SOLAN

Western Railway and IRCTC are providing their valuable servicesunder "Mission Food Distribution" to needy persons, continuously during this toughest time of COVID 19 pandemic for last 40 days. Distribution of  food packets is under way to the needy, poor and homeless  people o­n daily basis with the help of  commercial & RPF staff and several NGOs. Community Bhojan made at the IRCTC's base kitchen at   Mumbai Central & Ahmedabad has been prepared & distributed to the most helpless in their darkest hour. In last 40 days, 4.90 lakh needy persons have been benefittted through this joint Mission Food Distribution.

      According to a press release, issued by Shri Ravinder Bhakar- Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Rly, this joint Mission Food Distribution hasentered in its 40th day o­n 7^th May, 2020, as it was started o­n 29th March, 2020. In last 40 days during lockdown, total 4.90 lakh  food packets have been distributed in all 6 divisions of Western Rly, to various needy &  helpless persons. Out of this, a major share of  2.50 lakh food packets, has been provided by West Zone of IRCTC from its base kitchens at Mumbai Central & Ahmedabad.  Staff of Western Railway from  commercial, RPF & other departments with the help of IRCTC, have worked actively, since 29th March, 2020 to provide hot cooked meals to needy persons, during the lockdown due to COVID-19. While delivering the food to needy persons, necessary aspects of social distancing and hygiene  are being ensured minutely by all concerned. In continuation to this, o­n 7^th May , 2020, total 7725  food packets were distributed over six divisions of  W.Rly. In addition to IRCTC's community food, Mumbai Central division's commercial staff distributed 1290 meal packets through various NGOs at different places over Mumbai Division, while in Ahmedabad division, 3425 food packets were distributed  other than  IRCTC.      Under DRM  Benevolent  Fund and the Ayush Mantralaya's guidance,  Ayurvedic  Dr. Shri Umesh Solanki and Homeopathic Dr. Shri Rajesh Modi from Ahmedabad  Division distributed 124 packets of ayurvedic medicines and 110packets of Homeopathic medicines to 140 employees, which will benefit to their 480 family members. Vadodara  division   distributed 1500 food packets  through Akshay Patra Foundation in Vadodara city. In addition to this , Veg. Pulao packets served to approx 150 persons at Nadiad Goods shed and poor persons in nearby area with the help of NGO. 100  food packets were distributed by W.Rly's local staff and NGOs at Bhavnagar and Vartej  stations . 155  meal packets were distributed by Rajkot division at Jamnagar, Surendra Nagar, Wankaner and Hapa with the help of  Sai Seva Trust , Jalaram Seva Trust and Reliance Industries Ltd.  205  food packets were distributed at different stations over Ratlam division. Jain Sangh of Vapi distributed  50food packets to housekeeping staff, parcel loaders and other o­n duty staff at Vapi station. . WR's commercial staff also distributed food packets near Charni Road & Matunga Road stations. Since 24th march, 20  to till date Andheri Rly Colony society of  Western Rly, has distributed 352 Tiffins to the essential service workers including RPF., GRP, Station Master etc. working  near Andheri Rly station . They will continue this noble deed, till lockdown is not lifted.

INDIAN RAILWAY’S SECOND TEJAS EXPRESS TO DEBUT BETWEEN AHMEDABAD AND MUMBAI o­n 17^TH JANUARY, 2020

Hon’ble Chief Minister of Gujarat and Hon’ble Minister of Railways will be the Chief Guests at the function

The long awaited semi-high speed and fully air-conditioned Tejas Express will make its maiden journey o­n 17^th January, 2020 from Ahmedabad to Mumbai in a celebratory function at Ahmedabad. The train will be flagged off by Hon’ble Chief Minister of Gujarat Shri Vijaybhai Rupani and Hon’ble Minister of Railways, Commerce & Industry Shri Piyush Goyal. Hon’ble Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Transportation of Gujarat Shri R.C. Faldu, Hon’ble Mayor of Ahmedabad Smt. Bijalben Patel, Hon’ble Members of Parliament Dr. Kirit P. Solanki, Shri Hasmukhbhai Somabhai Patel, Shri Mahant Shambhu Prasadji Tundiya, Dr. Amee Yajnik and Hon’ble MLAs Shri Gyasuddin Habibuddeen Shaikh and Shri Himmat Singh Patel will be the distinguished guests in the inaugural ceremony.

According to a press release issued by Shri Ravinder Bhakar – Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, Ministry of Railways has accorded approval for introduction of new Tejas Express between Ahmedabad and Mumbai Central which will run six days a week (except Thursday) with its inaugural run o­n Friday, 17^thJanuary, 2020 and the regular service will commence from 19^thJanuary, 2020. The train in its inaugural service will run with the Train No. 09426 Ahmedabad – Mumbai Central Tejas Express and will depart from Ahmedabad at 10.30 hrs o­n Friday, 17^th January, 2020 and will reach Mumbai Central at 16.45 hrs o­n the same day. Similarly, in the return direction, the train will run with the Train No. 09425 Mumbai Central – Ahmedabad Tejas Expressand will depart from Mumbai Central at 17.15 hrs o­n Friday, 17^th January, 2020 to reach Ahmedabad at 23.30 hrs o­n the same day. The train will halt at Nadiad, Vadodara, Bharuch, Surat, Vapi and Borivali stations in both directions. The train will have AC Chair Car Executive Class and AC Chair Car coaches.

The regular services of Train No. 82902/82901 Ahmedabad – Mumbai Central Tejas Express will commence from 19^th January, 2020 and will run six days a week except o­n Thursdays. Train No. 82902 Ahmedabad – Mumbai Central Tejas Express will depart from Ahmedabad at 6.40 hrs and will reach Mumbai Central at 13.10 hrs o­n the same day. In return direction, Train No. 82901 Mumbai Central – Ahmedabad Tejas Express will depart from Mumbai Central at 15.40 hrs and will reach Ahmedabad at 21.55 hrs o­n the same day.

The train will halt at Nadiad, Vadodara, Bharuch, Surat, Vapi and Borivali stations in both directions. The train will have AC Executive Chair Car Class and AC Chair Car coaches. Meals will be served by o­n-board service staff in Ahmedabad-Mumbai Central Tejas Express. Tea and coffee vending machines will be available in the train. Water will be provided o­n demand through RO machines for passengers. Tejas Express contains all the modern facilities with the state-of-art interior, personalised reading lights, AC coaches, mobile charging points, CCTV cameras, bio-toilets, LED TV, automatic doors and many more.

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