Day: March 28, 2024

By Rishi Pal Sharma2 min read

Patiala Locomotive Works hosts the 41st Electric Locomotive Maintenance Study Group (MSG) Meeting.

Patiala Locomotive Works, a proud unit of the Indian Railways, hosted the 41st Electric Locomotive Maintenance Study Group (MSG) Meeting on March 21st and 22nd, 2024, as per the directives of the Railway Board. Esteemed senior officers from various railways, alongside the Railway Board, including Shri Vijay Pratap Singh, Additional Member (Traction) Railway Board, graced the occasion, enriching the discussions with their invaluable insights.

The meeting centred on deliberating the challenges and opportunities in electric locomotive maintenance, with a keen focus on ensuring the seamless operation of the railway network. Recognising the indispensable role of locomotives in the railway ecosystem, officers engaged in productive discussions, sharing expertise and experiences to enhance maintenance practices and address operational hurdles.


Shri Pramod Kumar, Principal Chief Administrative Officer (PCAO), extended a warm welcome to the chief guest and participants, fostering an environment conducive to fruitful exchange of ideas. Shri Vijay Pratap Singh, additional member (Traction) of the of the Railway Board, emphasised the significance of collaborative efforts in overcoming challenges faced by the railway in maintaining electric locomotives.

Expressing gratitude, PCAO Shri Pramod Kumar thanked the chief guest and all officers for their valuable contributions, underscoring the importance of collective efforts in ensuring the continued efficiency and reliability of the railway network.

The following day witnessed the exciting Loco cab competition at the PLW Workshop, where 13 3-phase electric locomotives from different railways were received. In the inspection conducted by Shri Vijay Partap Singh, Additional Member (Traction), Railway Board, and Shri Pramod Kumar, PCAO, Patiala, alongside Railway Board officers, six outstanding locos stood out among 13 locos. Trophies were awarded accordingly, with the top honours going to the Lalagoda Loco from South Central Railways and the Vatva Loco from Western Railway, recognised for their excellence in design and performance. The first runner-up positions were secured by the Ajni Loco from Central Railway and the Kanpur Loco from North Central Railway, while the second runner-up position was won by the Krishnaralpuram Loco from South Western Railway and the Arrakonam Loco from Southern Railway, as per remarkable innovation and efficiency. 

The 41st Electric Locomotive Maintenance Study Group Meeting concluded with a sense of optimism as participants reaffirmed their commitment to advancing maintenance practices and upholding the highest standards of operational excellence.
 

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By Rishi Pal Sharma2 min read

Punjab and Haryana officials promise to conduct the Lok Sabha elections in a fair, transparent, and peaceful manner.

Chandigarh, March 27 (WISHAVWARTA): Officials of Punjab and Haryana pledge to conduct Lok Sabha elections in a fair, transparent, and peaceful manner. During the meeting, it was discussed to set up inter-state checkpoints to prevent the smuggling of illicit liquor, drugs, and cash during the elections.

On the instructions of the Election Commission of India, Divisional Commissioners Patiala DS Mangat, Ambala, and Karnal Renu Phulia, Divisional Commissioner Hisar Geeta Bharti, Deputy Commissioner Ambala Dr. Shaleen, and Deputy Commissioner Kurukshetra Shantanu Sharma, Deputy Commissioner Jind Mohammad Imran Raza, Deputy Commissioner Kaithal Prashant Panwar, Deputy Commissioner Patiala Showkat Ahmad Parray, Deputy Commissioner Sangrur Jatinder Jorwal, and Additional Deputy Commissioner Fatehabad Rahul Modi, DIG Patiala Range Harcharan Singh Bhullar, DIG Patiala Range Varun Sharma, Deputy Commissioner Sangrur Sartaj Chahal, SSP Barnala Sandeep Malik, and other officers were also present.

During the meeting, while discussing the joint nakas in both the states and flying squads and patrolling parties to patrol their respective areas, the list of wanted fugitive criminals, bail jumpers, and parole jumpers wanted in different cases by both the states to ensure peaceful conduct of elections was also shared so that concrete action could be taken against them.

In addition, due to the auction of liquor vends in the state of Punjab on March 31, 2024, it was discussed to keep vigil in the border area in view of the possibility of smugglers storing liquor for smuggling in a warehouse, etc. DIG Patiala Harcharan Singh Bhullar urged the officers of the state of Punjab and Haryana to prepare a list of sensitive polling stations and booths and share it among themselves. Apart from the main roads between the two states, patrolling should also be ensured on link roads, or kutcha pahans. Mr. Varun Sharma of Patiala stressed the importance of conducting joint search operations by forming teams of the states of Punjab and Haryana and said that if any recovery is made on a large scale, then its information should be shared among themselves, and all the next and previous links should be traced in this regard. Sartaj Singh Chahal of Sangrur suggested that a meeting be held with big transporters to instruct them not to supply any chemicals, etc., on a large scale to anyone unofficially. Officials of the Excise and Taxation Department informed us that, in view of the elections, the employees of the Excise Department have also imposed a blockade.

On the occasion, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC general) Anita Darshi, ADC Development Rajinder Batra, Assistant Commissioner General Lal Vishwas Bains, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Moga Gurwinder Singh Johal, District Welfare Officer Bikramjit Singh Purewal, and District Education Officer (Secondary) Pardeep Sharma were present. Photo Caption: Officials of the civil administration and police departments of neighbouring districts of Punjab and Haryana discussed ways to ensure fair, transparent, and peaceful conduct of the Lok Sabha elections.

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