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New Indian Express
16-07-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
After IRCTC makes Aadhaar must, tatkal tickets in reach of common man
CHENNAI: The implementation of Aadhaar authentication for booking tatkal tickets online from July 1 has greatly reduced the long-standing issue of tickets selling out within seconds. Users are now reporting ticket availability up to 10 minutes after bookings open for tatkal seats. After bookings open at 10am, AC tatkal tickets were found to be available until 10.10am. Similarly, non-AC tickets which open at 11am were available from 11.05am to 11.08am, said passengers. According to regular train travellers, tatkal tickets are available for more than five minutes even on high-demand routes such as Chennai-Howrah, Chennai-New Delhi, and others. 'Aadhaar authentication has had a positive impact on bookings. Particularly, on the Chennai-Thanjavur/Kumbakonam/Tiruchy routes, tatkal tickets now remain available for 5-10 minutes after the bookings open, which wasn't the case earlier,' A Giri, former member of the Divisional Rail Users Consultative Committee (DRUCC) for the Tiruchy division, said. Meanwhile, the OTP-based tatkal ticket booking system, which was scheduled to be launched on Tuesday by the Indian Railways, has been postponed as the integration of IRCTC portal with the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is taking longer than expected. The roll-out for OTP authentication in tatkal bookings will be announced soon, official sources told the TNIE.
The Hindu
15-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
SCoR Mazdoor Union seeks swift action on operationalisation of railway zone
A delegation from the South Coast Railway Mazdoor Union, led by DRUCC Member Chalasani Gandhi and General Secretary Ch. Sankara Rao, met Visakhapatnam MP M. Sribharat and submitted a memorandum urging swift action on the long-pending operationalisation of the South Coast Railway (SCoR) Zone. The union noted that although the SCoR was sanctioned in 2019 under the A.P. Reorganisation Act, a formal Gazette Notification is still awaited, delaying the full-fledged functioning of the zone headquartered in Visakhapatnam. Despite the Cabinet's approval in February 2019 and submission of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) by August that year, no significant progress has followed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the zonal headquarters on January 8, 2025. While a General Manager was appointed on June 5, 2025, the post remains ineffective due to the absence of administrative powers, as the Gazette Notification is still pending. The constituent divisions — Vijayawada, Guntakal, Guntur, and Waltair (to be bifurcated into Rayagada and Visakhapatnam) — continue under their previous zones. The union pointed out that other zones like ECoR, NCR, SECR, and SWR began operations soon after their formation via Gazette Notifications, even without permanent infrastructure. The leaders urged Mr. Sribharat to press the Prime Minister, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, and other top officials to ensure the Gazette Notification is issued by August 15, 2025. Mr. Sribharat assured them that he would take up the issue with the concerned ministries in Delhi.
Hindustan Times
13-07-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Bandra station crackdown: ₹500 fine for spitting, littering as officials tighten cleanliness norms
MUMBAI: As the Bandra railway station plays host to the colourful Station Mahotsav, launched on July 5, railway authorities have decided to clamp down on a far less festive issue—spitting and littering. A recent inspection by senior Western Railway (WR) officials has revived the long-standing demand for stricter enforcement of cleanliness norms at this 19th-century Grade I heritage site. Mumbai, India - July 12, 2025: The railways will be levying fines on people who litter or spit inside rail premises at Bandra in Mumbai, India, on Wednesday, July 12, 2025. (Photo by Satish Bate/ Hindustan Times) (Hindustan Times) The move comes after officials, during a routine visit amid the ongoing celebrations, spotted fresh paan stains marring the freshly scrubbed walls of the building, which dates back to 1888 in Victorian Era. Despite Bandra station being decked up with cultural programmes, exhibitions and artistic competitions, its visual charm was undercut by tell-tale signs of civic apathy. 'We found red stains on walls even though contractors had been asked to ensure the building remained spotless during the festival,' a senior WR official told this newspaper. 'We are now introducing a dedicated receipt book for ticket checkers to issue ₹500 fines to those caught spitting or littering. The Railway Protection Force (RPF) has also been asked to take action against offenders.' The revised fine of ₹500, up from ₹200 earlier, was officially notified in February. According to WR officials, between April 2024 and January 2025, over 2,300 cases of spitting and littering were registered, amounting to nearly ₹6 lakh in fines collected. The Commercial Department is compiling further data to assess the behavioural trends and improve enforcement. The decision to revive enforcement was formally taken at the Divisional Railway Users Consultative Committee (DRUCC) meeting held on July 10, where passenger representatives raised concerns about hygiene, beggars, loiterers, and train punctuality. 'We urged railway officials to penalise those who deface public spaces. WR also informed us that additional CCTVs are being installed inside trains to deter unwanted elements,' said Rajiv Singhal, DRUCC member. Sources confirmed that Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Pankaj Singh had personally visited Bandra station and expressed displeasure over the state of maintenance. He reportedly pulled up the cleaning contractors for shabby upkeep of platforms and toilets. One of the recurring complaints, officials said, was that insufficient cleaning manpower and careless littering by commuters were making the job harder. 'To cut costs, contractors are deploying fewer cleaning staff, which is affecting station hygiene. Corners of platforms and track ends are often neglected. We will now focus on catching people who litter, to help maintain higher standards of cleanliness,' a senior official said. Bandra Station Mahotsav: Blending heritage with celebration Launched on July 5, the Bandra Station Mahotsav has turned the bustling transit hub into a venue of cultural celebration. The festival kicked off with a vibrant performance by a troupe of African drummers and includes a series of competitions and exhibitions designed to spotlight the station's legacy and community connections. As part of the festivities: A commemorative postal cover will be released on July 27 at the closing ceremony. Cultural performances by local artists, vlog-making contests, and art competitions have been organised. The 'Purani Yaadein' contest invites citizens to share photos, videos, and voice clips of their cherished memories connected to the station. Creative submissions under Art & Craft include drawings, paintings, digital artwork, and clay models inspired by the station's heritage. The final date for submissions across events is July 20, while the closing ceremony on July 27 will also mark the official inauguration of the postal cover. A legacy worth preserving Declared a Grade I heritage structure under the Maharashtra Government's 1995 heritage regulations, Bandra Station is a rare architectural blend of Victorian Gothic and Indian styles. Originally opened in 1864, the current heritage station building was constructed in 1888. Its gabled roofs, pointed arches and ornate detailing continue to charm thousands of commuters who pass through its portals daily.
The Hindu
06-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Sandeep Mathur appointed General Manager of SCoR
The Railway Board issued orders on Thursday, appointing Sandeep Mathur, presently working as Principal Executive Director(Signal Modernisation), Railway Board, as General Manager of the Visakhapatnam-headquartered South Coast Railway (SCoR) Zone. The rail users welcomed the move on social media. 'Big congratulations to all people of Vizag! A decade-long dream has come true. South Coast Railway gets its own General Manager. This marks a historic moment for our city and region. Vizag is on track for a bright railway future. Proud moment for everyone,' Raghuvamsi posted on 'X'. M.N. Sai wrote on a Whatsapp group: 'Kudos for us. Finally we have a General Manager... How many day will it take for S Co R to start?' This crucial appointment comes as a result of the persistent efforts of Visakhapatnam MP M. Sribharat, who wrote to the Railway Minister on January 21, 2025, urging the government to expedite development works related to the SCoR Zone by appointing a full-time General Manager. In his letter, the MP emphasised that a dedicated GM is essential to ensure swift progress and operational readiness of the new zone. 'A dream of Vizagites is finally coming true,' said the MP, expressing satisfaction over the appointment. He reiterated that the South Coast Railway Zone, with Waltair Division integrated, is already a reality. Visakhapatnam DRUCC Member Chalasani Gandhi, along with several railway union leaders and local stakeholders, conveyed their heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Sribharat for his proactive steps in this regard.
Hans India
06-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Sandeep Mathur appointed as GM of new railway zone
Visakhapatnam: Sandeep Mathur, who is currently serving as PED (signal modernisation) at the Railway Board, has been appointed as General Manager of the Visakhapatnam-headquartered South Coast Railway Zone. Visakhapatnam MP M Sribharat made persistent efforts to appoint a full-time GM for the new railway zone for quite a while. Earlier, the MP also wrote to the Minister of Railways urging the government to expedite development works related to the South Coast Railway Zone by appointing a full-time General Manager. In his letter, Sribharat stressed that a dedicated GM is essential to ensure swift progress and operational readiness of the new zone. Expressing satisfaction over the appointment, the MP said Vizagites' dream is finally coming true. He reiterated that the South Coast Railway Zone, with Waltair Division integrated, is already a reality, and assured that he is continuously working towards getting the gazette notification issued at the earliest. Meanwhile, Visakhapatnam DRUCC member Chalasani Gandhi, along with several railway union leaders and local stakeholders, expressed their gratitude to MP Sribharat for his proactive steps in getting the GM appointed for the South Coast Railway Zone.
