Waltair Division has achieved several milestones despite pandemic. Divisional Railway Manager Shri Anup Kumar Satpathy interacted with the media personnel to share the various developmental activities in progress over the Division and the various measures adopted by the Division to provide best facilities to the passengers.
A presentation was given on the performance of the Division from April to August 2021. DRM said that Waltair Division did consistent efforts to continue the supply chain to various parts of the country. Waltair Division has achieved best ever freight loading during the period from April to August in the current financial year 2021-22. During April to August-21 Indian Railways has done an incremental loading of 131.00 MT out of which 6.82 MT (5.21%) has been contributed by Waltair Division. He also mentioned that Waltair Division is operating 37 pairs of Originating trains for the convenience of the public apart from handling more than 50 pairs of coaching trains passing through the Division.
DRM said that Safety was given priority by converting the level crossing gates to Limited Height Subways, enhancing the sectional speed to 130kms by carrying track modernisation works. The bridges were also rehabilitated with changing 750 steel channel sleepers and other related works.
DRM Shri Anup Kumar mentioned that the Doubling works in Kottavalasa-Kirandul line, Koraput-Rayagada line and Third line works of Vizianagaram-Titlagrah line are in progress and will be completed in 3 to 4 years time.
Explaining the importance of LHB coaches DRM said that 4 pairs of trains originating from Waltair Division and One train passing the Division have been converted to LHB coaches and more trains would be converted in phased manner. Replying to a query by media person he said that more than 300 coaches are allotted to Waltair Division.
He gave details about the various passenger amenity works in progress in the Division like Divyangjan toilets, Coach Indication boards, lifts, high-level platforms, foot over bridges, quick watering facilities, roof top solar panels at stations for renewable energy management etc.
DRM appraised that various innovative measures taken by the Division for enhancing the safety of train operations, shunting by providing CC camera on the Loco; saving the fuel and money to the organisation by modification of amalgamation of locos with Head on Generation technology.
He revealed that Waltair Division stood best among the other divisions by adopting innovative thoughts to provide best amenities at stations like Health Kiosk, Robotic Spa, Pandemic Preventive gears stall, packaging of parcels & passenger luggage with optional facility of door pickup & door delivery facility, train branding with NMDC, rental bikes for visitors etc.
DRM said that he had interacted with the passengers in trains and at stations to have first hand feedback, where he advised the rail users to adopt the covid-19 health protocol and to be more alert while crossing track & boarding/de-boarding trains.
ADRM (infra) Shri Sudhir Kumar Gupta appreciated the media personnel for their excellent cooperation with the Division in disseminating right information to the public and advised them to have free conversation before focusing any issues to get clarification.