W. RLY GM HOISTED THE NATIONAL FLAG o­n 74^th INDEPENDENCE DAY & EXTENDED HIS GREETINGS TO FELLOW RAILWAYMEN 

Photo Caption: Shri Alok Kansal - General Manager of Western Railway saluting the National Flag & inspecting the ceremonial parade o­n the Independence Day function at Western Railway Headquarters, Churchgate, Mumbai o­n 15^th August, 2020.

The 74^th Independence Day of our beloved nation was celebrated o­n Western Railway with the National Flag hoisted by Shri Alok Kansal - General Manager of Western Railway. o­n this august occasion, he inspected the ceremonial parade of RPF and extended his greetings to all Railwaymen and their families. 8 Corona Warriors from the Medical fraternity of W. Rly including two RPF personnel who have donated their Blood Plasma to save other’s lives were invited as special guests o­n this occassion. Shri Alok Kumar – Additional General Manager – W. Rly & Principal Heads of Departments along with Divisional Railway Manager of Mumbai Central were also present o­n this occasion. The ceremony was anchored by Shri Gajanan Mahatpurkar – Sr. Public Relations Officer and vote of thanks was offered by Shri Parikshit Mohanpuria – Dy General Manager (G) of W.Rly. In the beginning Shri P C Sinha – Principal Chief Security Commissioner of Western Railway welcomed the General Manager o­n his arrival.

    According to a press release issued by Shri Sumit Thakur -  Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, Shri Kansal in his Independence Day address said that, this year due to the global Covid-19 Pandemic, the economy of the country has been affected. Never ever in the history of Indian Railways, the passenger services came to a halt which proves severity of the situation, although limited passenger services were introduced from 12th May, 2020 o­nwards. In spite of such difficult times, Western Railway has played a protagonist in India's fight against COVID-19 by running 1234 Shramik Special trains which are highest o­n Indian Railways, carrying more than 18.55 lakh migrant labourers from various cities of the Western part of India to their home towns. More than 26 lakh food packets were provided free of cost to the passengers of the Shramik Special trains and almost 6 lakh food packets were distributed to the needy in association with IRCTC during the lockdown. This initiative was appreciated by o­ne and all, including Hon'ble Chief Minister of Gujarat who felicitated the entire team of Western Railway.

Shri Kansal further stated that enhancement of line capacity by addition of infrastructure has been WR’s prime objective. During the year 2020, work of 9.8 km Alirajpur – Khandala new line which is part of Chhota Udepur – Dhar New Line Project has been completed. After completion of entire project, an alternative route will be available between Indore – Vadodara. About 22 kms of Doubling work including, Bhildi – Jasali, Chamraj – Digsar and Shambhupura – Nimbahera sections has also been commissioned. CRS sanction has been obtained for doubling of Gambhiri Bridge with Railway Electrification in Nagda – Ujjain section. Doubling of tracks in Sadla – Bajana – Jatpipli section of Viramgam – Samakhiyali section has been commissioned recently. Railway Electrification of about 34 km in Mahesana – Vadnagar Gauge Conversion section has been completed. CRS has inspected 45 km of Railway Electrification of Mathela – Nimarkheri section. 42 Permanent Speed Restrictions (PSRs) have been removed, speed o­n loop lines in 11 sections have been raised, while sectional speed was raised in about 986 Km. To enhance mobility, CRS sanction has been obtained to increase sectional speed o­n Mumbai Central – Godhra and Ratlam – Nagda section to 130 kmph, which will reduce the running time. The Permanent Speed Restriction in Bandra – Khar section was 28 years old and its removal has also added safety. These have made it possible to increase the average speed of freight trains.

Shri Kansal also informed that, in continuation with the nation's prestigious mission of 100% electrification of Indian Railways, WR is the first amongst all zonal railways to successfully run double stack containers in electrified territory. The Double Stack Container train made its maiden run between Palanpur and Botad. This tremendous achievement will also boost the ambitious mission of GREEN INDIA. Western Railway has o­nce again been a pioneer by commissioning first high rise OHE with 7.57 metre high contact wire which is highest in the world and o­n 10^thJune, 2020, Western Railway created history by operating its first electric train in Rajkot and Bhavnagar Divisions, which had high rise OHE. With this achievement, Rajkot and Bhavnagar divisions have entered the map of electric traction of Indian Railways.

WR has successfully converted challenges into opportunities. Taking advantage of the lockdown, with minimal traffic, many major infrastructure bottlenecks and maintenance backlog works, which required long block duration have been completed. Re-girdering of six spans of steel girders and replacement of channel sleepers across Mithi river o­n Mahim-Bandra section has been completed. Six abandoned FOBs in Mumbai suburban section were dismantled. A 66 metre open web girder o­n ROB, in lieu of level crossing, was launched in Ahmedabad Division.

Shri Kansal said that, safety is the prime concern of WR and various special safety drives were run for staff, as well as the public. Due to adherence to safety norms, there has been reduction of 41% in accidents in 2019-20 compared to the previous year. During the lockdown, a special SMS drive cautioning migrant labourers regarding danger of walking o­n tracks was carried out. Special safety drives were launched for safety at work sites, OHE precautions and shunting operations etc. Western Railway is the first railway to successfully carry out zinc metallization of rails at Sabarmati to avoid premature renewal of rails o­n account of corrosion. To improve safety, 96 manned Level Crossings have been eliminated and 149 Road Under Bridges/Low Height Subways and 33 Road Over Bridges were made which is highest in last 5 years. 44 new FOBs in suburban/non suburban section has been constructed. 18 lifts & 14 escalators have been commissioned in the year 2019-20. Safety category has been receiving training for refresher courses through virtual means.

Shri Kansal took this opportunity to congratulate WR’s team of officers and staff who rose to the occasion and came up with various innovations to deal with the grave situation due to Covid-19. To provide quarantine facility for patients, 410 non AC sleeper coaches were converted into isolation wards equipped with beds, equipment stands, wash rooms and separate rooms for doctors in a short span of 10 days in the lockdown period. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit India, Railway Board enlisted Jagjivan Ram Hospital as a COVID Hospital. The doctors and paramedics of the hospital put up whole hearted efforts to fight this new virus with unparalleled skill, dedication and empathy. More than 1300 Railway and non-Railway COVID-19 patients have been treated with a recovery rate of more than 80%. JRH was also the 1^strailway hospital and o­ne among the 5 hospitals in Mumbai city, providing plasma therapy to its patients. Rapid Antigen testing has been started in Jagjivan Ram Hospital recently. CCTV cameras and Wi-Fi facility has also been provided in the isolation wards of railway hospitals at Mumbai Central, Ratlam, Vadodara & Ahmedabad. Regular supply of PPE kits, N-95 masks, ventilators, non-contact infra- red thermal guns etc. for better safety of frontline doctors and paramedical staff is being maintained.

Shri Kansal commended the workshops for making inhouse PPE Suits which was approved by DRDO, besides, masks and sanitizers especially for the frontline staff. Foot operated wash basins and hand sanitizers were fabricated and installed in Sheds, Hospitals and Depots. The Workshops& Sheds also came up with innovation like touch-free Thermal Scanner, Hospital Beds, Oxygen Cylinder Stands and spraying machine etc. Lower Parel workshop manufactured 5 intubation boxes and 3 sample collection booths for Jagjivan Ram Hospital, for the use in treating Covid-19 patients. Thermal scanning cameras are provided at Mumbai Central, Bandra Terminus, Surat, Ratlam and Indore stations. Touchless ticket checking system has been introduced at Mumbai Central, Ratlam and Indore stations. 111 both way Talk back system for face-to-face enquiry system has been provided o­n PRS windows at 42 stations and all the Railway hospitals. Touch Free Sensor passenger luggage sanitizing machine, automatic vending machines dispensing masks and sanitizers has been installed at Ahmedabad station. Fundus cameras have been procured in all divisional hospitals for eye sight checking with social distancing norms.

Shri Kansal further added that, it is a proud moment that Western Railway achieved the number o­ne position in electrification over Indian Railways. Record 664 Kms have been electrified o­n Western Railway during year 2019-20 which is more than five times the electrification carried out in previous financial year.6200 acres of surplus land has been identified long the tracks for installation of solar power plants, which will generate 1971 million units of green energy per annum. It will also reduce carbon emission, apart from saving in traction bill. WR’s 67 pairs of regular trains are run o­n HOG system, which is highest o­n Indian Railways. In February 2020, Electric Loco Shed Vadodara acquired Integrated Management System; ISO 14001:2015 (Environment Management System) and ISO 45001:2018 (Occupational Health & Safety Management System) certification. Coaches of 5 rakes of Ahmedabad – Darbhanga/ Varanasi Express are converted to LHB coaches, having speed potential of 130 kmph and provision of HOG. In keeping with ‘Swachh Rail Swachh Bharat Mission’, 5332 coaches have been fitted with bio-toilets. A fully equipped bio effluent testing lab is set up at Coaching Depot Indore. This has enabled testing of bio toilet effluent samples at Indore itself, as earlier the samples were being sent to Lower Parel workshop. Water Softening Plant along with Reverse Osmosis for drinking purpose and effluent treatment plant is commissioned at Coaching Depot, Pratapnagar. 35 stations o­n Western Railway are certified with ISO 14001:2015 for Environment Management System. 43 water harvesting have been commissioned in the year 2019-20. Automatic Coach Washing plant was started at MEMU Car shed, Vadodara to save water.

Shri Kansal also mentioned that Providing amenities and comfort to passengers is another thrust area of Western Railway. Wi-Fi has been provided at 291 more stations, taking the total to 423 stations with free Wi-Fi. 60 rakes of long distance trains are upgraded under project Utkrisht. Introduction of LSLRD coaches in Karnavati Express and Mumbai – Jaipur Special has not o­nly increased luggage space, but has also provided more seats especially for Divyangjan. WR’s Railway Protection Force unearthed a big organized crime in Surat in which rail tickets were booked using MAC software and virtual proxy network. More than 3 lakh tickets were seized valuing over Rs.68 crore. RPF united 182runaway children with their families or handed them over to NGO/City Police. Shri Kansal appreciated the Western Railway Women's Welfare Organisation (WRWWO) who have always rendered support to WR’s staff and their families in the testing times of need. Besides various donations like Deep Freezers for the RPF barracks etc, water purifiers, Induction plates with utensils and Hot/cold water dispensers was donated by WRWWO to JRH for taking care of patients and paramedical staff.

General Manager endorsed that all the above achievements have been possible because of hard and dedicated work by the staff. He also lauded the role of the recognized Trade Unions and Associations and thanked them for fostering cordial industrial relations between the administration and the railwaymen.He added that WR will continue with the fight against COVID-19 and bounce back with full force to make good the losses in the revenues and achieve the targets.

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