Prayagraj,
20 May (HS): North Central Railway on Wednesday hosted a dignified and
significant gathering for the 2nd meeting of the 10th Zonal Railway Users'
Consultative Committee (ZRUCC) in Prayagraj. During this pivotal meeting,
detailed and meaningful discussions were held on various subjects related to
rail services, passenger amenities, and infrastructure development. Prominent
among those present on this occasion were Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha,
Uttar Pradesh) Seema Dwivedi, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha, Bhind-Datia) Sandhya
Ray, and Member of Legislative Assembly (Rath) Manisha Anuragi, along with
other esteemed members of the committee.
Addressing
the gathering, Naresh Pal Singh, General Manager of North Central Railway,
welcomed all the MPs, the MLA, and the esteemed members present, describing the
railways as the 'Lifeline' of the nation. He stated that North Central Railway
plays a crucial role in connecting key regions of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya
Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan with the rest of the country. The General Manager shared details regarding
the major achievements and developmental works accomplished by North Central
Railway during the financial year 2025-26:
Revenue
and Freight Loading: In the financial year 2025-26, the originating passenger
count stood at approximately 15.51 crore, surpassing the set target by 2.8%. In
terms of freight loading, a volume of 20.97 MT was achieved, generating revenue
of approximately Rs. 2,292 crore. Train Operations and Speed Enhancement: To
enhance passenger convenience, a total of 16,075 special trains were operated,
and 899 additional coaches were added to existing trains. North Central Railway
also commenced the operation of three pairs of new trains; notably, the
Prayagraj-Dadri train has provided significant benefits to passengers traveling
to Noida (NCR) and Jewar Airport. Furthermore, the maximum speed of 24 trains
has been increased to 130 km/h.
Infrastructure
and 'Kavach' Technology: In the North Central Railway zone, 96 km of new
railway lines were laid, and 27 km underwent gauge conversion. To bolster
safety, the 'Kavach' (Train Collision Avoidance System) was recently
commissioned on the 190 km Prayagraj–Kanpur section, and it has already been
installed in 96 locomotives across the Kanpur and Jhansi sheds.
Station
Redevelopment and Passenger Amenities: The redevelopment of 08 major stations
within the zone is currently underway. Additionally, under the 'Amrit Bharat
Scheme,' work has been completed at 17 out of the 46 designated stations. All
necessary amenities for persons with disabilities have been provided at 192
stations, and employment has been provided to over 250 individuals with
disabilities. For the convenience of women, breastfeeding rooms have been
established at stations, and specific needs are being addressed through the
'Rail Madad' portal.
Passenger
Security: Under 'Operation Yatri Suraksha' (Passenger Safety), the RPF (Railway
Protection Force) arrested 452 accused individuals. Meanwhile, under 'Operation
Nanhe Farishte' (Little Angels), 942 unaccompanied children were safely handed
over to their families or to NGOs.
General
Manager Naresh Pal Singh assured the Honorable Members of Parliament present
Seema Dwivedi and Sandhya Ray), the Honorable Member of the Legislative Assembly
(Manisha Anuragi), and all other attendees that all valuable suggestions
received during the meeting would be examined with due seriousness. He stated
that matters falling within the jurisdiction of the Zonal Railway would be
incorporated into railway development plans, while the remaining proposals
would be forwarded to the Railway Board or other railway zones.
With
the permission of the Chair, when the discussion on the agenda items commenced,
the Honorable MPs, the MLA, and the other members present placed before the
railway administration the following significant suggestions and points
regarding the aspirations of the people in their respective constituencies and
the improvement of railway amenities.
Honorable
MP Seema Dwivedi suggested strengthening passenger amenities at various
stations across Uttar Pradesh, increasing the number of halts for major
Mail/Express trains, and undertaking the beautification of stations as well as
the improvement of approach roads. Honorable MP Smt. Sandhya Ray emphasized the
need for basic amenities—such as Foot Over Bridges and the expansion of shelter
sheds—at stations falling within her parliamentary constituency, as well as the
necessity of introducing new special trains or extending the routes of existing
trains. Continuing in this vein, Honorable MLA Manisha Anuragi advocated for
increasing train speeds for the convenience of passengers in the Bundelkhand
region, and for ensuring the availability of drinking water and toilet
facilities at stations and prominently raised the local public's demands
regarding rail connectivity.
At
the commencement of the meeting, the General Manager extended a welcome to all
the esteemed members. On this occasion, the Deputy General Manager (General)
and Secretary (ZRUCC), Atul Kumar Mishra, extended a warm welcome and cordial
greetings to the Chairman of the assembly—the General Manager—as well as to the
Honorable Members of Parliament, the Honorable Member of the Legislative
Assembly, and all other esteemed members.
Highlighting
the significance of the committee, Atul Kumar Mishra stated that the primary
objective behind its constitution is to garner public opinion in order to
render passenger amenities at stations and on trains as beneficial and
accessible as possible. This process assists the railway administration in
making precise decisions that align with the needs of the public. He further
informed the gathering that the 10th ZRUCC currently comprises a total of 52
nominated members, who periodically apprise the administration of the public's
rail-related aspirations through emails, WhatsApp, and letters. The Deputy
General Manager expressed confidence that this meeting would prove to be highly
fruitful in fulfilling public aspirations. At the conclusion of the meeting,
the Principal Chief Commercial Manager extended his thanks to all the members
present, and the meeting concluded in a cordial atmosphere.
Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi
