Bhubaneswar: The East Coast Railway (ECoR) has emerged the topper in freight loading with 191.74 million tonne and was second in improving punctuality. It also had the best Operating Ratio of 53 per cent, General Manager Vidya Bhushan said in an Independence Day message to all staffers.
Cyclone Fani had battered ECoR May 3, but ECoR restored all train services by May 12. The GM said that this could be done as all staffers went out to the field May 3 itself. “This dedication won us praise from the PMO and the Railway Board,” the GM said in his release.
The ECoR has decided to inaugurate a 200 MT Loading Club. “We have also resolved to deliver punctuality of 80 per cent and to achieve an Operating Ratio of less than 50 per cent,” the GM added.
ECoR has improved passenger convenience. “We added 33 differently-abled friendly toilets and three platform sheds. We upgraded circulating areas at seven stations (Baruva & Jhadupudi in Khurda Road and Koraput, Manabar, Jarati, Malligura & Keutiguda in Waltair division). We have given handheld ticketing machines to TTEs to enable onboard ticketing. We have also provided UTS tickets on mobiles and introduced a new design to ensure odour-free train toilets. We have fitted fire detection and alarm systems in coaches and provided lifts, escalators & FoBs at stations. An illumination audit was done to improve lighting at stations and all buildings,” the GM said.
To improve safety, the ECoR has carried out Through Rail Renewal (TRR) of 130.44 km, 25.56 km of Through Sleeper Renewal (TSR), 151.72 km of deep screening and 83.75 turnout renewals. Eleven level crossings (Sambalpur-7 and Waltair-4) have been replaced by Limited Height Sub-way/Road Over Bridge. 100 per cent cable testing has been done to ensure that signals do not fail, the GM said.
In 2018-19, ECoR improved infrastructure with 212 TKM, 51 bridges, seven RoBs and RuBs. The entire railway track in Sambalpur division has been electrified. Five coaching train rakes have been upgraded to Utkrist class with modern fittings and ergonomic seats. Seven Plastic Bottle Crushing Machines have been installed at stations, Vidya Bhushan said.
