DIMAPUR, AUGUST 14 : Dimapur railway division’s total revenue for 2015-2016 (upto July) is said to be Rs.60.3 crore with 10.45% increase in parcel section for the current financial year, said Divisional Commercial Manager (DCM) Lumding, RN Ranmung while addressing media persons at the IRCTC Food Plaza Dimapur today.
Close on the heels of Union Minister for Railways, Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu’s visit to Dimapur on August 1 to launch the new railroad project, the railway authorities briefed media persons on the revenues of Dimapur railway division while stating that for development of a railway station, particular station should have an earning of Rs.60 crore annually enabling it to be upgraded to A-1 station for better facilities. He also informed that based on the earnings of Passenger Reservation System (PRS) and Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS), categorisation of stations is graded for providing amenities.
The Dimapur railway station still stands in ‘A’ category since 2003 whilst the last review was done in 2013. The PRS and UTS earning segment of Dimapur station for the year 2015-2016 (upto July) was Rs.38.69 crore, Parcel section was 23.33 crore and Freight segment was 2.83 crore. The PRS and UTS performance was said to be neck to neck while the freight segment remains the main customers for earning, said DCM.
However, there is no financial assistance from the Government of India that operates as a monopoly where the railways has to repay the GOI in the form of fixed dividend annually.
Emphasizing on the pressing need for upgradation of Dimapur railway station platforms, DCM Ranmung underscored that there are two pair of mail express trains which terminates and originates from Dimapur station and one passenger train for Jorhat which terminates and originates daily from Dimapur station; 21 pair of mail express trains have stoppage at Dimapur station.
With just three platforms, platform no.2 and 3 are very narrow and there is undue duress on Platform no.1 as most of the trains are received here remarked Ranmung. For this, the broadening work will be taken up soon, informed the DCM.
Railway department has mooted out plans to improve the facilities in the station along with its cleanliness. With one added UTS counter, the department is considering a slew of measures like regular drinking water and electricity supply, pay and use toilets and 24 vending units for selling necessary amenities for travellers in all the three platforms in its bid to boost the revenue.
There is a need to popularize train traveling among the public, expressed Ranmung. He conveyed that suggestions and constant interaction is valued by the railway authority while seeking assistance from the passengers and stakeholders to run the services smoothly.
The DCM informed that there are Zonal Railway Users Consultative Committee (ZRUCC) and Divisional Railway Users Consultative Committee (DRUCC) who play a very crucial role in raising voice pertaining to railway issues.
The ZRUCC members from the state are ST Sangtam (Former IPS), R.Sobu Angami (Ashok Chakra), H.K Khulu and Talituba Ao (Ex I.A.S). The DRUCC members of the state are Thepfuneituo Rio and Lachit Khersa, informed DCM Ranmung. He added that the public can always contact them for passing on genuine demands for railway and a closer interaction with public of Dimapur and Nagaland will bring benefit to the railways and the public.
The DCM also notified that the public can always address their suggestions and grievances to the station manager in writing which will be of assistance to the railways for better services.
