SCR makes elaborate arrangements for Pushkaralu

Vijayawada, Aug 10 (INN): The South Central Railway has made elaborate arrangements to handle extra rush of Pilgrim Traffic during Krishna Pushkaram, said SCR General Manager Ravindra Gupta at a Press Conference held at Divisional Railway Manager's Office in Vijayawada on Wednesday. The

General Manager released a Special Krishna Pushkaram Time Table, comprising details of all the special trains; Posters highlighting station wise arrangements of passenger facilities & amenities, time table brief, stoppages brief and details of all special trains and temporary stoppage of Vijayawada area and launched exclusive Web Link in SCR's Website- www.scr.indianrailways.gov.in highlighting Krishna Pushkaram train services on the occasion.

Addressing the Media, the General Manager stated that 13 Railway Stations on the Zone are expected to see a influx of pilgrim traffic and all necessary arrangements have been put in place at these stations. He informed that an exclusive round the clock Control Office for Krishna Pushkaram has been set up at Vijayawada Railway station, headed by Senior Commercial & Security Officials, which will monitor and take on spot measures to handle any rail related needs.2000 additional Railway personnel have been deputed for temporary duty during Krishna Pushkaram period, who include 1250 Railway Protection Force (RPF) and 450 Commercial staff. In addition, 600 contract staff has been deployed to handle cleanliness work etc.

As many as 626 Special Trains, which include 146 Reserved and 480 unreserved trains are being run by SCR between various destinations to cater to the requirements of pilgrim traffic. In addition, temporary stoppages have been provided for 93 trains at 9 identified stations and 2000 additional coaches are being attached by various regular trains during the Pushkaram period, Ravindra Gupta stated.

On the facilities for meeting pilgrim rush, the General Manager informed that several temporary and permanent passenger amenity works have been undertaken at a cost of Rs.35 Crore. In addition to the existing infrastructure in place, 30,000 Sq.mts of additional shelter (sheds) has been built for pilgrim needs. Amongst the other arrangements in place are -107 booking counters and 34 Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVM) besides booking counters at 03 Pushkar Nagars for quick dispensing of tickets; 25 enquiry terminals apart from counters at 03 Pushkar Ghats at Vijayawada; 69 Catering outlets; 903 additional drinking water troughs, 69 wheel chairs, 488 toilets, etc. Arrangements have also been done to handle security by installing additional surveillance cameras; providing ambulance and Doctor on call; Public address system for making announcements; requisitioning services of scouts and guides and other voluntary organization etc. The General Manager also spoke of the preparedness of SCR to handle any sudden rise of traffic by means of keeping reserve stock (spare train rake) ready and expressed confidence that the public expectations will be fully met.

Earlier, Ravindra Gupta, made an inspection of Vijayawada, Rayanapadu and Krishna Canal Railway Stations to oversee the overall arrangements made ready for Krishna Pushkaram.

Vijayawada Divisional Railway Manager Ashok Kumar, Chief Operations Manager N. Madhusudhan Rao, Chief Commercial Manager P. Ganeshwara Rao, Principal Chief Engineer S.N.Singh, Chief Security Commissioner Sanjay Sankrityayan, Chief Public Relations Officer M Umashankar Kumar and other officials were also present.