Latest news with #IntegralCoachFactory
The Hindu
15-05-2025
- The Hindu
Commuters irked over temporary shifting of Villivakkam bus depot due to Metro work
The temporary relocation of the Villivakkam bus depot to a spot near the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) Parade Ground due to the ongoing Chennai Metro Rail work has caused inconvenience to commuters and frequent travellers. Currently, around 40 buses are operated from the new location. The makeshift bus stand, located around 1.3 km from the original depot, has been in operation for the past three months. Commuters from surrounding areas, who usually take small buses to reach the Villivakkam depot and board other buses, say they now have to change at least two buses, take an autorickshaw, or walk a long distance to reach the temporary bus stand, increasing both their travel time and expenses. 'Tiring to walk' Rani, 63, a regular commuter, said she walked about 30 minutes from GKM Colony to the makeshift bus stand. 'Sometimes, I take an autorickshaw when I have enough money. A walk in the scorching afternoon sun is very tiring, especially for the elderly. Though small buses, such as the S44, which runs from Perambur to Villivakkam via GKM Colony, are being operated, their low frequency and irregular timings make commuting difficult,' she added. Asifa, a student who takes the bus regularly, said: 'Earlier, I could take a small bus from Kolathur to reach the Villivakkam depot to board a bus to my college in Nungambakkam. But now that the depot has been moved, I have to walk from Villivakkam for a few minutes, board a bus from the Kalpana bus stop nearby, and then get down near ICF. From there, I need to walk a few more minutes to reach the temporary depot.' She added that taking a share autorickshaw from Kolathur to the Villivakkam depot costs ₹20, but drivers charge another ₹50 to drop commuters near the ICF Parade Ground bus stand. Some buses (27D and 20), which travel to Pattinapakkam and Broadway, take a U-turn near Nadamuni and move towards Villivakkam MTH Road to pick up passengers directly from the Kalpana bus stop — which is a five-minute walk from the original depot — and head towards the designated route. A driver of a Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) bus, on condition of anonymity, said the MTC was trying its best to meet the needs of the passengers. 'Not everybody can be satisfied. Taking a U-turn, picking up passengers at the Kalpana bus stop, and then heading towards the destination count for additional running time and increase in fuel consumption,' he added. Renovation planned A senior official of the MTC said the Villivakkam bus terminus had been shifted to the ICF owing to the ongoing Metro Rail work for the Phase II Project. Once the work is completed and the facilities are renovated, the bus terminus will be moved back to the original location, he added.
Hans India
01-05-2025
- Automotive
- Hans India
Puri-Bangiriposi Express upgraded
Bhubaneswar: The Puri–Bangiriposi–Puri Super Fast Express has been upgraded with modern Linke-Hofmann-Busch (LHB) coaches, offering improved safety and comfort to passengers, East Coast Railway said. The inaugural run of the upgraded train service was flagged-off on Monday at Bangiriposi station. The train previously operated with conventional ICF (Integral Coach Factory) coaches. The revamped train will feature one AC Chair Car, six Second Class Reserved Seating Coaches, five General Second Class Coaches, one Guard-cum-Power Car and one Guard-cum-Second Class Coach for physically challenged passengers. The inaugural event was attended by Mayurbhanj MP Naba Charan Majhi, Rajya Sabha member Mamata Mohanta, Bangiriposi MLA Sanjali Murmu and Saraskana MLA Bhadav Hansdah. The introduction of LHB coaches marks a significant upgrade in passenger amenities and operational efficiency for this important route, connecting coastal and tribal regions of Odisha through the State capital Bhubaneswar, the ECoR said.
India Today
22-04-2025
- India Today
Srinagar to Vaishno Devi Katra train: Route, duration and other details
The long-awaited train service between Srinagar and Mata Vaishno Devi (Katra) is set to bring great convenience to travellers, especially devotees heading to Srinagar after visiting the temple. With this new route, the journey can now be made more comfortably and efficiently by service was originally scheduled to be inaugurated on April 19. However, the launch has been postponed due to the forecast of potentially adverse weather distance between Katra and Srinagar will be covered in three hours. This marks the last phase of the Katra Sangaldan section of the Udhampur-Srinagar Baramulla rail link project. Subsequently, the rail connectivity from Kanyakumari to Kashmir will be realised. The travel distance from Katra to Srinagar is six to seven hours by project spans 272 km from Katra to Sangaldan. The train will cross India's first cable-stayed railway bridge, the Anji Khad Bridge, as well as the world's highest railway bridge, the Chenab Bridge. This bridge connects the railway track from Delhi to Kashmir through Katra. Trains currently operate between Srinagar and Sangaldan stations. With the addition of the segment between Sangaldan and Katra, trains will now travel between these areas. Trials have been conducted in recent weeks for this VANDE BHARAT TRAINS TO OPERATE BETWEEN KATRA AND SRINAGARThe Executive Director of the Railway Board has confirmed that two Vande Bharat Express trains will operate on the route once the service begins. One train will start from Srinagar, while the other will run from Katra to on January 23, Indian Railways successfully conducted a trial run of the first Vande Bharat Express from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra (SVDK) station to Srinagar. This train has been specially designed to handle the cold weather conditions of the Kashmir BHARAT EXPRESS ROUTEThe new Vande Bharat Express will begin its journey from Katra Railway Station and go up to Srinagar, touching Reasi, Sangaldan, Banihal, Kanjigund, and Anantnag on the way. The route gives travellers a speedy and scenic ride across Jammu and FEATURES INCLUDE:Heating systems with advanced features for a comfortable ride in cold weatherEmergency communication systems and CCTV cameras for the safety of passengersShatterproof windows and anti-frost windscreens for unobstructed visibility in snowThese aspects guarantee that the train can operate dependably throughout the year, even in heavy snowfall and freezing Vande Bharat Express has been specially designed to run efficiently in Kashmir's harsh winter conditions. The train has been made by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai and is capable of withstanding temperatures as low as minus 20 degrees Watch
NDTV
21-04-2025
- NDTV
Chennai's First AC Local Train: Boon For Some, Bane For Others
Chennai: Chennai's first air-conditioned (AC) suburban train, which rolled out on Saturday, has come as a boon for several commuters during peak hours as the city battles the sweltering heat due to rising temperatures. The inauguration of the AC train linking Chennai Beach and Chengalpattu corridor was a key episode in the suburban rail network that is often hailed by many as the transport lifeline of the city and its neighbourhoods. "It is a superb means to beat the summer heat. I used to drive earlier but now, I take the train and am able to comfortably work on my laptop. I think it is a very good initiative by the Railways," Madan, an IT professional, said. Built by the Integral Coach Factory in the city, the train is equipped with more features than the regular EMU (Electric Multiple Unit) rakes, such as automatic doors and passenger information system. Its space-saving design has the propulsion system tucked under the train, so passengers can walk freely from one end to the other. Some passengers, however, complained of the absence of any mobile or laptop charging provisions and about the metallic seats. "I wish they had USB and charging provisions so we could charge and work on the go. Besides, the metallic seats get cold and could be a problem for ortho patients like me. Cushioned seats would be nice," Periayyah, a techie, said. Commuters also flagged the expensive fares, which starts at Rs 35 and can extend up to Rs 105. "Taking this train is more expensive than taking the metro. The railways should bring down the fares. The limited stops too don't provide any help to students like me," Manobala, a college-goer, said. The train makes only three trips a day. Amudha, a government employee working at Fort St George, said: "The timing ought to be changed to suit the opening and closing of government offices, so more of us could switch to this mode of transport."
