Tag: Indian Railways

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ECoR’s First Sleeping Pod Facility Inaugurated at Visakhapatnam Railway Station

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Visakhapatnam, July 2025 – In a major boost to passenger amenities, Visakhapatnam Railway Station has become the first in the East Coast Railway (ECoR) zone to offer a ‘sleeping pod’ facility, bringing smart and compact rest options to Indian Railways’ growing infrastructure.

The modern facility, located on Platform 1 of the station, was inaugurated by senior railway officials and aims to provide affordable, clean, and private sleeping spaces for passengers who are in transit or facing long layovers.

These sleeping pods are compact yet well-equipped, featuring essential amenities like:

  • Air conditioning
  • USB and charging ports
  • Reading lights
  • Secure locking system
  • Digital reservation and check-in

Each pod is designed for single occupancy and comes with privacy panels, making it ideal for solo travelers, students, professionals, or tourists needing a quick rest.

Aimed at replicating international standards of airport-style sleep pods, this initiative reflects Indian Railways’ ongoing efforts to modernize stations and enhance commuter convenience.

Why It Matters
For passengers with long waits between connections, irregular train schedules, or overnight halts, the pods offer a welcome alternative to waiting room benches. Moreover, they support budget-conscious travelers by offering hotel-like features at a fraction of the cost.

Booking and Pricing
The sleeping pods can be reserved online through Indian Railways’ portal and associated travel apps. Walk-in bookings are also accepted based on availability. Prices are expected to start from as low as ₹150–₹300 for short durations.

Railway authorities hope to expand this concept to other major stations across the ECoR zone, depending on public response.

The introduction of sleeping pods at Visakhapatnam is a sign of the evolving face of Indian Railways—prioritizing comfort, technology, and passenger satisfaction as it accelerates toward a world-class travel experience.

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RailOne App Launches: Sets Record with Unmatched Booking and Inquiry Speeds

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New Delhi | July 2025 : Indian Railways has taken a giant leap into the digital age with the launch of its all-new RailOne app—a high-performance travel companion built for India’s massive railway ecosystem. Designed to dramatically improve the passenger experience, the RailOne app can handle up to 150,000 bookings per minute and process 4 million inquiries in the same time frame.

This marks a historic tech upgrade for Indian Railways, which already manages one of the world’s largest passenger traffic volumes. With over 23 million people traveling daily across the country, the need for a more robust, faster, and user-friendly system was long overdue.

🚆 What’s New in RailOne?

  • Massive Booking Throughput: 150,000 bookings/min means smoother festival season ticketing.
  • Inquiry Powerhouse: Handles 4 million user inquiries per minute without slowing down.
  • Modern UI/UX: Sleek, mobile-optimized design with real-time updates and route tracking.
  • Unified Features: Integrated services like train status, platform number, seat availability, e-catering, and PNR tracking.
  • AI Integration: Smart alerts for train delays, cancellations, and dynamic rescheduling.

💡 A Boost for ‘Digital India’

RailOne supports the government’s vision of a tech-forward transport infrastructure. Built with scalability and cloud-based architecture, it’s set to become the go-to app for railway travelers across India.

“RailOne is not just a booking app; it’s a national mobility solution. We’ve built it for the scale of India,” said a Railway Board official. “This will be a benchmark in how railway systems worldwide manage digital ticketing and communication.”

Whether you’re a daily commuter or an occasional traveler, RailOne is poised to make your journey faster, simpler, and smarter.

🛤️ Download now on iOS & Android and experience the new era of rail travel.

Social

Goa Representative Pushes for Special Velankanni Trains at 38th DRUCC Meeting

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Hubballi, June 20, 2025 — The 38th Division Railway Users Consultative Committee (DRUCC) meeting was held in the Seminar Hall of the Chief Workshop Manager’s Office, Gadag Road, Hubballi, bringing together railway officials and user representatives to discuss issues affecting passengers in the South Western Railway zone.

The meeting was chaired by Smt. Bela Meena, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Hubballi Division, and attended by 13 DRUCC members. Among the key participants was Shri Augusto M Da Costa, who represented South Goa Member of Parliament, Capt. Viriato Fernandes.

Focus on Velankanni Special Trains for Goan Devotees

During the meeting, Shri Augusto M Da Costa highlighted a pressing concern for pilgrims from Goa — the need for annual special trains to Velankanni, Tamil Nadu, to coincide with the novenas and feast celebrations held from 27 August to 8 September each year. These religious events attract thousands of devotees from Goa and other parts of the country.

“Goan devotees face challenges planning their journey to Velankanni every year. To ease their travel, it’s essential that special trains be scheduled and announced well in advance,” said Da Costa.

He specifically requested that special trains from Vasco-da-Gama (VSG) to Velankanni (VLKN) and back be arranged for this period annually. He also urged the DRM to issue orders at least one month in advance to ensure devotees have sufficient time to plan their pilgrimage.

Positive Response from Railway Officials

The committee was receptive to the proposal, noting that the operation of such special trains during the Velankanni feast season is both feasible and in public interest. It was resolved that the proposal would be forwarded to CPTM/SWR (Chief Passenger Traffic Manager, South Western Railway) for approval. If approved, three trips of a special VSG–VLKN–VSG train will be scheduled at feasible dates and times.

Weekly Velankanni Train Timing Concerns Raised

Another issue brought to the committee’s attention was the inconvenience caused by the weekly train from Vasco to Velankanni, which departs on Monday mornings and arrives in Velankanni on Tuesday afternoons. Devotees have expressed concern that the train arrives too late, leaving them with little time to engage in pilgrimage activities before having to return.

Shri Augusto M Da Costa proposed a simple but impactful solution — to allow the train to halt at Velankanni for an extra day, giving pilgrims sufficient time for their religious observances.

In response, DRM Bela Meena assured the committee that this suggestion would be considered seriously and included in the agenda of the next DRUCC meeting for further discussion and decision-making.

The discussions at the 38th DRUCC meeting reflect the critical role that user representatives and community leaders play in shaping public transportation services. With cooperation from South Western Railway authorities, Goan pilgrims may soon have more convenient and accessible travel options to one of their most cherished religious destinations.

Human Interest

India to Export 150 Locomotives Worth ₹3,000 Crore to Guinea in Landmark Rail Infrastructure Deal

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New Delhi | June 2025 — In a major boost to India’s growing stature as a global supplier of advanced rail infrastructure, the Government of India has announced the export of 150 state-of-the-art locomotives to the Republic of Guinea, a West African nation. Valued at over ₹3,000 crore, this strategic deal underscores India’s deepening economic engagement with Africa and showcases the technological capabilities of Indian manufacturing in the rail transport sector.

A Milestone in India–Africa Cooperation

The agreement, finalized under the India–Africa development partnership framework, involves the export of diesel-electric locomotives manufactured by Indian Railways production units and private partners. The locomotives will support Guinea’s efforts to modernize its rail network, enhance freight capacity, and improve regional connectivity—particularly for its mineral-rich inland areas.

A senior official from India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) commented:

“This export is not only a commercial transaction but also a symbol of India’s commitment to Africa’s infrastructure development and economic self-reliance.”

Key Highlights of the Deal:

  • 🚆 Quantity: 150 diesel-electric locomotives
  • 💰 Value: ₹3,000+ crore (~USD 360 million)
  • 🏗️ Manufacturer: Indian Railways (via production units like Banaras Locomotive Works and select private partners)
  • 🌍 Destination: Republic of Guinea, West Africa
  • 🛠️ Purpose: Freight transport, mining sector logistics, and regional rail development

Strengthening the ‘Make in India’ Export Vision

The deal reinforces India’s ‘Make in India for the World’ strategy by exporting high-quality, durable, and fuel-efficient locomotives built using indigenous technology. These locomotives are equipped with modern features, including:

  • Advanced braking and control systems
  • Fuel efficiency optimization
  • Minimal maintenance design
  • Climate-adapted components for African terrain and weather

India has been increasingly expanding its footprint in railway diplomacy, providing rail infrastructure, rolling stock, and technical expertise to various African and Asian nations under government-to-government and EXIM Bank-supported frameworks.

Guinea’s Infrastructure Growth and Strategic Ties

For Guinea, the locomotives will significantly improve its ability to transport bauxite, iron ore, and agricultural goods from the interior regions to ports for export. The deal also signals Guinea’s strategic pivot towards reliable global partners for development support.

Guinea’s Ministry of Transport welcomed the initiative, stating:

“India has proven to be a trusted partner in development. These locomotives will form the backbone of our national railway upgrade, creating jobs and boosting trade.”

Looking Ahead

This export is part of India’s broader push to become a leading provider of sustainable infrastructure to the Global South. With Africa emerging as a priority region for India’s foreign and economic policy, more such high-impact deals are expected in the near future.

The first batch of locomotives is expected to be shipped by early 2026, with delivery and deployment scheduled in phases over two years. Training and technical support will also be provided to Guinean railway personnel as part of the comprehensive package.

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Konkan Railway Considers Car Ferry Service Between Mumbai and Goa to Ease Festival Traffic

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Mumbai–Goa Corridor – June 2025:
In an innovative move to tackle the perennial problem of festival season traffic congestion, Konkan Railway is exploring a plan to allow passengers to ferry their cars and SUVs on train wagons between Mumbai and Goa. This initiative aims to offer travelers a convenient and stress-free alternative to long, bumper-to-bumper road journeys, especially during peak festive times like Ganesh Chaturthi.

🚦 Tackling Traffic Headaches

Every year, thousands of holidaymakers flock to Goa from Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra during festivals, leading to severe traffic jams on the Mumbai-Goa highway. The scenic yet narrow Konkan route, while beautiful, often turns into a crawl during these peak periods, causing frustration and delays.

By permitting passengers to board with their vehicles on specially designed rail wagons, Konkan Railway hopes to reduce highway congestion and improve overall travel experience. Commuters can relax on the train while their cars are transported safely, eliminating the stress of driving through crowded roads.

🚆 How the Service Could Work

Though still in the planning stage, the proposed service would operate on a model similar to roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) ferry systems used elsewhere globally. Passengers would drive their vehicles onto train wagons at a designated station, travel comfortably on the train, and then disembark with their cars at the destination.

This solution combines the efficiency and comfort of rail travel with the flexibility of having personal transport upon arrival — ideal for tourists, families, and festival travelers alike.

🎉 Potential Launch During Ganesh Chaturthi

Officials have indicated that the service might be launched on a trial basis during the upcoming Ganapati festival, when travel demand spikes significantly. The trial would allow authorities to assess logistics, passenger interest, safety measures, and operational feasibility before considering a permanent schedule.

🌟 Benefits for Commuters and the Environment

The initiative is expected to:

  • Save time and reduce travel fatigue for drivers
  • Cut down on traffic jams and road accidents
  • Encourage eco-friendly travel by reducing carbon emissions from congested highway traffic
  • Boost tourism by making Goa more accessible without the hassles of road congestion

🔍 Challenges and Considerations

While promising, the project will need to address challenges such as:

  • Designing specialized wagons to safely carry various vehicle sizes
  • Ensuring smooth loading and unloading procedures without causing delays
  • Ticket pricing and booking logistics to make it affordable and convenient
  • Coordinating with local traffic and railway authorities for seamless integration

🚀 A Step Toward Modernizing Regional Travel

If successful, this service could revolutionize travel along the Mumbai-Goa corridor and serve as a model for other congested routes in India. Combining rail and road advantages, it represents a forward-thinking solution to India’s growing transportation challenges.