PENUKONDA

                                                                 SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAY

                                      Press Release No. 326  Dt. 20.12.2019

ANNUAL INSPECTION BY GENERAL MANAGER,

SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAY

Shri Ajay Kumar Singh, General Manger, South Western Railway conducted annual inspection of Bengaluru - Dharmavaram section of Bengaluru Division today i.e. 20.12.2019. This inspection has a part of annual exercise to check the fitness of the system and ensure safe operation of trains.

The General Manger with Shri A. K. Verma, Divisional Railway Manager - Bengaluru, team of officers from headquarters and Bengaluru Division inspected Railway Stations, Colony, Railway Offices and Railway assets at Sathya Sai Prasanthi Nilayam, Penukonda, Hindupur, Yelahanka and Bengaluru.

In additional to inspection, he inaugurated a flag mast P.Way, material room & community park at Sathya Sai Prasanthi Nilayam, Goods Shed at Penukonda, Gym Room & Nursery at Hindupur.

In Yelahanka passenger facilities including new furnished general waiting hall, ladies waiting hall and VIP lounge were inaugurated and new dedicated to the public. Other passenger amenities newly introduced and inaugurated today Yelahanka include rental scooter. This facility is the first of this kind in South Western Railway and will be introduced in 13 stations and in 26 parking lots. It will secure approximate 9.9 crores in 3 years’ time. These facilities is aimed at helping the middle income and young population of Bengaluru Who can rent a scooter through an app and drop it off at appointed points.

In Yelahanka another passenger amenity namely the amenity information board at the entrance of the station indicating the locations of various amenities in the station area was also inaugurated by GM/SWR. o­ne more passenger facility which was thrown opened to public, in today's inspection is YULU rental cycle in Cantonment station. This amenity is targeted at young daily commuters who can hire cycles and Electric cycles from the Cantonment station. This service has been introduced as pilot project for three months gauge public response. This facility will be introduced in all other major stations and will get SWR an income of 2.9 lakhs from three amenities. If passenger response is good, a long term contract will be finalized.

The inspection concluded in KSR Bengaluru Railway station.  o­ne other passenger amenity viz.  an escalator in platform 5 & 6 was dedicated to the public by the GM today.  With these we now have 8 escalators in City Railway station for ease of travelers especially senior citizens, women and children.

During the course of inspection Shri Sankaranarayana, Hon’ble Minister of Welfare - Andhara Pradesh & Shri Sankaranarayana, Hon’ble MLA – Puttaparthy were also present.

In addition to above facilities Smt. Sujata Singh, Zonal President, South Western Railway, women’s Welfare Organisation (SWRWWO) inaugurated additional rooms constructed for stepping stones Primary School being maintained by SWRWWO at Hindupur in presence of Shri Ajay Kumar Singh, General Manger and Smt. Karuna Verma, Divisional President and other member of SWRWWO were present o­n the occasion. Smt Sujata Singh also inaugurated Ahinsa Udyan & community park at Hindupur

                                                       (E. Vijaya)

                                                          Chief Public Relations Office

                                                                 SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAY

                                     Press Release No. 184   Dt. 26.08.2019

SHRI SURESH ANGADI, HON’BLE MOSR REVIEWS

 BENGALURU WORKS AND INSPECTS BENGALURU

 STATION

Hon’ble MoSR Shri Suresh Angadi, today (26.08.2019) had a Review meeting with railway Officials of South western Railways. Shri Ashok Kumar Verma, DRM/SBC gave a presentation o­n Bengaluru Division of SWR.    Important passenger amenity works, safety, security & major works in progress were discussed during the meeting.  Hon’ble MoSR directed that suburban rail transport was a priority and suggested to explore feasibility of additional suburban services between Bengaluru and Whitefield for the convenience of commuters during peak hours.

Shri K C Swami, Chief Administrative Officer/Construction also gave a presentation o­n the important projects being undertaken for capacity enhancement over SWR.  The doubling between Yelahanka – Makalidurga (36 Km) between Yelahanka - Penukonda section was targeted for commissioning this year.  Hon’ble MoSR suggested that while doubling and construction of new lines, efforts should be made to open a complete stretch at a time instead of opening in patches. Details of land required to be acquired for various projects of New line and Doubling were discussed. Shri P C Mohan, Hon’ble MP, Bengaluru Central was also present at the meeting.

Hon’ble MOSR visited the staff canteen in DRM office premises, interacted with Railway staff and enquired about the amenities for Railway Staff at the canteen.  Hon’ble MoSR inspected KSR Bengaluru station with Hon’ble MP Bengaluru Central Shri P.C. Mohan & Hon’ble MP, Koppal Shri Karadi Sanganna with Railway Officials and interacted with passengers.

MoSR then inspected the restaurant “Cell Kitchen” at PF No.1 and interacted with the customers. He advised Regional Manager IRCTC to improve quality of catering service in trains and include more regional dishes from all regions of Karnataka in the catering services o­n trains.   He also visited the emergency medical centre, photo gallery and saw the working model of Bio toilet and was satisfied with the customers’ feedback. It is informed to Hon’ble MoSR that South Western railway has completed installation of bio toilets in 95% of trains and all ICF coaches.

Hon’ble MoSR also advised Railway Officials to strictly enforce the banning of plastic at Railway premises from 2^ndOctober, 2019. He instructed to launch an awareness programme along with local Members of Parliament to sensitise the travelling passengers against the use of plastics o­n trains.

                                                      (E. Vijaya)

                                                         Chief Public Relations Office