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Commercial Department – Augmenting the Flow of Revenue

Sri K.UMA MAHESWARA RAO

Sr.Divisional Commercial Manager

Guntur Division has been in the forefront of adopting innovative ideas, techniques and processes in delivering quality service with a single motto of enhancing passenger satisfaction. For us “Serving customer with a smile” is not a mere goal but the means of the Division. This Division serves Guntur, Prakasam and Kurnool of Andhra Pradesh State and Nalgonda district of Telangana State.

The total number of stations are 75, out of which 71 stations are opened for passenger traffic over Guntur Division. Guntur Division has one “A” class station(Guntur). 2 “B” class stations (Nandyal and Nalgonda), 13 “D” class stations, 42 “E” class stations and 13 “F” class stations ie., Halt stations.

The total Earnings of Guntur Division have been showing a steadily increasing trend. Guntur is the most important station in this Division and 43.9 % of the total passenger earnings come from Guntur station alone. The population of Guntur is nearly 15 lakhs.

Head (Rs.In Crores)

2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 (Upto Oct.15)

Goods 245.90 298.17 372.42 326.69 276.84 145.39

Passenger 70.76 77.60 82.18 102.75 113.30 71.15

Other Chg 6.96 7.45 8.50 10.11 10.84 6.34

Sundry 3.82 4.23 5.36 5.69 6.12 4.42

Gross Earnings

327.44 387.45 468.4 445.24 407.10 227.30

Gross Earnings: The Gross earnings had shown a downward trend due to drop in goods earnings during the period 2014-15. However, the same is expected to grow during the current year with the laying of foundation stone for the new Capital of Andhra Pradesh.

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2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15

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No.of Passengers: The number of passengers using rail transport for the past five years:

Year No.of Passengers (Millions)

2010-11 24.3

2011-12 26.5

2012-13 25.9

2013-14 26.7

2014-15 23.5

2014-15 (upto the end of Oct.14 14.0

2015-16 (upto the end of Oct.15 13.9

On an average, a total number of 54 express and 62 passenger trains are being run every day. Passenger earnings: Passenger earnings account for 30% of the total earnings of the Division. An upward trend in passenger earnings has been maintained with an impressive growth of 6.97% in the current year (upto the end of October 2015) i.e., 71.15 Crores as against 66.51 crores in the corresponding period of 2014-15. Goods: Cement, Clinker, Food grains, Cotton seed husk are the main outward commodities loaded on this Division. Reddipalem goods shed enjoys a unique image for loading multi-commodities like cotton seeds, cotton seed husk, deoiled cake, maize, etc., in a single rake. There are seven private sidings of which, India Cement Siding at VNUP is the major goods loading terminal contributing 42.54% share in goods earnings (cement & clinker) to the end of October 2015. A total of 374 rakes were loaded to the end of October 2015 as against the 505 rakes loaded during the corresponding period of last year. Goods earnings registered Rs.145.39 crores to the end of October 2015 as against Rs.158.20 crores of the corresponding period of last year. Computerisation: Unreserved tickets are available through UTS at 57 stations and reserved tickets through UTS cum PRS or PRS at 32 stations. 14 ATVMs are available at 7 stations and installation of 9 more ATVMs at various stations is under process. STBAs are issuing unreserved tickets at 13 stations. Provision of UTS cum PRS facility, ATVMs and STBAs has greatly reduced crowding at major stations and resulted in quick disposal of tickets in both reserved and unreserved segment. Ticket checking performance: Intensive and sustained ticket checking drives over the Division have realized Rs.288.08 lakhs to the end of October 2015 as against Rs.278.72 lakhs of the corresponding period of last year. Commercial Publicity: The commercial publicity earnings is Rs.46.50 Lakhs to the end of October as against Rs.35.76 lakhs.

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The Division has introduced a number of measures towards better passenger amenities in recent times. The following are some of the initiatives in this regard.

1. LED Station Name Board provided at Guntur station is the first of its kind on South Central Railway.

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Electronic Display Reservation Chart System: A system provided at Guntur Station to display the status of the waitlisted/RAC passengers. Readability and clarity is far superior compared to conventional computer generated charts and it is first of its kind in South Central Railway

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Video Enquiry System : Remote based VES was commissioned recently at GNT west booking office. This facility is provided for better customer care to travelling public without requirement of additional staff.

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Touch screens: Touch screens are provided at 12 stations at NLDA, MRGA, NDKD, PGRL, SAP, GNT(E&W), MAG, NRT, MRK, GID & NDL. It provides information to the passengers on – “Spot your train”, PNR status, Reservation enquiry, train arrival & departure time etc.

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Adarsh stations: 12 station are declared as Adarsh stations over Guntur Division viz., Nalgonda, Nandyal, Narasaraopet, Guntur, Sattenapalli, Piduguralla,Macherla, Vinukonda, Nallapadu, New Guntur, Donakonda,& Markapuram

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Food Plaza : Food Plazas were provided at Guntur and Nalgonda stations.

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ATVMS: 14 ATVMs are in operation at 7 stations. 9 more ATVMS will be commissioned shortly at ‘D’ category stations.

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Free Emergency Medical Aid Centre: Free Emergency Medical Aid Centre is provided at Guntur station to give first-aid to the needy passengers.

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Prepaid auto stand : Prepaid auto stand was provided at Guntur railway station.

Guntur has traditionally been educational hub of Andhra Pradesh. There are numerous engineering colleges, medical colleges, coaching centres etc., which are known for imparting quality education. In view of this, Guntur has become is popular halt for educational trains like the Science Express, Mother Express and Vivekananda Express to name a few. These trains were widely patronized by the public of Guntur.

Guntur Division in the coming years would continue to foster innovative methods in providing improved and desirable amenities including escalator at Guntur station, improved ambience at stations, pure drinking water, pay and use toilets, touch screen POETs, audio-video infotainment in trains, Parcel Management system etc., which would enhance the customer satisfaction to new heights.

Highlights of Commercial branch for the last two years

Milk stall contract was awarded at six locations (3 at Guntur, one at Narasaraopeta, one at Nandyal and Nadikude) during this period which fetched an amount of Rs.5.4 lakhs out of which two milk stalls by Vijaya Dairy (Andhra Pradesh Dairy Development Corporation) have been commissioned by DRM on platform 4&5 and platform 2&3 at Guntur station on 28.06.2014.

Contract for PF branding at Guntur station has been awarded for a period of one year. This is first of its kind on S C Railway and probably on Indian Railways also.

Mamdapur halt station between Valigonda and Nagireddipalli stations of NDKD-BN section was commissioned by DRM on 28.07.2014.

RO plants have been commissioned at Narsaraopeta, Vinukonda, Munumaka, Savalyapuram and

Donakonda stations during this period.

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A Bi-weekly AC CC Superfast Double Decker train (No. 22117/22118 GNT-KCG-GNT) was introduced with effect from 13.05.2014.

DRM has commissioned RO plants at Munumaka, Savalyapuram and Donakonda stations on 18.07.14

Two Touch Screen Systems (Multi-Functional Passenger Operated Terminals) were commissioned in the concourse near main entrance of Guntur station on 15th August.

Separate display for the Arrival & Departure of trains on LED boards was commissioned on the East terminal of Guntur station near main entrance on 15th August.

Unreserved Ticketing Systems were commissioned at Potlapadu & Cheekateegalapalem during the month. With this, Division achieved cent percent computerization (except Halts) of unreserved tickets over Division.

Platform Branding, an innovative concept of Commercial Publicity has been commissioned at Guntur Railway station, on quotation basis, at PF-1, PF 2&3 and PF 4&5 on 26th September 2014.(License fees worth Rs. 3 Lakhs per annum)

Retiring Rooms at GNT & NDL were among 18 locations across the Zone that were provided online booking with effect from 25th September 2014.

Four PF stalls (two on PF-1 and one each on PF-5 & PF 6& 7) were commissioned at Guntur station on 29-9-2014.

‘Swatch Bharat’ special cleanliness campaign was launched all over the Division. A special ‘mega Shramdan Walk’ was organized on 2nd October 2014 at Guntur where in all officers and staff en-mass participated in cleaning Railway premises, clearing derbies and planting saplings. Hon’ble Members of Parliament from Guntur & Nalgonda also participated in the special programs convened at Guntur and Nalgonda stations respectively.

Help Desk provided at Guntur station between 11th & 14th October 2014 for guiding passengers when train services were affected during Hudhud Cyclone.

India Post PRS of Miryalaguda town was shifted and commissioned at Post Office in Suryapet town on 8th October. Sri G Jagadiswara Reddy Honorable Minister for Education, Telangana State commissioned the same in the presence of MP/NLDA and ADRM/GNT.

Science express Bio-diversity special Exhibition on train commenced at Guntur station on 31st October 2014. The show continues till 5th November.

Science express Bio-diversity special Exhibition on train commenced at Guntur station on 31st October 2014. The show completed on 5th November and attracted 174304 visitors of which students are more in number and also general public.

Touch Screen Systems (Multi-Functional Passenger Operated Terminal) were commissioned at MAG and SAP on 04.11.2014 and 07.11.14 respectively.

Dr. Ramesh Cardiac & Multi Speciality Hospitals Pvt Limited, Vijayawada has come forward for setting up of Free Emergency Medical Assistance booth at Guntur station and the same is permitted.

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GM/SCR visited and inspected Guntur division on 15.12.2014 and inaugurated Touch screen at Nalgonda station, Food plaza and Free Medical Centre at Guntur station.

One trip of special train No. 07421/07422 was run between GNT-BPL-GNT to meet the extra rush of the passengers on account of ISTHEMA festival at Bhopal was held on DEC 6th, 7th and 8th. An amount of Rs.3.37 lakhs was earned on 711 passengers.

A special passenger train was operated Ex: GTL-GID-GTL between 4th to 7th December in view of Kasinayana festival. An amount of Rs.0.83 lakhs was earned on 2908 passengers.

Passenger Reservation System was commissioned at NBR by Sri Jayadev Galla, Hon’ble MP/GNT on 25.12.2014.

Product Branding, an innovative concept of Commercial Publicity has been awarded at Guntur station, on quotation basis, at right corner of the concourse. An amount of Rs.2 lakhs per annum was added to divisional sundry earnings.

Frequency of train No.17225/17226 Ex: GNT-UBL-GNT was increased from three days to daily from 26th January 2015.

Two 2S (reserved) coaches each were augmented for trains No. 12705 & 12747 from 9th to 31st of January 2015. 5802 passengers availed this facility and Rs.7.07 lakhs was earned.

Nine pairs of special trains No. 08507/08508 were operated between VSKP-GNT-VSKP during January 2015 to clear extra rush of passengers. 5921 reserved passengers travelled from Guntur division and Rs. 9.98 lakhs was collected.

Annual convention of Bible Mission, Guntur was held at a location close to erstwhile Nagarjunanagar halt

between NBR and MAG from 27th to 29th January 2015, four special counters were operated two each at Prayer hall and Railway halt to clear the rush. In all 32395 passengers were booked from these counters earning Rs 9.89 lakhs as against 38324 passengers and Rs.9.51 lakhs earnings of previous year.

1st DRUCC meeting for the period 2014-16 (01.08.2014 to 31.07.2016), was held on 11.02.2015. 15 of 18 members attended the meeting and Sri Baji Chaudary was elected unanimously as ZRUCC member from Guntur division.

One special passenger train No-07225/07226 AKP-GNT-AKP and a Jan Sadharan special train No. 07477/07478 BZA-GTL –BZA were operated in the month of March to clear extra passenger rush on account of Hosanna Ministries & Ugadi festival respectively. During the year 2014-15 a total of 24 special trains were operated from Guntur Division for various destinations. 19,196 passengers availed this facility earning Rs.77.95 Lakhs.

Yadavalli block station between SDV-GID stations on DKD-NDL section is continued for passenger traffic

from 1st March 2015 on permanent basis.

Parcel Management System was commissioned at Guntur on 24.03.2015.

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Four Automatic Ticket Vending Machines were installed at GNT and will be commissioned shortly.

Premium cycle/scooter parking contracts were awarded for the first time at NLDA & SAP stations for a period of 3 years.

Four Automatic Ticket Vending Machines(ATVMs) were installed at GNT station for getting unreserved

tickets with the help of smart card. Operation of ATVMs was started on 13th May ‘2015.

Division celebrated Railyatri Upbhokta Pakhwada from 26th May onwards. The following are the highlights of Pakhwada during this month.

Solarplants were inaugurated at Repalle and Donakonda stations

RO plants were inaugurated at CBM & DKD stations.

During APSRTC strike special passenger trains were operated between GNT-GID-GNT & MRGA-KCG-MRGA.

Division celebrated Railyatri Upbhokta Pakhwada from 26th May to 9th June 2015. The following are the highlights of Pakhwada during this month.

Surveillance cameras were commissioned at Nalgonda station and cleanliness drive was also

conducted on 01.06.2015.

Cleanliness drive was conducted at Guntur station on 02.06.2015

Renovated Retiring Rooms were inaugurated by DRM on 02.06.2015 at Guntur station.

Cleanliness drive was conducted at Mangalagiri station on 03.06.2015 and ticket checking drive

was also conducted in GNT-MAG & GNT-RAL sections

In view of world environment day, GM planted saplings at running room/Guntur on 05.06.2015.

AGM inaugurated new “staff Quarters” and planted saplings at running room/Nandyal on

08.06.2015.

DRUCC meeting was held on 21.07.2015 at Mangalagiri. Various issues pertaining to passenger amenities, introduction of train services, increase of frequency of train services, provision of new halts at stations etc were discussed during the meeting.

The following special trains were operated from GNT during Godavari Pushkarams 2015. 1. T.No. 07852 GNT-RJY between 12th and 26th July’15.

2. T. No. 07845 /07846 GNT-NS –GNT between 12th and 26th July’15.

3. T. No. 07858 GNT-RJY between 12th and 26th July’15 except on 17th and 22nd July’15.

T. No. 17239 GNT-VSKP Simhadri express was augmented with two 2S coaches between 13th and

23rd July (2348 passenger were booked @ 98.8% earning Rs.2.05 lakhs)

One additional UTS counter was commissioned at Nandyal enquiry counter.

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At Miryalaguda station - BEFORE

AFTER