GUWAHATI: With many trains either cancelled or delayed because of fog in north India, the North East Frontier Railway (NFR) has geared up to ease the problem of late running of trains. NFR chief public relations officer Pranav Jyoti Sharma said as of now there has been no substantial delay in the running of trains to Guwahati and other places in the northeast.
"Whatever delays to northeast-bound trains happened because of poor visibility are being made up once they are out of north India. There has been so significant delay of trains coming to Guwahati or elsewhere in the northeast," Sharma said.
However, Sharma informed that seven trains under NFR have been cancelled due to "fog-cum-low patronage". He explained that "low patronage" means trains that do not have much demand.
"So far as fog is concerned, we haven't faced any problem yet. Usually, the problem of fog in our region starts from mid-December and continues up to the first or second week of January. But we are fully geared to ease out the problem when fog starts," Sharma added.
NFR also said that despite an increase in the number of trains and train traffic, it has been able to allot more time for the renewal of assets like tracks, points and crossings, minor bridges, girders and over bridges, which are vital for the safety of passengers and operation of train services.
"During September 2016 only 53% of the time was sanctioned for undertaking renewal as well as repair of assets. But in September 2017, it could be increased to 93.73%. Similarly, in-comparison to 48.48% available maintenance time during October 2016 the situation improved up to 81.11% during October 2017. This could happen because of meticulous planning of train operations," Sharma said.
He added that because of meticulous planning "traffic block" did not affect the punctuality of trains in NFR. "Precise and planned cancellations of trains on lean demand days like on Sundays has led to an increase in the allotment of traffic block," Sharma said.
"Whatever delays to northeast-bound trains happened because of poor visibility are being made up once they are out of north India. There has been so significant delay of trains coming to Guwahati or elsewhere in the northeast," Sharma said.
However, Sharma informed that seven trains under NFR have been cancelled due to "fog-cum-low patronage". He explained that "low patronage" means trains that do not have much demand.
"So far as fog is concerned, we haven't faced any problem yet. Usually, the problem of fog in our region starts from mid-December and continues up to the first or second week of January. But we are fully geared to ease out the problem when fog starts," Sharma added.
NFR also said that despite an increase in the number of trains and train traffic, it has been able to allot more time for the renewal of assets like tracks, points and crossings, minor bridges, girders and over bridges, which are vital for the safety of passengers and operation of train services.
"During September 2016 only 53% of the time was sanctioned for undertaking renewal as well as repair of assets. But in September 2017, it could be increased to 93.73%. Similarly, in-comparison to 48.48% available maintenance time during October 2016 the situation improved up to 81.11% during October 2017. This could happen because of meticulous planning of train operations," Sharma said.
He added that because of meticulous planning "traffic block" did not affect the punctuality of trains in NFR. "Precise and planned cancellations of trains on lean demand days like on Sundays has led to an increase in the allotment of traffic block," Sharma said.
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