SECR records 10% growth in freight loading, enhances passenger services and infrastructure

RAIPUR: The South East Central Railway (SECR) has emerged as the second-highest freight loading zone in Indian Railways, recording a 10% growth by loading 236 million tons of freight in the financial year 2023-24, stated SECR General Manager Neenu Ittyerah during a press briefing.
"In the previous financial year, we introduced 8 pairs of new passenger services from key stations and extended 6 pairs of trains.Additionally, 16 stations received new halts," Ittyerah reported.
To accommodate the surge in passenger numbers, SECR installed over 367 additional coaches last year and has already added 32 more in the current fiscal year. For enhanced passenger comfort and safety, LHB coaches have replaced traditional ICF coaches in three more trains, and 3rd AC Economy Coaches have been introduced in 15 trains during 2023-24.
Highlighting SECR's commitment to passenger amenities, Ittyerah mentioned that 23 trips of Bharat Gaurav Trains and 11 trips of Aastha Special Trains were conducted in the previous year. Improvements included better ticket availability, station and train cleanliness, mobile-based unreserved ticketing, and handheld terminals for ticket checking.
Infrastructure upgrades saw the completion of 13 foot over bridges and 9 high-level platforms last year, with one FOB completed in the current year. SECR now boasts 25 lifts and 14 escalators, with ongoing work for 4 more escalators and 9 lifts.
Free Wi-Fi is available at 204 stations, and 47 stations are being developed under the Amrit Bharat Station Yojana at a cost of over 1800 crores. Additionally, Bilaspur, Raipur, and Durg stations are undergoing redevelopment.
For passenger safety, 658 CCTV cameras have been installed at 25 stations and in 244 train coaches. These cameras aid in preventing criminal activities and recovering lost luggage.
The Railway Protection Force has reunited 275 children in 2023 and 126 in 2024 under the 'Operation Nanhe Farishte' campaign. Under 'Operation Amanat', lost items worth over 2 crores were returned in 2023, and over 99 lakhs in 2024. 'Operation Narcos' led to the seizure of drugs worth over 1.36 crores in 2023 and 1.5 crores in 2024. The 'Akshita' safe bubble initiative and 'Meri Saheli' campaign have enhanced safety for women passengers, and emergency medical services are available at Bilaspur Station.
Passenger complaints are swiftly addressed through the Rail Madad App, Helpline number 139, and social media. Special War Rooms have been set up at each Division (Bilaspur, Raipur, and Nagpur) and Zonal Railway Headquarters for this purpose.
"In the previous year, we completed 143 km of new sections, including 133.3 km of multi-tracking, 3.8 km of new lines, and 6 km of gauge conversion. We aim to complete 421 km in FY 2024-25," Ittyerah said.
SECR plans to undertake significant multi-tracking works over the next nine months, targeting highly utilized sections like Bilaspur-Jharsuguda 4th Line, Anuppur-Katni 3rd Line, and Rajnandgaon-Nagpur 3rd Line, to improve mobility.
Until these projects are completed, SECR is focusing on improving train punctuality by enhancing asset reliability, response time, and preparedness for asset failures caused by climatic conditions.