File photo of Vande Bharat Express.
State Bureau, New Delhi. Railway Board has taken several important steps to reduce the impact of dense fog on railway operations. To ensure the convenience of passengers and timely movement of trains, monitoring has been increased at the zonal railway and divisional level. Arrangements for additional rakes have been made to run Vande Bharat Express on time.
The Railway Board has directed General Managers (GMs) of Northern Railway, North Eastern Railway and North Central Railway to review the status of trains in real time and immediately resolve passenger related issues including catering. Along with this, Divisional Railway Managers (DRM) of Delhi, Lucknow, Moradabad, Banaras and Prayagraj divisions have also been asked to continuously monitor the trains and ensure necessary arrangements.
Additional rakes being provided for trains
To ensure timely running of trains during fog, additional rakes are being provided for Vande Bharat Express and Shatabdi trains. According to railway officials, Vande Bharat rake of 20 coaches is being used to depart the New Delhi-Varanasi service on time. At the same time, another 20 coach rake available for maintenance with Northern Railway has also been put into operation on time for Varanasi-New Delhi Vande Bharat service.
Apart from this, a rake of 20 coaches designated for augmentation of Vande Bharat service of 16 coaches is being sent from West Central Railway to Northern Railway. Two AC rakes are being prepared from the coaches available in East Central Railway and Southern Railway, so that the delayed trains can be dispatched on time.
Catering arrangements for the additional rakes will be made by IRCTC, while Onboard Housekeeping Service (OBHS) and linen arrangements will also be ensured. Trains are being monitored at Railway Board level and necessary decisions are being taken in real time.
To provide better service to the passengers, a 'War Room' is also being activated in IRCTC, from where trains will be continuously monitored and food related problems will be resolved immediately.