Hello all,
Uniting against ticketless travel | |||||
|
Railways have found support from first-class passengers who feel cheated of the limited room in their compartments despite paying a premium for a little comfort
This is part of MiD DAY's month-long audit of experiences of travelling in and out of the city, where we take up people's issues and place them before the authorities to address.
The Central and Western Railways' drive against ticketless travel has now found support from the passengers themselves.
Most first-class passengers MiD DAY spoke to said ticketless travellers go unchecked because TCs aren't around during peak hours
Those with valid first-class tickets feel they are being cheated of the limited number of seats in the compartment by ticketless travellers and those with second-class tickets despite paying a premium for the service.
Railway officials say that nearly 4.2 lakh, or 6 per cent, of the 70 lakh travellers who use the suburban network every day are ticketless travellers. "We caught nearly 1.67 lakh people for travelling without ticket in November last year a 79 per cent increase from November 2009.
Ticketless travel is becoming a serious concern for us and it is surprising that the figures are increasing rather than decreasing despite undertaking many drives. We are now thinking of other measures that we can take to curb this menace," said a senior Western Railway (WR) official.
First-class passengers, who have been travelling on certain routes for years, say they, too, have seen the number of ticketless travellers increase phenomenally in recent years.
Anuradha Kumar, who commutes to her office in Bandra from Bhayandar every day, said, "I have been travelling in the first-class compartment for 14 years and now even I can spot ticketless travellers and second-class ticket holders who are travelling in the first-class compartment illegally just by looking at them.
Such people are crowding the first class compartments and the increased rush has begun to deter ticket checkers (TCs) too."
Capacity
The ladies' first-class compartments in WR have a seating capacity of 50 in both nine-coach and 12-coach rakes but the number of passengers exceeds 400 during peak hours according to railway officials.
Central Railway rakes have a capacity to seat 24 in ladies' first class compartments in nine-coach rakes and 36 in 12-coach rakes but here, too, the number of passengers exceeds 200 and 300 respectively during peak hours.
The seating capacity in general first-class compartments in WR is 100,150 and 200 respectively for 9-, 12-, and 15-coach trains while CR has a seating capacity of 75 in nine-coach and 104 in 12-coach rakes.
Officials say these compartments see a crowd of four and sometimes even five times their seating capacity during peak hours.
Going unchecked
Most first-class passengers MiD DAY spoke to echoed the problem of ticketless travellers going unchecked because of the lack of TCs during peak hours.
Priya Pillai, a regular traveller between Badlapur and Thane, said, "We pay almost five times the cost of a second-class ticket for the privilege of travelling a little comfortably but these people, who don't have a valid ticket, get to do so for free.
Not only are they cheating the railways but are also crowding the first-class compartments, making things worse for those who are honest and have paid for their tickets."
"TCs used to come and fine such people earlier but now even that has stopped. I have rarely seen a TC in the train during peak hours, which is when such people enter the first-class compartments.
What is the point in us buying tickets then? The railways should take strict action to safeguard their own interest and that of the honest traveller," she added.
Proactive women
Officials say that while the female commuters are proactive and ensure that people without a valid ticket don't travel in first class compartments, male passengers have expressed their helplessness in tackling the problem.
Pravin Salunkhe, who commutes between Malad to Churchgate, said, "I have been travelling in the first-class compartments since 5 years and know many daily commuters who travel first class either without ticket or with a second-class pass.
When I protest, they say they will pay the fine if the TC comes, but there is hardly any checking."
"For many passengers paying a fine once in a while seems worth it because, in the long run, they end up saving a lot of money. They bet against a TC catching them during peak hours and, in most cases, are proved true," said a passenger who did not wish to be named.
Officialspeak
Officials say passengers also take advantage of certain stations where they know there will be no checking.
"Daily passengers know that there are very few TCs between Kalyan-Kasara and Kalyan-Karjat on the central line and Borivali-Virar on the western line.
Many passengers even travel first class without a valid ticket up to a certain station and then switch to second class when they know there are chances of getting caught."
"We carry out regular drives against passengers travelling without valid tickets but, sometimes, it is difficult for TCs to enter compartments because of the rush during peak hours.
Passengers who come across ticketless travellers can inform us on our SMS feedback number (see box) and we will take immediate action," said Vineet Kumar, deputy general manager, CR.
Sharat Chandrayan, chief PRO, WR, said, "We have intensified our drives against ticketless travellers and those travelling first class with second-class tickets.
We have numbers where passengers can leave their messages and we will surely react and take action against the passengers."
NUMBER CRUNCHING
1,66,532
The number of passengers caught for travelling without a valid ticket by WR in November 2010
Rs 6 crore
The money collected from these defaulters
13.99 lakh
The number of passengers caught by CR for travelling without a valid ticket in 2009
16.57 lakh
The number of passengers caught by CR in 2010
37.4 lakh
The approximate number of passengers travelling by Central Railway every day
33 lakh
The approximate number of passengers travelling by Western Railway every day
WRITE TO US
For something that is the city's lifeline, Mumbai's suburban railway network is riddled with too many problems for comfort. What problems have you come across? Do you also feel cheated by ticketless travellers? Please write in to MiD DAY at inandout@mid-day.com
2010 DEC 09
Hello all,In reference to the recent reports.
Its evident that such costly mechanical systems are not working.
Before that, there was some report on the seating layout / standing arrangements for passengers, and suggestions were asked for.If passengers don't want seats parallel and adjacent to the side walls, don't want one seat cut on the aisle side, then, it is a simple idea to haver one coach in each set of three, to be standing only.Passengers who have no problems in standing for their journey can get onto these coaches, so that the existing seating layout can continue, and may be standing passengers in these coaches will reduce to some degree.However the best way to reduce passenger load, increase turnaround and over speed, and give additional capacity without more rakes, etc., is to implement the cyclical time table as suggested by the Mumbai Suburban Railway Passengers Association.The simple system will give huge relief to all, passengers and users, and the authorities.Its only a mind set which is preventing this.
Meantime, the Railways are just spending money on such electro mechanical devices which lend itself to possible failure and subsequent maintenance, or lack of it, and to try and solve problems when the solutions create more problems.
The best solution is the often the simplest.It is obvious that ventilation is a problem in the over crowded coaches, particularly when it is raining, the windows and doors are shut.However even otherwise, it does not seem too wise to blow air down onto the hot and sweaty passengers, remember hot air rises.As a designer, I would utilise the movement of the train to draw / force in air, from the lower portion of the coach, and let natural convection take it up, and vent it out the upper portion.Specifically, a louvred inlet angled upwards towards the inside of the coach, with grill, in line fo the windows, approximately 450 mm * 150 mm just above the floor level as the inlet.Even a grill / jaali floor plate below the seats which would enable air to flow inwards and upwards from under while the train is in motion and speed.This will serve the purpose of drainage also when the coaches are washed from inside.For venting the hot air when most windows and doors are closed, another louvred opening, also grilled, exactly above and in line of the windows, at the junction between the sidewall and roof should be introduced.These opening will be in open condition through out even when all openings are shut.Fans should be placed at angles on the side walls, so that these direct the air towards the exhaust, rather than as at present, blowing hot air down onto our heads.Another inappropriate design is the introduction of grills to apparently counter the possibility of objects being thrown into the coach by miscreants and anti socials, who might go for the chain on the neck at stations, because the open portion of the window is at that level.This is nothing but cutting the nose to spite the face.If we need to minimise this kind of activity, apart from better policing, vigilance, preventing loafers on stations and along tracks, etc., the windows should be made to open up to down, not down to up.The fixed portion, if on the lower half, would easily prevent faces / heads / eyes of seated passengers from such objects thrown from outside.This would obviate the need to put suffocating grills on the windows and bars, ostensibly for protecting the passengers actually would be the passengers greatest enemy in times of emergency exit.This is the first this to be removed, again, IR has done it for the J and K trains.
Details can easily be worked out.Further, I am quite shocked, there is no provision for fire fighting equipment, ie a basic necessity of an extinguisher, nor waste bins, thus giving ample excuse for the passengers to litter the inside of the coaches and throw out if the windows onto the tracks at will.
Thanqx.
Jagdeep DESAI
Architect
Secretary
Founder Trustee
Forum for Improving Quality of Life in Mumbai Suburbs
+91 98 6922 7148
http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_ventilation-on-new-mumbai-local-trains-is-just-big-talk_1476258
>>>
CYCLIC TIME TABLE, A PANACEA FOR CITY'S COMMUTERS.
A. What is that Time Table that has the potential to make travelling safe for all suburban commuters from tomorrow and which is the subject matter of a writ petition before High Court, Mumbai? It is a simple traffic oriented Cyclic Time Table designed in conformity with the principles of time-table construction as laid down under the Rly. Act., & its rules, recommended by the Rly. Board, universally acclaimed by all commuters when tried last on W.rly., and is now satisfactorily in operation on Harbour Line. It has a proven potential to materially change the quality of life of every Mumbaikar.
Its basic Principles are :-
1) Limited Loading : Commuters of only 3 to 6 Stations will be accommodated on each train as against those of 10 to 20 stations packed at present.
2) Uniform Frequency : All services for all sectors shall be available at uniform
intervals of 12" as against uneven frequency of services available at present,
resulting in waste of capacity when too close and humanly unbearable overcrowding when spaced too afar.
3) Dedicated services : As against Khichdi trains run now packing commuters of 2 to
3 sectors on one train, all services shall be dedicated to commuters of only one
sector at one time.
B. Below please find one specimen pattern of Cyclic Time Table, one each for Fast & Slow Corridors of W. Rly.
SPECIMEN PATTERN
CYCLIC TIME TABLE- FOR W.RLY.
12 MINUTE CYCLES
FAST CORRIDOR SLOW CORRIDOR
DOWN DOWN
DESTINATION VR BVI GMN MAIL/ ADH BVI ADH BA/VR HOW RUN SUPER FAST SUPER FAST SUPER FAST EXP PATH
SLOW SLOW SLOW SHUTTLE CHURCHAGATE =============
17.00 S
17.03 S
17.06 S
17.00 S
17.03 S
17.06 S
MUMBAICENTRAL =============
DADAR
17.10 F
17.17
F
17.13 F
17.20
F
17.16 F
17.23
F
M/E
17.10 S
17.22
S
17.13 S
17.25
S
17.16 S
17.28
S
======BANDRA 17.23 17.26 17.29 M/E 17.30 17.33 17.36 17.39
ANDHERIF F
F F
F 17.37
S
M/ES 17.45
====
S 17.46
S 17.51
====
S 17.52
GOREGAON MALAD
BORIVALI
F F
F
F 17.40
S
17.50
=====
17.46 =====
M/ES =====
S
18.08
S S
S
S
DASHISAR VIRAR
17.44 S
18.14
====
M/ES S
18.48
====
*F= Fast Between Stations, S = Stopping at stations, Total Rakes required : 68.
Salient Features :
- Above cycles of slow & fast services shall keep repeating every 12 mts.
- Consequently, all services to all sectors shall be available at uniform intervals of 12mts, with 3 services for BVI Sector, two each for VR and ADH sectors, and one suburban shuttle every 12mts.
- All services shall be loaded with restricted no. of commuters of only one sector, of only 6 stations on Virar, 5 on BVI slow, 4 on Andheri & 3 each on BVI & GMN Fast services, making commuting safe for all at all times of the day from day one of introduction of such a scientific traffic-oriented Time Table.
- 20 to 25% saving in travel time for long distance commuters of BVI & VR
sectors (ADH to VR), through 40% Superfast trains as against only 25%
so called fast trains now plied.
(e) Direct services, without any changeover at any in between station, for all
commuters between CCG & VR as against gruesome change overs now
unavoidable for over 1/3rd suburban commuters.
(f) 30% more services with the same no. of rakes, due to Superfast and
dedicated services, giving higher turn rounds per rake, giving totally 1400
services per day as against only about 1100 run now.
(g) Clock-like punctuality as experienced now on Harbour Line where such a
Cyclic Time- Table is in operation at present due to elimination of diamond
crossings of tracks from slow to fast & fast to slow as required under the
present Time Table, root cause of delays of most trains now from 5 to15mts
through out the day.
What a tragedy for Mumbai's millions of commuters that even after paying through nose safety surcharge of over Rs.2000Crores since about a decade, inspite guadruplication of tracks, and inspite large no. of additional new rakes received, safety remains as illusive as ever and they have to travel in subhuman conditions. Believe it or not, with recently upgraded infrastructure and augmented rolling stock, W.Rly's. potential to improve its services is so much that it can give to the city a world class Sub. rail system from tomorrow. W.Rly at its Suburban Rail Users Consultative Committee Meeting on 29.06.2006 even agreed to introduce principles of such a Cyclic Time Table in terms of High Court orders yet for 3 years it is not implementing it. It must be stated that where there is no will, there is no way. That is precisely the reason why High Court is seized of it.
Yours faithfully,
(DIPAK J. GANDHI)
CHAIRMAN)
>>>
Long rakes but no elbow room at stations
Roana Maria Costa, TNN 11 December 2009, 12:32am ISTText Size:|MUMBAI: Commuting on local trains during rush hours in the morning and evening has the power to bring out the animal in all Mumbaikars. Space on
Share Save Comment the overcrowded station platforms and entry and exit points is a premium, and the situation will only go from bad to worse once the new 15-coach services gather steam.
A recent survey carried out by Rail India technical and economic services with data provided by the MMRDA and the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC) as part of a final feasibility study report for running 15-car rakes between Churchgate and Virar tells us what many already know: Congestion, lack of platform space, and inadequate crowd dispersal facilities plague many stations. Basic amenities like platform areas and staircases are grossly inadequate and do not meet the current need of the commuter traffic at peak hours.
Andheri, Mahim and Malad have the dubious honour of being the worst stations with mismatched commuter to platform and commuter to staircase ratios. Not only do passengers have to slug it out on the train, they're in for a bad time on congested platforms that simply lack the space to hold the masses and also have to fight their way to enter or exit stations.
During rush hour, Andheri station sees 17,020 people board the trains, and another 22,428 people disembark. To ensure quick dispersal of passenger traffic, the station needs a combined staircase width of 136.7 m. But the available width is only 55.7 m (see box). It's an equally dismal scene on the platforms as there's not enough space to hold the 39,448 commuters who wait for the trains every hour during peak time, says the study, which considered a platform holding capacity of 0.5 sq m per person to be normal. In an untoward situation like delayed services this can be reduced to 0.2 sq m per person. The capacity of bi-directional staircases was taken at 63 persons per meter per minute. In Mahim, commuters require an additional stair width of 49.9 m and an extra 3,987 sq m of platform space.
The managing director of MRVC, P C Seghal, said the study looks at the modification of station entrances, platforms, FOBs, subways to ensure double discharge at all 15-car stopping stations. "Station areas have been surveyed to locate new outlets. Skywalks have been proposed, but given that most of the areas surrounding the stations are built up, creating exits becomes difficult without acquiring private property. This would have to be taken up with the MMRDA,'' he said.
Commuters at Marine Lines, Mumbai Central, Bandra, Khar Road, Vile Parle, and Dahisar stations have reasonable if not comfortable elbow space. Dadar station has fared relatively well. The 10,696 sq m of platform space is adequate for the 11,172 commuters that Dadar witnesses every hour during rush hour. The station falls short of only 0.3 m of stair width.
Though there's no space for more passengers in 2010, WR has already started 15-car services. Given the congestion problem, few are looking forward to more 15-coach rakes. Deepak Gandhi, president of the Mumbai Suburban Railway Passenger Association believes that the 15-car service is a cosmetic change, and would only serve to create more problems for commuter dispersal. "What is required is a way to use the existing facilities to run more frequent services,'' he said.>>>
Place: Mumbai
The railways' tall claims of providing better ventilation in the new trains seem to have fallen flat. Commuters are complaining that the powerful blowers in the new Rs20 crore state-of-the-art local trains, manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory at Chennai, have become an example of how a new technology can go wrong.
The blowers that were supposed to pump in 14,535 cubic metres of fresh air per hour inside each coach to maintain stringent standards of air quality for level of carbon dioxide inside a crowded train just make noise and there is very little air pumped out.
Railway officials said the design of the ventilation system is such that it will function only if the train carries full load. "It will not function if there are less than 50 passengers in a coach. If the number was more than 50, the system will function partially.
However, if there are more than 200 commuters in a coach, then it will get activated and work in full capacity," a top railway official said.
It has sensors that control the functioning of the ventilation system to save power when the train is not fully loaded. The blowers in the local train have been installed in the train at a cost of Rs3 lakh per coach, taking the total cost in a single 12-car train to Rs36 lakh.
"I have travelled in peak hours too and the vents of the blowers are so small that hardly any air is pumped out. The fans are more powerful. The complete system is not air-tight and air seems to escape from all sides. They also make noise in some coaches," Ankush Bharadwaj, a CR commuter said.
"The railways should re-design them and make them air-tight," Sheela Gaikwad, another commuter said.
The authorities had conducted a series of cardio tests in a crowded Virar-fast local. The carbon dioxide levels in a new train ranged between 800 and 1,400 parts per million as against the 1,400 to 2,400 parts per million in the existing trains. If the range reaches above 5,000 ppm, a person will start gasping and if it reaches 10,000, it can be fatal.
The railways has adopted global standards of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers that recommends that maximum indoor carbon dioxide concentration should be less than 700 parts per million above the outdoor air concentration.
>>>
MRVC respond to passenger complaints about forced ventilator system
By: Sanjeev Devasia Date: 2010-03-29 Place: Mumbai
Railway officials explain why the new ventilator system has failed to keep the average passenger happy
You can't keep all of them happy. This is what the Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC) has learnt, since passengers have started complaining about the functioning of the forced ventilation system, which is aided by external air blowers in the new age trains.
MRVC officials say that the corporation is at a loss to explain the working and design of the ventilation system to the commuters. The system is designed to function in such a way that if the train carries less load in terms of passengers, then it would not function.
"The system should function irrespective of the number of commuters. It should not be designed to function only if there is rush," said Anil Orpe, a Belapur resident, and a frequent commuter."It will not function at all if there are less than 50 passengers in a coach. If the number were more than 50, the system would function partially. However, if there are more than 200 commuters in a coach (the normal load of the coach), then the forced ventilation system would kick in, and work in full capacity," an MRVC official said.
New and improved The MRVC has engaged the NID for improvements inside the coach including features such as the grab handles and panels inside the coach of the rakes, which are to be introduced in Phase-2. However, MRVC officials are wary of commuters dirtying the new age trains.
As the coaches underwent design changes, the ventilator system design also changed and was tuned to function only when the coaches carried sufficient passengers and not otherwise. This also ensured that energy was saved when the train was empty.
"When there are not many passengers in the coaches, the system is not necessary, because there is enough ventilation from the windows. It was designed keeping in mind the carbon-dioxide levels inside the coaches due to the huge load. However, passengers do not understand that," said PC Sehgal, MD, MRVC.
>>>On Mon, Jul 27, 2009 at 2:56 PM, Jagdeep DESAI <jagdeep.desai@gmail.com> wrote:
Hello,
This is yet another adverse report on the new rakes of Western Railway and Central Railway suburban services.As if the blowers weren't costly enough, the detailing of the exhaust and edges have proved deficient, causing rain water to leak into the new suburban coaches
http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleImage.aspx?article=27_07_2009_003_001&mode=1
Further damage can be cut short by the following, for the rkaes yet to be manufactured and inducted into the fleet.
The Railways are just spending money on electro mechanical devices which lend itself to possible failure and subsequent maintenance, or lack of it, and to try and solve problems when the solutions create more problems.
The best solution is the often the simplest.It is obvious that ventilation is a problem in the over crowded coaches, particularly when it is raining, the windows and doors are shut.However even otherwise, it does not seem too wise to blow air down onto the hot and sweaty passengers, remember hot air rises.As a designer, I would utilise the movement of the train to draw / force in air, from the lower portion of the coach, and let natural convection take it up, and vent it out the upper portion.Specifically, a louvred inlet angled upwards towards the inside of the coach, with grill, in line fo the windows, approximately 450 mm * 150 mm just above the floor level as the inlet.Even a grill / jaali floor plate below the seats which would enable air to flow inwards and upwards from under while the train is in motion and speed.This will serve the purpose of drainage also when the coaches are washed from inside.For venting the hot air when most windows and doors are closed, another louvred opening, also grilled, exactly above and in line of the windows, at the junction between the sidewall and roof should be introduced.These opening will be in open condition through out even when all openings are shut.Fans should be placed at angles on the side walls, so that these direct the air towards the exhaust, rather than as at present, blowing hot air down onto our heads.Another inappropriate design is the introduction of grills to apparently counter the possibility of objects being thrown into the coach by miscreants and anti socials, who might go for the chain on the neck at stations, because the open portion of the window is at that level.This is nothing but cutting the nose to spite the face.If we need to minimise this kind of activity, apart from better policing, vigilance, preventing loafers on stations and along tracks, etc., the windows should be made to open up to down, not down to up.The fixed portion, if on the lower half, would easily prevent faces / heads / eyes of seated passengers from such objects thrown from outside.This would obviate the need to put suffocating grills on the windows and bars, ostensibly for protecting the passengers actually would be the passengers greatest enemy in times of emergency exit.This is the first this to be removed, again, IR has done it for the J and K trains.
Details can easily be worked out.Further, I am quite shocked, there is no provision for fire fighting equipment, ie a basic necessity of an extinguisher, nor waste bins, thus giving ample excuse for the passengers to litter the inside of the coaches and throw out if the windows onto the tracks at will.
Thanqx.
Jagdeep DESAI
Architect
Secretary
Founder Trustee
Forum for Improving Quality of Life in Mumbai Suburbs
+91 98 6922 7148
>>>Mumbai, July 27, 2009First Published: 01:23 IST(27/7/2009)Last Updated: 01:25 IST(27/7/2009)
The 43 new age trains on the Central and Western Railway are all taped up for the monsoon.
The trains — each costing Rs 20 crore — have plastic tapes worth Rs 7 lakh sealed to their edges to plug water leakage.
"The Central Railway has done their own job and the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC) has sealed tapes worth Rs 7 lakh on all Western Railway trains," said MRVC Managing Director P C Sehgal.
The new age trains have been brought in to boost the city's suburban network. The trains are facing their first monsoon and the manufacturers had apparently not thought that the coach's huge blowers would pose a problem during rain.
The blowers pump in 14,535 cubic metres of fresh air an hour to maintain the stringent standards of air quality inside a crowded train and pull in water when it rains.
The blowers have been installed in the train at a cost of Rs 3 lakh per coach, taking the total cost in a single 12-car train to Rs 36 lakh.
To tide over the problems, the railways have now taped the edges of each coach with huge black plastic industrial tapes.
The new trains have been bought under the Rs 4,500-crore World Bank funded Mumbai Urban Transport Project-1, a mega project to upgrade the city's transport infrastructure. The MRVC is coordinating the project.
"The blowers are a new technology for Mumbai's trains. The railways should have taken proper tests on the new trains," said Madhu Kotian, president Mumbai Railway Pravasi Sangh.
The railways have adopted the global standards of air quality inside crowded trains set by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers.
On Sun, Jun 14, 2009 at 5:30 PM, Jagdeep DESAI <jagdeep.desai@gmail.com> wrote:
Hello,In reference to this, earlier reported in the Indian Express, 2008 OCT 11, and recently again in The Times of West Mumbai, that cooking on suburban stations is to be banned due to the possibility of gas cylinder bursting, and maybe hot oil used for fryingTruly, if gas cylinders was th issue, cooking can be done by piped gas, or electric stoves, and regarding hot oil, the same can be done inside the stall instead of on the counter, so that passersby are not in the vicinity.The little matter of fires in trains, due to cooking in pantry / kitchen cars does not seem to be important to WR / CR / KR / IRCTC / MRVC, etc.Regarding fire fighting equipment in trains, or the lack of it, it is quite distressing to note, that pantry cars are allowed to use open flame stoves fired by cooking gas for cookingHas anybody seen any kind of fire fighting equipment in trains, through or suburbs.Whereas, open flames should be absolutely avoided, and electric hot plates should be utilised.This will be safer, and release storage space, occupied by gas cylinders as well, and why shouldn't the Railwys be booked for jeopardising and endangering the public through criminal negligence and dereliction of duty, knowing fully well about the potential hazards of open flame in a confined space?And all the while there is, though justifiably, a hue and cry over the Uphaar type of situation in for buildings, nobody seems to be serious about safety in transportation.Thanqx.Jagdeep DESAIArchitectSecretaryFounder TrusteeForum for Improving Quality of Life in Mumbai Suburbs+91 98 6922 7148>>>No more frying of vada, samosa at platform stalls
Font Size Kalpana Verma
Posted: Oct 11, 2008 at 0308 hrs IST
Mumbai, October 10 No more mouthwatering sight of samosas and vadas being fried or tea being boiled in a corner stall on the railway platform. At least not under Western and Central railway, which are getting ready to ban cooking at foodstalls on platforms.The step comes in view of accidents that cooking at crowded platforms of metro cities, especially Mumbai, has caused.
The cooking will be done in a centralised kitchen instead. The Indian Railways has directed both Western and Central railway to provide space for a base kitchens at each station.
Owners of stalls can install microwave ovens and other power-based heating equipment to heat eatables.
A letter to Western and Central railway sent in July suggested steps to prevent frying or deep frying eatables in stalls on platforms. It's a fire hazard and should be phased out. A base kitchen should be provided for cooking at every station, the letters stated. Group manager, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation, RD Sharma, said, "We have sent a letter to the authorities of both railways (Western and Central) to make arrangements for base kitchens at every station from Churchgate to Dahanu road in the western suburbs and from CST to Karjat and Kasara. Cooking will be done there only. No stall owner will be allowed to cook on the platform."
CCM, Western Railway, NC Sinha, said: "Efforts are on for setting up base kitchens at stations."
According to sources, a Railway Board circular in February, 2005 said cooking at stations in listed metro cities across India should be prohibited in a phased manner. From August 31, 2005, cooking on sigris and stoves at stations was prohibited. Cooking on gas stoves was discouraged at platforms, but as there were no orders in writing, it quietly went on. Once the base kitchens are set up, stall owners will cook in the centralised kitchen.
The news, understandably, has not gone down well with owners of the stalls. One of them said: "It is not a practical proposition. There are 6 to 15 stalls at a station. Cooking in a single kitchen at the same time will inevitably lead to fights breaking out daily."
Another complained, "If cooking is prohibited, preparing tea at platforms will be prohibited. If we install tea or coffee vending machines, we will have to increase the prices. It will hurt our business."
>>>
On Mon, May 11, 2009 at 10:02 PM, Jagdeep DESAI <jagdeep.desai@gmail.com> wrote:
Hello,In reference to this, Hindustan Times, 2009 MAY 06, Rajendra AKLEKARAs you can see, any local looks like a prisoner train, meant to transport detainees from one jail to another.The grills and bars on the windows are absolutely avoidable, as described in detail in an earlier communication below.If WR, CR, MVRC want to, one train, even one coach, on a trial basis, can be modified such that no grills and bars are on the windows, with a fixed glass portion on the lower half, and see the transformation.Thanqx.Jagdeep DESAIArchitectSecretaryFounder TrusteeForum for Improving Quality of Life in Mumbai Suburbs+91 98 6922 7148>>>>>>
On Sat, Apr 11, 2009 at 12:21 PM, Jagdeep DESAI <jagdeep.desai@gmail.com> wrote:
Hello,
Here are other reasons why the fixed portion of the local coach window should be the lower one, and not the upper one
http://www.mumbaimirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article§name=News%20-%20City§id=2&contentid=20090409200904090302018651dcc31e0
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Hit-by-baloon-Mumbai-man-loses-eye/articleshow/4253398.cms
01 The fixed portion will minimise chances of objects hitting persons seated next to window, whereas the passengers standing at the huge doorways, of which area is far greater than the window openings, are fully exposed to such anti social miscreants throwing stones, acid balloons, etc.
02 The fixed portion below will make it difficult for anti social passengers quietly spitting out while seated, they will have to stand up in front of all others which might make them hesitate a bit more than usual, because if they have to spit, then if they do so in the compartment, others will definitely protest and object
03 The jalis, ie grills, will be redundant, since the passengers will be safer with the safety glass fixed portion below, and the upper portion will be open, giving much larger area for ventilation, the picture below clearly shows how the passengers are made claustrophobic by the aluminium jalis, ie grills which makes it appear passengers are travelling in jail vans, with no means to escape in emergencies through the windows, since the aluminium has to be cut.
If the grills are not there on the upper portion, passengers can easily exit through the opening
04 Natural light will also increase
05 Passengers seated next to the window will be secure from chain snatchers since the fixed portion will prevent the would be thief on the platform from grabbing the chain
In short, it is strongly suggested that for the new rakes ye to be built, the fixed pane of the window should be on the lower portion and the openable the upper.Forum for Improving Quality of Life in Mumbai Suburbs
Thanqx.
Jagdeep DESAI
Architect
Secretary
Founder Trustee
+91 98 6922 7148
>>>
1 PAAN = Rs 5 ONLY CLEAN-UP = Rs 1.44 CR
Crores of taxpayer bucks are spent by Railways to clean paan and gutkha spit trails, as the corrosive stains cannot be removed using regular detergent
NILESH NIKADE
BMC has launched a 'clean-up' campaign under which a special squad was created to deal with the menace of spitting and littering. The squad charges offenders Rs 200 if found spitting, littering or urinating in public places. From 2007, the BMC has fined over one lakh offenders and collected fines amounting to Rs 4.27 crore
It's unhygienic and downright disgusting, but among the many reasons you should consider resisting the urge to spit paan inside local trains – the Railways are forced to spend Rs 1.44 crore of YOUR money every year to scrub off the grime.
Paan and gutkha stains are highly corrosive so they cause damage to trains. They are semi-permanent and cannot be removed by simple washing. For each train, two litres of a special graffiti-removing detergent must be used along with 10 litres of non-caustic detergent. "To clean a single rake, we spend 24 man hours and detergents worth Rs 2,200," revealed chief PRO for CR, SC Mudgerikar.
Under strict instructions issued by CR General Manager B B Modgil around foru moths ago, every one of the 111 trains is sent for cleaning every 10 days. And in addition to spending Rs 87 lakh, the CR also wastes 96,000 man hours every year. Similarly, the Western Railway, which has over 73 rakes, also sends trains for cleaning every 10 days and spends around Rs 57 lakh and 63,000 man hours on the cleaning.
S S Gupta, chief PRO of WR, said that spitting on railway premises is treated as a nuisance and offenders are often fined, but that it's difficult to nab those spitting on moving trains. "We try to spread awareness about maintaining cleanliness through announcements, posters and various campaigns."
However, many officials feel the provisions under the Railway Act need to be modified so that offenders can be fined on the spot, just as the BMC has been doing in its clean-up campaign. "The existing procedure of arresting an offender and taking him to court is time consuming, so few cases are registered. Modifying the law would definitely help," said a senior Railway Protection Force officer.
But Gupta insists that the onus is no the public. "Commuters should respect public property and avoid littering and spitting. It will ultimately save their own money and will help us provide better services."
111
The number of rakes with CR
Rs 87 lakh
The amount spent to clean paan stains
96,000
The man hours lost
73
The number of rakes with WR
Rs 57 lakh
The amount spent to clean paan stains
63,000
The man hours lost HOW THE BMC TACKLES THE ISSUE
>>>
Man hit by balloon, loses eye
12 Mar 2009, 0039 hrs IST, Ranjani Rajendra, TNN
Discuss Share Save Comment Text: compartment. The incident occurred between Kopar and Dombivli stations on Central Railway, around 9.30 am on Tuesday, when 31-year-old Sanjay Kagari was commuting to work.
"His right eye is completely damaged since the lens has been dislocated by the impact of the injury. We just can't implant an artificial lens due to the dislocation,'' said Dr T P Lahane, head of the ophthalmology department at the state-run JJ Hospital. Kagari's vision in the right eye is reduced to mere perception of light.
The other cases at the city's various public hospitals pertained to minor bruises.
What makes Kagari's case worse is that a part of the right eye's lens has entered the vitreous (clear gel in the posterior of the eye) and his eye has caved in. "Thankfully, there are no fractures,'' said Dr Lahane. In two or three weeks, Kagari will undergo a corrective surgery which may help him regain vision. "However, the chances of him recovering normal vision in this eye are slim due to the extent of the damage,'' Dr Lahane said.
Kagari's left eye is a notch better: a part of the upper eyelid tore in the accident and a part of it went missing.
The lower lid, too, had a 3cm x 0.5cm tear. Doctors at JJ Hospital in Byculla have sutured the tear and say that the condition—'traumatic macularedema'—is treatable.
Elsewhere, city hospitals on Wednesday had a steady stream of patients pouring into the casualty departments for minor injuries. As the city celebrated the festival of colours, hospitals were kept busy treating minor injuries like lacerations and eye problems. While the numbers were fewer when compared to previous years, the cases were varied. "Most of the patients had come for abrasions and minor injuries. All the 33 patients were treated and released. There was no need to admit anybody,'' said Dr Pravin Bangar at KEM Hospital.
Sion Hospital, which normally sees a number of patients with rashes and chemical burns, had 13 patients with injuries due to drunken brawls. Most of the cases at the peripheral hospitals were also of minor injuries sustained in brawls.
On Sun, Mar 22, 2009 at 11:56 AM, Jagdeep DESAI <jagdeep.desai@gmail.com> wrote:
Hello,Regarding fire fighting equipment in trains, or the lack of it, it is quite distressing to note, that pantry cars are allowed to use open flame stoves fired by cooking gas for cookingWhereas, open flames should be absolutely avoided, and electric hot plates should be utilised.This will be safer, and release storage space, occupied by gas cylinders as well, and why shouldn't the Rialwys be booked for jeopardising and endangering the public through criminal negligence and dereliction of duty, knowing fully well about the potential hazards of open flame?And all the while there is, though justifiably, a hue and cry over the Uphaar type of situation in for buildings, nobody seems to be serious about safety in transportation.There are many ways to make rail travel safer, smoother, faster, economical, efficient, attractive, more comfortable, than the ways and means being implemented by present Railway Minister, such as more berths in 3 AC, or reducing items in Rajdhani menu, etc.And for some reason 'Garib Rath' is not an appropriate name, should be changed to Janatha Rath, because its for the 'People', 'Janatha', we don't want to either eulogise the 'poor', 'Garib', nor ostracise it.Thanqx.Jagdeep DESAIArchitectSecretaryFounder TrusteeForum for Improving Qulaity of Life in Mumbai Suburbs+91 98 6922 7148>>>Rajdhani pantry car gutted:
The pantry car of the New Delhi-Patna Rajdhani Express was gutted after a fire broke out in it between Mughlasarai and Sakaldiha stations in Bihar early on Saturday. No casualties were reported.>>>
On Tue, Nov 25, 2008 at 9:05 PM, Jagdeep DESAI <jagdeep.desai@gmail.com> wrote:
Hello,Further to this, apart from the lack of fire fighting equipment in the coach, the provision of grills is truly out of logic.Even if it is a 'legal' requirement for the stray incidents of throwing of stone or water / acid filled balloons by anti socials, I simply can't understand how the passengers standing at the door are not protected.They constitute a far bigger target, and there are many more in number!This is quite surreal.The few small windows are grilled, but the many large doorways are exposed.Can't understand.Hope NID come up with some system, because the lower fixed glass is the simplest, and already in use by IR in J and K.Regarding ventilation, the proposal outlined below can be tried again on older rakes, with appropriate screens to keep out flying gravel, dust and grime.These screens can be cleaned by water spray every night, and, replaced every so often, far cheaper than forced ventilation.Regarding lessening the carbon dioxide content in the coach, it will automatically happen, when the grills are removed, and the upper half is open, leading to a free flow of air when the train is in motion.Try it and see the difference!Routine maintenance is a must for all equipment.Thanqx.Jagdeep DESAIArchitect+91 98 6922 7148>>>
On Mon, Nov 24, 2008 at 6:23 PM, Jagdeep DESAI <jagdeep.desai@gmail.com> wrote:
Hello,In reference to the recent reports on further improving the new rakes for WR and CR suburban sections, giving the National Institute of Design the project for lighter coaches, lighter material for seats, more leg room, and so, this after and entire years passed after the original exercise to get commuters feedback and response, suggestions, on the test rakes.Really wonder what the good fellows who dseigned these rakes, had in mind, even after thisHere is a a graphic description provided by MRVC itself, proving that the rake is very inappropriate for good natural ventilation, unsafe for commuters, and in general hastily designed and built, then thrust upon the commutersFurther, I am quite shocked, there is no provision for fire fighting equipment, ie a basic necessity of an extinguisher, nor waste bins.Why are the railways wanting to spend money on electro mechanical devices which lend itself to possible failure and subsequent maintenance, or lack of it.It is obvious that ventilation is a problem in the over crowded coaches, particularly when it is raining, the windows and doors are shut.However even otherwise, it does not seem too wise to blow air down onto the hot and sweaty passengers, remember hot air rises.As a designer, I would utilise the movement of the train to draw / force in air, from the lower portion of the coach, and let natural convection take it up, and vent it out the upper portion.Specifically, a louvred inlet angled upwards towards the inside of the coach, with grill, in line fo the windows, approximately 450 mm * 150 mm just above the floor level as the inlet.Even a grill / jaali floor plate below the seats which would enable air to flow inwards and upwards from under while the train is in motion and speed.This will serve the purpose of drainage also when the coaches are washed from inside.For venting the hot air when most windows and doors are closed, another louvred opening, also grilled, exactly above and in line of the windows, at the junction between the sidewall and roof should be introduced.These opening will be in open condition through out even when all openings are shut.Fans should be placed at angles on the side walls, so that these direct the air towards the exhaust, rather than as at present, blowing hot air down onto our heads.Another inappropriate design is the introduction of grills to apparently counter the possibility of objects being thrown into the coach by miscreants and anti socials, who might go for the chain on the neck at stations, because the open portion of the window is at that level.This is nothing but cutting the nose to spite the face.If we need to minimise this kind of activity, apart from better policing, vigilance, preventing loafers on stations and along tracks, etc., the windows should be made to open up to down, not down to up.The fixed portion, if on the lower half, would easily prevent faces / heads / eyes of seated passengers from such objects thrown from outside.This would obviate the need to put suffocating grills on the windows and bars, ostensibly for protecting the passengers actually would be the passengers greatest enemy in times of emergency exit.This is the first this to be removed, again, IR has done it for the J and K trains.
Details can easily be worked out.Thanqx.Jagdeep DESAIArchitect+91 98 6922 7148>>>
On 11/12/08, Jagdeep DESAI <jagdeep.desai@gmail.com> wrote:Hello,In reference to the report on the new WR rakes, Bombay TimesHere are my comments, only wish WR, MRVC, IR, ICF CR, actually implemented the necessary changes, low cost, high value.As usual, foreign consultants?Thanqx.Jagdeep DESAIArchitect+91 98 6922 7148
>>>
sted On Sunday, November 09, 2008
To be inducted on a trial basis, these trains will also be lighter making them speedier and with interiors that are elegant and modish, much like the ones abroadVirat A Singh -S V Road
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It will be heartening for railway commuters to know that Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC) will be procuring the next batch of rakes under MUTP Phase II ensuring that these will be improvised with hi-tech superior features with elegant design.
Says MRVC Chief P C Sehgal, "For the first set of rakes, it was Ahmedabad-based National Institute of Design (NID) which did the exteriors and colour pattern. This time, we have also asked them to design the interiors to look elegant and modish, much like those of an aircraft. These new rakes, which the Integrated Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai has agreed to make of stainless steel, will make them corrosion-proof as well."
However, another official from MRVC also informs, "If we are not satisfied with the designs of NID, we may invite global Expression of Interest for consultants from all over the world to provide their expertise in designing these rakes. We want these new rakes to be lighter to achieve better speed, as well as looking state-of-art. Also, various fittings such as fans and grabs should be made sleeker as what is seen in trains in various countries today."
Meanwhile, officials from MRVC are working on deficiencies that passengers have expressed through feedback forms, as well expert opinions on the new rakes presently running on both Western and Central lines, and will have these corrected. Says the MRVC official, "A common opinion was to increase space between seats to provide better leg room and we have asked for this to be implemented in the design."
Says commuter Mangesh Patil delightedly, "This is great news. We need to do away with old-style bogies that are outdated and not commuter-friendly, and induct the new ones as soon as possible.">>>
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jagdeep DESAI <jagdeep.desai@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, Oct 14, 2006 at 6:55 PM
Subject: Forced Ventilation More Expensive Than Convection
To: jugal.purohit@mid-ay.com, mailbag@mid-day.com, bombaynet@yahoogroups.com, toieditorial@timesgroup.com, mumbailetters@hindustantimes.com, mumbai.newsline@expressindia.com, feedback@ndtv.com, editor@ibnlive.com, response@in.startv.com, gm@wr.railnet.gov.in, cpro@wr.railnet.gov.in, cme@wr.railnet.gov.in, mdmrvc@vsnl.net, dtmrvc@vsnl.net, cmemrvc@vsnl.net, SETHIS <sethimailbox@airtelbroadband.in>, hmb@vsnl.com, cdem@icf.railnet.gov.in, rcf-gm@mail.nic.in, ce@rcf.railnet.gov.in, cde@rcf.railnet.gov.in, bemlccrm@ccrm.beml.co.in, bemlccrm@yahoo.co.in, bbj@iobwb.nic.in
Hello,In reference to the report on forced ventilation for suburban railway coachesIt seems to me that railways want to spend money on electro mechanical devices which lend itself to possible failure and subsequent maintenance, or lack of it.It is obvious that ventilation is a problem in the over crowded coaches, particularly when it is raining, the windows and doors are shut.However even otherwise, it does not seem too wise to blow air down onto the hot and sweaty passengers, remember hot air rises.As a designer, I would utilise the movement of the train to draw / force in air, from the lower portion of the coach, and let natural convection take it up, and vent it out the upper portion.Specifically, a louvred inlet angled upwards towards the inside of the coach, with grill, in line fo the windows, approximately 450 mm * 150 mm just above the floor level as the inlet.Even a grill / jaali floor plate below the seats which would enable air to flow inwards and upwards from under while the train is in motion and speed.This will serve the purpose of drainage also when the coaches are washed from inside.For venting the hot air when most windows and doors are closed, another louvred opening, also grilled, exactly above and in line of the windows, at the junction between the sidewall and roof should be introduced.These opening will be in open condition through out even when all openings are shut.Fans should be placed at angles on the side walls, so that these direct the air towards the exhaust, rather than as at present, blowing hot air down onto our heads.Another inappropriate design is the introduction of grills to apparently counter the possibility of objects being thrown into the coach by miscreants and anti socials.This is nothing but cutting the nose to spite the face.If we need to minimise this kind of activity, apart from better policing, vigilance, preventing loafers on stations and along tracks, etc., the windows should be made to open up to down, not down to up.The fixed portion, if on the lower half, would easily prevent faces / heads / eyes of seated passengers from such objects thrown from outside.This would obviate the need to put suffocating grills on the windows.Details can easily be worked out.And I shall be happy to assist.Thanqx.Jagdeep DESAIArchitect+91. 98 6922 7148>>>
Zara hawa aane de
Come January 2007, local trains will have blowers to pump in fresh air into the stuffy compartments
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The blowers at the end of the coach will pump in fresh air into the compartment and the points in the ceiling (circled right) will maintain oxygen levels in the compartment ILLUSTRATION: KASBEKAR PRATIMKUMAR Jugal R Purohit
jugal.purohit@mid-day.com
Travelling in a packed compartment of a local train with little ventilation can do more damage than you think — it can even damage your brain cells.
However, things are likely to change after January 2007, when new coaches to maintain oxygen levels in compartments, will arrive in the city. These coaches, made for the first time in India, will pump in fresh air with the help of four blowers at both ends of a coach. This air will enter compartments through eight points in the ceiling.
A decision on acquiring these special compartments was taken by the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC) last week and will be implemented on five trains (with nine coaches) along both Western and Central lines.
The blowers will come at a price of Rs 8 to 10 lakh per train (with nine-coaches) and will run on 5 kw power. The daily operational cost of running this service will be Rs 4,000 per train.
According to an MRVC study, the carbon dioxide level inside compartments is 1,600 parts per million (PPM) as against 400 PPM present in the atmosphere, a difference of 1,200 PPM.
But Dr P C Sehgal, managing director of MRVC, said, "The difference between carbon dioxide levels in a train compartment and the atmosphere should not exceed 700 PPM. Otherwise it is dangerous." Dr Ashish Tiwari of Bombay Hospital said, "Lack of ventilation in trains lead to gradual deterioration of the nervous system. This can lead to ailments like skin diseases, excessive sweating, breathing difficulties and airborne diseases like tuberculosis and viral infections.''
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