Hubballi: The 18th Zonal Railway Users Consultative Committee (ZRUCC) Meeting of South Western Railway (SWR) was held at  Railway Officers Club here yesterday.

A.K.Gupta, GM, SWR, presided. Pralhad Joshi,  Dharwad MP; Sanganna A. Karadi,  Koppal MP;  B.R. Yavgal, Nargund MLA; Nilesh Cabral, Curchorem MLA   and other members of ZRUCC attended.

Addressing the meeting, A.K. Gupta said that SWR had ferried more than 193 million passengers during the financial year 2016-17 with about 2% increase over last year. The passenger earning for this financial year is Rs.1,929 crore, which is nearly 2% higher than that of  previous year, he said.

The punctuality achieved by SWR was 97% (average) which is 3rd best on Indian Railways (IR). Mysuru division was adjudged 3rd best division in IR with regard to punctuality.

Twelve pairs of new trains were introduced during the financial year as against only one introduced in 2015-16.  Further, 3,238 special trains were run and 2,235 extra coaches attached from time to time during peak periods, he added.

On the freight sector SWR has achieved loading of 44.2 Million Tonnes  which was 5% more than that of last year.   This is the best ever originating freight loading in the last 10 years. Hubballi Division, the major freight loading Division of SWR ranks 7th.

SWR has achieved an all time record performance on the construction front, he said and added  201-km new lines have been commissioned last year which is the highest in the history of SWR. The new line commissioned include 111-km between Shravanabelagola-Nelamangala, 63-km between Rayadurga-Kadiridevarapalli and 27-km between Ginigera-Chikkabenakal. An amount of Rs.1,900 crore has been incurred in upgrading infrastructure this year which is the highest so far, he said.

Gupta informed the meeting that doubling has been commissioned in 59-km over SWR during last year. The doubling works done by SWR include 13-km of doubling between Yelahanka – Chennasandra, 7-km of doubling between Yesvantpur -Yelahanka, 40-km  in Hosapete-Tinaighat section.

Another highlight of the year is the commissioning of 257 km of electrification. We have almost doubled our electrified track. SWR has taken action to eliminate a large number of  Level Crossings for enhancing safety of train operations.  During 2016-17, 72 Level Crossing gates were eliminated by construction of limited height subways/ROB/RUBs.

At the meeting, MP Pralhad Joshi discussed about progress of doubling work of Hubballi-Chikkajajur.  Gupta said that the entire project is planned for completion by 2019-20.  

Regarding the work for additional entry to Hubballi Railway Station from Gadag road side to reduce traffic congestion from the front gate, Gupta informed the MP that the work has been planned and tender is under finalisation.  

MP Karadi Sanganna sought to speed up doubling works and progress report in this regard.   To this Gupta said that work has been completed in Hubballi-Hebsur, Dharwad-Kambarganvi-Alnawar, Harlapur-Sompur-Bannikoppa-Bhanapur  and Shivthan-Londa-Tinaighat Sections. The entire Hubballi-Hosapete Line doubling will be completed by 2019-20.  

To his enquiry about provision of stoppage of Train No.57273/57274 Hubballi – Tirupati – Hubballi Daily Passenger at Hitnal station, Gupta said that the proposal of stoppage of this train at Hitnal  on experimental basis for 6 months has been sent to Railway Board.  

Station Building work at Gangavathi is in progress. The Station building  and New line between Chikkabenakal-Gangavathi are planned to be completed by Dec. 2017, he added.

To a question of B.R. Yavagal, the GM said amenites at  Hole Alur  and Mallapur station  are being  improved. Nilesh Cabral insisted to construct ROB/RUBs  and doubling in Vasco-Londa section.  

ZRUCC members agreed to the following proposals: (1) Cancellation of Train No.11423/11424 Solapur-Hubballi-Solapur Intercity Express, so that, path can be utilised for extension of Train No.22139/22140 Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus Mumbai – Solapur – Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus Mumbai Express up to Gadag, (2) Diversion of Train No.16515/16516 Yesvantpur-Karwar-Yesvantpur Tri-weekly Express Via Yesvantpur-Hassan New line instead of running in existing route via Tumakuru- Arsikere, Diversion of Train No.16517/16518 KSR Bengaluru-Kannur- KSR Bengaluru, (3)  Train No.16523/16524 KSR Bengaluru –  Karwar  – KSR Bengaluru Overnight Express Via Yesvantpur-Hassan New line instead of running on the  existing  route via Mandya – Mysuru.