RAJKOT JN

WR Press Release No. 2021/02Mumbai, 5^th March, 2021

WESTERN RAILWAY GENERAL MANAGER CONDUCTS INSPECTION IN RAJKOT DIVISION TO REVIEW o­nGOING WORKS

Photo caption: In the first photo, Shri Alok Kansal – General Manager of Western Railway is inspecting the track of Viramgam-Rajkot section. In the second photo, GM is interacting with trackmen team. In the third photo, GM is planting a sapling at the newly constructed railway colony at Lakhtar. Fourth photo is of the newly constructed railway colony “Rachna” at Surendranagar. In the fifth photo, GM is handing over keys of the newly allotted railway quarters to staff and their family and in the last photo, GM is inaugurating the new RPF Post Office at Surendranagar along with senior railway officers.

Shri Alok Kansal – General Manager of Western Railway conducted the annual inspection of the Viramgam-Rajkot section of Rajkot Division o­n 2^nd March, 2021. During the inspection, Shri Kansal inspected various o­ngoing works related to passenger amenities, staff facilities, safety/security work, infrastructural work, electrification work & other development works over the section. WR GM was accompanied by Principal Heads of Departments, Divisional Railway Manager of Rajkot Division and his branch officers.

According to a press release issued by Shri Sumit Thakur – Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, Shri Kansal received the Guard of Honour at Viramgam station by RPF. He then conducted an intensive inspection of safety aspects of railway crossings, major & minor bridges, trackmen team, point and crossing and electronic interlocking system in the section. WR GM also reviewed passenger amenities at Lakhtar, Surendranagar and Rajkot stations.

Shri Kansal inaugurated the newly built railway colony “Rachna” in Surendranagar, Dhrangadhra and Lakhtar. The newly built railway colony at Dhrangadhra have 18 quarters and “Rachna” Surendranagar have 52 quarters. WR GM handed over keys of the newly allotted quarters to railway families. The railway colony in Surendranagar is facilitated with modern facilities. The colony has 52 Type-II Quarters in 5 Blocks and is well equipped with Sports Complex consisting of Badminton, Lawn Tennis & Volleyball Courts, an Open Air Gym and Jogging Path. Benches have also been installed outside every quarter for residents of all ages to enjoy their time outside. The colony has dedicated water supply and sewage system and has direct connectivity to highway.

Shri Thakur stated that during the visit, WR GM viewed the exhibition displaying good works done and reports presented by Rajbhasha Dept. at Surendranagar station. He also visited railway colonies in Lakhtar and Surendranagar and discussed local matters residing in there. Here his team also inspected Traction Sub-Station, Health Unit, Accidental Medical Relief Train, TXR Office, Guard & Driver Lobby and Running Room. At Rajkot, WR GM inaugurated the newly constructed SCADA building of TRD Dept. This office will work as Remote Control Centre for Traction Distribution & will enable monitoring of electrification work.Shri Kansal also met representatives of Hon’ble MPs, members of Railway Advisory Committee, recognised trade unions, associations, journalists from press & electronic media and accepted their memorandums.

Photo caption: WR GM viewing & appreciating the QR code display stickers at Surendranagar station.

Under the Digital India initiative, Rajkot Division’s Commercial Dept has launched QR codes (Quick Response Code) stickers for all major stations of Rajkot Division. During the visit, Shri Kansal viewed this new & innovative initiative by the Division and appreciated the efforts. The display stickers contain 2D QR codes to easily scan information regarding Parcel Special trains, Passenger trains and Business Development Unit of Rajkot Division which will facilitate passengers as well as railway customers.

*********

WR TO RUN RESERVED SPECIAL TRAINS AS UNRESERVED SPECIAL TRAINS WITH EFFECT FROM 4^th MARCH, 2021

For the convenience of passengers, Western Railway had recently introduced several fully reserved Special trains to various destinations, including Passenger/DEMU/MEMU Special trains. Now, competent authority has accorded approval to run total 33 Special trains with 65 services having composition with General Second Class, DEMU & MEMU coaches as UNRESERVED TRAINSinstead of reserved special trains with effect from 4^th March, 2021, till further advice. Out of these 65 special services, 12 services are of Mumbai Central division, 13 services are of Vadodara division, 22 services are of Ratlam division, 8 services are of Ahmedabad division, 6 services are of Rajkot division while 4 services are of Bhavnagar division. Out of these 33 trains, 29 trains will be of Passenger train category while the remaining three trains will be of Mail/Express category. Train nos. 09077/78, 09007/08 & 09341/42 will be partially unreserved wherein o­nly the General Class coaches will be treated as unreserved.

According to a press release issued by Shri Sumit Thakur - Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, the details of these UNRESERVED special trains are as under: