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| GM's Republic Day Message 2007 |
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On the glorious occasion of 58th Republic Day, I extend my warmest and heartiest greetings to all Railwaymen, women and their families. I also take this opportunity to wish you all a bright and prosperous New Year - 2007.
Indian Railways have been the life line of the nation. It not only creates economical & social integration but also emotional integration all over India irrespective of caste, creed, language, religion & state boundaries.
Since operationalization, East Coast Railway has marched ahead impressively on all spheres of its working. My congratulations to all ECoR men & women for their outstanding performance in making this newly born Zonal Railway a fulfledged Railway.
In the first nine months of this financial year up to Dec’06, we have already loaded 60.58 MT which is 4.17 MT more than last year. We have carried 38.10 Million passengers which is a growth of 5.05 Million over last year. Our earnings stood at 3268.18 crores which is approx. Rs.332.24 crores more than last year. East Coast Railway’s Operating Ratio stood at 51.64% up to December, 2006.
Proper attention to rules & regulations, quality of work, avoiding shortcut methods & safety in train operation are the only ways to ensure safety. This year our safety record is not up to the mark as compared to last year. I request all of you on this august occasion to work unitedly to reduce accidents and any such unusual occurrences.
I have always laid a great deal of stress on improvement in the quality of service that we provide to our customers. As on December, 2006, Passenger Reservation System has been made functional at 52 locations and eight more sanctioned during the year at Nayagarh, Nawarangpur, Phulbani, Parvatipuram, Jajpur Town, Deogarh, Boudh & Zonal Hd.quarters/BBS are likely to be made operational during this financial year.
Similarly, Unreserved Ticketing System has been commissioned at 20 locations and further 25 more at Talcher, Koraput, Angul, Dhenkanal, Ichchapuram, Paradeep, Chatrapur, Barang, Mancheswar, Nirakarpur, Kaluparaghat, Hirakud, Kantabanji, Kesinga, Mahasamund, Khariar Road, Nawapara Road, Bargarh Road, Bobbili, Chhatriput, Chipurpalli, Parvathipuram, Parvathipuram Town, Jeypore & Jagdalpur are in various stages of progress.
Out of eight new trains, six trains have already been introduced. Balance two new trains (Bhubaneswar-Pandichery-Bhubaneswar Weekly Exp) & Bhubaneswar-Baripada-Bhubaneswar Tri-weekly Exp) will also be introduced during the current year.
Seven trains were announced by Hon’ble MR for extension during the current financial year. Out of seven trains, five trains viz. 8473/8474 (Puri-Jaipur-Puri), 8305/8306 (Sambalpur-Raipur-Sambalpur), 212/211 (Sambalpur-Puri-Sambalpur Pass), 234B/233B (Cuttack-Jajpur Keonjhar Road-Cuttack Pass) & 2847/2848 (Vasco-da-gama-Vijayawada-Vasco-da-gama Exp) have already been extended and balance two 8507/8508 (Visakhapatnam-Nizamuddin-Visakhapatnam Exp.) to Amritsar and 8563/8564 (Visakhapatnam – Bangalore - Visakhapatnam Exp.) to Bhubaneswar will be extended during the current year.
Railway Board has added another feather on the cap of East Coast Railway by declaring Bhubaneswar Railway station as one of the 17 Stations on Indian Railways which will be made as World Class Railway Station. Consultancy contract for making a Master Plan of Bhubaneswar will be awarded very soon.
To cater for seasonal demands of the traveling public, for festivals, vacations, etc., this Railway has run 413 special trains up to Dec’06. Similarly, we have augmented 3880 coaches in trains up to Dec’06 to clear waitlisted passengers.
We have also speeded up 46 trains out of 58 having primary maintenance in East Coast Railway in July’06 time table out of which eight pairs of trains were made super fast.
Lot of improvements has been made in cleanliness of trains and at stations. Mechanized cleaning of coaches at Puri coaching depot has been outsourced to an ISO certified cleaning service provider and the feedback from passenger on this has been quite encouraging. Pest control and rodent control activities have been outsourced to professionals at different coaching depots. Mechanized cleaning of platforms at Bhubaneswar, Puri, Sambalpur, Visakhapatnam, Titlagarh, Bolangir, Kesinga, Kantabanji and Mahasamund has already been introduced.
The region is very rich in mineral and natural resources with a long coastline and is on the threshold of an industrial upsurge. Several mineral-based heavy industries, mega steel plants and large-scale refineries are planned to be set up in this area. Ambitious plans have also been drawn up to augment and modernize Paradeep, Gopalpur and Visakhapatnam Ports and to enhance their cargo handling facilities. To match with the anticipated growth of industrial activity, various projects for augmenting the rail transport infrastructure are sanctioned and being executed in the region.
Railway being the backbone for the industrial development of this region, early completion of projects has been a priority item for us. The much awaited new line between Daitari-Banspani is going to be commissioned shortly. The Cuttack-Paradeep section now stands fully doubled. The doubling of the section between Titlagarh to Lanjigarh will be completed by June’07. The doubling between Khurda Road-Delang & Sarla – Sambalpur will be completed during this financial year. Other projects like Khurda Road- Bolangir, Haridaspur-Paradeep, Sukinda Road-Angul and Lanjigarh-Junagarh are in various stages of progress. These will have a direct impact on the economic development of the region.
The construction of Headquarters Office Complex is just nearing completion. I believe this building will be one of the architectural marvel for the city.
When all the above works will be completed, the revamped coastal railway line system will substantially improve the rail services of the region and result in higher average speeds and increased number on train services.
On completion of 25 years of it’s existence, Mancheswar workshop celebrated Silver Jubilee in 2006. With its limited resources, the workshop has now recorded a significant achievement of turning out 100 coaches per month.
Diesel Loco Shed, Visakhaptnam has recently obtained Quality Management Certificate Registration of ISO:9001-2000 from BSI India.
Since productivity is directly linked to a satisfied and motivated workforce, this Railway is committed to win the hearts of our employees by carrying out several staff amenity works. Large number of new quarters at various stations have been sanctioned. Visible improvements have been brought in the medical facilities not only at the divisional hospitals but also in the health units by providing modern medical equipments. The existing Hospital at Mancheswar is going to be a full-fledged zonal hospital within a short period. Six Kalyanmandaps have been sanctioned and work is being taken up on priority. A children’s park has been opened within Rail Vihar Colony which will bring cheerful smiles to our tiny tots.
As directed by Hon’ble MR, in regard to touch & feel items, 15 stations all over East Coast Railway (5 stations in each division) has been identified for perceptible improvements in area of passenger amenities so as to provide our customers a higher level of satisfaction.
My congratulation to all members of Railway Protection Force, who have done their duties sincerely inspite of arduous naxalite environment.
The organized labour unions have already taken positive approach in maintaining good and harmonious industrial climate. Their concern is Railway’s improvement. I am deeply indebted to their concern in improving the productivity of this Railway and the days are not far behind to witness this Railway as the highest earning Railway.
East Coast Railway organized two major Sporting Events during the year – The 29th Womens’ and 52nd Mens’ All India Railway Volley Ball Championship and 15th All India RPF Athletic Meet’ 2006 during November, 2006. In the Volley Ball Championship, East Coast Railway won the Men’s Championship by beating all other established Railways. The grandeur in which these events were organized was highly appreciated by the sports loving people of the region. The organisers as well as the players deserve a lot of credit for this. To give impetus to sports activities, the work on the Railway Stadium has been progressing fast.
I would quote as Dr.A.P.J.Abdul Kalam, President of India said “ I can see that developed India is on the rise”. India’s development will continue. We should, therefore, not rest on our laurels. There are a lot of tasks ahead still to be completed.
Indian Railways is an organization of more than 150 years old. For such an organization to flourish, development of proper system should be ensured. In a new Railway it is highly essential that we retain those systems based on moral values and services to the nation and ensure that they don’t deteriorate over a period of time. An honest and sincere approach to work is all that is required. In our approach to the work let us not think what Railways have given to you, rather think what we have contributed to the Railway. The saying goes “As thoughts are the seeds of all actions, let us plant only good, pure seeds so that the fruit will be the best”. Accordingly we should work for the future, so that East Coast Railway becomes a vibrant Railway.
I once again wish you all & your families a very happy and prosperous 2007.
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| JAI HIND |
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(S.S.KHURANA)
GENERAL MANAGER
EAST COAST RAILWAY
BHUBANESWAR |
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