In a significant move aimed at enhancing commuter experience, the Eastern Railway (ER) has unveiled a comprehensive strategy to drastically improve the efficiency and punctuality of its local train services, with a special focus on the Howrah division. The announcement was made by Milind Deouskar, General Manager of Eastern Railway, during the 'Greening the rails, powering the nation' forum organized by the ICC's 3rd Rail India Forum in Kolkata on Friday.
Priority Passage for Commuters: The Green Channel Initiative
The cornerstone of this new initiative is the creation of a dedicated "green channel" for 200 suburban EMU (Electric Multiple Unit) trains. Deouskar emphasized that these prioritized local trains will receive a go-ahead signal under almost all circumstances. "We are prioritizing 200 suburban EMU trains (locals) which will be given a green channel no matter what," he stated. This means that even if a freight train is occupying the same track, these passenger services on the priority list will be cleared to proceed first, ensuring office-goers from the districts reach their workplaces in the city on time.
The GM stressed that steps are being actively taken to improve the punctuality of passenger trains, especially the suburban locals that form the lifeline of Kolkata's daily commute. The plan involves setting up dedicated tracks specifically for local train operations to minimize delays.
Expansion of AC Services and Streamlined Operations
Deouskar provided an update on the Sealdah division, noting that local train operations there have been streamlined to a good extent and that AC services are now successfully available. Building on this success, the railway administration is looking to replicate the model in the Howrah division. "We have asked for five more AC rakes so that similar services can be introduced in the Howrah division," Deouskar revealed.
When questioned about the potential routes for these new AC services, specifically on the Howrah-Burdwan and Howrah-Bandel sections, the GM indicated that decisions would be made cautiously. "Decisions will be taken only after extensive surveys," he said, highlighting a data-driven approach to service expansion.
Integrated Approach for a Greener, Efficient Network
The forum saw participation from other key figures in the transportation sector, including KoPT chairman Rathendra Raman, RVNL's chief project manager Vipin Kumar, and Metro Railway officials Asim Majumdar and Manish Jain. Deouskar used the platform to stress the need for an integrated approach across various domains like freight strategy, energy systems, technology adoption, and infrastructure development. The focus areas include improving locomotive reliability, reducing diesel consumption, and implementing metro-grade technologies for enhanced service.
Echoing the theme of sustainability, KoPT's Rathendra Raman spoke about the importance of shifting freight movement from roads to rail and inland waterways to achieve greener logistics. RVNL's Vipin Kumar highlighted the critical role of Metro rail, noting that it serves a staggering 15.6 million people in a city where vehicular registrations have soared from 7.6 lakh in 2001 to 21.8 lakh in 2022.
The collective insights from the forum paint a picture of a railway network in Kolkata and its surrounding areas poised for a transformation—one that promises greater punctuality for millions of daily commuters, the introduction of more comfortable AC services, and a sustained push towards environmentally conscious transportation solutions.
