Latest news with #SwapnilNila
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Time of India
Mumbai megablock alert: Mail/Express trains diverted, local services hit on Central Railway's Main and Harbour lines today
MUMBAI: Central Railway, Mumbai Division, is undertaking a megablock on its suburban sections for carrying out various engineering and maintenance works today. On the main line, the block is on the 5th and 6th lines between Vidyavihar and Thane stations from 8 am to 1.30 pm. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Due to the block, there will be diversions of Mail/Express trains, including LTT-bound trains, to be re-diverted on the 6th line at Vidyavihar station. The trains diverted today include Train No 11010 Pune-CSMT Sinhagad Express, Train No 12124 Pune-CSMT Deccan Queen, Train No 13201 Patna-LTT Express, Train No 17221 Kakinada-LTT Express, Train No 12126 Pune-CSMT Pragati Express, Train No 12140 Nagpur-CSMT Express, Train No 22226 Solapur-CSMT Vande Bharat Express, Train No 12168 Banaras-LTT Express, Train No 12321 Howrah-CSMT Express, Train No 12812 Hatia-LTT Express, and Train No 11012 Solapur-CSMT Vande Bharat Express. On the Harbour line, the block is on the Up and Down lines between Panvel and Vashi stations (excluding the PORT line) from 11.05 am to 4.05 pm today. Special local trains will run on the CSMT Mumbai-Vashi section during the block period. Trans-harbour line services will be available between Thane-Vashi/Nerul stations during the block period. PORT line services will be available between Belapur/Nerul and Uran stations during the block period. "These maintenance mega blocks are essential for infrastructure upkeep and safety. Passengers are requested to bear with the Railway Administration for the inconvenience caused," added CR Chief Spokesperson Swapnil Nila.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Time of India
A tale of two cities: Deccan Queen turns 95
1 2 Mumbai: Deccan Queen, one of Central Railway's most prestigious and popular trains, turned 95 on Sunday. Introduced between Mumbai and Pune, the two premier cities of Maharashtra, on June 1, 1930, Deccan Queen was a major landmark in the history of the Great Indian Peninsula Railway, the forerunner of Central Railway. This was the first deluxe train introduced on the railway to serve two important cities of the region and was aptly named Deccan Queen or Dakkan ki Rani. The train has the distinction of having many firsts to its credit. The Deccan Queen is the only running train with the facility of a dining car, which offers table service and has modern pantry facilities such as a microwave oven, deep freezer, and toaster. The dining car is tastefully furnished with cushioned chairs and carpet. "Coaches with roller bearings were introduced for the first time in this train in the past. End-on generation coaches were replaced with self-generating coaches with a 110-volt system for the first time. First and second class chair cars were introduced," said CR chief spokesperson Swapnil Nila The Mumbai-Pune Deccan Queen was attached with a Vistadome coach with effect from August 15, 2021, providing passengers a golden opportunity for a wonderful view of the breathtaking scenery as the train traversed through the Western Ghats. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo All the conventional coaches of Deccan Queen Express were replaced with LHB coaches in June 2022 under Project Utkrisht, with modern facilities like LED lights, bio toilets, Braille signages, etc. The train now runs with a revised composition of sixteen coaches: three AC chair cars, nine second class chair cars, one Vistadome coach, one dining car, one general second class cum guard's brake van, and a generator car, said a CR spokesperson. "It is always a pleasure travelling by this popular train to Pune and also back to Mumbai. In fact, many passengers like me are happy with the punctuality of this train besides the comfort it offers for a pleasant ride," said Sumita Desai, a Mulund resident who travels to Pune regularly as she has a second home there. Additionally, some passengers travel daily from Pune on monthly passes and hold govt and semi-govt jobs in the city.
Hindustan Times
26-05-2025
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
Mumbai rain triggers waterlogging; IMD issues orange alert, 60 kmph wind warning
Incessant rain battered Mumbai on Sunday and Monday morning, a day after the Monsoon crossed Kerala's shores, causing waterlogging on roads and hitting transportation in the cramped Maharashtra capital. In what may exacerbate the city's waterlogging issue, the India Meteorological Department has upgraded its weather warning from yellow to orange, predicting heavy rain accompanied by gusty winds. Heavy rain has inundated tracks on the Central Railway network at Masjid, Byculla, Dadar, Matunga and Badlapur railway stations, slowing the movement of trains in the morning rush hours, reported PTI. "The movement of suburban locals is on, but with reduced speed at a few locations," said Swapnil Nila, chief public relations officer of the Central Railway. Traffic movement in several areas was also hampered because of the rain and waterlogging. According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the highest precipitation was recorded at Nariman Point fire station (104 mm) in the island city, followed by A Ward Office (86 mm), Colaba pumping station (83 mm), and Municipal Head Office (80 mm). On late Monday morning, the IMD upgraded its rainfall alert for Mumbai from yellow to orange, indicating very heavy rainfall, thunderstorm and lightning with gusty winds at 50-60 kmph. The weather agency has issued a similar warning for the Raigarh district. The IMD Mumbai has forecast light to moderate rainfall in parts of Mumbai for the next 24 hours. The Monsoon arrived eight days earlier than usual in Kerala, marking the earliest arrival in 16 years. The Monsoon has covered Kerala and parts of neighbouring Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, as well as parts of the northeastern state of Mizoram, the IMD said on Sunday. Conditions are favourable for the monsoon's further spread into Goa, parts of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, the northeastern states, West Bengal, and the remaining parts of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu over the next 2 to 3 days, it added. With inputs from Reuters
Time of India
25-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
CR dismantles the last British-era overhead line portal at Vidyavihar
Mumbai: In a significant milestone towards modernising Mumbai's suburban railway infrastructure, Central Railway's Mumbai division announced on Sunday evening that it successfully dismantled the last remaining three-track British-type Direct Current underslung portal at Vidyavihar station (see pic). An underslung portal is a type of overhead line (OHE) structure where the wire that carries electrical power to the train is suspended below the supporting structure. This 100-year-old portal was replaced by a modern three-span overlap system, thereby enhancing the reliability of the OHE, a senior official said. The British-type DC underslung portals were iconic symbols of early railway electrification in India. Their phased removal marks the end of an era and the beginning of a more robust and efficient railway network. The project to remove these old portals began in 2012, and with this final dismantling, all 22 such portals along the CSMT–Kalyan suburban main line have now been removed. "This achievement reflects Central Railway's commitment to safety, reliability, and modernisation of railway infrastructure. This work was completed with meticulous planning and dedicated efforts by the Mumbai Division's TRD team, ensuring minimal disruption to train operations," added CR Chief Spokesperson Swapnil Nila. tnn
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Time of India
Bomb threat call delays Kamayani Express by an hour
Indore: A bomb threat call received by railways on Saturday afternoon regarding Ballia -LTT Kamayani Express (Train No. 11072) delayed the train for about an hour as it was halted in Khandwa for searching before it was confirmed to be a hoax. Central Railway chief PRO Swapnil Nila said, "The threat was received on a WhatsApp call on the number of deputy station superintendent around 1pm, and it was said that explosives were kept in the S4 and S5 compartments of the train, following which it was stopped at platform number 5 of Khandwa railway station and searched. The area was also cordoned off." At the time the alert was received, the train just passed Talwaria station, about 16 kilometre from Khandwa. Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Govt Railway Police (GRP) immediately sprang into action. Authorities informed the police control room and arranged for security personnel to be present on the platform by the time the train arrived at Khandwa station around 1 pm. Upon arrival, all 22 coaches of the train—including two generator cars and 20 passenger bogies—were thoroughly searched. Passengers were evacuated, and sniffer dogs were deployed to assist in inspecting the train for any suspicious items. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo Security personnel also conducted baggage checks and questioned passengers. After an extensive inspection, nothing suspicious was found on board. The entire operation caused the train to remain halted at Khandwa station for nearly an hour. Finally, after determining that the bomb threat was a hoax, the train was cleared for departure at 1:56 pm, with a delay of 56 minutes. "Even as it was found to be a hoax call, it is being taken seriously, and we are trying to trace the number," said Nila.
