Central Railway GM Oversees Safety Inspection and Launches Digital Cleanliness Initiative
In a significant move to bolster railway infrastructure and hygiene standards, Central Railway General Manager Prateek Goswami executed a comprehensive safety inspection of the Daund-Lonavala section within the Pune Division on Saturday. This initiative underscores the government's commitment to transforming Pune into a pivotal railway hub, supported by a budgetary allocation of Rs 23,926 crore for high-speed rail projects.
Extensive Infrastructure Review and Commissioning
The inspection commenced at Daund, where Goswami received a briefing at the Crew Lobby and examined the Electronic Interlocking (EI) Building. He officially commissioned multiple key facilities, including:
- A basic training centre to enhance staff skills.
- Solar panel installations promoting sustainable energy use.
- An electric loco shed at Daund for improved maintenance.
- A traction sub-station and a testing van to support operational efficiency.
The route extended through Kedgaon, where a gang hut and track machine rest house were inaugurated, followed by a speed trial on the Kedgaon-Uruli segment. Goswami meticulously inspected level crossings, curves, turnouts, and long-welded rails at various points, including Hadapsar station, ensuring adherence to safety protocols.
Digital Transformation for Cleanliness
A highlight of the visit was the launch of the Mechanised Coach and Premise Cleaning (MCC) App, a digital platform designed for Pune Division. This app addresses previous challenges such as:
- Lack of real-time verification of contractor activities.
- Inconsistent manual record-keeping.
- Disputes during audits and inspections.
The app enables time-stamped data entry by supervisors, maintains digital audit trails, and replaces paper-based processes with automated workflows, scorecards, and dashboards. This innovation aligns with the Swachh Bharat Mission and Swachh Railways objectives, enhancing cleanliness monitoring across railway coaches and premises.
Strategic Development Plans for Pune
During a press conference, Goswami emphasized Pune's strategic role in the railway network, noting its inclusion in new high-speed rail corridors announced in the Union Budget 2026-27. He revealed that Pune will be connected to two bullet train routes, with surveys currently underway. "The plan workout is underway for the bullet train network. We would declare the timeline of the implementation of the high-speed rail corridor as it gets finalised," he stated.
Goswami assured that budget constraints are not an issue, with funds readily available for development projects. Efforts are focused on expanding infrastructure in areas like Hadapsar, Khadki, and Pune station to accommodate increased train operations.
Decongestion and Ongoing Projects
Rajesh Kumar Verma, Divisional Railway Manager of Pune, outlined strategies to alleviate congestion at Pune station by developing Khadki and Hadapsar stations, facilitating future yard remodelling. Updates on other projects include:
- Progress on the Ahilyanagar-Parli section, with 200 km completed and 61 km underway, pending land transfer from the state government.
- Enhancements at Shirdi and Pune stations in preparation for the Nashik Kumbh Mela to manage passenger surges.
Throughout the inspection, Goswami interacted with ground-level staff, reinforcing the importance of safety, punctuality, and maintenance standards. He presided over demonstrations, including one by the dog squad, and inaugurated an Android app for cleanliness feedback, accompanied by senior officials like CPRO Swapnil Nila.
