Prayagraj Express becomes India's first train with 24 coaches to run at 130kmph

Eight other pairs of trains under the North Central Railway zone managed to clock 130kmph on November 25.

Prayagraj Express becomes Indias first train with 24 coaches to run at 130kmph

On November 25, the Prayagraj Express became the fastest train with 24 coaches operated by the Indian Railways, clocking a speed of 130 kmph.

Yesterday, the Prayagraj Express managed to become the longest train in India to run at 130 kmph, while also reducing the commuting time between the cities by 40 minutes.

In another feat achieved by the North Central Railway on November 25, eight other pairs of trains managed to clock 130kmph; namely Manduadih-New Delhi, Lucknow-New Delhi Gomti Express, Gorakhpur-Hisar, Bandra-Gorakhpur, Dibrugarh-New Delhi, Bandra-Muzaffarpur, Saharsa-New Delhi, Rewa-New Delhi.

The Chief of Public Relations at the North Central Railway (NCR), Ajeej Kumar Singh declared that this would make the zone distinct, in that it now has over 100 trains running at the speed of 130 kmph or more.

Shri Suneet Sharma takes over as new Chairman & CEO of Railway Board

January 2, 2021 Appointment, Rail News

Shri Suneet Sharma, has taken over the charge of new Chairman & Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Railway Board (Ministry of Railways) and ex-officio Principal Secretary to Government of India. The appointments committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Shri Suneet Sharma as Chairman & CEO of Railway Board. Prior to this, Shri Suneet Sharma worked as General Manager, Eastern Railway.

Shri Suneet Sharma joined the Indian Railways in 1979 as a Special Class Apprentice while he was studying engineering at IIT Kanpur.

A graduate in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering he has more than 40 years of experience serving in the Indian Railways in various capacities.

He has done stints in Operational working, maintenance in Sheds, Depots and Workshops.

He was Chief Workshop Manager, Parel workshop in Mumbai, where he was instrumental in manufacturing narrow gauge locomotives for hill railways.

He also restored old steam narrow gauge locomotive for the heritage Matheran line near Mumbai.

During the 2006 Mumbai suburban train blasts, he was part of the team, which put the suburban network on track within a few hours after the terror attack.

As ADRM, Mumbai CST, he is credited with increasing the services of the suburban network, which is considered the lifeline of Mumbai.

During the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, he was part of the team that managed the aftermath of the attacks at Mumbai CST, Central Railway.

As DRM, Pune he was instrumental in adding infrastructure which brought about operational efficiency.

As Chief Mechanical Engineer diesel locomotive works, Varanasi he was team leader for starting electric locomotive production. Conversion of diesel to electric locomotives took place under his leadership in record time and for the first time anywhere in the world.

As General Manager Modern Coach Factory, Raebareli he set a record by doubling the out turn of the much required modern passenger coaches in one year.

As General Manager, Eastern Railway, he took the initiative in increasing the speed of goods trains to a record level and for completing a number of infrastructure projects of new lines and electrification which not only resulted in operational efficiency but developed the local areas.

He is known for bringing about systemic changes for ease of working and administrative reforms.

During the course of his career, he has won many professional awards.

As General Manager (Modern Coach Factory Raebareli) and Chief Mechanical Engineer (Banaras Locomotive Works)) the factories won the award for best production units.

Suneet Sharma has attended professional training in Germany and France and he has done an advanced leadership and management course at Carnegie Mellon University in USA.

He has visited Iran as a consultant for the manufacture of locomotives.

He is an avid sportsman and has played Billiards and Snooker at a competitive level. He is also a keen golfer and a badminton and squash player.

Source: PIB-Press Release

Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister for Railways and Commerce & Industry and Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, reviews the progress of Bangalore Suburban Railway Project.

The project should be planned in futuristic manner to incorporate the growing needs of city like Bengaluru.

Suburban Project should be based on Make In India policy and boost Atma Nirbhar Bharat mission.

Total length of the project is 148 km and costs Rs. 15767 crore .

Project to be completed by 2026.

Project was sanctioned by Cabinet on 21st October 2020.

Posted On: 11 JAN 2021 7:04PM by PIB Delhi

Shri Piyush Goyal Minister for Railways and Commerce & Industry and Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution  today reviewed the progress of Bangalore Suburban Railway Project.

The Minister said that The project should be planned in futuristic manner to incorporate the growing needs of city like Bengaluru.

He said that Suburban Project should be based on Make In India policy and boost Atma Nirbhar Bharat mission.

The meeting attended by Senior officials of Railway Board and Government of Karnataka.

It may be noted that Government of India had approved the Ministry of Railways’ proposal for construction of Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project Project (BSRP) in Bangalore City in the month of October.2020.

The project envisages construction of 4 Suburban Rail Corridors with a total route length of 148.17 kms. The project will be implemented by Rail Infrastructure Development Company (Karnataka) Limited (KRIDE), a Joint Venture company set up by Ministry of Railways with Government of Karnataka as a special purpose vehicle. The project is proposed to be completed in 6 years at an estimated cost of Rs. 15,767 crores.

The project envisions creation of a dedicated Suburban Railway system in Bengaluru city to provide a safe, accessible and comfortable mode of public transport. The project will ease traffic congestion, enhance rural-urban connectivity and provide a cleaner mobility solution to lakhs of daily commuters. It will provide an economic, efficient and eco-friendly transit alternative to the Garden City of Bengaluru. It will alleviate the massive transport problem of Bengaluru and link all parts of the city in a seamless fashion. By providing rapid connectivity to Bangalore International Airport, IT Hubs and the Commercial centres, the rail-based network will boost productivity and growth by reducing commuting time.

It will integrate multiple modes of transport like the Metro, Railways and bus transport by constructing interchange hubs. This will ensure smooth and seamless mode of transport to lakhs of daily commuters.

The project is expected to benefit the people by providing a safe, efficient and environment friendly transport system, Reduction in commuting time, Reduced fuel consumption, Reduction in capex on road infrastructure , Reduction in pollution and accident, Enhanced Transit Oriented Development (TOD) , Increase in value of land bank in the corridor and generate additional revenue and Creation of jobs etc.

The project is expected to be completed by 2026.

Current fiscal most challenging for Indian Railways: Goyal

Fri, 26 March, 2021, 6:42 pm·New Delhi, Mar 26 (PTI)

 Acknowledging that this fiscal was the 'most challenging' for Indian Railways, Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday said it was time to rewrite the future of the national transporter as 'self-sustaining, punctual, green and first choice of business'.

At a review meeting with Railway Board members and general managers of zonal railways, Goyal said in the future, the success of Indian Railways would define the success of the nation.

During the lockdown, all services of the railways had come to a grinding halt and even now, only special trains are plying.

'The year was the most challenging for the railways. During COVID-19 the railways has demonstrated the resolve to fight back and emerge stronger. The mindset of the railways has transformed. The use of new technologies and innovation has created new standards and benchmarks.

'It is the time to rewrite the destiny and future of the railways which is self-sustaining, punctual, passenger-friendly, safe, green and the first choice of businesses,' he said.

The railway minister said the 1,223 MT highest freight loading achieved this year is a message of positivity to the nation. Also, the 5,900-km electrification achieved this year is the highest ever, he said.

Goyal also complimented the railway officers and staff for making 'extraordinary' efforts during the pandemic to increase freight loading.

He also stressed on safety measures to be adopted and directed officials to take pro-active steps towards the same. The railways has continued to maintain high momentum in freight figures in terms of loading, earning and speed in the month of March 2021.

Freight revenue for the year 2020-21 is Rs 1,14,652.47 crore as compared to Rs 1,12,358.83 crore last year which is a growth of over 2 per cent, Goyal said. PTI ASG NSD NSD

You can't charge mobile, laptop in trains during this time

The Railways have also announced a slew of initiatives against smoking and carrying inflammable items, which were apparently also the cause behind some of the recent fires onboard train

PTI | March 31, 2021 | Updated 13:56 IST