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A day after the CAG released a report critical of the food served in stations and trains, the <keyword id="76223" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ministry-of-Railways">Ministry of Railways</keyword> today said the IRCTC has formed a new catering policy by unbundling the current services on trains, according to a PTI news report.In order to better the quality of food, the Indian <keyword id="6356740" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Railway">Railway</keyword> Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd (IRCTC) will set up new kitchens and upgrade the existing ones, the ministry said in an official statement.The IRCTC has been mandated to carry out the unbundling by creating a distinction, primarily, between food preparation and its distribution, it said.The statement came after the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), in a report yesterday, had termed the food served at stations and in trains "unfit for human consumption".The ministry said as per the new catering policy of 2017, the IRCTC will manage the services on all mobile units and pantry car contracts will be reassigned to the railways' catering arm. Meals for all mobile units will be picked up from the nominated kitchens owned, operated and managed by the IRCTC, it said.

CAG report impact: Railway food to undergo policy change

The <keyword id="6355455" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Railways">Indian Railways</keyword> is planning to discontinue giving blankets in some AC trains, following criticism that it gives dirty blankets to passengers. Recently, a CAG report criticised the railways on cleanliness and hygiene in trains and stations. Instead, railways is working on a pilot project to maintain the temperature of the <keyword id="6369612" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="AC-coaches">AC coaches</keyword>. The railways will work on a pilot project and maintain the temperature at 24°C in these AC coaches, up from the current 19°C. According to initial estimates, the move to do away with blankets is an economical option, considering that it takes Rs 55 to clean the bedroll while passengers are charged just Rs 22 for it. Railways guidelines stipulate that the blankets are to be washed every one to two months, which was not being followed, resulting in the transporter being flooded with complaints.

Railways might discontinue giving blankets in some AC trains. Here’s why

<ul><li>The <keyword id="6355455" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="indian-railways">Indian Railways</keyword> has decided to ditch the old ‘high maintenance’ heavy woollen blankets and make way for new ones that can be washed twice a month.</li><li> A <keyword id="6359828" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="comptroller-and-auditor-general">Comptroller and Auditor General</keyword> (CAG) report released last year revealed that some blankets were washed at an interval of 6-26 months. </li><li>On a typical day, the railways use around 3,90,000 blankets for passengers travelling in AC classes. </li></ul> If the idea of a train journey through the waxing and waning topography of rural India fills you with a sense of nostalgia, if you are yearning for that hot matka of chai at a railway station on a chilly winter morning, if you think that people who spend thousands of rupees to take a 2-hour flight are plain stupid, perhaps the fact that railways blankets are washed once in two months will make you pause, rewind and opt for an alternate mode of transport. However, now the Indian Railways has decided to ditch the old ‘high maintenance’ heavy woollen blankets and make way for new ones that can be washed twice a month! This move may have something to do with a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report released last year that revealed that some blankets were washed at an interval of 6-26 months, amongst numerous other <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/now-cag-criticises-indian-railways-over-dirty-linen-blankets-and-pillows/story-g9UMcL4c4qll5PwYrpbwbJ.html">issues</a> the report flagged. Not only that, used blankets will be sanitised ‘regularly’ before being passed on to the next user. (Currently, a blanket is sanitised once in <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/budget-2016/rail-budget-2016/You-smelt-it-right-Railways-washes-blankets-every-two-months/articleshow/51162191.cms">15 days</a>.) And finally, the service life of a blanket, which is the amount of time a blanket will be used, has been reduced to two years, as opposed to four. The woollen blankets they have now cost around Rs. 400 per piece. However, needless to say, this ‘upgraded’ mix of woollen and nylon is expected to cost almost double. But that’s a price the railways may be willing to pay, considering the number of complaints they get from travellers raising a stink about dirty, smelly blankets. The directive from the railways to all zones says that ideally, these new blankets are to be washed twice a month, subject to available capacity and logistics arrangements. But should this prove to be a tall order, the blankets need to be washed <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/railways/blankets-for-ac-travellers-to-be-washed-twice-a-month/articleshow/64745089.cms?utm_source=Colombia&amp;utm_medium=OrganicNative&amp;utm_campaign=CTN&amp;utm_content=19">‘minimum once in a month.’</a> On a typical day, the railways use around 3,90,000 blankets for passengers travelling in AC classes. And while those lucky enough to travel in the first class receive a changed blanket cover after every use, those travelling in AC second and third class don’t. Those whose weren’t aware of these facts and numbers may take solace in the fact that the Indian Railways is aiming to provide a fresh set of train linen and blanket for ‘each journey’. In fact, there are already 50 mechanised laundries and the railways plan to add ten more shortly.

Blankets provided on trains by Indian Railways will soon be fresher and cleaner

New Delhi, Feb 6 () A parliamentary panel has asked various ministries to develop a robust mechanism in coordination and consultation with the CAG and CGA through which expenditure can be strictly monitored. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in its report titled' Excesses Over Voted Grants And Charged Appropriation (2016-17)' also noted that timely action needs to be taken to ensure that expenditure does not overshoot the limit authorised by Parliament. According to the report, the committee's examination of the four Appropriation Accounts of the Union Government relating to civil, defence, postal services and railways for the financial year 2016-17 revealed that a total excess expenditure of Rs 1,90,270.18 crore was incurred in 12 cases under seven grants/appropriations. The panel said it would like to impress upon the ministries concerned to embark upon all possible prudent and effective measures to contain excess expenditure to the barest minimum and honour the prescribed financial propriety. It asked different ministries to develop a robust mechanism in consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) and the Controller General of Accounts (CGA) through which expenditure can be strictly monitored. The PAC, headed by senior Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, also said the committee is displeased to note that their repeated cautions to the Ministry of Railways have not been able to eliminate misclassification of expenditure in their accounts. Meanwhile, in another report, the panel said it is dismayed to note that neither the Finance Ministry nor the Ministry of Defence have furnished the findings/recommendations of the high-level committee to curb recurrence of excess expenditure under grants operated by the Ministry of Defence. BKS CS ABM

Par panel suggests steps to monitor expenditure by ministries

Rs 11.17 crore! That’s how much <keyword id="61108" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="North-Central-Railway">North Central Railway</keyword> (NCR) and <keyword id="82627" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="South-Central-Railway">South Central Railway</keyword> (SCR) have levied from its passengers for booking in superfast trains. However, a recent investigation by <keyword id="6356851" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="CAG">CAG</keyword> shows, these ‘superfast’ trains have been delayed almost 95% times. <keyword id="51689" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Railway-Board">Railway Board</keyword> has defined superfast trains as the ones that run at an average speed of 55kmph. Given the fact that most express trains with exception to a handful runs on that speed, passengers are charged extra for most long distance train travels. The study done between 2013-14 to 2015-16 in NCR and SCR shows that these trains reached the destination late between 13.48% and 95.17% of the days on which they ran. In total, 21 superfast trains were delayed on 3,000 days out of 16,804 days because they failed to attain the 'superfast' speed, according to a TOI news report. Currently there is no policy by which the railways will refund money to passengers automatically for delays. It’s only when a person files a ticket deposit against reservation (<keyword id="59440" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="TDR">TDR</keyword>) against a train delayed for more than three hours is a refund possible. Also 'superfast' surcharges vary for different class of coaches. For example, it is Rs 15 for general coaches, Rs 30 for sleeper, Rs 45 for AC (chair car, AC-3 economy, AC-3, AC-2 classes) and Rs 75 for AC First/Executive class which were effective from April 1, 2013, as per the TOI news report. <keyword id="6356295" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Agra">Agra</keyword> divisional commercial manager <keyword id="4798023" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="sanchit-tyagi">Sanchit Tyagi</keyword> told TOI, "There are scores of factors which lead to trains not achieving their superfast speed, thus causing delays. Some the prominent factors are the maintenance of tracks, signal glitches, emergency brakes and accidents which contribute in the late operations of railways."

Railways charging extra for superfast trains that are 95% times delayed

The <keyword id="6355455" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="indian-railways">Indian Railways</keyword> has received a lot of flak not only from passengers but also from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) that lashed out at it for failing to meet the <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/now-cag-criticises-indian-railways-over-dirty-linen-blankets-and-pillows/story-g9UMcL4c4qll5PwYrpbwbJ.html">basic hygiene standards</a> and highlighted critical safety <a href="http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-after-andheri-rob-collapse-audit-reports-of-overbridges-come-into-limelight-2633028">flaws</a> in the <keyword id="17408" type="DOMAIN" weightage="20" keywordseo="infrastructure">infrastructure</keyword>. And while there are numerous examples of how the railways is trying to spruce things up a bit and get their act together, fact is, apart from the relatively lighter changes like placing <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/indian-railways-is-going-to-live-stream-its-kitchens-to-the-world-to-ensure-transparency/articleshow/64600841.cms">cameras in kitchens</a> and acquiring <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/blankets-provided-on-trains-by-indian-railways-will-soon-be-fresher-and-cleaner/articleshow/64764828.cms">blankets</a> that can be washed twice a month, the railways is engaged in some heavy duty changes that are geared towards safety, convenience and basic timeliness of the <keyword id="6360847" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="trains">trains</keyword>. According to a report by the <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/railways/how-aging-creaking-crumbling-railways-is-getting-a-new-life/articleshow/64852991.cms">Economic Times</a>, here are ten key changes the Indian Railways is currently indulging in. <ol><li>Eliminating unmanned railway crossings: A little over two months after the unfortunate <a href="https://www.news18.com/news/india/kushinagar-accident-14-children-killed-as-train-hits-school-bus-at-railway-crossing-1729955.html">Kushinagar train accident</a> when a train rammed into a school van killing 14 children at an unmanned railway crossing (UMLC), the railways is aggressively working on eliminating all unmanned railway crossings. To achieve this it has given itself a deadline of 31 March 2020. In fact, the railways has already <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/railways-eliminates-all-unmanned-level-crossings-from-4-zones-5239251/">eliminated</a> all UMLCs in four zones on <keyword id="409555" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="broad-gauge">broad gauge</keyword> routes in July — West Central Railway, Central Railway, Eastern Railway and South East Central Railway — and is well on its way to eliminating unmanned level crossings in 11 zones by September 2018. <div type="image" title="pexels-photo-892541." tempid="406286" msid="64859688" hostid="261"></div>

 </li><li>Giving old, worn-out tracks an upgrade: A <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/586-train-accidents-in-last-5-years-53-due-to-derailments/articleshow/60141578.cms">Times of India</a> report in October 2017 claimed that almost 53% of the 586 train accidents in the last five years were due to derailments. And ageing and/or defective railways tracks is one of the primary causes of derailments. Therefore, the railways has boosted its efforts to replace its ageing tracks and repair defective ones. In fact, the railways claim that there is a 50% increase in rail track renewal from 2,926 kilometres in 2013-14 to 4,405 kilometres in 2017-18. </li><li>Construction of foot-over-bridges: In September 2017, a stampede at <keyword id="6358070" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="mumbai">Mumbai</keyword>’s Elphinstone Railway Station foot-over-bridge claimed 22 lives. The cause of the stampede is not clear but it is quite apparent that the bridge was too narrow and clearly not sufficient to handle the daily footfall of the station. In fact, a <a href="http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/sep/29/mumbai-elphinstone-station-stampede-railways-ignored-warning-that-its-foot-over-bridges-are-narrow-1664659.html">CAG report in 2006</a> had flagged that the railways had reduced the width of the bridges and stated that foot-over-bridges should be at least 6 m width at all suburban railway platforms. However, now the railways claims that they have managed to up its game and has constructed 74 bridges per year between 2014-18 which is a 221% jump from 23 per year during 2009-14. </li><li>Device to guide train drivers through fog: Come winters, rail travel becomes a massive nightmare. Lack of visibility thanks to extreme fog inevitably leads to delays and accidents. But in December 2017, the national transporter installed <a href="http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/dec/12/indian-railways-to-use-gps-enabled-devices-to-fight-fog-this-season-1725490.html">4,920 GPS-enabled FOG PASS devices</a> to help loco pilots navigate through the fog. The gadget displays a map of tracks, signals, stations and level crossings and alerts drivers of approaching signals 500 meters ahead, which in turn helps the driver increase or decrease the speed of the train. Believe it or not, before these devices, the common practice to alert drivers was to tie <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Railways-tie-crackers-to-beat-fog/articleshow/45526196.cms">crackers</a> to the tracks. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 <div type="image" title="vignesh-moorthy-419909-unsplash" msid="64859532" hostid="261"></div>

















 Photo by : <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/n9dBt4g2Ss4?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Vignesh Moorthy</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/search/photos/india?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash </a><a href="https://unsplash.com/search/photos/india?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText"></a></li><li>Improved signalling system: In order to eradicate outdated manual signalling, the government pumped in a whopping ₹12990 million to modernise the system. This new automated signalling system aims to enhance safety and speed up train movement in a congested network. Apart from this, the railways intends to provide electronic interlocking systems, introduce European Train Control System technology and mobile train radio communication systems as a part of its five-year upgradation agenda. </li><li>Waterproof engines: Heavy rainfall has historically added to the woes of Indian commuters. Waterlogging not only on roads but also on railway tracks lead to delays and brings cities like Mumbai to a standstill. However, the Indian Railways plans to remedy the issue by introducing waterproof locomotive engines to basically tow stranded trains that. Four inches of water can bring a standard train engine to a standstill, however, these <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/railways/take-a-look-at-indian-railways-waterproof-engine-than-can-haul-rakes-stranded-in-rains/saviour-engine/slideshow/64573538.cms">new engines</a> are equipped to operate in 12 inches of water. </li><li>Measure to make purchasing tickets easier: To nudge people towards a cashless system, the national transporter has installed 9,100 point of sale (POS) machines at about 4,000 locations including rail ticket counters. </li><li>Station facelift: The railways plans to spruce up major railway stations big time. The revamped stations will ape modern airports and will therefore include modern facilities like escalators, lifts, subways, ramps, AC VIP lounge, AC waiting room and rest rooms and shopping malls. Apart from this, the stations will will be beautified with local artworks.</li><li>Cleanliness: In order to implement the Swachh Railways mission, the railways has introduced mechanised cleaning system at 488 stations and has started using an automatic rail-mounted machine to keep its tracks at platforms clean. And to keep a check on freelance housekeeping contractors, passengers will be asked to rate the cleanliness based on which the contractor will be paid.</li><li>Increasing rail connectivity: The Prime Minister’s ‘Act East Policy’ has given a much-required boost to the infrastructural development in northeast India. The first priority was to convert the entire North East rail network to a broad gauge system which it aims to do by 2020.</li></ol>

You Searched For "CAG report on railways" and got 7 results

CAG report impact: Railway food to undergo policy change

BI India Bureau

Railways might discontinue giving blankets in some AC trains. Here’s why

BI India Bureau

Blankets provided on trains by Indian Railways will soon be fresher and cleaner

Kavita Majumdar

Par panel suggests steps to monitor expenditure by ministries

PTI

Railways charging extra for superfast trains that are 95% times delayed

BI India Bureau

Indian Railways is planning a major overhaul: Here's what's in store

Kavita Majumdar

Full transcript of PM Narendra Modi's TV interview

BI India Bureau

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