‘Chandigarh-New Delhi train journey time will get shorter soon’

Travel time between Chandigarh and New Delhi will come down soon, as the railways is going to increase the speed of trains on Ambala-New Delhi stretch, according to Dinesh C Sharma, divisional railway manager (DRM) - Ambala division. Interacting with a team of TOI reporters, the DRM also discusses issues like passenger amenities, punctuality and other operationrelated challenges in the Ambala division and spells out possible solutions for the same
There was a proposal to increase train speed on Chandigarh-New Delhi section up to 130 kmph.Has the division received approval from the Railway Board?
The policy of the railways is to upgrade the speed on all important sections, so approval is already there for Delhi-Ambala-Ludhiana route. The New Delhi-Ambala and Ambala-Ludhiana sections are certified for 130 kmph, but the approval is yet to be received for Ambala-Chandigarh route. This stretch has many challenges, including a large number of curves and certain other issues, which need to be overcome to go for 130 kmph speed. Last year, Ambala-Chandigarh double line project was completed, following which some of the bottlenecks were eased out, though not all. The division will tackle the same in the second phase. For the past four years, the division has been working on it and now the approvals have been received.
Two years ago, a French company had conducted a survey and submitted the report on introducing semi-highspeed train with 160 kmph on Chandigarh-New Delhi route. Any progress on the project?
The railways is working to increase speed on prominent routes like New Delhi-Mumbai. The work is going on for Chandigarh-New Delhi section also. But, we are not aware what shape it will finally take, as the ministry has to take a final call on it. The work on construction of walls along the tracks in this section is on. It will help in this project also.
The railways is facing issues with the Haryana government over acquisition of land for Chandigarh-Baddi railway line. Has any step been taken to fast-track the project?
Actually, this issue is with the engineering branch of railways and not in my purview. All I can say is that discussions are on with the Haryana government and soon railways will get possession of the land. It will be one of the important projects of the Ambala division.
Chandigarh is a world-class station, but it’s still considered an unsafe one due outdated CCTVs and no security checks like luggage screening. Your take?
Chandigarh is still ahead in most of the areas. The Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation (IRSDC) has been given the responsibility of planning in this regard and they are doing the facility management. We look after the core railway operations. As upgradation is a constant process, in the coming days, you will see better facilities at the Chandigarh railway station.
Some unethical practices by waiters in trains like Shatabdi, like demanding tip, asking for money for food items not part of the menu etc, cause harassment to passengers and bring bad name to the railways...
These kind of instances are in our knowledge. But the railways has handed over this department to the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and they are dealing with these issues. People are also being informed that they should not pay unless they get receipts for their payments. People should report matters like this immediately, so that authorities can take appropriate action.
Why passenger amenities, including ATMs, food outlets and charging points on various platforms, are not available at the Chandigarh railway station?
Again, the IRSDC is involved in such works. For ATMs, the banks will have to play a major role.
What initiatives are being taken to prevent intrusion on railway tracks?
Intrusion on railway tracks is one of the major problems faced by the railways, both by human being and cattle. This violation calls for registration of FIR against the guilty. To prevent this, the railways was fencing the tracks using wire mesh. But, of late, it has been observed that wire mesh cover does not prove effective. So, now the railways has decided to raise walls along the tracks in vulnerable areas. Wall to protect intruders on railway tracks in Panchkula and Baltana have been proposed on Chandigarh-Ambala section where maximum intrusions have been detected.
What measures has the division taken to control trespassing on railway tracks, which is a serious concern in the Ambala division? Can you share the total number of trespassing cases registered in 2018?
In 2018-19, a total of 1,397 cases were registered in the division, with 3-4 cases being registered every day. Tresspassing also affects the punctuality of trains. Another issue which the railways is facing is breaking of level-crossing gates to jump the track, which saw nearly 300 cases in 2018-19. High number of trespassing has also led to a high rate of deaths in this section. Last year, there were 677 deaths. The division is taking legal action against the violators, but awareness among the public is a must to stop trespassing. The railways is constructing walls near tracks in the division where the instances of human or cattle run-over are high. By year-end, 50 to 100 km will be covered. The state government should take a call to make railway overbridges, underpasses and pedestrian paths for commuters.
Why is fresh water used at railway stations to wash platforms and dustbins when the entral government has launched an intensive drive to save water? Why are alternative ways to clean railway stations not adopted?
Yes, the railways has been using fresh water for cleaning of platforms and dustbins, as there was lack of awareness about the misuse of water. But, now we are coming up with wastewater treatment plants for Ambala, Ferozepur and Chandigarh, which will cater to the water needs at these stations. Soon no fresh water will be used at stations.
The food on trains is not up to the mark. How can the authorities address this issue? Any monitoring by the railways or the IRCTC?
Train food is handled by the IRCTC. We pass on the complaints to them. In fact, the IRCTC was given the responsibility for standardisation. Even though the IRCTC serves the food, with the help of a very small team, we take samples once a month to test the quality. However, we still have to write to the IRCTC for imposing a fine for bad food quality. The person given the contract must take responsibility. Here, the role of customers and the media is crucial. If the food is bad, social media must be used.
Any plans to ease out the traffic chaos at Chandigarh railway station during the arrival and departure of Shatabdi trains?
The state police, which is GRP, is managing the parking lots and they should put restrictions on vehicles to enter the lane in front of the station and ask them to park their vehicles in the parking space. They have to maintain this discipline at railway stations. The system at airports can be replicated at the railway station for better management of traffic.
The railways faced a lot of criticism when the Dusshera tragedy took place in Amritsar? Do you feel multiple authorities were responsible for it?
The question is why the people come on tracks? It’s a violation of law. My train is designed in a way that even if I see people on tracks, I can’t stop it immediately. Drivers blow horn and reduce speed of train to some extent in such a situation. The Dusshera tragedy happened because public came on tracks and due to the noise of crackers, they could not hear the train’s horn. Only if people seek permission for organizing a function in the railways’ area, it can give permission. However, after this incident, people have started seeking permission, which is granted after reviewing the site. But, the permission is given only for holding functions in railway institutes or offices, never near railway tracks.
What is the status of Tejas for which the schedule was announced almost two years ago? Do you think the lukewarm response to Shatabdi trains is delaying the semi-highspeed train?
The railway ministry will take a call on Tejas...I don’t have much idea about it. The decision to run a train is based on several considerations, including whether there is a requirement to allocate a train on that section. Chandigarh is a hub of professionals and capital of two states, so it may be considered.
Do you think that the timing of morning Shatabdi Express should be changed, as it does not help professionals reach Delhi before office hours and return after that?
If there is a proposal, the division can forward it for consideration to higher authorities. Last year, the division changed time of the Bathinda train, and two lobbies emerged – one which got benefit out of it and another which did not. But, after 130 kmph, there is possibility that there will be cut in travelling hours which will see change in the timing of prominent trains. The direction to execute it is yet to come, but it will be implemented soon. At present, Shatabdi is running at 110 kmph as there are temporary and permanent cautions which lessen the speed.
Is there any permanent solution for smooth movement of trains during foggy weather? It has been bothering passengers for many years.
At present, a fog-safe device (FSD) with GPS system is used on all trains of the division. Through this system, the locopilot comes to know about the distance between the signal and stations with the announcement on FSD. The loco-pilot has to find out the colour of the signal when the train crosses it. The device is issued to the loco-pilot when he is assigned the duty.
Do you think that the 2015 accident adversely affected foreign tourist turnout on the Kalka-Shimla section?
Yes, that incident negatively impacted the image of the section. But, with the passage of time, there is a rise of 10% in the number of foreign tourists on this section. There is also an increase in occupancy of national tourists on the stretch. In 2014-15, the footfall of the foreign tourists was close to 11,800, in 2016-17 it increased to around 12,880 and in 2018-19, it became nearly 15,330. After that incident, there were few demands for charted booking on this section by foreign tourists. But, in the last two years, we worked a lot and things have significantly improved.
Did the Unesco’s World Heritage tag help the division attract more tourists to Kalka-Shimla section?
World Heritage tag alone does not help, as the division needs to sell the tag as well. The promotion of this section resulted in increase of passengers on the same number of trains which are plying on this section. Earlier, there was a system that every second train on this section would be rail motor car, but now we replaced it with full trains, which has increased occupancy. Last year, we used to receive request for quota during peak season only, but this year it has become a round-the-year phenomenon, which reflects increased number of passengers on this section. We use various platform to promote this section.
There is proposal to increase train speed on Kalka-Shimla section. Is there any plan to lay a new track parallel to the existing one to implement this proposal?
It’s true that the existing track is not fit for higher speed. The division was trying to increase the speed from 25 kmph to 30 kmph, but the technical approval is still awaited. How much should be the speed of trains on curves is yet to be decided. However, the division doesn’t have any plan for an alternative track on this heritage section, even though the new track could allow an increase in speed.
The railways has decided to cancel Ludhiana Shatabdi. Have there been some assessments by the railway officials to take such a call?
There are plans to run some alternative trains on this section. Also, there may have been some assessments by the railway officials on this section about the passenger turnout. But, there are no fixed norms on what percentage of passengers makes a train successful. There is a regular practice to assess the viability of running trains.
Is there any plan for starting new routes in Himachal Pradesh?
Yes, there are plans for many places. We want to take a line to Manali and from Manali to Leh. But these will take time and won’t be in place anytime soon. However, there is a station between Anandpur Sahib and Nangal named Bhanupali. A track is under construction from there to Bilaspur and Beri. Then there is one to Baddi from Chandigarh and another will go from Nangaldam to Talwara.