central Railway's Vijayawada Division has been awarded the ISO 9001:2015 quality management system certification. This landmark achievement was announced by Narendra A Patil, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of Vijayawada Division.
The comprehensive certification spans 22 strategic locations within the division, encompassing all TRD depots, TRD offices, and the TRD store. It recognises the department's unwavering commitment to the quality maintenance of Overhead Equipment (OHE) and vital power supply installations, both of which are critical for the safe and efficient operation of electric locomotives.
The certification was granted by QRO Certifications, a renowned certification body, through Harsha Technologies of Hyderabad. This followed a series of stringent and thorough audits that meticulously assessed the quality and consistency of the TRD Department's service delivery.
'This milestone makes Vijayawada Division the first division in Indian Railways to secure ISO 9001:2015 certification for its entire TRD Department,' stated the announcement.
Speaking on this momentous occasion, DRM Narendra A Patil extended his heartfelt congratulations to Ch Dinesh Reddy, senior divisional electrical engineer and the entire traction distribution department team.
He lauded their exemplary dedication and sustained efforts in elevating service standards. 'This certification is not just a recognition — it's a responsibility to maintain the highest quality and safety standards for uninterrupted passenger services across the Division,' added the DRM.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Maha Kumbh sparked ₹500 cr tax surge in UP, spurred economic growth: Report
Maha Kumbh sparked ₹500 cr tax surge in UP, spurred economic growth: Report

Business Standard

time7 hours ago

  • Business Standard

Maha Kumbh sparked ₹500 cr tax surge in UP, spurred economic growth: Report

The 45-day Maha Kumbh held in Prayagraj has proven to be more than just a massive religious gathering — it has become a significant economic event for Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state. Attracting about 66 crore pilgrims, the mela is said to have generated substantial revenue for the state government, driven largely by a sharp increase in tax collections and fuel sales, a MoneyControl report said on Saturday. Official figures, accessed by the news portal, reveal that the Maha Kumbh contributed around ₹500 crore in additional Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Value Added Tax (VAT) to the state exchequer. A senior official from the tax department is quoted as saying, "The Maha Kumbh has contributed around ₹500 crore in additional GST/VAT to the state exchequer, clearly reflecting the scale and reach of this religious and cultural phenomenon." In the first two months of 2025 alone — January and February — tax collections from sectors directly tied to the event totalled ₹239.47 crore. Prayagraj was the highest contributor, generating ₹146.4 crore, while other religious centres like Varanasi, Ayodhya, and Noida also saw increased collections. Sector-wise contributions Sectorally, Indian Railways led the way with ₹124.6 crore in tax contributions. Tent houses and advertising together generated ₹9.38 crore, while the hotel industry added ₹7.12 crore. An increase in air travel across the state resulted in ₹68.37 crore in taxes. In Prayagraj itself, ₹2.15 crore was collected through tax deducted at source (TDS), with another ₹9.3 crore pending clearance. Local bodies like the Public Works Department (PWD) and Nagar Nigam also played a part in boosting revenue. The financial impact extended well beyond Prayagraj. Noida reported ₹12 crore in collections, primarily from hotels and online travel platforms. Varanasi added ₹8.42 crore and Ayodhya ₹2.28 crore, as per the report. The rise in digital travel bookings and the hospitality industry highlighted the growing role of religious tourism in the state's economy. Fuel sales reflect increased mobility Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) data for January and February 2025 shows a notable jump in fuel consumption. Petrol sales in Prayagraj surged by 81.95% in February alone — rising from 6,058 kilolitres last year to 11,022.5 kilolitres. January saw a rise from 5,253 kilolitres to 7,157 kilolitres. One kilolitre is equal to 1,000 litres. Diesel consumption also grew. January sales increased from 10,204 to 12,428 kilolitres, while February sales climbed to 13,777.5 kilolitres from 11,061 kilolitres. This reflects an overall fuel volume increase of over 11,800 kilolitres across both months. The economic ripple effect touched smaller businesses too. As many pilgrims travelled in private vehicles, the demand at roadside eateries, small hotels, and fuel stations surged — especially in and around Prayagraj, Varanasi, and Ayodhya, as well as along key highways. While much of this informal activity goes unrecorded in tax data, it contributed significantly to the local economy. Return on government spending The Uttar Pradesh government allocated around ₹7,500 crore towards the Maha Kumbh. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath defended the expenditure, stating, 'If an investment of ₹7,500 crore by the Central and state governments can generate economic activity worth ₹3 to ₹3.5 trillion, isn't it a wise investment?' An estimate by the Confederation of All India Traders supported this, suggesting that if every pilgrim spent ₹5,000 during their visit, the overall economic value of the mela would reach ₹2 trillion.

Indian Railways invites applications for K-Ride MD post to fast-track Bengaluru Suburban Rail project
Indian Railways invites applications for K-Ride MD post to fast-track Bengaluru Suburban Rail project

New Indian Express

time18 hours ago

  • New Indian Express

Indian Railways invites applications for K-Ride MD post to fast-track Bengaluru Suburban Rail project

BENGALURU: After a long gap to speed up completion of the Suburban Rail project, Indian Railways has put out an advertisement, calling for applications for the post of Managing Director of Rail Infrastructure Development Company (Karnataka) Limited (K-Ride). Experts and officials in K-Ride said this is a welcome and much-needed move to pace up the project. The Railways has listed details of the post which is for a duration of three years. According to K-Ride sources, the only time the department had a full time managing director was in 2021, when Amit Garg held the post. After that, many IAS officers have been posted, holding concurrent charge. 'With Railways inviting applications, it shows the push. But this is also late -- when the foundation for the project was laid in June 2022 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he had assured its completion in 40 months, and the term ends in October 2025. However, the MD's official posting will take at least another two months as the last date to submit applications for the post is July 5, 2025,' the source said. The government has listed out criteria details for the post: The applicant should not be above 55 years of age as on March 31, 2025. The applicant should have a minimum of 25 years experience of which at least five years should be in Senior Administrative Grade. The applicant should also have five years experience or more in the planning/ design/ execution of railway-related infrastructure projects. The criterion also stated: 'It is desirable to have the experience of projects report preparation, sanction, resource mobilization and coordination with other ministers and stake holders.' Experts also pointed out that the state and central governments have not taken serious note of the need to execute the project. The long delays have only made Bengaluru's traffic management worse.

New rail link fulfils 50-year wait for people of Kashmir
New rail link fulfils 50-year wait for people of Kashmir

Hindustan Times

time19 hours ago

  • Hindustan Times

New rail link fulfils 50-year wait for people of Kashmir

The son of a former legislator who dreamed of connecting Kashmir to India's railway network five decades ago witnessed history unfold on Friday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) and flagged off the first Vande Bharat Express between Katra and Srinagar. Peer Jalaludin, a former Baramulla mayor and senior PDP leader, watched with emotion as the train that his father had envisioned more than 50 years ago finally became reality. 'My father was an assembly member from Baramulla from 1965 to 1971. He had raised this question in the then legislative assembly that Baramulla and Srinagar should get train connectivity with the rest of the country. That time it looked like an impossible thing,' said Jalaludin, now in his early 60s. The inauguration marks a watershed moment for the Kashmir Valley, providing all-weather connectivity that has eluded the region for decades. Political leaders across party lines, business communities, and residents have hailed the development as transformative. The 272-kilometre rail link, initiated in 1999 and declared a national project in 2002, features the world's highest railway arch bridge—the Chenab Bridge. The project encompasses 36 tunnels and 943 bridges, representing what the government described as 'India's boldest step yet in transforming connectivity in the Himalayas.' Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah termed Friday 'a landmark day' for the union territory. Former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti welcomed the launch, calling it 'a long-awaited step' that 'promises ease for commuters and boosts connectivity in our region.' The railway link is expected to significantly impact Kashmir's economy, particularly its fruit industry, which contributes 8% of the union territory's GDP. Bashir Ahmad Bashir of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers and Dealers Association described the connectivity as 'historic and transformative.' Indian Railways has already begun capitalising on the opportunity. The inaugural freight shipment—24 tonnes of fresh cherries—was dispatched from Kashmir via Katra to Mumbai on Saturday, reaching the destination in just 33 hours compared to the nearly one week it previously took by road. Dilip Kumar, executive director (Information & Publicity) of the Railway Board, said the railways aims to transport 'Kashmiri fruits, seasonal vegetables, handlooms, and handicrafts to boost the local economy.' Officials plan to reduce transportation costs by up to 75% and increase freight train frequencies. The ambitious project was completed in phases over nearly two decades. The first section, Jammu-Udhampur (55 km), was commissioned in April 2005. The Qazigund-Baramulla section (118 km) opened in three parts between 2008 and 2009. The technically challenging Banihal-Qazigund section, featuring the 11.215-km Pir Panjal tunnel, became operational in June 2013. Modi had previously inaugurated the Udhampur-Katra section on July 4, 2014, and the Banihal-Sangaldan section (48 km) in February last year. Two Vande Bharat trains will now operate between Katra and Srinagar from Saturday. Railway officials indicated plans to extend services to Jammu from one end and to Baramulla from the other, with frequency adjustments based on passenger response. Women entrepreneur Shazia Akthar called the railway connectivity 'the biggest gift from the Government of India,' predicting it could be 'a gamechanger' for tourism, handicrafts, and horticulture sectors. Shabir Ahmad, a senior government officer who boarded the inaugural train, said passengers 'couldn't hide their emotions' and 'all praised the country's leadership for accomplishing this great task despite many impediments.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store