MoSR flagged off Santragachi-Chennai Weekly Antyodaya Exp.

Kolkata: Minister of State of Railways Rajen Gohain flagged off Santragachi-Chennai Central Weekly Antyodaya Express at an impressive function held at Howrah Station, New Complex afternoon on 4th June 2018. Member of Parliament Prasun Banerjee graced the occasion as Guest of Honour. S. N. Agrawal, General Manager, South Eastern Railway, Harindra Rao, General Manager, Eastern Railway, Ajay Vijayvargiya, General Manager, Metro Railway, Anirban Datta, Additional General Manager, South Eastern Railway, S. K. Das, Additional General Manager, Eastern Railway and other distinguished guests attended the programme.

MOSR Rajen Gohain while flagging off the train said that this fully unreserved superfast train service would not only fulfil the demand of the common people of West Bengal but also the common people of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Gohain also stated that this train is equipped with modern facilities and mentioned about the special amenities provided in the train viz. LED lights, mobile charging points, Bio-toilets, Cushioned Luggage Racks, potable water dispenser etc. Gohain also mentioned about the LHB coaches provided in the train to ensure the safety of the passengers.

Rajen Gohain also mentioned the recent achievements of Indian Railways in the construction of new lines, doubling works, the road over bridges, elimination of unmanned level crossings etc. All un-manned level crossings across Indian Railway would be eliminated in a phased manner, he added.

Photo Caption: Rajen Gohain, Minister of State of Railways flagging off the Santragachi-Chennai Central Weekly Antyodaya Express at Howrah Station New Complex. Prasun Banerjee and General Managers of South Eastern, Eastern and Metro Railways are seen in the picture.

He also mentioned about the progress of work of Dedicated Freight Corridor and steps taken to increase the average speed of trains throughout the country.

In this context, MOSR mentioned about the meeting of all Zonal Railway’s General Managers and Principal Chief Operations Managers who would look after the acceleration of normal mail/express trains. Gohain also added that all stations of Indian Railways have been visibly cleaned which were not in earlier time.

22841 Santragachi-Chennai Central Weekly Antyodaya Express will leave Santragachi every Monday at 19:00 hours and will reach Chennai Central at 22:45 hours, the next day. On the return trip, 22842 Chennai Central-Santragachi Weekly Antyodaya Express will leave Chennai Central at 08:10 hours every Wednesday arriving Santragachi, the next day at 10:25 hours. This train will cover a distance of 1655 kilometres within 27 hours each way.

Earlier, Anirban Datta, Additional General Manager, South Eastern Railway welcomed the MOSR, MP and other distinguished guests. K. R. K. Reddy, Divisional Railway Manager, Kharagpur conveyed vote of thanks.

SER stresses on safety precautions during monsoon

Kolkata: South Eastern Railway has taken precautionary steps before the onset of monsoon to ensure the safety of running trains, disruption-free services and also to minimise the effects of heavy rainfall during forthcoming months.

All the divisions have taken necessary precautionary measures to avoid any incident during monsoon and flood situation near railway track for the safety of passengers and smooth train operation.

The catch water drains and side drains have been cleared of silt, vegetation and other obstructions to ensure the free flow of rainwater. The waterways of bridges have been cleared of vegetation and other obstructions.

Full Supply Level (FSL) in the case of canals and Danger Level (DL) in case of bridges have been painted with a bright red band across each pier adjacent to the abutment so as to be clearly visible to the patrolmen, stationery watchmen and drivers.

Arrangements have been made not to allow water to remain stagnant on the tracks, in station yards, the cross drains and longitudinal drains.

Patrolling of railway track has been planned especially during monsoon. Stationary patrolmen and watchmen have been deployed at vulnerable locations. Mobile patrolmen have been deployed at vulnerable points.

Instructions have been issued that whenever there is heavy rain, the sectional Gang-man will organise patrolling of track on their own in their beat to make sure that the track is safe for passage of trains and ensure protection at all locations where wash out or slips are likely to occur.

Arrangements have been made to stock sufficient quantities of monsoon reserve materials like boulders, sand, cinder, quarry dust, ballast at identified locations. The engineering relief vans and their equipment are in readiness in strategic stations.

All the loco sheds have been instructed to procure sand prior to monsoon to keep the sander of the locos full to eliminate stalling of trains during drizzling in gradient sections.

SER is also in constant touch with the Meteorological Department and on getting adverse weather reports convey the message to the concerned division to mobilise the men and materials to meet the situation.