MINUTES OF THE 112TH ZRUCC MEETING HELD ON 15.06.2011 AT CSTM AUDITORIUM AT 11.00HRS.
1.DGM & Secretary, ZRUCC welcomed all the Members and PHODs on behalf of General Manager Central Railway in 112th ZRUCC meeting.
2.Shri Kulbhushan, GM & Hon’ble Chairman of the Committee while welcoming the Hon’ble members and the Officers in 112th meeting of ZRUCC briefed them about the performance highlights and achievements of Central Railway. GM emphasized that this forum plays a very important link between the railways and the rail-users.
3.In order to improve the passenger amenities, many steps have been undertaken, like augmentation of Mail/Express trains, opening of Jan Ahaar stalls at Pune, CSTM, NGP, Miraj & SUR where economic and good quality food is being served at reasonable price. Earlier, catering was looked after by IRCTC, gradually, railways is taking over the same.
4.On Board House Keeping Services has been started in 15 trains. There has been a good response from passengers and tenders are being invited for other important Mail/Express trains also in phased manner.
5.As has been assured in the last ZRUCC meeting, construction of FOB at Vikhroli is in the final stage and it will be commissioned shortly.
6.Based on the feedback from members, the catering staff traveling in the trains have been instructed to issue bills for the goods provided. The rate list of all the food items have been pasted in the coaches so as to prevent overcharging. Telephone nos. where passengers can lodge their complaints through SMS has also been displayed, so that immediate action can be taken against the culprits. However, some cases have come to notice where the rate list pasted in the coaches have been defaced by unscrupulous elements. Further efforts in this direction like printing of rates on bed roll cover, campaign through distribution of hand bills & SMS etc. are also being contemplated.
7.On completion of gauge conversion of Miraj-Pandharpur section, 3 new trains have been started on 20.02.2011. Further works done on passenger amenities front and action taken in other matters were informed to the members.
Hon’ble Members were requested to put forth their valuable suggestions for discussion.
1.Shri G.P. Singh
(a) Shri Singh stated that house keeping on trains and stations should be given more importance. He also informed that in AC trains going towards North, napkins & towels are not being provided
(b)Water bottles of various brands are being sold at the stalls in the stations. He stated that only a particular brand of packaged water should be sold at the stalls.
CCM informed that efforts are being made to supply Rail Neer only, but due to heavy demand and short supply, the demand is not being met with. He further mentioned that only 6 brands of packaged water are approved for supply at the stalls.
Shri Singh suggested that the brand names which are supposed to be supplied, shall be displayed in the rate list provided at the stalls. GM appreciated the suggestions.
(c)Member further mentioned that there is unauthorized vending in trains and at stations.
GM mentioned that in order to curb unauthorized vending, extensive drive is being carried out at regular intervals by a team of security and commercial staff.
2.Shri Vasant Kumar Devji
(a)He informed that mosquitoes are present in the AC coaches of Howrah Mail. The cleanliness in the coaches is not up to the mark.
GM informed that since the said train belongs to Eastern Railway, the matter will be taken up with Eastern Railway.
3.Shri Shankar Rao Pitla
(a)He suggested that the issues which are accepted or rejected should be communicated to the members. No reply is being received by the members.
GM mentioned that the action taken on the points raised by the members in the 111th ZRUCC meeting has already been included in the booklet. If any letter is written by the member, the same is being replied.
(b)He further suggested that atleast 4 suggestions of each member should be taken into consideration.
GM mentioned that two items are taken in the agenda and further items are taken up after the agenda items are over, if time permits.
(c)Shri Pitla suggested that additional coaches should be attached to the trains going towards Secunderabad and extension may be given to 17417/18 & 17057/58.
GM mentioned that attaching additional coaches to trains or extension of trains is a policy decision which is to be taken at Railway Board’s level. Further, there are constraints of berthing capacity on platforms. Thus extension is not feasible at present.
4.Shri Suresh Runwal
(a)Shri Runwal appreciated the fact that rate list have been pasted in all the coaches. He further suggested that quantity of food that is given should also be mentioned in the list. The suggestion was appreciated by the General Manager.
(b)He suggested that trains going to Sainagar may be extended upto Manmad.
GM mentioned that extension of trains is a policy decision to be taken at Railway Board’s level.
5.Shri Pascoal Fernandes
(a)Shri Pascoal Fernandes conveyed that Hon’ble MP, Ms. Priya Dutt will not be able to attend the meeting due to some pre-occupation and informed that Hon’ble MP will be present in the next meeting.
(b)He congratulated Central Railway for the work done in regard to FOB at Vikhroli and suggested that the debris at the work site which is scattered around the station should be removed. He further mentioned that Vikhroli is having noise pollution because of continuous honking of trains to avoid accidents.
GM informed that the debris lying at the construction site would be removed. It was informed that drivers have been advised to blow horn to attract attention of trespassers to avoid runovers. Cooperation for closure of the level crossing gates on completion of work of FOB was sought from members.
(c)Shri Fernandes requested that more ticket counters should be opened at Vikroli station. Facilitators for the use of ATVMs should be given for Vikhroli station.
(d)Stone throwing has become rampant in trains. Efforts should be made to curb the same.
GM stated that certain spots have been identified and measures jointly with State police are being taken to tackle this issue.
(e)Shri Fernandes mentioned that people coming from out station to Mumbai are being checked for currency and their mobile phones are being checked. This is a bad practice and should not be allowed.
CSC mentioned that GRP & RPF staff has been advised not to harass innocent passengers.
(f)He further mentioned that at Dadar/W.Rly., the platform level is very high and it becomes difficult for passenger to board or alight from the train. The same should be looked into. The suggestion will be forwarded to W.Rly.
(g)He mentioned that “Mandovi Express” is pronounced as “Mandvi Express at CSTM and in KRCL. The train is named after a river in Goa and shall be announced correctly.
6.Shri Sachin Kumar Chordiya
(a)Shri Chordiya mentioned that the ROB at Shivaji nagar in Bhusaval is in a very dilapidated condition and needs urgent repairs. DRM may be advised to take further necessary action in the matter in consultation with State Administration.
GM mentioned that as and when the State Government provides funds, the repair work of the ROB will be taken up by Railways. Necessary cooperation will be extended.
(b)Shri Chordiya requested for provision of Common Effluent Treatment plant at BSL. It was informed that the proposal has been framed and under technical examination with NEERI. Further action will be taken after technical approval.
7.Shri Chandmal Parmar
(a)He mentioned that certain stations/sections of Mumbai division & SUR division should be transferred to Pune division. He further suggested that the DD-MMR section which is under SUR division at present be given under Pune division.
GM mentioned that demarcation of divisions is done at Rly. Board’s level.
(b)Shri Parmar further suggested that new EMU terminal should be in front of RTO. It was told that master plan of EMU terminal towards RTO side has been made and details can be sought from DRM/PA.
(c)He further said that minutes of the DRUCC meeting which is held in the division should also be sent to the ZRUCC member of that area.
GM stated that the minutes of the meeting shall be put up on the website so that it can be accessed easily.
(d)Possibility of third track between Pune and Lonavala be explored.
GM mentioned that survey of the same is sanctioned & is being done.
(e)Shri Parmar mentioned that Pune-LNL & Pune-Jejuri should be declared as suburban railway so that more people are benefited by it and railway revenue will also increase.
CCM mentioned that Jejuri has been declared as Goods shed but proper utilization is not being done. The Chamber of commerce shall make full use of the facilities
(f)New modernized EMU with toilets should be introduced between Pune–LNL for the benefit of the people.
(g)PA-Miraj doubling and electrification to be done. It was mentioned that the same is not financially advantageous at present.
(h)Trains shall be enhanced in KJT-PNVL section. The suggestion is noted.
8.Shri Nasiruddin Khan
(a)Shri Khan congratulated Central Railway for the summer specials which were run during the summer vacations for the benefit of rail users.
(b)He also thanked railway administration for starting of Jan Ahaar at CSTM where good quality food at reasonable price is provided to the passengers.
(c)He mentioned that construction of LTT building was to be completed by 30 June, 2011 but it is not completed till date, lot of work is yet to be done.
GM informed that funds are being made available, the work will get the momentum and first phase will be completed in 4-5 months time. It was further said that work of putting up food stalls at the LTT is being given to IRCTC.
(d)Shri Khan raised his objection to the extension of LTT-ALD train upto Faizabad as this will affect accommodation of passengers going to ALD. CPTM informed Shri Khan to send his proposal in writing for full examination.
9.Shri Shambhu Singh Chauhan
(a)The punctuality of Jan Shatabdi PA-HYD which runs 4 days a week needs to be improved. He further requested that the train be given halt at Daund.
CPTM stated that this will be examined.
(b)The existing old FOB at Pune station needs to be widened. It was informed that the extension work has already been sanctioned.
(c)SUR-Ahmedabad holiday special shall be run frequently. The suggestion is noted.
10.Shri Harshad More
(a)Nizamabad-Pandharpur train may be extended upto Kurduwadi. This will help many people from the local areas to go to Kurduwadi.
(b)Miraj passenger may be extended upto Kurduwadi.
(c)New trains may be started between Pandharpur – Kurduwadi, SUR-Mumbai and Latur-Pandharpur
GM mentioned that doubling of SUR-DD is under process. Once the doubling is done more trains shall be introduced.
11.Shri Narendra Mathur
(a)He informed that cleanliness in trains and platforms should be further improved.
(b)Local trains colour scheme shall be changed and they should be re-painted so that their appearance is improved.
GM mentioned that the old rakes are being retrofitted and new colour scheme is being gradually introduced.
(c)Direct train from BPL-Mumbai may be started and frequency of BPL-LTT should be increased.
(d)In Jhelum Express, no quota is available for AC with BPL. This matter pertains to W.C.Rly.
(e)There is no train connecting Shirdi & Madhya Pradesh. This may be done so that people from Madhya Pradesh can also come to Shirdi.
12.Shri Rajendra Shyamlal Dadu, Hon’ble MLA
(a)Two additional coaches may be added to BSL-Katni passenger. The suggestion is noted.
(b)There should be a ramp on the FOB at Burhanpur. This will help senior citizens and handicapped people.
GM mentioned that the width of platform is very small, however this will be examined.
(c)There is only one window for PRS at Burhanpur. Number of counters to be increased and PF No. 3 at Burhanpur to be extended.
This will be examined.
(d)STD booth location to be changed for the benefit of the passengers at Burhanpur station.
GM mentioned that the same will be examined.
(e)Parcel booking quota at BSL station to be increased to 2 tons and certain trains which are very crowded are given halt of only 2 mins which causes inconvenience to the passengers. This may be increased to 5 mins.
CCM mentioned that parcel booking quota was enhanced in past but the same was not used regularly and hence discontinued. However, this will be further examined.
(f)Punjab Mail / Jhelum Express may be given halt at Nepanagar.
(g)One more FOB may be constructed at Khandwa.
GM mentioned that the same will examined.
13.Shri Raju Shetti, Hon’ble MP
(a)General Manager welcomed Shri Raju Shetti, Hon’ble MP to the meeting.
(b)Shri Shetti suggested that halt may be provided for all Mail/Express trains at Jaisinghpur.
It was informed that giving halt to trains is a matter decided by Railway Board.
(c)Advance booking period be reduced from 3 months to 15 days. GM said that the proposal has all India repercussions and is in the purview of Railway Board.
(d)One more Sangli-Miraj-Kolhapur passenger service to be introduced in the morning to cater to the excess rush.
GM mentioned that this matter should be pursued at Rly. Board’s level as starting of new trains and allotment of coaches is being done by Railway Board.
(e)There is a demand for Kolhapur-Dhanbad Express which will help many people from this locality. Further, new train on KOP-SUR to HYB may be introduced.
Starting of new trains is a policy matter to be decided at Railway Board’s level.
(f)New train which goes from Kolhapur to Nagpur may be named after Kranti Sheel Nana Patil. It was informed that this is a policy matter to be decided by Ministry of Railways.
14.Shri Pratap Tate
(a)Shri Tate suggested that the food that is served on the platforms should be hygienic and the stalls should be neat and tidy. The vendors should observe cleanliness.
GM mentioned that previously the catering was under IRCTC. Gradually, railways are taking over and assured that the quality of food will definitely improve.
(b)Shri Tate mentioned that his train from NGP was late and information was not available to them. This will be looked into and efforts will be made in this regard in future.
(c) Shri Tate suggested that ZRUCC members shall be called by DRM in DRUCC meeting. It was informed that this is not feasible.
15. Shri Subhash Gupta
(a)Shri Subhash Gupta appreciated the appointment of facilitators on ATVMs as this has helped in reduction of time for buying tickets.
(b)It was requested that the waitlist numbers should be reduced.
CCM informed that additional coaches are attached on the basis of the waitlist numbers and also augmentation is planned on the basis of this data. Thus this is not feasible.
(c)Shri Gupta mentioned that the SMS based information system is a commendable achievement for which all the members are very much thankful.
(d)He also mentioned that new train management system recently introduced in Mumbai division is also a good job which has also been appreciated by the commuters of Mumbai division.
(e)The Jansadharan Ticket Booking Scheme is a good scheme but not being used to the optimum. The scheme should be such that people get attracted and take the benefit of the scheme and priority should be given on first come first serve basis. He also pointed out that the charges for the same are more and it should be reduced.
CCM mentioned that these inputs will be used to further improve the scheme.
(f)Shri Gupta suggested that the proposal for new station at Dharavi shall be considered.
It was mentioned that this is a policy matter to be decided at Railway Board’s level. Further, increase in number of suburban stations will affect the running time of trains adversely.
(g)He mentioned that security of passengers is a matter of concern. In such cases help should be solicited from the local people to arrest trespassing and stone throwing.
The suggestion will be looked into.
(h)He further mentioned that feasibility of introduction of standing coaches should be looked into.
It was informed that the idea of introducing standing coaches had been rejected by the commuters in past. It was further mentioned that there are plans to introduce elevated corridors since there is no space available for further extension of stations. GM mentioned that efforts are on to convert all the 9-car trains to 12-car on the main line(CSTM-KYN) in few months time.
(i)Shri Gupta suggested that rate list be printed on the reverse of the ticket.
GM mentioned that a drive will be launched and pamphlets consisting the rate will be pasted on all the coaches of trains.
(j)Shri Gupta suggested that Dadar-Shirdi train be extended upto Pandharpur.
GM mentioned that the proposal has already been sent to Rly. Board.