New Time Table for Eastern Zone released

Releasing the new Time Table for Eastern Zone at a press meet in Kolkata on Tuesday, R.K.Gupta, General Manager, Eastern Railways said, 90 trips of puja specials have been planned to tackle the extra rush during the Durga Puja and Diwali creating additional capacity of 2,14,296 berths.

He said, "Improvement in passenger services and reschedule of trains have been given special emphasis in the new Time Table which will be effective from 1st October, 2015."

While elaborating the features of the Time Table, he said, the primary objective of the new Time Table is to improve punctuality in passenger services particularly in mail and express trains and also give importance to suburban services.

Gupta said emphasis has been given on doubling of sections, induction of additional coaches and improvement of signaling system to enable the trains running on time.

Gupta said change of terminal, en route stoppages, of few trains introduction of new trains, extension of trains, increase in frequency and change of terminal of EMU services are some salient features highlighted in the new version of Time Table.

New commercial stoppages in Sealdah-New Delhi and Howrah-New Delhi Duranta Express have been introduced for the benefit of passengers and better utilization of capacity, he said.

He said, with the completion of doubling of lines, several mail and express trains and passenger trains have been speeded up saving time five to 45 minutes in Sealdah and Howrah Division.

Frequency of several trains has been increased in suburban sections of Eastern Railways. New coaches have been added to tackle extra rush in mail and passenger trains, he added.

Highlighting the security position, he said, Eastern Railways have given special emphasis on security to the travelling passengers particularly lady passengers. During the year, more constables in Railway Protection Force and lady constables have been recruited and redeployed for the protection of the passengers. ‘Ladies Specials’ in suburban section are being escorted by lady constables. ‘Mahila Vahini’ has been formed at Howrah, Sealdah and Metro Railways for the security of lady passengers. Altogether 76 railway ticket touts have been arrested during the special and regular drive by the Railways in the first six months of this financial year.