Latest news with #VineetAbhishek
Indian Express
a day ago
- Automotive
- Indian Express
Western Railway to fit nearly 6,000 AI-based cameras on 978 engines: ‘Will give useful info in emergencies, enhance safety'
Western Railway (WR) is planning to install artificial intelligence (AI)-based cameras on 978 of its freight and passenger engines soon. With an estimated cost of around Rs 100 crore, the cameras will be installed to monitor activity both in and around the engines, across all regions, including Mumbai. 'The AI cameras will enable track condition monitoring, railway crossing observation and activity around the engine. Through monitoring irregular movement on tracks, these cameras will assist in determining the factors behind accidents and further improve the capability to analyse incidents,' Vineet Abhishek, Chief Public Relations Officer, Western Railway, said. The cameras will be installed on 810 electric and 168 diesel engines in WR's fleet. There will be six CCTV cameras installed on each engine – one in each of the two driving cabs, four along all directions outside the engine, and an additional camera scanning the periphery, WR officials said. These will be 360-degree recording cameras that track movement and assist in the investigation of accidents. The CCTV cameras will be high definition and high resolution, making sure that important information like track conditions, signals and surrounding obstacles are well captured. The systems will be in offline mode, making sure that data will not be accessed or hacked in to. 'This installation will be used to yield useful information in the event of emergencies, which will assist in investigations and enhance general safety,' added Abhishek. The installation process will begin through a tender process, with emphasis on agencies capable of furnishing their own software, hardware and source code. The installation is supposed to end by March 2026. Through the surveillance of both the exterior and interior of trains, the railway is looking to improve surveillance, accountability, and safety measures in its operations.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
WR to mark Bandra's 60th anniv with heritage theme
Mumbai: Western Railway (WR) is rolling out the red carpet for one of Mumbai's most iconic suburban rail landmarks—Bandra station—as it turns 160 this year. In a first-of-its-kind celebration, commuters and citizens will witness a month-long 'Bandra Station Mahotsav,' a heritage-themed cultural extravaganza starting June 20. From heritage walks and photo exhibits to vlog-making and art competitions, the mahotsav promises to blend nostalgia with community participation. The event, being hosted across June and July, is part of WR's efforts to celebrate the station's legacy and its emotional connect with generations of Mumbaikars. WR's chief public relations officer Vineet Abhishek said, "The celebration will kick off with the release of a commemorative postal stamp and a vibrant cultural performance showcasing local talent. The station has also been given a facelift, with aesthetic enhancements to reflect its architectural grandeur." "The mahotsav is an invitation to relive history," Abhishek said. "Bandra station is not just a commuter hub—it's a living memory for the city." As part of the community connect, WR is inviting entries for 3 competitions—art and craft, vlog making, and purani yaadein—the last being a nostalgia project where commuters can share photos, videos or voice clips capturing their memories of the station. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo All entries will be showcased at the station on July 13 and on WR's social media handles. A specially curated light-and-sound show and a photo exhibition will be held on July 5 and 6, chronicling the evolution of the station and its role in shaping the city's urban narrative. Interviews with rail enthusiasts and city historians will also be featured. The event will conclude on July 27 with a felicitation of contest winners and participants. Entry forms and competition details are available via links and QR codes shared on @WerMumbai (Instagram) and @MumbaiWR (Facebook). Participants are encouraged to use hashtags like #StationMahotsav and #BandraStation in their posts. Opened in 1864 and its building constructed in 1888, Bandra is a Grade I heritage structure. Its Victorian Gothic design mixed with vernacular elements continues to turn heads.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
WR to mark Bandra's 160th anniv with heritage theme
Mumbai: Western Railway (WR) is rolling out the red carpet for one of Mumbai's most iconic suburban rail landmarks—Bandra station—as it turns 160 this year. In a first-of-its-kind celebration, commuters and citizens will witness a month-long 'Bandra Station Mahotsav,' a heritage-themed cultural extravaganza starting June 20. From heritage walks and photo exhibits to vlog-making and art competitions, the mahotsav promises to blend nostalgia with community participation. The event, being hosted across June and July, is part of WR's efforts to celebrate the station's legacy and its emotional connect with generations of Mumbaikars. WR's chief public relations officer Vineet Abhishek said, "The celebration will kick off with the release of a commemorative postal stamp and a vibrant cultural performance showcasing local talent. The station has also been given a facelift, with aesthetic enhancements to reflect its architectural grandeur." "The mahotsav is an invitation to relive history," Abhishek said. "Bandra station is not just a commuter hub—it's a living memory for the city." As part of the community connect, WR is inviting entries for 3 competitions—art and craft, vlog making, and purani yaadein—the last being a nostalgia project where commuters can share photos, videos or voice clips capturing their memories of the station. All entries will be showcased at the station on July 13 and on WR's social media handles. A specially curated light-and-sound show and a photo exhibition will be held on July 5 and 6, chronicling the evolution of the station and its role in shaping the city's urban narrative. Interviews with rail enthusiasts and city historians will also be featured. The event will conclude on July 27 with a felicitation of contest winners and participants. Entry forms and competition details are available via links and QR codes shared on @WerMumbai (Instagram) and @MumbaiWR (Facebook). Participants are encouraged to use hashtags like #StationMahotsav and #BandraStation in their posts. Opened in 1864 and its building constructed in 1888, Bandra is a Grade I heritage structure. Its Victorian Gothic design mixed with vernacular elements continues to turn heads.
Indian Express
15-06-2025
- Indian Express
How Western Railway plans to make more room for senior citizens on Mumbai local trains
The Western Railway has decided to convert luggage compartments in local trains into special coaches exclusively for elderly commuters, aiming to ease the daily commute for senior citizens. The initiative comes in response to a Bombay High Court directive and aims to improve safety and convenience for senior citizens travelling in the crowded suburban rail network in Mumbai. Currently, WR's electric multiple unit (EMU) suburban trains have 14 seats of accommodation for senior citizens, seven per side in the third and twelfth coaches from the Churchgate side. Yet, in peak hours, numerous elderly passengers are finding it difficult to access these seats as corridors are packed and seats are already occupied. To address this issue, the Railway Board approved a proposal to convert the seventh coach from the Churchgate side, currently a luggage van, into an exclusive senior citizen coach. Each refurbished compartment will have a 13 seats and standing room for 91 commuters. The train will have separate entry and exit points to facilitate boarding and deboarding at peak hours. This will be done on a phased basis in 105 non-air-conditioned EMU rakes on the Western line. The project cost is estimated to be Rs 5.4 crore. 'Tenders have already been invited and the work is likely to be finished within one year of its initiation,' said Vineet Abhishek, WR CPRO. Today, over 50,000 older people travel on local trains in Mumbai every day. A public interest litigation in the Bombay High Court had brought to light the plight of the elderly and asked for special compartments for them. The railway administration initiated preparations to convert some coaches based on the court's orders. This is the inaugural installation of a special coach, other than reserved seating for senior citizens within the suburban system. Abhishek added the transformation would provide not only comfort but better safety, especially during rush hour when surging crowds on trains make it dangerous for elderly commuters.
Indian Express
18-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Coming soon at Mumbai Central: Railways' first digital lounge with workstations, here are its features
Western Railway will soon open India's first digital lounge, which will be a complete co-working facility at the Mumbai Central railway station. This initiative is part of a broader effort by the Railways to enhance station infrastructure and provide modern amenities to commuters. The lounge, designed to meet airport standards, will be conveniently located between food plazas and platforms, making it an efficient place for travellers waiting for long-distance trains. The lounge will be created in a 1,712 sq ft empty space and will combine shared workstations and enclosed cubicles. It will be air-conditioned and provided with high-speed internet, power charging points, comfortable seating, printing and scanning facilities and light refreshments via self-dispensing machines. The place will also have conference rooms and meeting facilities for organising small professional or social functions. According to officials, the lounge is an attempt to cater to the new generation and help them utilise their waiting time for work purposes. 'The facility is being developed keeping in mind the digital generation who prefer working on the go and would utilise their waiting time for productive purposes,' said Vineet Abhishek, Chief Public Relations Officer, Western Railway. Meant to seat 20 to 50 passengers at a time, the lounge will be available to both train travellers and the general public. The officials said that it will likely function on an hourly fee system under a private partnership model. Western Railway expects to earn about Rs 50 lakh per annum just from the Mumbai Central lounge, with combined revenue potential from equivalent lounges in the region at Rs 2.71 crore. This digital lounge initiative is the Railways' new thrust for innovation in line with national ambitions such as Digital India. The idea is to make railway stations the city centres of comprehensive services, other than transport. As part of the Rs 947 crore Station Improvement Project by Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation, identical digital lounges have been planned at other important locations such as Andheri, Goregaon, Borivali, Bandra Terminus, and other locations. 'After this lounge is successful, we also plan to extend it to other railway stations on the western railway as it gains popularity,' added the spokesperson. Mumbai Central will be the pilot site, with construction and furnishing to be done by a private contractor. The idea brings contemporary workspaces into transit areas and provides a pragmatic solution for professionals, business travellers, and regular commuters who need workspaces in transit. 'The project also maximises non-fare revenue for Indian Railways by making efficient use of underutilised station space,' said Abhishek. The lounge is expected to open to the public in the coming months, offering a seamless blend of mobility and productivity at one of Mumbai's busiest railway terminals.
