Latest news with #ArunKumarChaturvedi
The Hindu
02-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Concrete boxes pushing complete, but Mahakalipadpu twin RuB not commissioned
Notwithstanding about three weeks at its disposal to complete the approach roads for the twin Railway Under Bridge (RuB) at Mahakalipadpu, the Mangaluru Smart City Limited (MSCL) has been unable to do the job, thereby indefinitely postponing commissioning of the crucial RuB. While Southern Railway's Palakkad division had completed pushing the last of the four concrete boxes for the twin RuB on April 17, and removed the last girder beneath the Mangaluru Central-Shoranur Down line on April 23, MSCL has completed only a portion of the approach road on Jeppinamogaru side. Work on the approach road at Morgan's Gate side was yet to commence, by which time rains began lashing the coast. MSCL had promised to facilitate commissioning of the twin RuB by May-end, thereby ending over four years' ordeal of thousands of road users in Mangaluru who were forced to take a detour via Pumpwell Circle all these days. With rains arriving at the coast much earlier than expected, the MSLC had to stop work on the approach road. Working in dry spells Blaming rains that started on May 15 for the incomplete approach roads, a senior MSCL official said the Smart City would get the road work completed during dry spell projected till June 14. The Railways has to lay a water drain pipeline to pump out water from the RuB till Netravati river, following which work on the approach road on Morgan's Gate side would be taken up, he said. The MSCL and the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) are to complete approach roads from the existing railway level crossing towards the twin RuBs, as the Railways would close the level crossing gate once the RuBs are commissioned. MSCL has also proposed to continue one of the two approach roads on the Moily Kere stretch till Netravati river to connect the Netravati promenade. In-charge Deputy Commissioner K. Anandh said he would instruct MSCL to complete the work on the approach roads at the earliest. Critical works over Divisional Railway Manager Arun Kumar Chaturvedi told The Hindu that the Railways has already completed all critical works, including pushing of the boxes, on its part. 'The drain line to Netravati river could be laid once the Mangaluru City Corporation shifts a water piepline in the path. It is a day's work,' he said.
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Time of India
Project Sugamya to improve accessibility for disabled passengers at Palakkad Railway Station
Mangaluru: In a significant step towards further enhancing travel accessibility for persons with disabilities and reduced mobility, Palakkad Railway division on Monday launched Project Sugamya – Breaking Barriers at Palakkad Railway Station . This initiative, supported by the Swarga Foundation in collaboration with the International Gemological Institute (India), was formally inaugurated by Arun Kumar Chaturvedi, divisional railway manager, Palakkad. Indian Railways has consistently endeavoured to improve infrastructure and services for differently-abled passengers. Facilities such as lifts, designated ramps, accessible toilets, and wheelchair services are already available across many stations in the division. The launch of Project Sugamya is another initiative by introduces mobile ramps and customised wheelchairs to make rail travel even more barrier-free and dignified. As part of the project, 24 lightweight mobile ramps and 24 specially designed wheelchairs were formally handed over for deployment across 20 major stations in the Palakkad division. The stations include Palakkad Junction, Nilambur Road, Pollachi Junction, Ferok, Vadakara, Tanur, Kasaragod, Kanhangad, Payyanur, Thalassery, Shoranur Junction, Ottappalam, Kuttippuram, Pattambi, Mangaluru Central, Mangaluru Junction, Kozhikode, Parpanangadi, Kannur, and Tirur. These mobile ramps will facilitate seamless boarding and alighting from coaches, while the customised wheelchairs will support safe and independent movement within the station premises and inside trains. Speaking at the event, Arun Kumar Chaturvedi said, "The addition of mobile ramps and customised wheelchairs will provide greater convenience, safety, and independence to our differently-abled passengers."
The Hindu
28-04-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Palakkad Division introduces lightweight mobile ramps and specially designed wheelchairs at major stations
Palakkad Division of Southern Railway on Monday, April 28, launched Project Sugamya – Breaking Barriers at Palakkad Railway Station. As part of the project, 24 lightweight mobile ramps and 24 specially designed wheelchairs were formally handed over for deployment across 20 major stations in the Palakkad Division, including Mangaluru Central and Mangaluru Junction, said a release. The initiative, supported by the Swarga Foundation in collaboration with the International Gemological Institute, India, was inaugurated by Divisional Railway Manager Arun Kumar Chaturvedi. The Division said Indian Railways has consistently endeavoured to improve infrastructure and services for differently-abled passengers, with Palakkad Division being at the forefront of these efforts. Facilities such as lifts, designated ramps, accessible toilets, and wheelchair services were already available across many stations. The launch of Project Sugamya further strengthens these initiatives by introducing mobile ramps and customised wheelchairs to make rail travel even more barrier-free and dignified, the release said. The mobile ramps would facilitate seamless boarding and alighting from coaches, while the customised wheelchairs would support safe and independent movement within the station premises and inside trains, it said. Mr. Chaturvedi said 'The addition of mobile ramps and customised wheelchairs will provide greater convenience, safety, and independence to our differently-abled passengers. We appreciate the contributions of Swarga Foundation and IGI India towards making this vision a reality.'
The Hindu
28-04-2025
- The Hindu
Palakkad Railway Division launches Project Sugamya
In a significant step towards further enhancing travel accessibility for persons with disabilities and reduced mobility, Palakkad Railway Division launched Project Sugamya – Breaking Barriers at Palakkad Railway Station on Monday. This initiative, supported by the Swarga Foundation in collaboration with the International Gemological Institute (India), was formally inaugurated by Arun Kumar Chaturvedi, Divisional Railway Manager, Palakkad. As part of the project, 24 lightweight mobile ramps and 24 specially designed wheelchairs were formally handed over for deployment across 20 major stations in the Palakkad Division. The stations are Palakkad Junction, Nilambur Road, Pollachi Junction, Ferok, Vadakara, Tanur, Kasaragod, Kanhangad, Payyanur, Thalassery, Shoranur Junction, Ottappalam, Kuttippuram, Pattambi, Mangaluru Central, Mangaluru Junction, Kozhikode, Parpanangadi, Kannur, and Tirur. These mobile ramps will facilitate seamless boarding and alighting from coaches, while the customised wheelchairs will support safe and independent movement within the station premises and inside trains. Mr. Arun Kumar Chaturvedi said, 'Indian Railways is committed to building an inclusive and accessible travel environment for all. The addition of mobile ramps and customised wheelchairs will provide greater convenience, safety, and independence to our differently-abled passengers.
The Hindu
26-04-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Palakkad Rail Division takes safety to next level with loop line, level crossing upgrades
The Palakkad Railway Division has improved loop lines and modernised level crossing gates as part of an ongoing effort to strengthen the rail safety and operational efficiency. The division is upgrading passenger running loop lines to main line standards to enhance safety, recognising the critical role loop lines play in train operations for crossing, overtaking and halting trains. Loop lines are additional tracks within a railway station that allow trains to cross, overtake or halt without disrupting main line traffic. They are usually built to lower standards than main lines with speed limits up to 30 kmph. 'The division is upgrading loop lines by replacing the rails and sleepers, correcting alignment levels and ensuring proper track fittings and ballast cushioning to enhance safety,' said Divisional Railway Manager Arun Kumar Chaturvedi. The division has completed upgrades to 27 of its 56 targeted marshalling yards. Loop line upgrade work will be finished in a phased manner, said railway officials. The division has modernised level crossing operations by interlocking all 129 level crossings under it. 'It will ensure that trains can only pass when gates are closed. This adds a level of safety for trains and road users,' said Mr. Chaturvedi. Electrically operated lifting barriers (EOLBs) are fast replacing mechanically operated lifting barriers. Mr. Chaturvedi said 30 EOLBs were already commissioned and 62 more gates would be upgraded before April 2026. 'The traditional method of lifting the gates involves heavy physical effort and is prone to technical issues such as failures in wire transmission or turning wheels. Electrically operated barriers require less manual effort, reduce the chances of failure and ensure smoother and safer operations at level crossings,' he said. He said safety at all level crossings was enhanced by providing emergency sliding booms. 'Sliding booms are backup systems that can be used in case of any failure of the lifting barriers. These backup barriers will not only ensure safety and uninterrupted train operations, but also obviate delays during technical issues,' Mr. Chaturvedi said.
