Latest news with #RailwayBoard
New Indian Express
4 hours ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Railway controllers seek higher pay, better allowances to modernise department despite reform push
NEW DELHI: An association of retired and serving train controllers called for raising pay grade and special allowances to modernise the control department even as they appreciated the recent reforms implemented by the Railway Ministry. The train control department performs the most important functions of supervising, including monitoring mechanical failures and other incidents, and coordinating with all departments to ensure smooth rail operations. However, in the past few years, controllers said the department lacked a flow of talented workforce due to several unfavourable decisions, resulting in various operational challenges. Addressing their issues, the Railway Ministry recently implemented several reforms such as direct recruitment, mandatory minimum tenure, changes in selection criteria, training and upskilling, performance monitoring and succession planning, among others. Controllers across the country expressed satisfaction with the ministry's initiative but said much more needs to be done to modernise the control department. "As the control cadre is a supervisory cadre and controllers supervise not only the senior subordinates of operating department but also of all other sister departments related with train operations, the grade pays of controllers should be minimum two grade pays higher than its feeder cadres, especially the station masters," said a letter written by the Association of Retired and Serving Operation and Traffic Controllers of Indian Railway. Addressing it to the chairman and the CEO of the Railway Board, it added that since the initial grade pay of station masters and directly recruited controllers has been kept at the same level at Rs 4,200, talented youths prefer the former as it is less challenging in terms of training and more attractive due to various service conditions. It is for this reason, according to the letter, that the RDSO (The Research Designs & Standards Organisation) team, led by officers who studied and examined the workings of controllers very carefully, recommended grade pay upgrade for real improvement.
NDTV
a day ago
- Business
- NDTV
PM Modi Launches 5 New Amrit Bharat Trains In Bihar, Highest Among States
The inauguration of four non-AC Amrit Bharat trains by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday has led to Bihar becoming the originating point of five such high-tech trains meant for the economically weaker sections. With this, the poll-bound state has the highest number of such trains originating from stations there. Prior to these inaugurations on Friday, Bihar had two Amrit Bharat trains -- one between Darbhanga and the Anand Vihar Terminal in Delhi that was inaugurated in 2023, and the other running from Mumbai's Lokmanya Tilak Terminus to Saharsa that was launched on April 24, 2025. Now, the number has gone up to five, officials said. They added that these four newly launched trains are upgraded versions of the earlier ones that would ensure increased passenger amenities such as enhanced comfort and superior safety technology. "The Rajendra Nagar (near Patna) - New Delhi Amrit Bharat will cover a distance of about 1,000 km in about 17-and-a-half hours and cost Rs 560 for the entire journey in a sleeper class category. Its regular service starts from July 31. The second one, between Bapudham Motihari in Bihar and Anand Vihar (New Delhi), will also cover 1000 km with a fare slab of Rs 555 for the entire journey for sleeper class. Its regular service has not been announced yet and will be done separately," a railway official said. He added, "The third train between Darbhanga in Bihar and Gomti Nagar in Uttar Pradesh will cost Rs 415 for the entire journey for the non-AC sleeper class, and its normal service will start from July 26." The fourth Amrit Bharat train was inaugurated from Bhagalpur in Bihar. But it will run weekly between Malda Town in West Bengal and Gomti Nagar from July 24. However, according to the Railways, Bihar will make the most of this Amrit Bharat train as almost the entire route is through this state only. Dilip Kumar, the executive director of information and publicity, Railway Board, said these high-tech trains are designed to run at a maximum speed of 130 km per hour and provide a smart, safe and comfortable travel experience for the middle class and economically weaker sections. "Before the inauguration of these four trains, a total of three Amrit Bharat trains were operating in the country. The Railway Ministry is working on manufacturing 100 more Amrit Bharat rakes for the benefit of the middle class and economically weaker sections," Kumar said. Highlighting passenger convenience features in these trains, he said these compartments have foldable snack tables, mobile holders, foldable bottle holders, fast mobile charging ports, comfortable seats, and radium illuminated flooring strips to show the way even in the dark. "Air spring body for shock-free travel experience, modern and divyaangjan-friendly toilets with electropneumatic flushing system and automatic soap dispenser are some added features which are never seen before in non-AC trains designed for this class of travellers," Kumar added. Railway officials also highlighted some of its safety and emergency features, such as semi-automatic coupler with crash tube, EP-assisted brake system, sealed gangway and vacuum evacuation system, talk back unit in every coach and fire detection system for the first time in non-AC coaches.
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Bihar now boasts of 5 Amrit Bharat trains with originating stations, highest among states
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The inauguration of four non-AC Amrit Bharat trains by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday has led to Bihar becoming the originating point of five such high-tech trains meant for the economically weaker sections With this, the poll-bound state has the highest number of such trains originating from stations to these inaugurations on Friday, Bihar had two Amrit Bharat trains -- one between Darbhanga and the Anand Vihar Terminal in Delhi that was inaugurated in 2023, and the other running from Mumbai's Lokmanya Tilak Terminus to Saharsa that was launched on April 24, the number has gone up to five, officials added that these four newly launched trains are upgraded versions of the earlier ones that would ensure increased passenger amenities such as enhanced comfort and superior safety technology."The Rajendra Nagar (near Patna) - New Delhi Amrit Bharat will cover a distance of about 1,000 km in about 17-and-a-half hours and cost Rs 560 for the entire journey in a sleeper class category. Its regular service starts from July 31."The second one, between Bapudham Motihari in Bihar and Anand Vihar (New Delhi), will also cover 1000 km with a fare slab of Rs 555 for the entire journey for sleeper class. Its regular service has not been announced yet and will be done separately," a railway official added, "The third train between Darbhanga in Bihar and Gomti Nagar in Uttar Pradesh will cost Rs 415 for the entire journey for the non-AC sleeper class, and its normal service will start from July 26."The fourth Amrit Bharat train was inaugurated from Bhagalpur in Bihar. But it will run weekly between Malda Town in West Bengal and Gomti Nagar from July 24. However, according to the Railways, Bihar will make the most of this Amrit Bharat train as almost the entire route is through this state Kumar, the executive director of information and publicity, Railway Board, said these high-tech trains are designed to run at a maximum speed of 130 km per hour and provide a smart, safe and comfortable travel experience for the middle class and economically weaker sections."Before the inauguration of these four trains, a total of three Amrit Bharat trains were operating in the country. The Railway Ministry is working on manufacturing 100 more Amrit Bharat rakes for the benefit of the middle class and economically weaker sections," Kumar passenger convenience features in these trains, he said these compartments have foldable snack tables, mobile holders, foldable bottle holders, fast mobile charging ports, comfortable seats, and radium illuminated flooring strips to show the way even in the dark."Air spring body for shock-free travel experience, modern and divyaangjan-friendly toilets with electropneumatic flushing system and automatic soap dispenser are some added features which are never seen before in non-AC trains designed for this class of travellers," Kumar officials also highlighted some of its safety and emergency features, such as semi-automatic coupler with crash tube, EP-assisted brake system, sealed gangway and vacuum evacuation system, talk back unit in every coach and fire detection system for the first time in non-AC coaches.
New Indian Express
a day ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Railway gives nod to lay two additional lines between Perambur, Ambattur
CHENNAI: The Railway Board has given its approval for the construction of the fifth and sixth railway lines between Perambur and Ambattur in Chennai - Arakkonam stretch. The section currently has two fast lines and two slow lines, earmarked for the operation of express and suburban trains respectively. The two additional lines, spanning 6.4 km, are expected to ease congestion at Chennai Central, especially in the light of the upcoming new terminal at Perambur. The project has received a budget allocation of Rs 182 crore. According to official sources, the proposal seeking approval to construct the new lines on existing railway land adjacent to the current tracks, was submitted last year. It was included under the umbrella works for the financial year 2024-25. 'A coaching terminal is being planned at Perambur to ease the heavy traffic at Chennai Central. Around 75% of the train operations from Chennai Central are expected to be shifted to the proposed terminal at Perambur. To support this, the 5th and 6th lines will be constructed to ensure smooth connectivity with the Perambur Coaching Terminal,' said an official document. Currently, the line capacity utilisation is at 105.2% (without maintenance blocks) and is projected to reach 114.4% by 2028-29. 'No land acquisition is required for the project. With the board's sanction now in place, tenders will be floated shortly,' the official added. Railway estimates indicate a financial rate of return of 17.45% and an Economic Internal Rate of Return of 34.43% for the project. Additionally, it is expected to handle an increased traffic load of 7.03 million tonnes per annum, according to the document. Lines aim to decongest Central The two additional lines, spanning 6.4 km, are expected to ease congestion at Chennai Central, especially in the light of the upcoming new terminal at Perambur. The project has received a budget allocation of Rs 182 crore
Time of India
a day ago
- General
- Time of India
Railways certs amend ‘retardation' to ‘intel disability'
File photo NEW DELHI: A father's fight for the dignity of his daughter, who has 65% intellectual disability, which made the court of the chief commissioner for persons with disabilities (CCPD) issue directives to remedy the situation, has led to the Indian Railways replacing the use of 'mental retardation' with 'intellectual disability' on railway concession certificates. A disability rights advocate, Pankaj Maru had failed to get a response from railways regarding the terminology used in the concession certificate issued to his daughter, Sonu (26). On July 12 last year, he filed a complaint with court of CCPD regarding the description of his daughter's disability — 'mansik roop se vikrit'. 'Use of derogatory terms go against SC guidelines' This (the terminology issue) was despite Pankaj Maru submitting the unique disability ID card of his daughter along with the application, wherein her disability was described as intellectual disability, in keeping with provisions of Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016. In its final order Thursday, CCPD said the Railway Board had informed court on July 14 that an instruction dated May 9has been issued stating ministry of railways has decided to replace the term 'mentally retarded persons' with 'persons with intellectual disability'. The change has been implemented from June 1. CCPD emphasised the criticality of language in ensuring dignity of people with disabilities. While noting that the board had already issued a circular in 2018 whereby words such as 'blind', 'deaf and dumb' and 'physically challenged' were replaced with terms prescribed in RPwD Act, the court has recommended that railways should review their existing forms and all other documents to determine if similar corrections are required to be made and to ensure that the existing stationery is not used for any certification in future. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is it legal? How to get Internet without paying a subscription? Techno Mag Learn More Undo CCPD cited the concern raised by Maru in his complaint that outdated and derogatory terms like 'handicapped' still appear in preprinted concession certificate format, which goes against SC's guidelines on respectful disability terminology. CCPD has sought an action-taken report within three months and also asked railways to sensitise its staff on types and sub-types of disabilities. In its observations in the case in Feb, CCPD had countered railways' interpretation of legal provisions as reason for continuing with the use of 'mental retardation' in concession forms. It noted that the 'Railway Board's contention that intellectual disability and mental behaviour have been separately defined in the Schedule to RPwD Act, 2016 is correct, but their averment that 'retardation' is defined under 'mental behaviour' is not. In fact, the definition of 'mental behaviour' in the schedule of the law explicitly excludes 'retardation'.'
