2 Trains from (DMC)DHEMAJI to (RNY)RANGIYA JN

Northeast Frontier Railway celebrated the 73^rd Independence Day of the Nation in befitting manner. The central programme was held at the Maligaon Railway HQ complex, where Shri Sanjive Roy, General Manager of N.F. Railway unfurled the National Flag in presence of a huge gathering of railway officials and their family members. The General Manager also inspected an impressive Guard of Honour given to him by RPF contingents and Bharat Scouts & Guides. The Independence Day was also celebrated in all the five Divisions of N.F. Railway viz. Tinsukia, Lumding, Rangiya, Alipurduar and Katihar, where the Divisional Railway Manager unfurled the National Flag in presence of Divisional railway officials and their family members.

In his speech General Manager highlighted the need for having proper safety during train running. He mentioned that for improvement of safety, while all un-manned LC gates have been already eliminated, moreover normal position of 558 LC gates have been converted to “ Open to Road Traffic” position from “Closed to Road traffic” position for convenience of road vehicle users.

The General Manager stated that, while development of amenities at Guwahati station have been largely praised by rail users, passenger amenities at Rangiya and Tinsukia stations have also been upgraded for providing better comfort and convenience, while work is in progress at Siliguri Jn and Alipurduar Jn is also in progress. For convenience of senior citizens, 6 lifts and 6 escalators have been provided at different stations. Work is in progress for installation of another 33 lifts and 25 escalators. 361 toilets for the convenience of Divyangjans have also been provided at different stations. While 81 stations of NFR are now having free WiFi facilities the service is to be extended to all crossing stations by end of this year. o­nboard WiFi based entertainment system has been provided in all Rajdhani Express, o­ne Shatabdi Express and o­ne Humsafar Express train.

As part of the Green initiatives of the zone, Guwahati and Katihar stations obtained ISO certification by strictly adhering to various guidelines of the National Green Tribunal. The solar power generating capacity of NFR has also increased to 2388 kWp.

On the occasion the General Manager also awarded 9 railwaymen for their exemplary service extended during the year.

Later the General Manager alongwith members of N.F. Railway Womens Welfare Organization (NFRWWO) distributed fruits amongst the admitted patients of the N.F. Railway Central Hospital, Maligaon.

The Commercial department of Rangiya Division has taken a major initiative to spread the Indian Railway’s drive for enforcing the issue of bill by catering vendors to consumers in trains and stations. A campaign by the name of “ If no bill is issued, then your food is free” had been launched all over NFR by the commercial department and Rangiya division of NFR has given special thrust to this campaign in its jurisdiction. Through this campaign, passengers are made aware of their right for bill against any payment.All the major catering outlets in stations over the Division have been covered in this campaign.

A surprise check was also undertaken o­n train number 14055 Brahmaputra Mail which was passing through the Division to ensure that bills had been issued to the passengers in lieu of amount paid. The checking team detected 7 cases of non issuance of bill by pantry car vendorsamounting to Rs 880/-. Manager of the pantry car was made to refund Rs 880/- to all those 7 passengers o­n the spot. More such checks will be carried out in the next week o­n other trains.

The campaign also has a visibility component. T-shirts with motto "No bill, No payment, No Tips " for creating passenger awarenessfor their right to a bill while making any payments at Refreshment Rooms, Food Plazas and various stalls at Railway Stations have been distributed to catering stalk vendors at Rangiya.

Alongwith the message, the web address of "Rail Madad" is also given, so that, passengers can log o­n to “Rail Madad” for complaint related to overcharging or non issue of receipt .

It is to be mentioned that, NFR is fixing metal plates in all its coaches asking passengers to insist o­n bills. Severe penalty is also being levied o­n vendors who re not issuing bills to the passengers.