Interview Insights:
Rail Analysis: Having held numerous roles across various divisions and capacities in Indian Railways, how has your past experience shaped your vision for South Central Railway?
Shri Arun Kumar Jain: I was fortunate to get an opportunity to serve the country through Indian Railways – one of the premier Organisations in the country – in both technical roles as well as in Administrative capacities, across various parts of the country. Over the past 36 years of service, I got an opportunity to be part of the fascinating journey in the evolution of Indian Railways which has been characterized by significant modernization and technological advancement of the mass transport system. The continuous learnings and insights gained during this period have helped me to shape priorities for Team SCR to make one of the best performing Zones on Indian Railways.
Indian Railways, and particularly SCR, place utmost importance on safety. Every action we take – be it the deployment of Kavach, extension of Automatic Signaling, provision of Electronic Interlocking, stress on track maintenance, introduction of better rolling stock, etc –is driven by the goal of making Indian Railways not only the most pleasant travel experience but also the safest mode of transport.
My experience has also made me realize the importance of planning for the future. Given the ever-increasing demand for rail services, it is imperative that infrastructure planning and meticulous execution should be given prime focus for Indian Railways to be able to meet the aspirations of passengers. Simultaneously, focus should also be given to mobility enhancement measures, which take shorter time period for implementation, but also give immediate dividends
It is also imperative to have continuous engagement with our stakeholders – be it passenger or freight related – to understand their needs so that customer delight becomes an integral part of all our actions.
Railways is fortunate to have a dedicated workforce. My experience has taught me the importance of inculcating a process of continuous learning and capacity building measures, with clear directions so that we are able to get optimum output from each member of Team SCR.
Most importantly, it has taught me the importance of taking the holistic view with regard to each project so that internal silos do not hamper the overall outcome.
Rail Analysis: Could you elaborate on any recent or upcoming collaboration between SCR and other entities (public or private) that aim to enhance railway services?
Shri Arun Kumar Jain: South Central Railway has been closely associated with some of the recent technological developments being adopted/implemented by Indian Railways. These include:
a) Kavach – Automatic Train Protection System
Kavach is an indigenously developed state-of-the-art Automatic Train Protection System. It has been developed by Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) in collaboration with Indian Industry. SCR has been closely associated with its implementation since the development stage and was successfully implemented first across Indian Railways in SCR.
KAVACH is meant to provide protection by preventing trains to pass the Signal Passing at Danger (SPAD) (i.e., Red – Stop Signal) and also avoids collisions. It also activates the train braking system automatically if the driver fails to control the train as per the speed restrictions. In addition, it prevents collision between two Trains / Locomotives, equipped with functional KAVACH system.
South Central Railways leads other zones in terms of Kavach deployment, with 1,465 RKms of our network
b) Centre of Excellence for Data Analytics
The Centre of Excellence for Data Analytics has been set-up at Rail Nilayam, SCR Headquarters in association with CRIS. This state-of the-art facility aims to promote research and development in data analytics for the Indian Railways. As an important initiative by CRIS, it will help enhance the efficiency of railway operations and services.
Leveraging data analytics in the railways can significantly improve passenger experience, optimize resource utilization, and enhance overall efficiency. The Centre aims to harness the power of data analytics to improve operations, enhance passenger experience, and ensure the safety and security of passengers.
At the Centre, experts in data analytics and railway technology collaborate on cutting-edge research projects designed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Indian Railways. Research initiatives include analyzing customer feedback to improve passenger experience, optimizing resource utilization to reduce costs and boost efficiency, and developing predictive maintenance models for trains and infrastructure.
c) Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train
SCR has also been associated with IRCTC for operating tourist circuit special trains i.e., “Bharat Gaurav Train Service”. This initiative has been launched by Ministry of Railways with an objective to showcase our country’s rich cultural heritage by connecting magnificent historical and pilgrim places of the country through rail.
The Bharat Gaurav Train launched by IRCTC covers various tourist destinations in a pre-defined circuit providing diverse experience to the passengers. Further, this service is available in different classes to meet the travelling requirements of the different segments of public
The initiative has been an instant success on this railway wherein 18 trips have been made till date across 5 major tourist circuits, covering Northern, Eastern, Western and Southern parts of the country.
These trains, started from our Railway, gives unique opportunity to the rail passengers of the two Telugu states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to visit some of the most ancient and historical places in the Eastern & Northern part of the country.
d) Setting up of Video Surveillance system (VSS) in collaboration with RailTel
SCR is also working with RailTel, a Mini Ratna Central Government PSU under Ministry of Railways For implementation of Video Surveillance System (VSS) project under Nirbhaya Fund at Railway Stations. As part of it, 76 Major Railway Stations on South Central Railway have been identified for implementation of Internet Protocol (IP) based Video Surveillance System (VSS) in the first phase.
This would cover all main passenger interface areas like waiting halls, reservation counters, parking areas, main entrance/ exit, platforms, foot overbridges, booking offices etc.
In this CCTVs are being networked on optical fiber cable and the video feed of the CCTV cameras will be displayed not only at local RPF posts but also at a centralized CCTV control room at divisional and zonal level for 3-level monitoring. The system also comes with Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled Video Analytics Software
and Facial Recognition Software which will help to detect known criminals triggering an alert when they enter station premises. Network Management System (NMS) has been also been provided for monitoring of Cameras, Server, UPS and Switches which can be viewed from any web browser by authorized personnel. This will give an extra edge to the RPF officials for ensuring enhanced security.
Rail Analysis: With the introduction of eight summer special trains, can you discuss the strategic planning involved in selecting these particular routes and schedules?
Shri Arun Kumar Jain: We have a well structured mechanism for introduction of special train services. Passenger Profile Management (PPM) Cell regularly monitors the demand for the trains in various directions by collecting and analyzing reservation data, including number of waitlisted passengers. Depending on passengers demand, proposals are made for introduction of special trains across various directions. These are then finalized based on the analysis of availability of rolling stock, path, terminal handling capacities, etc.
This activity is done regularly, with more focus ahead of festive seasons, holiday seasons, etc. The special trains are being operated not only from the twin city region of Hyderabad – Secunderabad, but also from various important station spread across the Zone.
Scheduling of special trains is also done in such a manner that it meets the demand of most passengers and is also operationally feasible. In addition, train composition is also finalized keeping in view the demand from various categories of passengers and availability of sufficient coaching stocks. For example, during this summer season keeping in view the huge demand from underserved passengers to travel towards Danapur and Santragachi, complete unreserved special trains were introduced, with stoppages at all enroute important stations.
During this summer season, considering the passenger demand not only between the two Telugu states but also towards the various parts of the country, special trains have been announced from SCR.
Till now, nearly 170 special trains have been started from SCR jurisdiction in the two months of April and May, providing rail travel facility to the passengers across various parts of the country such as New Delhi (NZM) and Jaipur in the North, Gorakhpur, Danapur, Chhapra, Raxaul, Agartala and Guwahati in the East, Mumbai (CSMT), Solapur, ShirdiSai Nagar in the West and Bengaluru, Hubli, Tirupati, Machilipatnam and Erode in the South among others.It is heartening to the note the success of these special trains, which are being operated at an average of over 100% patronage, indicating the efficacy of the planning made by the Zone
Rail Analysis: You mentioned earlier, the establishment of a multi-modal transport network through PM Gati Shakti to boost competitiveness and exports. Could you elaborate on the specific impacts expected on the logistics sector and industrial growth in the areas served by SCR?
Shri Arun Kumar Jain: The establishment of a multi-modal transport network through PM Gati Shakti is likely to provide integrated and seamless connectivity for movement of people, goods and services from one mode of transport to another. It is aimed at transforming the logistics operations by improving efficiency, cutting down costs, reducing travel time and by giving a fillip to industries in the region served by it.
As part of it, various works like conduct of feasibility studies of projects, Station Redevelopment, Traffic Facility, Passenger Amenities, Road Safety, Road Over Bridges (RoBs) & Road Under Bridges (RuBs), All Siding works etc are being undertaken by Gati Shakti Units of SCR.Further, existing sidings / terminals have also been given an option to shift towards Gati Shakti Terminals, which is likely to reduce their overall costs for infrastructure maintenance.
By providing a framework for planning, sanctioning and execution of project, Gati Shakti helps in bringing in efficiency at every stage of the project.
To enhance accuracy, reduce time and cost, Surveys and alignment fixing are also being done using latest survey technologies/tools like satellite images, drone Photogrammetry, LiDAR and “PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan portal” created by BISAG. Importantly, initiatives like BISAG makes available other Ministries planning to every Ministry so that each ministry can plan their projects in a holistic way, by leveraging the synergies and avoiding any probable impediments. This will lead to holistic planning,faster project evaluation and speed up the proposal processing time.
Further to enhance efficiency in project implementation, the Gati Shakti Directorate closely monitors the progress of various issues pertaining to the project like land acquisition, encroachment removal, utility shifting, non-availability of soil / aggregate, etc and conducts regular review meetings with all stakeholders like State Governments and other Central Ministries/Departments.
These projects in SCR are likely to enhance the capacity of railways, provide last-mile connectivity to the factory-site, decongest saturated sections and help in faster movement of men and materials. It is also likely to particularly give a fillip to industrial and agricultural commodities transportation from the regions being served by SCR. Moreover, the policy is also likely to attract greater investments into the sector.
SCR serves major industries like Coal, Cement, Power Houses, Agricultural Market regions and Dry Ports among others to move their material in a more efficient manner. The multimodal network under Gati Shakti is likely to further give a fillip to the industrial development in these regions, thereby providing more opportunities for growth and employment.
Rail Analysis: Can you discuss the technological features of the three-phase electric locomotives that make them superior to other locomotive technologies currently in use?
Shri Arun Kumar Jain: The Three Phase electric locomotives which are being added to the fleet of SCR have considerable advantages over the previous traction technologies. These Locomotives have higher horse power and can easily haul a full-length 22 LHB coach passenger train at 130 kmph without any hassle. These locomotives also offer a high balancing speed even for freight traffic and reduce the transit time for moving cargo, thereby improving the productivity of rolling stocks.
All new WAP-7 locos are fitted with Head-on-Generation systems (HOG) for powering the coaches. The HOG system drastically reduces the use of diesel power cars for powering the rakes. A 3-phase locomotive with a HOG system saves around 14,800 kilo Litres of HSD Oil per trip, thereby not only saving on fuel bills but also drastically reducing both fuel and noise pollution.
Regenerative braking is another green feature of 3-phase locomotives, which saves 12.4% of electrical energy apart from reducing carbon footprints. These can run at higher average speeds and can haul heavier trains.
With Indian Railways rapidly moving towards 100% electrification, the role of efficient electric locomotives becomes vital in powering the higher traffic demand. In this context, I am happy to mention that in the last financial year 2023-24, SCR has commissioned highest ever new 148 three phase locomotives.
Rail Analysis: Looking ahead, what other projects or initiatives can we expect SCR to undertake under the PM Gati Shakti framework in the coming years?
Shri Arun Kumar Jain: Various works are under execution under Gati Shakti head. The process of sanctioning and execution of the projects is a constant mechanism which involves various New Line, Double Line, Third Line Works, Traffic Facility Works, Customer Amenities Works etc. This helps in infrastructure augmentation and provision of passenger amenities on a continuous basis.
At present, 27 different works for facilitating traffic improvements and 136 different works for improving Customer Amenities are at various stages of execution across the Zone. These include works like Station redevelopment under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS), new crossing stations, provision of additional loop lines, provision of Intermediate Block Signals, construction of Road Over Bridges (RoB), etc.
Private sidings and Government Sidings which are setup for transportation of freight commodities have also been given option to shift GatiShakti Cargo Terminal.
All these are continuous activities which drastically improve the capacity of the rail network and also the station infrastructure to serves our customers better. As the aspirations of the rail passengers continue to grow, more and more projects are likely to be part of this initiative so as better serve our passengers.
Rail Analysis: Anything else you would like to share with us?
Shri Arun Kumar Jain: SCR has been one of the premier Zones on Indian Railways. The past two fiscal years have seen the Zone excelling it’s best-ever performances across diverse fields.
SCR’s Gross Originating revenue surpassed Rs. 20,000 crs mark for the first time in 2023-24 (Rs. 20,195 Crores), recording an incremental growth of 6%. The record revenues in both passenger and freight segments have been crucial for this achievement.
This buoyancy in earnings was matched by the record infrastructure creation, which saw a staggering 416 kms of track being added to the SCR rail network, in the form of New lines, Doubling / Tripling / Gauge conversion. Simultaneously, the operating ratio of the Zone has declined from 98.95% in 2021-22 to 86.64% in 2023-24.
In fact, the Zone’s stupendous performance was reflected in diverse sectors like Originating Freight Loading, Track renewal, Removal / Relaxation of Permanent Speed restrictions over its networks, Material Management, etc.
Team SCR is geared up to maintain this proud legacy in the ensuing financial year with meticulous planning and pinpoint execution with an aim to meet the aspirations of rail customers and provide them with delightful rail experience.
Images source: South Central Railway
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