मेरी दिल्ली मेरी शान, मेरी दिल्ली मेरी पहचान

बीस साल पहले भी दिल्ली की सड़कों पर पानी भरता था, आज भी दिल्ली की सड़कों पर पानी भरता है. बीस साल पहले भी दिल्ली की सड़कों पर खड्डे होते थे, आज भी दिल्ली की सड़कों पर खड्डे होते हैं. बीस साल पहले भी दिल्ली मे गर्मियों मे पानी की किल्लत होती थी, आज भी दिल्ली मे गर्मियों मे पानी की किल्लत होती है. बीस साल पहले भी दिल्ली सबसे ज़्यादा पोल्यूटेड थी, आज भी दिल्ली सबसे ज़्यादा पोल्यूटेड हैं. बीस साल पहले भी हम ट्रॅफिक जाम मे फस्ते थे, आज भी हम ट्रॅफिक जाम मे फस्ते है. और सबसे ज़रूरी बात, बीस साल पहले भी हमारी दिल्ली महिलाओं के लिए सुरक्षित नही थी, आज भी हमारी दिल्ली महिलाओं के लिए सुरक्षित नही है. 

हालाँकि, इन बीस सालों मे, कई सरकारें बदल गई, कई नेता बदल गए, कई राजनीतिक दल बदल गए, लेकिन जो कुछ बदलना चाहिए था, वो सब कुछ नही बदला. हाँ, एक बदलाव ज़रूर हुआ कि पहले सफाई करमचारिओं की हड़ताल इस तरह नही होती थी, जिस तरह अब होती है. पहले दिल्ली इस तरह कूड़ा घर नही बनती थी, जिस तरह अब एक बड़े कूड़ा घर मे तब्दील हो जाती है. आज भी हमे सड़कों पर एंकरोचमेंट से छुटकारा नही मिला. आज भी दिल्ली की सड़कों पर रैश ड्राइविंग होती है. आज भी रोड रेज़ के किससे सुनने मे आते हैं. आज भी सरकारें, सिर्फ़ टॅक्स वसूली मे विश्वास रखती हैं, और आज भी दिल्ली की आम जनता, बेसिक साहूलतों के लिए तरसती है.

हम यह भी नही भूल सकते कि इन बीस सालों मे दिल्ली मे मेट्रो चल पड़ी, कई नए फ्लाइ ओवर भी बने, कुछ सड़कों को चौड़ा भी किया गया, और अगर यह सब कुछ ना होता तो शायद दिल्ली एक गटर बन चुकी होती. लेकिन सवाल यह है, कि अगर पिछली सरकारों ने कुछ किया तो यह कोई अहसान नही था, यह तो उनकी ड्यूटी थी, फ़र्ज़ था उनका, लेकिन क्या आपको नही लगता, कि जो कुछ भी हुआ, उससे कहीं ज़्यादा होने की दरकार थी ? आख़िर कब तक हम ट्रॅफिक जाम, जल भराव, एंकरोचमेंट, पोल्यूशन को झेलते रहेंगे ? आख़िर कब हमारी महिलाएँ, बच्चे और बुजुर्ग अपने को सुरक्षित मान सकेंगे ? आख़िर कब हमारे नेता इस दलगत राजनीति से उपर उठकर, दिल्ली के लिए, दिल से काम करेगे ?

बी एस वोहरा

सोशल एक्टिविस्ट,
मेरी दिल्ली मेरी शान, मेरी दिल्ली मेरी पहचान..... 

Mail from Suresh Prabhu !

Dear Mr. Vohra ji,

Your mail for the New Year Greetings from Shri Suresh Prabha, Hon'ble Minister for Railways, which is an excellent sum-up admitting the drawbacks, hinting little action by previous Ministers (indirectly) to improve the health of the Railways, administratively and financially, who all had exploited the system to the fullest extent to feed their respective constituencies, his plan of action and innovations being attempted in various spheres etc. which are all admirable and must be appreciated. It is perhaps for the first time an Union Minister extend greetings to the public at large and seeking their valuable suggestions for effecting improvements in the age-old system! However, it is apprehended that the merger of rail budget which had always been presented separately for decades has now been merged with the General Budget to be presented by the Hon'ble Finance Minister in the forthcoming Budget session! We wonder if this merger will be good for the Railways or like other Ministries the Railway Ministry will also be looking forward to the alms of the Finance Ministry, thereby losing their independence to achieve their objectives! Let's look forward positively expecting good tidings to come out!

Thank you once again for sharing this mail with others to enlighten them on the working of the Railways!

With best regards,

TK Balu/Anand Vihar

New Year Greetings from Suresh Prabhu

Dear Friend,

It gives me immense pleasure to write to you at the onset of another new year. I wish the coming year brings happiness and prosperity in your life.

It is the able leadership of our Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji which is inspiring us to strive for revamping the Indian Railways.He has said that "This is a technology driven century. Innovation is important. Railways has to be about both 'Gati' and 'Pragati'. It is this mantra that guides us on this journey of transformation.

Last year saw many milestones being set in Indian Railways and many new initiatives being taken. We believe not only in making promises,but also keeping them.We fulfilled many of the announcements made in the Railway Budget last year and we are committed to achieve the remaining ones.

Improving travel experience for our fellow citizens is at the core of our work and philosophy. Enhancing safety, improving speed, creating new passenger amenities, augmenting infrastructure, introducing of new train products all have been means to achieve this end.

Recent train accidents have anguished and pained me beyond words. We had started on this mission to make Indian Railways safe 2 years ago, when I joined office. Systemic issues accumulated over years take time to be resolved. Chronic underinvestment in infrastructure has affected the safety of Rail network. Much has been done but there is still so much more to do to make Indian Railways a safer mode of transport. We are determined to address the issues and come up with solutions. In the last 2 years, we have taken following measures to enhance safety:

• Capital expenditure on safety related activities increased from Rs.39,200 Cr in 2013-14 to Rs. 46,048 Cr in 2015-16. We will be further increasing it to Rs.53,727 Cr in 2016-17.

• Pace of track renewal has been increased substantially to over 2000 km every year.

• Working on a mission to eliminate all unmanned level crossings by 2019.

• All coaches to be retrofitted and improved with anti climbing and anti telescopic features over the next 4-5 years.

• Entered into partnerships with several best-in-class global research bodies like Railway Technical Research Institute, Japan and Korean Rail Research Institute.

• Introduction of Ultrasonic Broken Rail Detection System to detect rail fractures on a real time basis.

• Train collision avoidance system is being introduced along high density routes.

Some of the highlights of our work, among many others have been:

• Introduction of country's first Humsafar Express between Gorakhpur and Anand Vihar in New Delhi. It is a fully air conditioned train with host of features like GPS enabled announcement system, pleasing interiors and exteriors,CCTV system,pantry with coffee making machine and microwave oven etc. An effort to provide luxury service at affordable price point.

• We had revamped the general coaches into special `Deendayalu' Coaches with amenities like pure drinking water, better ergonomically designed seats for our general class passengers.

• In the next 2 months, we would be ready with Tejas Trains which would redefine passenger travel experience in India.

• We organised one of the world's largest brainstorming exercise involving all Railway employees, Rail Vikas Shivir which was graced by Honourable Prime Minister.A dedicated transformation office is being set up in the Ministry to implement innovative ideas coming out of this exercise.

• We commissioned high speed Wi-Fi in over 100 stations across country and we would cover 200 more stations in the next year.

• We signed a MoU with Ministry of Urban Development to create "Smart Stations" in planned Smart Cities.

• On the freight side,we launched a spate of reforms including reduction in charges,liberalised key policies such as Siding and Parcel.

• Indian Railways bagged a total of 27 National Energy Conservation Awards (NECA) this year, given annually by Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) under aegis of Ministry of Power, Government of India. This is highest ever tally by Railways.

• Partnered with Self Help Groups to provide local cuisines on trains, and thus facilitating employment creation,women empowerment and digital financial inclusion.

• A capital expenditure of Rs. 94,000 Cr in 2015-16 against 2009-14 annual average of Rs.46,000 Cr.

• 2828 kms of broad gauge lines commissioned in 2015-16 against 2009-14 annual average of 1528 kms.

• 1730 kms of electrification completed in 2015-16 against 2009-14 annual average of 1184 kms.

• Declaration of India's first "Green Rail Corridor" of Rameswaram-Manamadurai section which is 100% human waste discharge free.

• Installed 15000+ Bio Toilets in 2015-16.

• Clean my Coach service started to enhance on board cleanliness.

• E-catering, E-bedroll and E-wheelchair services introduced to provide seamless access to these services.

• Introduced one of the world's cheapest travel insurance for our passengers at only 92 paise for insurance of up to Rs. 10 Lakh. It has now been made free of cost.

• Reserved accommodation capacity increased to 44.7 Cr berths from 37.1 Cr.

• Implemented one of the world's largest complaint resolution system through social media,dedicated helpline numbers.

• 100% E-procurement of goods implemented to ensure transparency.

• Largest ever online recruitment exam conducted with over 94 lakh applications.

• 1000+ Water Vending Machines providing RO water installed at stations across country.

• A total of 340+ stations have been provided with CCTV surveillance to ensure safety.

• Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP)- Phase III approved by the Cabinet with an estimated cost of Rs 11,000 Cr.

• A total of 365 new trains have been introduced in 2014-15 and 2015-16.

• Trials of Talgo trains capable of running at 200 kmph successfully completed.-

• Collaboration between India and Japan on Mumbai-Ahmedabad high speed Rail project.

• Indian Railways has been at the forefront when it comes to promoting sports in the country.Sakshi Malik, who created history by becoming the first women wrestler from India to bag an Olympic Medal is a member of our Railways family. A total of 35 sports persons who represented India in the Rio Olympics were Indian Railways employee, thus comprising almost a third of Indian contingent.

• Three of our employees contributed in India's win in the Hockey Junior World Cup.

• Key result areas defined for ensuring accountability, objective performance appraisal.

All these milestones have been set under challenging circumstances.Years of underinvestment have led to overstretched infrastructure, inadequate carrying capacity and huge unmet passenger demand. Non rationalised passenger fares and cross subsidisation by freight revenue led to strain on financial health.

We believe, Indian Railways belongs to you and when we involve you in creating a vision for Indian Railways, excellent results could be achieved. With this in mind, we launched Railways Innovation Challenge inviting suggestions to improve various aspects of our working. We also launched a website to invite inputs for preparation of National Rail Plan 2030.

A lot has been done and a lot is yet to be achieved. It is our Honourable Prime Minister's firm belief that Railways can be the driver of country's economic growth. With this in mind, we step into the new year with renewed enthusiasm to achieve more, set new milestones.We are working on many focus areas which will propel Indian Railways further on the growth trajectory and benchmark it with the best in the world.

Some of the endeavours among many others we are working on are:-

• Redevelopment of railway stations into world class modern terminals with modern passenger amenities. The construction of first such terminal being planned at Habibganj, Bhopal would get underway in next few weeks.




• A five year investment plan of Rs. 8.56 Lakh Cr for giving a major push to infrastructure augmentation and thus create capacity for future.




• Enabling cashless transactions across Indian Railways at all interfaces.




• Working on a multi pronged strategy for running of high speed trains (with a speed of 300 kmph+), semi high speed trains (with a speed of 160 kmph+ - 200kmph), running of existing trains with increased speeds and introduction of faster trains.




• A big push on enhancing non fare revenue through advertisings, leasing out of spaces etc.In a first,a Non Fare Revenue Directorate has been set up in Railway Board for this purpose.




• More structural reforms and creation of new organizations to keep pace with the changing requirements. Railway Planning and Investment Organisation to prepare National Rail Plan 2030 and SRESTHA, a R&D organization to name a few.




• Plan to connect all capital cities of North Eastern states to be connected with broad gauge line by 2020 and stimulating economic development of the region.




• Two Dedicated Freight Corridors to be commissioned by 2019 which will decongest existing traffic and pave way for better passenger and freight service.




• Making Indian Railways 100% human waste discharge free through use of Bio-Toilets.




• Plan to generate 1000 MW solar power in next 5 years, thus becoming one of the country's largest solar power producer.




• Undertaking Accounting Reforms to create a transparent accounting system which will enhance profitability and improve overall efficiency.




• Implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning(ERP) to streamline operations, infuse technology, enhance efficiency.




• Establishment of Rail University as a holistic knowledge centre for Railways.




• LED luminaries at all stations.

All these visions could not be turned into reality without the support of our fellow citizens. Thus, we seek your support in taking Indian Railways to the next level and benchmark it with the best in the world.

I wish you and your family again, a very Happy New Year.

Yours,

Suresh Prabhu

Live on CNN IBN on the Kachra problem of East Delhi

Meeting with EDMC Standing Committee Chairman on this Kachra problem of East Delhi

Public concerns !

Dear Mr. Vohra ji,

I am immensely happy to know that you are relentlessly and consistently pursuing matter of concern to public. Photo-up alone will not pay dividend and satisfy the people to redress their grievances. While I had been clamouring and repeatedly requesting you to take up important issues agitating the minds of the people at large, it appears that you had not taken any steps in this direction. Pardon me to say so! Reality speaks. Don't feel hurt. 

The real truth is not known as to why the safai karamcharis had not been paid salary for the last 3 months. The present situation had cropped up earlier too, a few months back. Why a permanent solution to this vexed problem could not be found and solved forever. Who suffer - the public at large as well as the families of the safaiwallas! Can you imagine the downtrodden  and poor people can survive without salary not for one month but for three months - a long time in the life of these poor people! Why not a 'white paper'  is not brought about and published in the newspapers for all to see and realize the plight! If there is no money in the kitty of the EDMC to meet this basic commitment, let them ask for alms from the public to safe these poor people! Why the Councillors of the EDMC go without their perks, constituency allowance and salary etc. for a couple of months. Why can't they defer their works in the colonies for a couple of months till the financial position improves! You would be really surprised to know that a lot of unnecessary works are going on in colonies to spend their money before the election and get votes, while this could be saved to meet the needs of the safaiwallas, voluntarily! You go round the various colonies, you could yourself realise what an amount of wasteful work is going on without which the people could survive and lead a peaceful life. It may hurt the people concerned but let them search their heart and realise if it is necessary at all at this juncture without which their lives cannot go on! II don't wish to dilate on this topic further but I have only given a hint which you could see for yourselves if you go round the colony. I am deeply constrained and strongly pained to ink these but my heart burns when such works are going on in front of your eyes!!!Rest remains with you.

I may share with you a few more things but I wish to remain silent for the time being as opening up these will hurt someone but no solution could be found in the present environment!

With best regards,

TK Balu.

Meeting with Dy CM of Delhi : East Delhi RWAs Joint Front ( Federation )

Meeting with Dy CM of Delhi : East Delhi RWAs Joint Front ( Federation )

East Delhi RWAs Joint Front (Federation)

rwabhagidari@yahoo.in    

www.rwabhagidari.com

9^th January, 2017

K/a. : Mr Manish Sisodiya, Dy CM, Delhi

Dear Sir,

Over 10,000 MT of GARBAGE is lying on the roads of East Delhi and Sanitation workers are saying that Rs 119 crore released by the Delhi Govt. won’t serve the salary of more than one month, and hence they will continue with the strike.

Though EDMC commissioner has deployed some private trucks to remove the garbage, the quantum is too meager to give any relief to the residents.

The residents are truly fed up of this issue now, as probably it’s the 7^th time now in just 2 years period, that Delhi / East Delhi converts into a big hell, every time there is a strike by the Sanitation workers.

There may be some issues between the EDMC & the Delhi Govt. but why the residents of EAST DELHI are being forced to breathe in the hell like conditions, amidst unbearable stench, and that too in the already choking localities with severe pollution ? 

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH and now we want an end of this problem. We don’t want any more strikes of Sanitation workers in Delhi. We want a PERMANENT SOLUTION to this problem. Therefore, please let us know that what constructive steps are being taken by the Delhi Govt. to resolve the issue PERMANENTLY.

With Best regards,

B S Vohra

President,

East Delhi RWAs Joint Front – Federation

Sanitation workers strike : Dainik Jagran

Fed up of blame game over sanitation strike : B S Vohra

with thanks : Hindustan Times

East Delhi residents say they are fed up of blame game over sanitation strike

The strike threat issued by over 17,000 sanitation workers in east Delhi has residents worried.

East Delhi was the worst hit by the previous two major strikes by the sanitation workers. Roads across east Delhi had piles of garbage dumped on them by striking workers; waste dumps overflowed and collection of garbage from homes was stopped.

Delhi generates a total of 10,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste daily of which 2,200 tonnes is generated in east Delhi alone.

“Sanitation workers have gone on multiple strikes in the recent years. The situation became so serious that the Lieutenant Governor and the Delhi High Court had to intervene. I fail to understand why the corporation has not been able to solve the issue yet,” said BS Vohra, president, east Delhi RWAs joint federation.

“After demonetisation, EDMC has collected a huge amount as revenue yet still they claim they have no money pay salaries to their staff. Why should the residents suffer for the corporation’s failure,” asked Vohra.

The workers, who threatened an indefinite strike on Thursday, are demanding their three months’ salary dues and arrears. ON all the previous occasions, payment of dues has been the main demand of the workers. With a budgetary deficit of over several thousand crores, the EDMC has survived on the support by the Delhi government and the Centre.

Residents said it is high time that the blame game between the political parties should stop and someone fix the responsibility. “I pay my property tax regularly so why should I suffer unnecessarily. Last year, garbage was not lifted from streets for two weeks. It happened in the month of October when chikungunya and malaria spread in Delhi due to unhygienic surroundings,” said AK Jha, a resident of Anand Vihar.

Mohanjeet Singh, EDMC commissioner, assured to make all necessary arrangements to ensure that residents are not harassed.

“There is no denying the fact that their salaries are pending for months but we don’t have money. We are concerned about the families of the sanitation workers and are pursuing Delhi government to issue grants. We are expecting that funds are released in a couple of days,” he said.

with thanks : Hindustan Times : LINK