WCR Bhopal Division's record earnings

Bhopal, July 20 (UNI) The West Central Railway's Bhopal Division earned a record income of Rs 493 crore registering on 18.5 per cent increase over the previous fiscal.

''The Division, which has completed two decades of existence, notched a 14.10 per cent hike in income until June compared to the corresponding period last year. We were given a Rs 9.30-crore sundry earnings target, while the income under that head is Rs 12.14 crore.

The 2006-07 working capacity index was 99.01 per cent, the highest thus far,'' Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Ashok Kumar Agrawal told reporters here today.

A sum of Rs 4.12 crore were saved through attempts at economising on lube oil, electric loco regeneration and State Electricity Board concession. Passenger facilities were expanded. Bhopal, Itarsi, Vidisha, Bina and Guna stations witnessed work under the Touch and Feel Scheme.

''In 2007-08, facilities will be improved -- under the scheme -- in Harda, Hoshangabad, Ganjbasoda, Mandibamora and Ashok Nagar at a cost of Rs 2.5 crore. As many as 1,756 additional coaches were attached to mail or express trains last year and Rs 2.76 crore earned. Video-based enquiry is a feature at Bhopal and Hoshangabad.

Platforms are being expanded at four stations,'' the DRM added.

A Train Coach Guidance System is in place at Habibganj (Bhopal) and Guna. Touchscreens are operational at Bhopal, Habibganj, Guna and Bina. A mechanised cleanliness system was initiated at Bhopal.

About 400 coaches are cleaned daily at Itarsi. A Video-Besed Surveillance System is also operational.

UNI