Indian Railways has been scaling to new heights in terms of growth and customer values. Thanks to some of the great initiatives undertaken which are sure to improve upon the overall railways ecosystem. In recent reports published by major news daily “The Economic Times”, the national transporter has witnessed a hike in overall ridership. According to data recorded between April 1 and November 20, 2017, the national transporter has seen its passenger numbers grew by 6.58 per cent over the numbers achieved during the corresponding period in the last fiscal. It has been learnt that ridership has risen in the long-distance category.
The data further shows that First AC has posted a growth of 8.53 percent in a number of passengers this fiscal compared with last fiscal. AC II tier has shown a growth of 6.66 percent hike in ridership. AC-III tier has registered upward growth by around 1 percent over last year’s numbers.
Also, adding on to the security measures, Indian Railways is going to implement advanced navigation system developed by ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization). With Indian Railways spanning across the major geographies of our country, most of the routes suffered the issue of un-manned railway crossings, posing a threat to human life. Keeping this problem into consideration, ISRO has said it will provide navigational support to the country’s Railways through ‘GAGAN’ (GPS-aided Geo-Augmented Navigation) system.
How ISRO will help the Railways in using the navigational support system
ISRO has said it will provide navigational support to the country’s Railways through ‘GAGAN’ (GPS-aided geo-augmented navigation) system. “ISRO will provide satellite-generated information to the railways through space technology-based tools that will provide safety at unmanned level crossings,” ISRO Chairman A S Kiran Kumar told reporters.
GAGAN is an indigenous navigational guide system developed by ISRO on the lines of GPS system of the US. US based Raytheon is the System Integrator for GAGAN Project of ISRO. Airport Authority of India had already implemented GAGAN in India with the help of ISRO earlier in the year 2011.ISRO chairman, Kumar said that at some places the railway tracks are under stress. If water accumulation happens, then based on digital elevation model data, other host of information which they generate, can be given. “There is specific information provided for aligning the railway tracks, particularly in mountainous regions, and also identifying tracks which are most stable when you are going through tunnels. In all these things, space technology is useful,” he said.
GAGAN was jointly developed by the ISRO and Airports Authority of India (AAI) with a view to assist aircraft in accurate landing.
Also, moving a step forward, Indian Railway has introduced some quick helpline numbers for it’s various services which travelers can use at the time of traveling in train and report their concerns. Ministry of Railways has shared it as :
Indian Railways’ helpline numbers are available to assist passengers with their queries and grievances. Here is the list of helpline numbers one can avail while travelling in the Railways. pic.twitter.com/7cI8vNHMDL
— Piyush Goyal Office (@PiyushGoyalOffc) November 28, 2017
Here are some reference numbers which can come handy while traveling in trains:
- Railway Security: 182
- IRCTC E-Catering Services: 1323 or 8102888111
- Women’s Help Line: 1091
- Coach Cleaning: 58888 or SMS: <CLEAN><space><PNR NUMBER>.
- Railway Enquiries: 139
- Child Helpline: 1098
- Complaint & Suggestions: SMS at 9717630982
So it’s advisable to keep these numbers handy as they can help you during your next train journey. In case you are planning a train journey, you can pre-book food via e-catering services.