An occasion rededicate, maintain peace and harmony, and pledge to safeguard and strengthen the democratic systems

I extend my warm greetings to each one of you on the auspicious occasion of 75th Republic Day. It is an occasion for us to rededicate ourselves to maintain peace and harmony, and pledge to safeguard and strengthen the democratic systems and values enshrined in our Constitution. East Coast Railway has achieved many milestones during the Financial Year. I am proud to share the achievements on this occasion. It is a matter of pride for all of us that as on date East Coast Railway has loaded freight of more than 200 MT which is highest among all zones, that too in a record period of only 295 days, 15 days earlier than last fiscal year. Total New Lines of 37.3 Kms. have been commissioned along with commissioning of 136.65 Kms of multi tracking. We have successfully completed Sambalpur- Talcher doubling project this year with commissioning of Sambalpur-Sambalpur City – Maneswar (15.00 Km) and some of the other sections that have been commissioned so far are (i) S. Kota – Boddavara (7.30Km) section in Kottavalsa- Koraput doubling project, (ii) Shimiliguda – Araku- Gorapur (21.619 Km) section in Kottavalasa- Koraput doubling project. 14 RUBs, 07 ROBs and 07 FOBs have been completed in new line and multi tracking projects so far.

Under the Amrit Stations Scheme, redevelopment of total 57 stations is being taken up. Redevelopment work of major stations such as Puri, Bhubaneswar and Cuttack is going on in full swing. 09 Numbers of new stations in Khurda Road division and 02 stations in Sambalpur division were commissioned. 1147 numbers of special trains (in trips) of this Railway have run during the year 2023-24 for clearing extra rush of passengers. We have received huge appreciation for our management and facilitation of train passengers during the Rath Yatra this year. Gross Revenue earned upto Dec’ 23 is Rs.17712 Cr. which is 7.65% more than the last year for the corresponding period. Operating Ratio upto Dec’ 23 is 56.14 against previous year’s performance of 57.73. We have carried 63.14 million no. of passenger upto December-23 which is 14.63% higher than the corresponding period of previous year. Safety in train operations and every sphere of our working is always given top most priority. A number of safety related works have been undertaken during the period. All relay rooms & end yard goomties are provided with double locking in ECoR. Fire & Smoke Detection System (FSDS) have been completed in 43 coaches and further it is to be provided in another 295 coaches. Fire Detection & Suppression System (FDSS) completed in 21 Power Car/Pantry Car and under progress for rest 27 Power Car/Pantry Car. Sliding Booms have been provided at 58 LC gates in 2022-23 to improve reliability of the system. In the current year 2023-24, so far 28 Sliding booms have been commissioned out of target 47 and 73 sets of HASSDAC have been commissioned to improve reliability of block working. Total of 860 ambush checks and 12222 Safety inspections were carried out to observe the staff alertness, adoption of short cuts/ bad practices if any & awareness of safety rules etc.

Hon’ble MR on 14.08.23 has inaugurated Train Management System (TMS) at KUR. 02 (Two) nos. of Intermediate Block Signalling (IBS) at Nayagarh-Porjanpur & Dhanmandal-Byree have been commissioned to improve section capacity. 31 stations have been commissioned with Electronic Interlocking System with provision of Integrated Power supply & LED signals. We have installed 5172 KWp Solar plant over ECoR, from which 30,44,122 units electrical energy has been generated (between Apr’23-Oct’2023), which is about 5.52% of electrical energy consumed for non-traction purpose over ECoR. We have Saved approx. Rs.3.22 Cr. due to conversion of Housekeeping Contracts from Manpower based to Outcome based Contracts. All the 03 rakes of Bhubaneswar-New Delhi Rajdhani Express were converted into TEJAS in July’23. 3rd Vande Bharat express of ECoR between PURI-ROU was introduced into service on 27.09.2023. Vadlapudi, Wagon Repair Workshop, has made remarkable progress by completing POH of 2083 wagons so far, which is a 44.8% improvement over the POH figure of 1438 for similar period last year. It is noteworthy to mention that ECoR has done ROH of 8155 wagons during Apr.-Dec. 2023 as against 7516 wagons corresponding period last year, with an improvement of 8.5%.

8 rakes have been commissioned on HOG during 2023-24 and so far 83 rakes (66 Trains) have been running on HOG. Total cumulative saving due to HOG rake introduction is Rs.160.94 Crores in 23-24 as against Rs.135.74 Crores in 22-23. 605 KWp solar photo voltaic power panels have been installed, tested and charged over the roof top over ECoR as a green energy initiative from Apr’23 to Dec’23. A New Modular Operation Theatre Complex was inaugurated at Divisional Railway Hospital, Waltair. For the wellbeing of railway employees, 27 nos. of Private Super specialty Hospitals are empanelled in ECoR including 06 nos. Cancer Hospitals, 03 nos. Eye Hospitals, 02 nos. Dental Hospitals, 05 nos. Diagnostic Centers for Investigation and 04 nos. wayside Hospitals for local beneficiaries. Security department detected 182 cases under Railway Property (Unlawful Possession) Act with recovery of stolen Railway Materials Value Rs.94,20,512/- and arrested 304 criminals. Under Railway Act 19,747 cases have been registered with recovery of Rs.42,56,050/-, which is a substantial increase over last year. Under NDPS Act, 52 cases were detected with 893 Kg Narcotics recovered valued Rs.73,16,360/- with arrest of 82 criminals. 1124 left behind passengers luggage total valued Rs.2,03,00,466/- were retrieved and handed over to the owners.

ECoR has occupied No. 1 rank amongst railways over all Indian Railways continuously for the second time with an average time taken for release of Purchase Orders in 2 days. Till December 2023, ECoR has achieved a cumulative scrap sale of Rs.162.81 Crores, which is Rs.25.07 Crores higher than the scrap sales during the same period in the previous year upto December 2022. Between April to December 2023, ECoR has placed 2,127 Purchase Orders (POs) for procuring Goods on the GeM platform, with a total value of Rs.42.5271 Cr. and sourced 184 number of Service contracts through the GeM platform, with a total value of Rs.136.7431 Cr. Two nos. of Rozgar Melas were organized on 13.04.2023 & on 28.10.2023 respectively at HQ/BBS, VSKP & CTC. Where 844 candidates over the zone were extended offer of appointments. Personnel department officers & staff played a pivotal role in identifying the victims of train accident at Bahanaga Bazar on 02nd June 2023 for handing over them to their family members by engaging themselves at different hospitals of Bhubaneswar viz. AIIMS, SUM Hospital, SUM Ultimate, KIIMS, Capital Hospital, Hi-Tech Hospital and AMRI Hospital. The Community Hall at Rail Vihar has been renovated with central Air-Conditioned, inaugurated on the occasion of International Yoga day 2023. Which will benefit the Railway Employees for organising their family functions.

In sports, we have excelled in many facets. Shri Amit Rohidas sports officer, secured Gold medal and Miss Deep Grace Ekka OSD Sports secured Bronze Medal, in the Asian Games 2023 at Hangzhou, China. Sri Kulvinder and Subham Das, Archers have secured Gold Medal and Silver Medal respectively in the All India Railway Archery Championship 2023-24 at Guwahati. Miss Jhilli Dallbehera women weight lifter has secured Bronze medal in 37th National Games 2023 at Goa and Gold Medal in Sr. National Championship at Arunachal Pardesh. Miss T Priyadarshini women weight lifter has secured Bonze medal in 37th National Games 2023 at Goa. Miss Supriya Routray and Miss Jabamani Tudu women football Players have secured Gold medal in 37th National Games 2023. ECoR Boxing team secured One Gold, Two Silver and Two Bronze medal in All India Railway Boxing Championship 2023-24 at Bilaspur. ECoR Weight Lifting team secured Three Silver and One Bonze medal in All India Railway weight lifting Championship 2023-24 at Mumbai. ECoRSA/HQ is expanding its infrastructure in order to benefit out sports fraternity. A new Indoor Sports Complex with facilities of Squash, Badminton, Kabaddi, Weight lifting, Volleyball and Gymnastics is being constructed at Bhubaneswar.

The recognized unions and associations have been doing commendable contribution to staff welfare by way of proactive participation in management functions. The ECoRWWO has organized various activities for under privileged students, women welfare and for promotion of art and culture. I take this opportunity to congratulate all Railway Personnel and their families for their relentless efforts, highest degree of sincerity and dedication in making East Coast Railway achieve historic milestones. On this occasion, let’s pledge to uphold excellence in our work and continue serving the nation with unwavering commitment.