Goods Train Derailed Bhubaneswar, July 01, 2009 Nine wagons of a Visakhapatnam bound empty goods train got derailed between Baudpur and Kenduapada stations of Khurda Road stations of Khurda Road Railway Division of East Coast Railway at 11.25a.m. today. As a result, the UP Line has been blocked. 2704 Howrah-Secunderabad Falaknuma Express controlled at Dhanmandal, 0201 Yeshvantpur-Guwahati weekly special train at Manjuri Road, 2820 New Delhi-Bhubaneswar Orissa Sampark Kranti Express has been controlled at Bhadrak station. Arrangements are being made to run trains via Down Line to avoid minimum detention to trains. Senior officials including DRM/Khurda Road Division have rushed to the site. Cause of derailment not yet known and would be clear after due enquiry is concluded. sd/- Sr. PRO

DERAILMENT DISRUPTS TRAIN SERVICES Bhubaneswar, June 29, 2009 Three wagons of a coal loaded goods train towards Visakhapatnam got derailed at Balugaon Station Yard at about 5.50p.m blocking both UP & Down line on the Khurda Road-Palasa section of East Coast Railway. As a result, 233 Bhubaneswar- Brahmapur passenger, 219 Bhubaneswar -Palasa passenger and 8447 Bhubaneswar -Koraput Hirakhand express will remain cancelled today. Some of the mail/Express trains have been controlled en-route for the derailment. 2840 Chennai-Howrah Mail controlled at Chhatrapur, 8464 Yeshvantpur-Bhubaneswar Prashanti Express at Brahmapur, 8412 Visakhapatnam-Bhubaneswar Intercity Express at Palasa, and 8645 Howrah-Hyderabad East Coast Express has been controlled at Kapilas Road. Senior officers from ECoR headquarters and Khurda Road Division have moved to the derailment spot. A crane has been moved from Khurda Road for rerailment work. Sd/- Sr. Public Relations Officer

RE ARRANGEMENT OF SPECIAL TRAINS BY EAST COAST RAILWAY FOR SANDHYA DARSHAN, BAHUDA & SUNA VESA Bhubaneswar, June 29, 2009 In view of change in the date for Sandhya Darshan, East Coast Railway has re-arranged to run special trains to and from Puri for Sandhya Darshan, Bahuda Yatra and Suna Vesa. Special Train on Sandhya Darshan: 05 Special trains will be running on Sandhya Darshan Day i.e. on 1st July 09 instead of earlier notification on 30th June’09. One special train will leave Khurda Road at 02.00p.m and will arrive Puri at 04.00p.m. Another special train will leave Bhubaneswar at 01.45p.m and will arrive Puri at 05.00p.m. In the return direction, Special train from Puri to Bhubaneswar and Cuttack will leave Puri at 10.45p.m, 11.15p.m and 11.45p.m and will arrive the destinations at 00.45a.m, 02.00a.m and 03.30a.m respectively. Special Train on Bahuda Yatra: 15 special trains will run for Bahuda Yatra. Special train from Bhubaneswar will leave at 6.00a.m, Cuttack at 08.15a.m, Palasa at 4.45a.m, Bhadrak at 06.15a.m, Baripada at 05.00a.m and will leave Kharagpur at 04.30a.m towards Puri. In the return direction, Special train from Puri will leave at 03.05p.m to Kharagpur, to Angul at 4.30p.m, to Bhadrak at 4.45p.m, to Dhenkanal at 5.00p.m, to Bhubaneswar at 7.15p.m, to Palasa at 6.00p.m, to Cuttack at 6.45p.m, to Baripada at 3.20p.m and towards Sambalpur at 11.30p.m. Special Train on Suna Vesa: 12 special trains will be running for Suna Vesa. Special train from Howrah will leave at 6.05p.m on 2nd July 09. Similarly, Special train from Sambalpur will leave at 6.30a.m on 3rd July, from Cuttack at 10.00a.m, from Visakhapatnam at 6.30a.m, from Bhadrak at 09.00a.m and from Bhubaneswar at 03.00p.m towards Puri on Suna Vesa Day. In the return direction, Special trains from Puri will leave for Brahmapur at 7.15p.m, for Cuttack at 11.15p.m, for Sambalpur at 11.30p.m, for Howrah at 11.00p.m on 3rd July 09, for Bhubaneswar at 12.05a.m, for Bhadrak at 12.30a.m, for Khurda Road at 3.30a.m and for Visakhapatnam at 01.00a.m 0n 4th July’09 (Midnight of 03.07.09). sd/- Sr. Public Relations Officer

PROMPT RESTORATION OF KAKIRIGUMA SATION BY EAST COAST RAILWAY Bhubaneswar, June 26, 2009 East Coast Railway (ECoR) has promptly restored its track and communication facilities at Kakiriguma Railway Station, which was damaged by un-identified persons at midnight of 24th June’09. To normalize the train traffic in Koraput-Rayagada (KR) section, ECoR promptly certified its track fit for traffic movement at 8.40 a.m. on 25th June’09. The magnetic phone connection towards Laxmipur end, Baiguda end and control system of Kakiriguma Station have been restored in the afternoon of 25th June’09 itself. The station-to-station communication facilities have also been restored on the same evening by 5.00 p.m. Due to the efforts and dedicated service by the Railway employees, train services in KR section has been resumed within 15 hours from the incident occurred at Kakiriguma station. Similarly Divisional Railway Officers of Waltair Division of ECoR from operating, Engineering and signalling departments inspected the track and the train services have resumed in the section.   Sd/- (M.D. Sahu) Sr. Public Relations Officer For Chief Public Relations Officer

BLAST AT KAKIRUGUMA RAILWAY STATION Bhubaneswar, June 25, 2009 Kakiriguma Railway Station between Baiguda and Laxmipur stations of Rayagada-Koraput section has been subjected to a bomb blast at 01.30 hrs on 25-06-09 by 5-6 unidentified persons. These persons came and forcibly took away Shri A.K. Prusty, Station Manager on duty and Sri Surya Narayana, staff on duty to a distance of 500 mtrs from the station. After that they blew up the station building. As result two battery rooms, Panel Board and Relay room of the Kakiriguma station have been severely damaged and there is no communication to the station from Railway Control Room. 8447 Bhubaneswar-Koraput Hirakhand Express which was controlled at Rayagada has been short terminated and will run as 8448 Koraput-Bhubaneswar Hirakhand Express at 10.45 p.m. from Rayagada to Bhubaneswar. Similarly, 8006 Koraput-Howrah Samaleswari Express scheduled to leave Koraput today has been cancelled between Koraput and Titlagarh. 8005 Howrah-Koraput Samaleswari Express has been short terminated at Titlagarh and will run back as 8006 Koraput-Howrah Samaleswari Express from Titlagarh to Howrah. 241 Rayagada-Koraput Passenger has been cancelled today. 242 Koraput- Rayagada Passenger has been short-terminated at Baiguda and will return back as passenger special to Koraput. 238 Visakhapatnam Koraput passenger has been short terminated at Rayagada and will return back as 237 Koraput-Visakhapatnam passenger from Rayagada to Visakhapatnam. Railway officials have already made efforts towards for normalization of train operations which will begin, on receipt of clearance from state police. (M.D. Sahu) Sr. Public Relations Officer For Chief Public Relations Officer

DEDICATED SERVICE PROVIDED BY ECOR AT PURI RAILWAY STATION Bhubaneswar, June 24, 2009 The East Coast Railway administration has provided dedicated service to the pilgrims at Puri Railway Station for holy Car Festival of Lord Jagannath. In view of this East Coast Railway had directed its employees to work relentlessly for safety and security of the passengers. This year total 66 trains have been decided to run to Puri during Rath Yatra. Among these trains, 18 trains have been arrived at Puri and 16 trains departed from Puri upto 4.20 pm today to the different corners of the Orissa and neighboring states. Another 07 trains left Khurdha and arrived at Puri Railway Station till evening. The Railway Protection Force and General Railway Police assisted the passengers and pilgrims to reach to Badadanda from Puri Railway Station. A big Rest Shed has been made for the passengers and pilgrims with sufficient water and Janta Meal arrangements from East Coast Railway. Round the clock sufficient lighting and decorative lighting arrangement has been made at Puri Railway Station. The First Aid Centers were opened round the clock on the Platforms of the Puri Railway Station. Huge nos. of passenger was got benefited from these centers. About 502 passengers got First Aid Treatment upto 05.00 p.m. today. They were suffering from headache, fever, and minor injuries. The doctors and nurses with Para medical staff of Khurda Road Division of East Coast Railway were served the passengers and pilgrims round the clock. The high level officials of East Coast Railway Headquarters and Khurdha Road Division including Divisional Railway Manager were present at the station and inspected the facilities provided to the pilgrims and passengers. Sd/- (Nirakar Das) Public Relations Officer For Chief Public Relations Officer

Three Trains Re-scheduled Bhubaneswar, June 21, 2009 Due to disruption of train services between Khura Road and Palasa yesterday, some of the trains were diverted. As a result 2841 Howrah-Chennai Coromandal Express scheduled to leave Howrah at 02.50 p.m. has been rescheduled to leave Howrah at 09.15 p.m today. Similarly 2863 Howrah-Trichirapalli Express scheduled to leave Howrah today at 04.10 p.m. has been rescheduled to leave Howrah at 11.30 p.m. 2819 Bhubaneswar-New Delhi Orissa Sampark Kranti express scheduled to leave Bhubaneswar at 03.55 p.m. on date has been rescheduled to leave Bhubaneswar at 06.45 p.m. Sd/- Sr. PRO

TRAIN SERVICES AFFECTED DUE TO DERAILMENT OF GOODS TRAIN AT PALASA Bhubaneswar, June 20, 2009 Due to derailment of 05 wagons of a goods train at Palasa this morning, train services in Khurda Road-Palasa section have been disrupted. As a result, some of the trains have been controlled at different important stations near Palasa and some of the trains have  been diverted, re-scheduled and short terminated. RE-SCHEDULED: 1020 Bhubaneswar-Mumbai Konark express scheduled to leave Bhubaneswar at 03.15p.m has been re-scheduled to leave Bhubaneswar at 07.00p.m. Similarly, 2843 Puri-Ahmedabad Express will leave Puri at 06.45 p.m. and 8447 Bhubaneswar-Koraput Hirakhand Express will leave Bhubaneswar at 10.00 p.m. instead of it scheduled timings. DIVERSION 2840 Chennai-Howrah Mail, 8048 Vasko-Da-Gama Amravati express and 2664 Trichirapally-Howrah Express have been diverted via Vizianagaram, Singapore road, Titilagarh, Sambalpur and Jharsuguda towards Howrah. SHORT TERMINATION 8464 Bangalore-Bhubaneswar Prashanti Express, 2829 Chennai-Bhubaneswar Express, 7480 Tirupati-Puri Express and 7016 Secunderabad-Bhubaneswar Visakha Express have been short terminated at different important stations and will run as Passenger Specials towards their destinations. Similarly 8411 Bhubaneswar-Visakhapatnam Intercity Express has been short terminated at Chatrapur and will back to Bhubaneswar. 217/218 Palasa-Puri-Palasa Passenger has been cancelled today between Khurda Road and Palasa. Sd/- Sr.PRO

ECoR REVIEWS SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR MONSOON Bhubaneswar, June 19, 2009 In order to minimize maintenance problems and safety hazards during monsoon, East Coast Railway is planning precautions in advance of the onset of the monsoons. Railways are taking monsoon precautions from 10th June till 15th November every Year. According to precautionary instructions clearly laid down, all catch water drains and side drains have been cleared of silt, vegetation and other obstructions to ensure free flow and quick drainage of storm water. The waterways of bridges have been cleared of vegetation and other obstructions. Protective and river training works have been maintained in good condition and repairs carried out wherever necessary. Full Supply level (FSL) in the case of canals, and Danger Level (DL) have been painted with bright red band across each pair adjacent to the abutment so as to be clearly visible to the patrolmen, special Watchmen and Drivers. Arrangements have been made not to allow water to stagnate on the track. In yards, cross drains and longitudinal drains have been cleared/provided to proper grades. In hilly areas, where there have been incidences of falling boulders in past, a survey have been carried out to locate loose boulders and such loose boulders have been dropped in a systematic manner. Selections of patrolman and watchman have been made and they have been trained and tested for their knowledge of rules. The duties to be performed by them have been clearly explained to them. During entire monsoon, Railway tracks will be continuously patrolled day and night by patrolmen to observe any danger or interruption and protect trains   and travelling passengers from any unusual occurrences. Arrangements have been made to stock sufficient quantities of rails, sleepers, materials for cribs, ballast, sand/quarry dust and boulders at suitable points near vulnerable locations, so that the materials may be rushed to site as required in case of any washout of bridge, etc. Temporary bridge spans and steel columns to be erected immediately for restoration have been kept in readiness. sd/- Sr. Public Relations Officer For Chief Public Relations Officer

ECoR APPEALS TO RATH YATRA PASSENGERS TO BE EXTRA CAREFUL IN OVERCROWDED TRAINS Bhubaneswar, June 19, 2009 East Coast Railway has launched a special awareness drive for traveling passengers in overcrowded trains. Railway administration has urged the passengers to avoid train journey on footboard, buffers and rooftop of the train compartments for their safe journey. Passengrs are requested not to take food and drinking items from the strangers, not to carry any inflammable items like gas cylinder, stoves, debris, even cigarettes and matchbox etc., not to touch suspicious things like tiffin box, baggage etc. without any owner, to avoid train journey without or with improper tickets, not to lean from train compartment of the running train and no to entrain or detrain when the train is in motion. ECoR has also urged the co-passengers and voluntary organisations to take special care of the concerned passengers and counsel those who are leaning from running trains, traveling on rooftop, footboard and buffers of the train and who carrying inflammable items etc. Railway Protection Force (RPF) staff have also been advised to take special measures like precautions on crowd control, and to keep a watch on touts and anti-socials particularly in crowded areas like Booking and PRS counters, enquiry counters etc. Sd/- Sr. Public Relations Officer

RAILWAY RATH YATRA ARRANGEMENTS REVIEWED AT GENERAL MANAGER’S LEVEL Bhubaneswar, June 18, 2009 Shri A.K. Jain, General Manager, East Coast Railway and South Eastern Railway today reviewed Railway arrangements for Rath Yatra - 2009 at Puri.  Shri Jain visited Puri accompanied by Sr. Railway officials. He instructed officers of Khurda Road Division to give utmost priority to comforts and conveniences of pilgrims coming to Puri by Rail. Safety, Security and Punctuality of Rath Yatra special trains were stressed upon.  General Manager laid great stress upon sanitation and cleanliness of station premises in view of huge crowd congregation. He also ordered the opening of a round-the-clock Control Room to look into passengers’ issues as well as smooth train operations. Highest emphasis is to be given on effective announcements at station and smooth disbursal of tickets through additional ticket booking counters.  RPF personnel were also advised to remain in the highest state of alertness all through the festival period.  Shri Jain  complimented his officers and staff for the preparations done and advised them to keep it up. Sd/- Sr. Public Relations Officer

ELABORATE RATH YATRA ARRANGEMENTS BY ECoR Bhubaneswar, June 17, 2009 In view of congregation of pilgrims during Rath Yatra and demand from different intellectuals, opinion makers and different organizations; East Coast Railway has arranged 66 special trains to Puri from different corners of Orissa i.e. Koraput, Rourkela, Baripada, Keonjhar, Brahmapur, Bhadrak, Angul, Dhenkanal, Paradeep, Bhubaneswar and Khurda Road including Visakhapatnam and Palasa of Andhara Pradesh, Raipur of Chhattisgarh and Khargpur of West Bengal. Apart from this, East Coast Railway has decided to open 18 ticket booking counters for unreserved tickets round the clock plus three (03) reservation counters. Additional ticket counters are also to be opened at major stations like Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Jajpur-Keonjhar Road, Bhadrak, Brahmapur, Palasa etc. Passengers are requested to purchase genuine railway tickets from railway counters to avoid inconvenience en route. Security arrangements have been strengthened by deployment of additional RPF staff at Puri and other important stations including passenger trains. Extra lady RPF staff will also be deployed for security of lady passengers and strict vigil during train escorting. Special squad for traffic control by GRP and special police from State Government including sniffer dog, bomb detection squad and metal detectors are being arranged from other Railways for deputation at Puri as a precautionary measure. One Ambulance and First Aid facility and round the clock availability of Doctors and Nurses is being arranged at Puri Station. East Coast Railway has stressed upon providing smooth train services and to ensure maximum comfort and trouble free journey for pilgrims. ECoR has given strict instructions to its officers to ensure proper facilities at Puri and at other stations. sd/- Sr. Public Relations Officer

PURI TO BE CONNECTED WITH TRAIN FACILITIES FROM DIFFERENT CORNERS OF ORISSA DURING RATH YATRA Bhubaneswar, June 16, 2009 In view of last year’s congregation of pilgrims during Rath Yatra, a number of demands of the pilgrims, devotees and general public were published through different media.  We have also received a number of letters from different intellectuals, opinion makers and different organizations on this issue. Keeping this in view, 66 special trains are being arranged to run during the Rath Yatra, connecting Puri with different corners of Orissa.  Special trains will run ‘from’ and to’ Puri connecting Koraput, Rourkela, Baripada, Keonjhar, Brahmapur, Bhadrak, Angul, Dhenkanal, Paradeep, Bhubaneswar and Khurda Road, this year.  ECoR has made special efforts to connect Koraput, Keonjhar, Baripada and Rourkela with Puri for Rath Yatra for the first time this year. Besides, special trains are also being arranged to be run from Visakhapatnam and Palasa of Andhara Pradesh, Raipur of Chhattisgarh and Khargpur of West Bengal.  The Time Table of the special trains has already been prepared and their publicity is being organized in the mass media. Special trains are being planned not only for Gundicha Yatra day but also for Sandhya Darshan, Sunabesha and Bahuda Days.  This apart, in order to have more trains to be readily available depending on circumstances and the need, a number of empty coaches are being kept in readiness at Puri for composing special trains. sd/- Sr. Public Relations Officer

SPECIAL EXPRESS TRAINS BETWEEN HOWRAH-YESWANTPUR Bhubaneswar, June 09, 2009 In order to clear extra rush of passengers, Railways is running Special Express Trains between Howrah and Yeswantpur through East Coast Railway’s jurisdiction.    0805 Howrah-Yeswantpur Special Express Train will leave Howrah at 06.45 p.m on 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th June’09 towards Yeswantpur and will reach Yeswantpur at 06.30 a.m on next Thursdays.   Similarly in the return direction, 0806 Yeswantpur-Howrah Special Express Train will leave Yeswantpur at 11.55 p.m. on 11th, 18th and 25th June’09 & 2nd of July’09 and will reach Howrah at 12.40 p.m. on Saturdays.   This special express train will stop at Bhadrak, Jajpur Keonjhar Road, Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Khurda Road, Brahmapur, Palasa, Vizianagaram and Duvada stations under East Coast Railway jurisdiction between Howrah and Yeshvantpur.    This train will also have a composition of two Guard-cum-Luggage vans, two General Second Class coaches, 08 Sleeper Class coaches, two AC-2 tier coaches and two AC- 3 tier coaches.   Sd/- (M.D. SAHU) Sr. Public Relations Officer

ECoR shall continue to co-operate in investigation by Law Enforcing Agencies: Allegations against Railways in Benudhar Case are totally baseless. Bhubaneswar, June 05, 2009 Regarding Sri Benudhar Bhoi sustaining injuries while travelling by 201 Santragachi – Puri Passenger train between Jajpur-Keonjhar Road and Jakhapura on 11.05.09, there has been persistent reports in the media that Sri Benudhar Bhoi sustained injuries after he was pushed out from the train by a TTE.  Departmental enquiry by the Divisional Commercial Manager and Assistant Security Commissioner of Khurda Road Division has been conducted into this case.  The enquiry has revealed the following. 201 Santragachi – Puri Passenger train left Jajpur-Keonjhar Road station at 10.10 hrs. and arrived Jakhapura station at 10.28 hrs.  The TTE checking tickets on the train detected two youngmen, Sri Benudhar Bhoi and his cousin Sri Pradeep Bhoi, were travelling without ticket. He asked them to get down at the next stop of the train. Approximately 2 KM before Jakhapura station, there was a speed restriction of 15 Kmph because of on-going work on the track.  The train slowed down at this spot to observe the speed restriction.  Sri Benudhar Bhoi got down from the train while the train had thus slowed down and as a result thereof sustained injuries to his right leg.  Sri Pradeep Bhoi, the cousin brother of Sri Benudhar Bhoi, however, got down at Jakhapura station. The people engaged in the track work at the site where Sri Benudhar Bhoi had got down from the train, had carried the injured Sri Benudhar Bhoi to a nearby spot.  One Junior Engineer of Railways was on duty at the site of the work.  He frantically contacted different railway officials to inform them of the accident and to shift Sri Benudhar Bhoi to the hospital.  The Junior Engineer enquired from Sri Pradeep Bhoi as to how the accident had taken place. Sri Pradeep Bhoi replied that they were travelling without ticket and when they could not produce the ticket, the TTE had asked them to get down at the next stoppage.  Sri Benudhar Bhoi, however, got down while the train had slowed down to observe 15 km speed restriction at KM 342/5-7 and in the process he had sustained injuries.  Train No.224 Cuttack – Bhadrak passenger coming from the opposite direction was stopped at the site and the injured Sri Benudhar Bhoi taken to Jajpur-Keonjhar Road station.  The train arrived Jajpur-Keonjhar Road station at 11.56 hrs. From the spot, Railway staff had taken the injured Sri Benudhar Bhoi to the Area hospital which is located nearby the Railway station.  On the advice of the Doctor of the Area hospital at Jajpur, the Railway personnel of Jajpur arranged Ambulance, money and shifted Sri Benudhar Bhoi to SCB Medical College Hospital at Cuttack. Two Railway personnel accompanied Sri Benudhar Bhoi and his cousin Sri Pradeep Bhoi to Cuttack.  After Sri Benudhar Bhoi was admitted, the Railway staff also arranged for blood for the injured Sri Benudhar Bhoi. It is observed that the alleged incident involving Sri Benudhar Bhoi happened during day-time in a crowded train.  It is difficult to believe that the alleged pushing by a TTE went unnoticed, and that nobody pulled the Alarm chain in the crowded passenger train. Both Sri Benudhar Bhoi and Sri Pradeep Bhoi were ticketless travellers and Sri Benudhar Bhoi sustained injuries while getting down from the train while it had slowed down to observe speed restriction, and in the process he sustained injuries   The cost of treatment of genuine passengers travelling on valid ticket/ travelling authority are borne by the Railway when they meet with any train accident or untoward incident during the course of their journey.  Ex-gratia payment is made to such passengers and they are also entitled to compensation from the Railway by filing cases in Railway Claims Tribunal.  Sri Benudhar Bhoi’s case is different since he was a ticketless traveler. No ex-gratia or other payment has been made to him by the Railways. However, immediate arrangements were made to shift the injured Sri Benudhar Bhoi, first to the Area hospital at Jajpur and then to SCB Medical College Hospital, Cuttack for treatment.  The East Coast Railway Womens’ Welfare Organisation, a non-governmental body, has also paid Rs.10,000/- as assistance for his treatment. The GRP, Bhadrak have registered a case and are conducting investigation into this incident.  Railway is extending all co-operation in this investigation.  However, different reports in the press, and representations from different organizations, particularly SEVAK of Jajpur, are alleging that Railway is trying to cover up the so-called misdeed of the TTE.  This is to clarify that such allegations are totally baseless and that the East Coast Railway shall continue to co-operate with the investigation by the law enforcing agencies.