2. Literature Review
North Central Railways, in its present form, came into existence on 1st Of April 2003.
North Central Railways present network extends over a large area of North Central India,
covering the states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana .
Geographically NCR is the heart of Railway network and extends from (exclusive) in the
North to MGS (exclusive) in the east and Bina (exclusive in the South. This network
spans over parts of UP., Haryana, Rajasthan & MP. This has a total of 3062 route Kms,
predominantly double line electrified section. This route from GZB to MGS is a part of
golden quadrilateral. NCR consists of 202 main line stations & 221 branch line stations.
This Zone forms a corridor for trains almost directions viz. East to North and North to
East a total of 29 pairs of M/Exp. Trains daily West/South to North and North to South/
West total 37 pairs of M/Exp. Trains daily East to SW & SW to East a total of 25 pairs of
M/Exp. Trains daily East to West & West to East a total of 12 pairs of M/Exp. Trains
Daily
Serving the heartland of India, the NCR extends from Mughalsurai(excluding) on the
east and Ghaziabad (excluding) Headquartered at Allahabad, the North Central Railways
comprises of the following three divisions.
1.Allahabad
2.Jhansi
3.Agra
NCR also has workshops at Jhansi and Sithouli (Gwalior).
The NCR has a total staff strength of 69,644.
3. Transportation in Allahabad
Allahabad Railway Map:-
Allahabad, a popular place for many pilgrims from across the globe, has great religious
significance because of Kumbh Mela that is held once every twelve years. Airways,
railways, roadways and waterways are the four means of transportation in Allahabad that
are available for the convenience of hundreds of tourists who flock this colourful land.
Allahabad does not have any big airports, but it has a small domestic airport known as
Bamrauli airport that is about 12 km from Allahabad city. Varanasi, Lucknow and
Kanpur are the nearest operational airports found around Allahabad.
4. Allahabad is located on the junction of National Highway 2 and 27. National Highway 2
runs through the city connecting Delhi and Kolkata, while National Highway 27 starts
from Allahabad and end at Mangawan in M.P, connecting national Highway 7. Road
service is the best way of transportation in Allahabad. Allahabad has other highways
connecting to the rest of the India. Allahabad has three bus stands serving the three
routes- Zero Road, Leaded Road and Civil Lines. Direct bus service is available from
Allahabad to Chitrakoot, Ayodhya, Varanasi, Lucknow and Kanpur.
Other than air, rail and road, a special way of transportation in Allahabad is through
making use of the waterways. This is a special project started by UP tourism department
connecting Varanasi to Allahabad. You can also arrange for a night stay at Chunar.
Local transportation in Allahabad is very good, making all parts of the city accessible.
There are five different modes of local transportation. It is up to you which mode to
choose. Some hotels are providing taxi service for their customers.
There is a city bus service run by the Municipal Corporation of Allahabad, connecting all
parts of the city. Tourist taxi is the best option for transportation in Allahabad as it
very comfortable and the fastest mode of local transport. Auto rickshaws are also a good
option to move around the city and they are also quite affordable. Cycle-rickshaws are
best if one really wants to see nooks and corners of Allahabad. But you should bargain
before fixing the rent. Tempos are the cheapest mode of travelling in Allahabad. They are
available at main points of the city like Kutchery, Railway Station, Mansarovar, Kareli,
Rambagh, Teliyarganj, Naini, Jhunsi, and Civil Lines.
Allahabad has four railway stations :-
1. Prayag Station
2. City Station
3. Daraganj Station
4. Allahabad Junction.
Allahabad Junction
Allahabad Junction Railway Station is served by the Northern Railways. It is located in
the city center. Out of the four stations in Allahabad, the major railhead is the junction
railway station. The main trains that pass through the broad gauge line Delhi-Kanpur-
Kolkata arrive at Allahabad Junction. The trains that run through the junction include the
Udyan Abha Toofan Express, North East Express and Sangam Express. Electrified broad
gauge main line connects Allahabad with Mumbai. Just 1 km from the station is the
tourist office, managed by the Government of Uttar Pradesh.
5. In front of the station is the magnificent gothic style cathedral, All Saint's Cathedral. Just
2 km from the station is Hotel Allahabad Regency (a 2 star hotel) offering comfortable
accommodations. At a stone’s throw from the station is the central bus station (Civil
Lines Bus Stand.) Towards north of the station, the major railhead is at Pratapgarh (61
km.) The airfields close to the station are at Varanasi Airport (120 km from Allahabad)
and Lucknow Amausi Airport (200 km from Allahabad.)
Major Trains
1. Mahanagari Express (Varanasi - Allahabad - Mumbai)
2. Magadh Express (Patna - Allahabad - New Delhi)
3. Saryu Express (Allahabad – Faizabad)
4. Kalka Mail (Howrah - Allahabad – Kalka)
5. Prayag Raj Express (Allahabad - New Delhi)
6. Bramaputra Mail (Guwahati - Allahabad - New Delhi)
7. Bombay Mail (Howrah - Allahabad - Mumbai)
8. Rajdhani Express (New Delhi - Allahabad - Howrah)
9. Toofan Express (Ganganagar - Allahabad - Howrah)
10. Ganga Gomti Express (Allahabad - Lucknow)
11. Ganga Kaveri Express (Varanasi - AllaM Khalid Aftab)
A Special Train
Prayag Raj Express is an Indian Railways' express train which runs between the cities
of Allahabad and New Delhi, India. It is the longest train in Asia, with more than 24
coaches including 7 air-conditioned coaches consisting of three 3rd AC, three 2nd AC
coaches & one full 1st AC coach. It runs on the North Central Railways (Allahabad to
New Delhi) section which is part of the busy (Howrah to New Delhi) Grand Trunk
section. It is, along with the Bhopal express, one of the first ISO-9002 certified trains of
India because of its security features and high priority on the Indian Railways. But it
takes 2 hours more than Rajdhani Express to cover the same distance. It is also slower
than Lichchavi Express which covers the same distance in 9 hours compared to 9 hours
and 5 minutes taken by Prayag Raj express.
Remarkable Features
Max. Speed: 110 km/h Avg. Speed: 70 km/h
Duration of Journey: approx. 9hr 10 min
6. DEVELOPMENT OF ALLAHABAD JUNCTION
Based on the conversation with DRM Mr. Deepak Dev
Allahabad junction is all set to get a new look and have more provisions soon. The North
Central Railway (NCR) has sanctioned new works besides some improvement works for
the junction and all the works are in progress and will complete with in few months.
The work of foot over bridges (FOB) are in progress for connecting platform numbers
5/6, platform number 7/8 and a FOB will also constructed to connect Smith Road and
Allahabad junction for convenience of the commuters.
Almost two months back the members of Railway Passengers Amenities Committee
(RPAC) including its chairman Parmeshwari Prasad Nirala had visited the Allahabad
Junction. They had expressed dissatisfaction over the dilapidated condition at the
Junction. After the inspection, the RPAC chairman Parmeshwari Nirala suggested that
Allahabad station needs improvement in terms of modernisation.
Nirala also suggested for writing the rates of coolies for carrying luggage so that
passengers could not be duped. He urged for activating the resources for combating the
increasing menace of zeharkhurani in trains.
After giving all the suggestions by amenities committee, the NCR administration started
focusing towards increasing facilities and arrangements for the passengers.
The construction work of waiting room for separate upper and sleeper class is also in
progress and improving the ladies waiting room on platform number 1.
On being contacted, he said that the works are in progress. He also said that the work of
changing the damaged railway tracks was also under way for the past two months at the
station. All works would be completed by June end, he added.
Itarsi-Allahabad railway route electrification is to be done very soon
The creation of the West Central Railway Zone has revived the electrification of the
Itarsi-Jabalpur-Allahabad railway line. Paper work for the work is underway and the
project will be sent to the Railway Ministry for approval. The Central Railway
Electrification Organisation has carried out the survey of the Itarsi-Jabalpur-Allahabad
rail division. The project is estimated to cost Rs 360 crore and it will be implemented
after funds are sanctioned. The survey for electrification work on this track was carried
out a few years ago and an amount of Rs 267 crore was sanctioned. But, the project was
derailed as certain politicians opposed it, ostensibly, because of lack of traffic on the
route. Consequently, the funds were diverted to other projects.This time the West Central
Railway Zone is more cautious. It is preparing detailed information about the diesel and
electric engines running on the section and is also preparing a note indicating which
7. energy would prove more economical based on concrete statistics. The authorities have
even gone to the extent of suggesting the best means of financing the project.
Head office of North Central Railway
A great Achievement