Kolkata : Suneet Sharma, General Manager, Eastern Railway, hoisted the National Flag on the occasion of 74th Independence Day Celebration at Eastern Railway’s Sports Complex, James Long Sarani, Behala on Saturday morning, 15 August, 2020. He received salutes from a large contingent of RPF Jawans, Civil Defence as well as Scouts & Guides Troupe on this occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Suneet Sharma, General Manager, Eastern Railway said that it is a pleasant coincidence, as, on 15th August 1854, the first train in Eastern India ran between Howrah & Hooghly under the aegis of East Indian Railway, now known as Eastern Railway. He said that the
country is presently passing through a trying time due to Covid-19 pandemic. Even in this gloomy situation, ER staff have done a great job to ensure distribution of essential commodities at all parts of the country. GM/ER appreciated all the Doctors, Nurses, Paramedical staff of Railway Hospitals due to their sincere and excellent efforts to provide best of the treatment to the Railway staff & their family members.
General Manager informed that the financial performance of the Eastern Railway during the year 2019-20 was quite satisfactory. During the period, Eastern Railway was able to load 65.42 Million Ton of goods. From freight traffic, Eastern Railway earned ₹4210.70 crores. During the financial year 2019-20, Eastern Railway carried 125.66 crores of passengers and earned ₹2738.85 crores. ER earned ₹ 348 crores from scrap disposal during the period, registering an increase of 55% over previous year.
During 2019-20, Eastern Railway had taken in hand many crucial projects to provide better and faster services to the customers. In ER, a total of 67.01 KM of Doubling/ 3rd Line /4th line and 169 Route KM of electrification has been commissioned during the period. Safety is a priority of ER and with the concerted effort of officers & staff, no consequential accident has taken place in 2020-21 so far, he added.
GM/ER informed that, in 2019-20, 6858 nos. of Bio-toilets have been provided in passenger coaches. About 5210 KWP energy capacity Solar Plant Modules have been installed over ER in 9 stations. Solar Plant of 3 MW has been installed at the rooftop of Howrah station platforms which is the biggest Solar Plant on rooftop of any station in India.
Shri Sharma, GM/ER appreciated the performance of ER RPF in curbing ticketless travel and child trafficking activity. ER’s sports persons have shown remarkable achievements in 2019-20. ER’s Md. Ali Qamar was Indian Boxing team coach in Boxing Tournament at Kazakhstan. ER secured Gold in Gymnastics and Archery in All India Railway Championship. Ms. Bhavna Jat, an Athlete, working in Howrah Division will represent the country in the ensuing Olympic Games in Walking.
ER’s endeavour towards women empowerment is laudable. This Railway’s effort towards the implementation of complete digitisation in every sphere of activity is praiseworthy.
