Buddhist Spiritual Tour by Rail

Railway Industry of India is one of the oldest in the World. It was started during the British Rule. It had a small network then. Later on it expanded and formed network all across India. Today there are thousands of services connecting capital cities, metropolitan cities as well the rural areas. This rail routes helped connect urban to rural  areas. The transportation system has proved to be the most affordable travel mode across India.

Today this industry is servicing millions of passenger everyday all across the country. With increasing number of passengers the service has also improved. Earlier it was just travelling commodity and now it has started providing comfortable travels across any location. Tourism has boomed because of the growth of railways in India. This has come about by the initiation of IRCTC. This is a subsidiary of Indian Railways.

There are many facilities made available on board to the travelers. These facilities are in classified according to the class of travel chosen by customer. The class specifies which bogies they will be boarding for journey.

Along with introducing classes for travel and meals over the services IRCTC also started introducing holiday packages for pilgrimage places and tourist locations. Some special holiday trains were also introduced  primarily for tourism. One such holiday and tourism service introduced is Buddhist Circuit Train. It is more popularly known as Mahaparinirvan Express.

The train is enrooted for various Buddha related locations across two states Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. It takes around the following locations: Birth place Lumbini, Bodh Gaya where Buddha achieved enlightenment, Varanasi where he preached and Kushinagar where he passed away.  The bogies of this service are all air conditioned and the seating arrangement in classes 1AC coupe, 1AC, 2AC and 3AC.  The train tour takes 7 nights and 8 days. The payment of the tour is inclusive of food across journey and has clean and hygienic pantry facility.

History of Indian Railway

The plan of building railway in India was put forward from London in 1940. British wanted the railway in India to build economic ties within two countries; India and Great Britain. In 1843 an engineer Graham Clark stepped in the Mumbai harbour. He came for the investigation for where the railway construction can be done and the cotton can be transported.

The railway dawned in 16th April 1853 in India. The first train ran from Mumbai (that time Bombay) to Thane. The journey started at 3:35pm with 400 passengers. That trains had 14 bogies. It covered the distance of 33.81km in one hour and 15 minutes. However it was first commercial train run in India. Many trains were run for hauling purpose before that. On 15thAugust 1854 the second train started from Howrah to Hubali. On 1st July 1856 in South India, Vyasarpadi was joined to Royapuram with third train.

In 1845 the railway was constructed for carrying stone and other manufacturing purpose for irrigation. Subsequently the manufacture of railway parts and construction of railway was commenced in different parts of the country.  In 1895 our nation started to manufacture own parts. In few time many states got their independence in the railway constructions and operations. The remote regions like Rajasthan, Assam, Andhra Pradesh were also joined to the main parts of country. The railway joined the various parts of the India as well. It brought many intended and unintended consequences in the country.  It bound nation’s traditional, cultural, commercial, social fabrics.

Monorail

Monorail is contemporary type of rail based transportation system. As the word ‘mono’ indicates it is a railway having single track. Monorail has proven its efficiency. Every day lakhs of people are being carried by monorail over the world.

There are many benefits of monorail. It is very safe. There are hardly chances of accidents like trams and trolleys as it is run on single track. There is no threat of being derailment. Monorail is environment friendly. Since is totally run on electricity it is non-polluting.

Taking the increasing population in consideration, Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has launched the project of monorail in 2008. The construction was started in 2009 with Larsen and Toubro (L&T) and Scomi engineering of Malaysia. L&T is leading company which helping India from several years in the field of engineering, technology and construction. Scomi Engineering falls under the list of world’s top 3 monorail constructors.  The monorail will pass through the stations of Wadala, Mahul, and Chembur.

The Mumbai monorail has four coaches. Each has capacity of 140 passengers. The doors of monorail don’t get closed if the number of passenger exceeds than 140. MMRDA has declared the completion of first phase of monorail by December 2012.

Mumbai monorail is built at the one fourth cost of world’s longest monorail track. According to survey Chembur-Wdala-Jcob circle monorail is 19.54 Km and second longer than  Osaka monorail in Japan. The Osaka monorail was built at Rs. 12,690 crore. It is 23.8 km long. Even the fares of Mumbai monorail will be comparatively lower than Osaka monorail.

How android phones help to track trains and station in Indian Railway

Gone are the days when people were unaware of the trains running across the countries. Now with the help of Google maps and android phones one can track the snaky movement of trains running across the country.

Every android phone has a specific Gmail id. With the help of this id one can search the landmarks like hotels, restaurants, and business places defined in Google latitude. If you want to track a specific train running in India then you have to create special Gmail id e.g. IR120354@gmail.com. Now as the train passes through the railway track, it will indicate all the stations as it go through that station on the track.  The advantage of this application is that once the place is defined as the station it is used for all the trains running on the same track.

If you are traveling in AC compartment and are not aware of station on the journey, you won’t have to get from the train every now and then to check the station. This information can also be available to friends on Google Network. If any friend wants to get the information, his friend request must be accepted by the user logged in e.g. IR120354@gmail.com.

However this only aids in one trip of train. While return trip, train may have another number. Since android phone is given one id it may not help to track the same train. So the situation demands two android phones.

To sort this problem Indian Railway has launched the SIMRAN project. Yet will require 100 crore’s investment and maintenance cost.

IRCTCmobile

IRCTC mobile is a new feature provided by Indian Railway with which IRCTC transactions can be carried out through mobile. Through this system one can navigate, save ticket details and also book tickets. For this first you have to register with IRCTC. Once you put your mobile number you are applicable for IRCTCmobile.

              

For this you need a java-enabled mobile phone or smart phone. General Packet Railway Service (GPRS) service should be activated on phone. You should also have cash card or credit card. For starting with it you have to first download IRCTCmobile on your mobile.

Once you are registered with IRCTCmobile you will receive message containing a link for IRCTCmobile download. You will also receive a PIN on your cell phone  after registration. On clicking this link it is downloaded on your mobile, you have to install it. After that you have to activate it. For this you have to enter PIN code. This is used for login. After that you can also change PIN whenever you want. CDMA mobile users cannot take advantage of this feature. Once you are registered with IRCTC mobile you can:

     
   a) Book tickets

   b) Check fare

   c) Check ticket availability

   d) View Train Details

   e) View Train Routes

    f) View booked tickets

                    If you forget your password and your phone is locked after putting three incorrect passwords tries, you will receive message displaying ‘Your IRCTCmobile is locked’. You have to just can call IRCTC customer care. You are requested to provide required information. After verifying you receive unlocking code. You have to select ‘unlock’, put the code you received. After this you IRCTCmobile is unlocked successfully.

Indian Railway Seat Availability

In India, Rail Travel is the most used human transportation system. On many instance it is the only way possible to get to one place from another. Hence the system is subjected to huge pressures especially in providing reserved accommodation to all the travelers.

But the Great Indian Railway is constantly upgrading its services. IRCTC a subsidiary company was set up to facilitate online booking and provide all train travel related information on its website. This has relieved ticket purchasers from standing in long queue. The website also provides information on luxury and budget train travel packages for holidays and pilgrimages.

Indian railway provides for online booking through IRCTC website where online status check facility is also provided. You can also for inquire of seat availability on this website.

IRCTC has provided a link on its site (http://www.indianrail.gov.in) on which you can get informed about the seats available in specific trains. You can check seat availability of normal as well as Taatkal tickets pertaining to  next 7 days. In that site you are provided with seat availability chart. By comparing the data you can take decision in which train and at what time you want to travel.

By visiting www.irctc.co.in  site you can inquire about seats and berth available to many destinations. Passenger has to frequently check the status if the reservation status in wait list. The search tool is provided on the site and one has to type in the PNR number. A traveler can reserve tickets for 1 AC, 2 AC , AC chair car, SL online by making electronic payments through credit card or Net Banking.

 If one keeps on checking the site, he can take advantages of cheap tour packages of IRCTC. You can get the recent information by login on IRCTC.  IRCTC also provides for RAC which means Reserve Against Cancellation. If a passenger cancels his reserved ticket it is allotted to another customer.

While using online features  you should know the train number and destination railway stations. There is a short code for railway stations in India which are required when inquiring online. By putting today’s date you can get the current information about your travel on Indian rail. In the IRCTC you can also be updated by the actual tickets booked, tickets in waiting, tickets available, and tickets under RAC.

Thus Indian Railway makes reserving tickets easy by providing up to date information about the seats available online.

SCHEMES IMPLEMENTED BY INDIAN RAILWAY

Indian Railway is the largest network in Asia. It carries over 3, 00, 00,000 passengers daily. It is expanded over 65, 000 kilometer’s track.  This huge turnover requires big amount of employment base. Because of this Indian Railway has 1.4 million employees. It is in the list of highest employer in the world. Its wages has peaked up to Rs 19037 crore. It serves special attention towards the welfare of its employees and their families. For this railway has implemented number of schemes as follows.

1. Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACPS):

This scheme is for the employees under A, B, and C group. It means high grade employees who have served for 12 years can enjoy the facilities under the MACPS. Any servant appointed under contract or ad-hoc basis is not applicable for this scheme.

2. New Pension Scheme:
Every person who is employed after 1st Jan 2004 is subject to valid for this scheme. It is applicable to class of Tier I and Tier II. Under Tier I, 10% of the employees are considered for this scheme and equal amount is contributed in employees provident fund. In Tier II every employee is voluntarily and can save in pension plan and withdraw money as per his need.

3. Safety Related Retirement Scheme:

Indian Railway has implemented a new scheme under which an employee under the age group of 50 -57 years can get voluntary retirement and any member of his family above 20 years can be employed in his place.

Reservation Rules Indian Railway

Indian railway is always busy in welfare of its employee and passenger. It used to keep happy to them by introducing various plans. Its passenger can take advantage of different schemes like, Tatkal Scheme, FAQ list, circular Journey tickets, Upgraded Passenger List etc. However there are some rules which have to be followed while booking ticket.

Every passenger who wants to reserve a ticket for the berth or seat should purchase ticket from local Railway Reservation Office or an Authorized Travel Agency only.

For all trains and for all classes one can book ticket maximum 90 days before and the reservation is valid only for the day of departure of train. One passenger can reserve only six tickets at a time and that is only if all six people are travelling in same train. A passenger can submit one requisition form at a time.

Indian Railway also provides accommodation but only if the necessary ticket is reserved. The passenger who reserves the first can take advantage of it. The railway guarantees the compensation for the nuisance, loss, or extra carriage charge during the journey.

The reserved ticket indicates the time of train departure. However it is printed in 90 days advance passenger are subjected to conform the time of the fixed day from respective station.

The Railway gives concession to senior citizens. Yet it is allotted to every person. It means one should fill the requisite form for that. The senior citizen should carry proof of age while traveling through train. The proof should be produced with the ticket on demand.

If any passenger who has reserved ticket misses the train then the IR is not liable for the compensation.

Organizational Structure of Indian Railway

Indian Railway has monopoly in transportation all over the country. Therefore its structure is well organized and hardly changed as it was during the British Era. The railway has a board headed by chairman who is liable to report the Minister of Railway.

The structure is basically divided into 17 zones which are headed by General Manager (GM). These zones are subdivided in to divisions. Each division is headed by DRM (Divisional Railway Manager). Other officers of the division like engineering, signal, telecommunication, medical, commercial, are responsible for reporting to Divisional Railway Manager. One or two Additional Divisional Railway manager (ADRM) assists the DRM.   

There are 67 divisions in India. Each section controls on average 1000km’s track. Each division is provided with control room from which the trains in that particular division are controlled. It also has Accidental Relief Trains and Vans.  The DRM controls the Diesel and Electric engine Sheds.

There are twelve departments in each division.
1. Engineering department.
2.Mechanical Engineering and Power Department.
3.Electrical Engineering Department.
4.Signal and Telecommunication Engineering Department.
5.Operating and Traffic Department.
6.Commercial Department.
7.Medial Department.
8.Safety Department.
9.Stores Department.
10.Accounts Department.
11.Personnel Department.
12.Security Department.

Each department is headed by an engineer, manager or officer. Again each station has its Station Master. These all have to report the DRM of the division. The DRM reports to GR (General Manager) of the Department who has further to report chairman of the railway board. The Railway minister is the final authority who executes the plans.

Role of Indian Railway

In India railway was established in 1853 on the route of Mumbai (time Bombay) to Thane. It was founded by British Rulers. They created forty two railway networks in India. Later short route railways belonging to Maharajahs came into the picture.  However after independence all railways in different states were taken over by Indian Government and nationalized. They are collectively known as Indian Railway.

Indian Railway operates on three types of tracks created after its inception. They are broad gauge, meter gauge, and narrow gauge. Narrow gauge is found in the hilly area where toy trains are run. The broad gauge is the most common route used to run trains all over India. The meter gauge and narrow gauge are being converted into broad gauge in recent times. There are basically four types of trains being operated in the country. They are passenger trains, express trains, local and metro trains. As non passenger trains the railway operates long haul goods trains.   

Indian Railway is operated by ministry of Railways. Basically it is divided in to five zones. Those are Central  zone, Western zone, Eastern Zone, Southern Railway and Northern Railway Zone. These are again divided in to seventeen sub zones. It plays a very vital role in nation’s day to day life. It is connected to twenty eight states and three union Territories. It also provides rail service to Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal. The railway is said to be foremost important part of India’s system and said as lifeline of the nation. It spread over the route of 63,140 kilometer. It carries over ten billion passengers and one thousand fifty million tons of freight ranking largest network in Asia and 4th largest in world.

The Railway  plays a very important part in the country by combining the regions containing diverse culture and language. It also connects and helps people during the natural calamities.

Welcome to My Indian Railway Blog

Dear readers

This is where I will add lot of interesting railway journeys in India. Railways in India are an amazing transportation system used by millions daily. The railway in the country is the fourth largest in the World.    

Thanks

Ronal Dotson