South Central Railway celebrated “63rdRepublic Day” with gaiety and patriotic fervor at Railway Sports Complex Grounds, Secunderabad today (26th January, 2011). Shri G N Asthana General Manager, South Central Railway unfurled the National Flag and received the guard of honour presented by various contingents such as Railway Protection Force, St. John’s Ambulance, Civil Defence, National Cadet Corps, Scouts and Guides etc. He extended his warm Republic Day greetings to Railway employees and rail users.
Addressing the huge gathering comprising of senior railway officials and staff, Shri Asthana, General Manager, South Central Railway, highlighted that SCR would cross 100 million tons mark during current fiscal. SCR is all set to join the ‘100 million tons plus club’ of Indian Railways this year, which presently comprised of only 3 Zonal Railways. He stated that the three focus areas of S.C. Railway were ensuring safety in train operation, improving financial performance and provision of passenger amenities. SCR has shown a commendable performance on these fronts in the current fiscal despite facing several challenging situations. He reaffirmed SCR’s commitment to ‘Zero-Compromise Policy on Safety’. SCR was consciously taking several steps to further enhance Safety in train operations such as progressive elimination of un-manned railway level crossings; technical up-gradation and refined maintenance practices to increase asset reliability. Security has been strengthened in trains by deploying 337 RPF Personnel to escort 98 Express trains on sensitive routes. Towards further strengthening the security apparatus, Integrated Security Systemwould be established soon at 3 high passenger density stations Viz. Secunderabad, Hyderabad and Tirupati in addition to setting up of Close Circuit Security Surveillance System at several major stations.
He further told that SCR has posted a healthy growth rate of 10% in Gross Earnings, netting Rs. 5837 Cr. For the period April to December 2011. SCR loaded 74.5 million tons of freight till December end which is 6.6% higher over the last year. on passenger front, SCR carries a staggering 10 lakh passengers on an average per day. Punctuality of Trains is being given prime importance and same has improved to 94% for Mail & Express trains.
Passenger amenity infrastructure such as facelift to station buildings, improvements to circulating area / waiting halls / retiring rooms, advanced lighting facilities, provision of platform shelters and information display boards and setting up modern catering outlets continue to receive priority. Works on erecting 31 Lifts at 14 stations and 30 escalators at 10 major stations would be completed this fiscal. Apart from the already existing 25 Stations were already upgraded as Adarsh Stations and Adarsh Station works at 16 more stations were underway for early completion, he added. Shri Asthana further highlighted that an action plan has been drawn to upgrade onboard passenger amenities in the coaches of 6 identified rakes under a new concept called “Model Trains”.
In order to meet the future traffic potentials on SCR, enhancing the capacity on the congested trunk routes and various De-bottlenecking works were being given major thrust. Works on infrastructure projects such as new lines, Doubling, Electrification, road Over Bridges, Road Under Bridges and traffic facility works etc., were being monitored closely for expeditious completion. Shri Asthana advised the railway-men not to become complacent on the present achievements but to strive hard to reach still greater levels of performance with dedicated efforts and constant innovations to meet the challenges and expectations of the rail users.
RPF personnel performed adventurous acts in display of their valour and vigil. Students from railway colleges and schools rendered patriotic songs and cultural programs on the occasions. The splendid cultural show by RPF team showcased the oneness of the Indian People kindling patriotic spirit. In appreciation of the performances, the General Manager announced cash awards to the participating teams, parade contingents and organizers.
