SCR to launch drive for zero accidents at level crossings

• 647 passenger amenities works have been sanctioned at a cost of Rs 438 crore

• Secunderabad is the first station in India to have 10 escalators on all 10 platforms

• Rs 95 lakh fine collected from 47,000 passengers for unclean practices from April to Nov 13

• SCR gross earnings of `6,744 crore include from freight `4,670 crore and from passenger earnings Rs 1,752 crore

Hyderabad: The South Central Railway (SCR) will take up a special drive to create awareness on safe practices at level crossings so as to achieve zero accidents, according to PK Srivasatava, General Manager. Addressing the media here on Monday, he said the initiative was intended to curb accidents at level crossings, especially the unmanned ones in the rural areas. The focus would be mainly on security, punctuality, passenger services, amenities and infrastructure development to achieve the desired results coupled with passenger satisfaction.

He said it was important for people to know that an express train running at 100 kmph speed just takes 20 to 22 seconds to pass an unmanned level crossing. The pilots of trains blow cautionary whistle 5 to 10 km ahead of blind curves and level crossings, unaware of this, people, and especially vehicle drivers, try to cross the level putting at risk precious lives of people. He said some 710 trains including 240 express 350 passenger and 121 MMTS were running daily on SCR. The compliance rate of the operations improved to 98 per cent this year compared to 93 per cent last year.

Giving details on sanctioned works, he informed that at present, more than 647 passenger amenities works have been sanctioned at a cost Rs 438 crore. 41 stations, so far, have been developed as ‘Adarsh’ and works on 10 more stations were underway.

The SCR had commissioned 17 escalators at a cost of 14.5 crore at 4 major stations - Secunderabad, Vijayawada, Kacheguda and Tirupati and 32 more escalators were underway at a cost of Rs 25.4 crore at 19 stations. The Secunderabad station got the distinction of being the first on Indian Railways to have 10 escalators on all the 10 platforms with lifts at two entrances. There is a proposal to increase the six carriage capacity of MMTS suburban trains to nine to accommodate more number of passengers.

On maintaining clean stations, he said major stations had mechanised cleaning services and public awareness campaigns were taken on large scale. And passengers found violating cleanliness norms were penalised to enforce cleanliness in right spirit.

A sum of Rs 95 lakh was realised as fine from 47,000 passengers for unclean practices during April to Nov 13, he informed.

Under the infrastructure development head, the Railways had sanctioned 21 new lines, 7 doubling and 7 electrification works and MMTS phase 2 on (2/3 cost sharing basis). The 59 km Raichur and Gadwal new line was commissioned at a cost of Rs 300 crore in October 2013. Another 39 km new line at a cost of Rs 200 crore between Khanapur and Humnabad will be opened soon. And electrification of Lingampalli -Wadi (161 km) on Mumbai route was commissioned at a cost of 600 crore recently.

Earnings, April-Nov 2013

The gross earnings of the SCR touched Rs 6,744 crore, a 7 per cent increase over last year. The SCR achieved freight loading of 68.5 million tonnes and freight earnings of Rs 4,670 crore, a 0.3 per cent increase over last year. The passenger volume of the SCR touched 10.9 lakh (originating / day). Passenger earnings rose to Rs 1,752 crore and registered a 24 per cent growth over last year with an operating ratio of 86.9 per cent.