Ferozepur Railway Division bifurcation for Jammu Division possible subject to budget provisions : DRM
DRM highlights achievements and future plans in the division
Ferozepur Railway Division bifurcation costing Rs.150 crore for Jammu Division possible subject to budget provisions : DRM
Ferozepur, February 9, 2016: The completion of bifurcation of Ferozepur Railway Division for creation of new Jammu Division the process for which has been initiated by the Railway Ministry on war-footing, will be possible within one year provided subject to the budget provision of estimated cost of Rs.150 crore.
Ferozepur Division is one of the biggest railway division of the country spread over three main states – Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal.
This was stated by Anuj Parkash, Divisional Rail Manager, Ferozepur along with Ajay Kumar Rana who has taken over as new DRM Jammu Division at Ferozepur, to expedite the work of bifurcation of existing Ferozepur Division in Punjab and supervise the entire process including raising much needed infrastructure for it.
For information, the division now has 1,850-km-long rail network and it was set up in 1862 and is one of the oldest and biggest amongst the 67 divisions in the country with 239 railway stations under its jurisdiction. Now, 612 of rail network will be included in the Jammu Division ranging from Bhogpur in Jalandhar and Verka in Batala upwards till Jammu and Kashmir. Moreover, several important railway stations including Jammu, Tawi, Pathankot, Kangra, Joginder Nagar besides others are likely to be part of the new entity.
Speaking to the media persons, Anuj Sharma said, a team of officials from the ministry had arrived here to work out on the basic proposals including posting of staff for the smooth functioning on shifting of the divisional headquarters costing Rs 150 crore likely to be set up in Jammu.
Stating the reasons behind its bifurcation, DRM Ferozepur said, Because of vast area of the exiting Ferozepur Division covering three states – Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pardesh – which includes lot of religious and tourists places like Palampur, Srinagar, Mata Vaishno Devi, the railway officials most of the time remained busy in protocol duties due to frequent visits by senior rail and ministry officials hampering the routine work.
Highlighting the important achievements by the railways in Ferozepur Division forn the convenience of the passengers, DRM said, during the period of April 2015-January 2016, 1804 trains have been on rail tracks, adding additional coaches – 17 permanently, 1249 on temporary basis, 620 bio-toilets, 25 new counters, 14 CO-ATVM for self-ticketing, installation of 3930 LEDs, 1149 fans, solar points and successful completion of non-interlocking system of Jammu station.
In view of passengers going hi-tech over smart phones, while phone charging facilities has been provided in certain coaches, it will be provided in all the compartments before 31st March, he added.
He further said, the entire double track between Jalandhar-Jammu would be completed by March 31, 2017 in phases.
He however, appealed to the passengers to keep the railway station premises neat and clean as a part of Swachh Bharat campaign started throughout the country.
