Title - REPUBLIC DAY CELEBRATED AT EAST COAST RAILWAY: BEST EVER PERFORMANCE IN LOADING

The 64thRepublic Day was celebrated under the auspices ofEast Coast Railway at Railway Stadium, Mancheswar, Bhubaneswar wherein Shri Indra Ghosh, General Manager, East Coast Railway unfurled the National Flag & took salute from a large contingent of Railway Protection Force (RPF), Bharat Scouts & Guides and Railway & non-Railway School children. Addressing a large gathering of Staff, officers & their family members Shri Ghosh urged upon the Railway work force to rededicate themselves for Nation building by putting their hard work for smooth running of Railway system. Even if the economic recession in all sectors in general and transportation sector in particular has been badly affected, notwithstanding the same, ECoR has done reasonably well.Informing about theachievement of East Coast Railway, Shri Ghosh said that, till December 2012 of the current financial year, East Coast Railway has achieved highest incremental loading amongst all zonal railways and has occupied second position in overall freight loading. During this period, ECoR has loaded 95.53MT freight, which is 9.6% more than the corresponding period of the last year. Similarly, this railway has carried 66.28 Million passengers during the period registering a growth of 3.71% over last year.Although East Coast Railway is a premier freight loading Railway, yet it has taken special measures to address theneeds of the passengersby running special trains and augmenting additional coaches in regular trains to avoid rush and also to provide comfortable journey to the wait listed passengers. This Railway has provided 4.43 lakh additional berths till December 2012, besides the berth available in regular trains. Apart from this, steps have been taken for passengers' requirements by providing more PRS cum UTSs, Computerized booking of Retiring Room and Dormitories, additional Platform sheds at different stations, FOBs, waiting halls etc., added Shri Ghosh.

Speaking o­n the welfare of the employees, Shri Ghosh said that, a number of welfare activities have been undertaken for the benefit of the employees and their children.To motivate our strong workforce, special efforts are being made to address staff grievances o­n priority basis.

East Coast Railway despite having less infrastructure for sports and games has excelled in this field and has also established a reputation in organizing mega event like 58th All India Men and 35th All India Women Volley ball championship in November 2012 and for the first time, Railway stadium Mancheswar was chosen as the home ground for Indian Railway cricket team and four Ranji Trophy matches were played, said Shri Ghosh. He also congratulated ECoR players for their achievements in sports activities who have brought laurels in Inter National, National and State Level Sports meet.A colourful cultural programme was also presented by school children, wards of railway employees, Bharat Scouts & Guides and RPF Contingents to mark the occasion. Smt Ratna Ghosh, President, East Coast Railway Women’s Welfare Organisation and Principal Head of the Departments of ECoR were present o­n the occasion.