Railway services pay revised rule 2016 ,Jan 1

Railway Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2016 – Schedules for revised scales of pay

Government of India (Bharat Sarkar)
Ministry Of Railways ( Rail Mantralaya)
(Railway Board)

S.No. 2/2016

RBE No:93/2016

File No.PC-VII/2016/RSRP/2

New Delhi Dated: 02.08.2016

The General Manager/CAOs(R)
All India Railways & Production Units
(As Per Mailing List)

Sub: Railway Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2016 – Schedules for revised scales of pay.

Reference is invited to Railway Services (Revised Pay) Rules 2016 notified vide GSR No.746 (E) dated 28.07.2016 and forwarded with Railway Board endorsement number PC-VII/2016/RSRP/1 dated 28.07.2016 on the above subject.

2. Schedule in two parts viz.Annexure ‘A’ and Annexure ‘B’applicable to various categories of Railway Servants is enclosed.Annexure ‘A’ shows the revised pay structure (Pay Matrix and the Levels specified therein with reference to existing pay structure) applicable to the different categories of Railway Servants for whom normal replacement level has been recommended by 7th CPC and approved by Government of India; this was also circulated as Part ‘A’ of Schedule in the Railway Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2016. Annexure ‘B’ shows certain specific Railway categories where upgradation of posts has been recommended by 7th CPC and approved by Government of India. The revised pay structure will take effect from 1st January, 2016. The schedule has the sanction of the President.

3. The Recommendations of 7th CPC for upgradation of posts for some categories of Railway employees has been referred to Department of Personnel & Training for taking a comprehensive view in the matter. These categories include Senior Section Officer (Accounts)/Senior Travelling Inspector of Accounts/Senior Inspector of Store Accounts [Para 11.40.83 of 7th CPC report],Chemical & Metallurgical Assistant, Chemical & Metallurgical Superintendent, Assistant Chemist & Metallurgist [Para 11.40.124 of 7th CPC report]. Normal revised pay structure as indicated in Annexure ‘A’ and also given in Part A of Schedule of RS (RP) Rules, 2016 will apply to these categories till further decision of Government of India.

4. The recommendations of 7th CPC for down-gradation of posts for certain categories of Railway employees have not been accepted by Government of India. In all such cases revised pay structure as indicated in Annexure A and also given in Part ‘A’ of Schedule of RS (RP) Rules 2016, will apply.

5. The initial fixation of pay in the revised pay structure in respect of existing running staff already in service as on 01.01.2016 will be done in the manner as illustrated in Annexure ‘C’ Fixation of pay of those appointed as fresh recruits (running as well as non running) on or after 01.01.2016 will be done as per Rule 8 of RS (RP) Rules 2016.

6. Accordingly,in pursuance of the RS (RP) Rules 2016, appropriate necessary action to fix the pay of the employees covered thereunder in the revised pay structure needs to be carried out forthwith in accordance with the provisions contained therein. In order to facilitate a smooth and systematic fixation of pay, a statement of Fixation of pay will be prepared in triplicate as per the RS (RP) Rules 2016 and one copy thereof shall be placed in the service book of the employee concerned and another copy made available to the concerned associate finance for post check.

7. The revised Pay structure effective from 01.01.2016 includes the Dearness Allowance of 125% sanctioned from 01.01.2016 in the pre-revised pay structure. Thus, Dearness Allowance in the revised pay structure shall be zero from 01.01.2016. The rate and the date of effect of the first instalment of Dearness Allowance in the revised pay structure shall be as per the orders to be issued in this behalf in future.

8. In terms of Rs (RP) Rules 2016 there shall be two dated for grant of annual increment i.e. 1st January and 1st July of every year; of which only one date will be applicable for each employee depending upon his/her date of appointment/promotion/financial upgradation. The increment in pay matrix and date of next increment in the revised pay structure will be governed by Rule 9 & 10 respectively of the RS(RP) Rules, 2016.

9. The decision on the revised rates and the date of effect of all Allowances (other than Dearness Allowance) based on the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission shall be notified subsequently and separately. Until then, all such allowances shall continue to be reckoned and paid at the existing rates under the terms and conditions prevailing in the pre-revised pay structure as if the existing pay structure has not been revised under the Rs(RP) Rules, 2016 issued on 28.07.2016.

10. The contributions under the Central Government Employees Group Insurance Scheme (CGEGIS) shall continue to be applicable under the existing rates until further orders.

11. The existing system on interest free advances for Travelling Allowance for family of deceased, Travelling Allowance on tour shall continue as hitherto.

12. The arrears as accruing on account of revised pay consequent upon fixation of pay under RS(RP) Rules, 2016 with effect from 01.01.2016 shall be paid in one instalment along with the payment of salary for the month of August, 2016, after making necessary adjustment on account of GPF and NPS, as applicable, in view of the revised pay. DDOs/PAOs shall ensure that action is taken simultaneously in regard to Government’s contribution towards enhanced subscription.

13. With a view to expenditing the authorisation and disbursement of arrears, it has been decided that the arrear claims may be paid without pre-check of the fixation of pay in the revised scales of pay. However, the facilities to disburse arrears without pre-check of fixation of pay will not be available in respect of those Railway Servants who have relinquished service on account of dismissal, resignation, discharge, retirement etc. after the date of implementation of the pay commissions recommendations but before the preparation and drawl of the arrears claims, as well as in respect of those employees who had expired prior to exercising their option for the drawl of pay in the revised scales.

14. The requirement of pre-check of pay fixation having been dispensed with, it is not unlikely that the arrears due in some cases may be computed incorrectly leading to overpayment that might have to be recovered subsequently. Therefore, the Drawing & Disbursing Officers should make it clear to the employees under their administrative control, while disbursing the arrears; that the payments are being made subject to adjustment from amounts that may be due to them subsequently should any discrepancies be noticed later. For this purpose, an undertaking as prescribed as per a “form of Option” under Rule 6 (2) of the Rs (RP) Rules, 2016 shall be obtained in writing from every employee at the time of exercising option under Rule 6 (1) thereof. The form of option/undertaking is also enclosed herewith as Annexure ‘D’.

15. In authorising the arrears, Income Tax as due may also be deducted and credited to Government in accordance with the instructions on the subject.

16. On receipt of necessary options, action for drawal and disbursement of arrears should be completed immediately.

Hindi version will follow.

sd/-
(Jaya Kumar G )
Deputy Director, Pay Commission – VII)
Railway Board

Notes:

1.The revised pay structure is applicable to all categories of Railway Servants irrespective of their designations strictly on the basis of the existing pay structure except as may be specifically prescribed otherwise by Ministry of Railways (Railway Board).

2.The existing classification of Railway servants in Group C,B & A on the basis of the existing pay structure will continue in the revised pay structure till further orders except as may be specifically prescribed otherwise by Ministry of Railways (Railway Board) No change in the classification should be made in the revised pay structure.

Annexure-B

Revised Levels for Certain Specific Posts in Railways

The Level in the revised pay structure mentioned in Column (5) for the posts mentioned in column (2) of the Tables below have been approved by the Government. The initial fixation as on 01.01.2016 will be done in accordance with sub rule 2 of Rule 7 of Rs (RP) Rules, 2016.

Zonal Railways/Production Units

1.COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT

Sl.No	Name of the Post	Existing Grade Pay	Grade Pay corresponding to which revised levels have been recommended	Revised Structure
				Level in pay Matrix	Para no. of the Report
(1)	(2)	(3)	(4)	(5)	(6)
1.1	Ticket Collector	1900	GP-2000	L-3 See Note 1	11.40.69 to 11.40.71
1.2	Sr.Ticket Collector/ TTE	2400	GP 2800	L-5 See Note 1	1.40.69 to 11.40.71

2.TRAFFIC TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT

Sl.No	Name of the Post	Existing Grade Pay	Grade Pay corresponding to which revised levels have been recommended	Revised pay Structure
				Level in pay Matrix	Para no. of the Report
(1)	(2)	(3)	(4)	(5)	(6)
2.1	Assistant Station Masters	2800	GP-4200	L-6 See Note 2	11.40.55

3. TRAFFIC ASSISTANTS METRO RAILWAY

Sl.No	Name of the Post	Existing Grade Pay	Grade Pay corresponding to which revised levels have been recommended	Revised Pay Structure
				Level in pay Matrix	Para no. of the Report
(1)	(2)	(3)	(4)	(5)	(6)
3.1	Traffic Assistant	2000	GP-2400	L-4 See Note 3	11.40.140

4. Dieticians

Sl.No	Name of the Post	Existing Grade Pay	Grade Pay corresponding to which revised levels have been recommended	Revised Pay Structure
				Level in pay Matrix	Para no.of the Report
(1)	(2)	(3)	(4)	(5)	(6)
4.1	Dieticians	4200	GP-4600	L-7 See Note 4	7.7.45
4.2	Senior Dietician	4600	GP-4800	L-8 See Note 4 & 6	7.7.45
4.3	Assistant Dietetic Officer	4800	GP-5400 (PB-2)	L-9 See Note 4 & 6	7.7.45

5. Perfusionists

Sl.No	Name of the Post	Existing Grade Pay	Grade Pay corresponding to which revised levels have been recommended	Revised Pay structure
				Level in Pay Matrix	Para no. of the Report
(1)	(2)	(3)	(4)	(5)	(6)
5.1	Perfusionists	2400	GP-4200	L-6 See Note 5	7.7.52

Note:

1. Ticket collector in GP 1900 and senior Ticket Collector / TTE in GP 2400 should be upgraded to GP-2000 & GP-2800 respectively and then fitted in the revised pay Matrix. This upgradation is a part of the 7th CPC recommendation accepted by Government of India for the merger of three categories of commercial staff i.e Ticket Checking Staff, Enquiry-cum-Reservation clerks and commercial clerks to a consolidated cadre called commercial and Ticketing staff. The rationalisation of functions of the merged commercial and Ticketing cadre as also the revised AVC, inter se seniority, Recruitment Rules, classification as selection/non selection etc., as approved by Railway Board, will be issued through separate orders.
2. Assistant station Masters in GP 2800 should be upgraded to GP-4200 and then fitted in the revised pay Matrix. Consequently, the designation of ASM shall stands abolished and the post of Assistant Station Masters shall stand merged with post of Station Masters (GP 4200) along with functions. The rationalisation of functions as also revised AVC, inter se seniority, Recruitment Rules, classification as selection/non selection etc., as decided by the Railway Board, will be issued through separate orders.

3.Traffic Assistant, Metro Railway in GP 2000 should be upgraded to GP-2400 and then fitted in the revised pay Matrix. They shall continue to perform their existing functions unless otherwise specified by Railway Board.

4. Dieticians in Railways in GP-4200 should be upgraded to GP-4600 and then fitted in the revised pay matrix. Senior Dietician (Present Gp-4600) and Assistant Dietetic Officer (Present GP-4800) should also be upgraded to GP-4800 and Gp-5400 (PB-2) respectively and then fitted in the revised pay matrix. They shall continue to perform their existing functions unless otherwise specified by Railway Board.
5. Grant of GP 4200 to perfusionists is subject to acquiring/possession of qualification of Degree in Science + Diploma in perfusion technology. The eligible perfusionists in GP-2400 should be upgraded to GP 4200 and thereafter placed in the revised pay structure. Further, the existing incumbents not processing the revised qualification shall be granted replacement pay level corresponding GP 2400. They may be granted the pay level corresponding to upgraded GP 4200 afte acquiring the revised qualification OR upon completion of three years in GP 2400/L-4 whichever is earlier.

6.The existing classification of Railway servants i Group C, B & A on the basis of the existing pay structure will continue in the revised pay structure till further orders except as may be specifically prescribed otherwise by Ministry of Railways (Railway Board). No change in the classification should be made in the revised pay structure.

Annexure – c

Fixation of pay in the revised pay structure [ Rule 7 of RS (RP) Rules, 2016] in respect of existing running staff as on 01-01-2016:

In the case of Running Staff who are in receipt of Running Allowance, the pay in the revised pay structure shall be fixed in the following manner:

The existing basic pay shall be multiplied by a factor of 2.57. The figure so arrived at shall be added to an amount equivalent to Dearness Allowance on the pre-revised pay Element (30% of Basic pay) admissible as on 1st Day of January, 2016. The figure so arrived at will be located in that level in the pay Matrix and if such an identical figure corresponds to any Cell in the applicable level of the Pay Matrix, the same shall be the pay and if no such cell is available in the applicable level, the pay shall be fixed at the immediate next higher cell in that applicable level of the pay Matrix.

FORM OF OPTION – Download Click here

Source :Download Sign Copy

Southern Railway announced EMU Special Trains between MMC – Avadi

EMU SPECIAL TRAINS

Southern Railway announced EMU Special Trains between MMC – Avadi

With a view to clear the extra rush in view of the International Spiritual Gathering of Sahaj Marg Spirituality Foundation at Tiruvallur, EMU special trains will be operated as detailed below.

Train No.43007 MMC – Avadi EMU scheduled to leave MMC at 08.55 hrs. & Train No.43011 MMC – Avadi EMU scheduled to leave MMC at 09.25 hrs. will be extended to run upto Tiruvallur o­n 21.07.2015, 22.07.2015 & 23.07.2015 with stoppages at all stations from MMC to Tiruvallur.In the return direction, these trains will run as passenger specials from Tiruvallur to Avadi with stoppages at all stations from Tiruvallur to Avadi.

One passenger special EMU will be run o­n fast line from MMC to Tiruvallur with stoppages at Perambur and Villivakkam o­n 21.07.2015, 22.07.2015 & 23.07.2015.This train will leave MMC at 09.30 hrs. and reach Tiruvallur at 10.20 hrs.In the return direction, this train will run as passenger special from Tiruvallur to MMC o­n slow line with stoppages at all stations, leaving Tiruvallur at 10.30 hrs. and reaching MMC at 11.50 hrs.

Railways now change the rules for availing the Senior Citizen Concession & Quota

After modifying the cancellation rules & child concession, the Indian Railways has now modified the rules for those availing the senior citizen quota and concession. Those found to be misusing the quota & concession from 1st February, 2016 will be charged a penalty in addition to charging the difference between the normal & concessional fare.

Like in other public services, the Indian Railways also extend certainfacilities to senior citizens. These facilities are extended to men who are a minimum of 60 years and women of minimum 58 years of age. They are granted concession in fares of all classes of trains. The concession is 40% of the fare for men and 50% of the fare for women.

Other Facilities extended to Senior Citizens

• Apart from the concession in fares, certain other facilities are also extended to the senior citizens.
• 40% Concession in fare for Men over 60 years of age and 50% Concession for Women over 58 years of age
• Provision in the Passenger Reservation System (PRS), to automatically allot lower berths to Senior Citizens and female passengers of over 45 years of age.
• A combined quota of two (2) lower berths per coach earmarked in Sleeper, AC 3 tier, AC 2 tier for Senior Citizens, Women over 45 years of age and Pregnant Women travelling alone.
• Provision for Wheelchairs at stations.
• Provision for separate counters at PRS centers for Senior Citizens.

Instances of misuse of the Quota & Concession to Senior Citizens

As per the current system of booking, no proof of age is required at the time of purchasing tickets. However, during journey the senior citizen is required to carry prescribed documentary proof issued by any Government agency showing their age or date of birth. In case the senior citizen is not able to produce the requisite proof of age during the journey, he/she is charged the difference of fare (between full fare and concessional fare). Apart from this, Senior citizens are also provided a facility to get confirmed lower berths under Senior Citizen Quota.

The Indian Railways found instances of misuse of both the concession and quota in the following ways.

• Passengers book tickets under Senior Citizen Quota by giving wrong age. In case they are detected they give the difference of fare otherwise they go undetected resulting in loss of revenue to the Railways.
• Some passengers also book confirmed lower berths under Senior Citizens Quota and in case they get detected, they pay the difference of fare. If they are not detected, then they enjoy the benefit of senior citizens concession as well as quota
• Some agents are known to use this method to cheat the passengers. They book the ticket by giving wrong declaration of age and subsequently modify the e-ticket by giving correct age and dupe the passengers of the fare.

The new rules have a provision for Penalty

The Indian Railways has now modified the existing rules governing the Senior Citizen travel. The broad changes that will come into effect from 1st February, 2016 are the following.

• IRCTC will now make a provision that whenever a passenger enquires about the PNR status, the fare charged on the ticket will be reflected. This will help passengers who depend on agents for booking. They will now know how much fare has been charged for their booking.
• IRCTC will also explore the feasibility of displaying other relevant details like full form of quota under which booked, age of passenger so that the passengers do not get cheated by unscrupulous booking agents.
• Misusing both using both Quota & Concession: Whenever any passenger is found travelling in the train on the berths booked under Senior Citizen Quota by declaration of wrong age, he/she will be treated as travelling without ticket and charged. This will be treated as a case of misusing both Quota and Concession. The railways treat this misuse as cheating and hence will charge this offence as ticketless travel.
• Misusing Concession: Whenever any passenger is found travelling in the train by declaration of wrong age to get senior citizen  concession only (and not lower berth), they will be charged penalty in addition to difference of fare. (between full fare and concessional fare)

The Railways has also instructed its ticket checking staff to be patient and tactful while handling such passengers to avoid any complaint regarding any harassment.

Budget 2016-17

  

NEW DELHI: Highlighting the need to focus on maternal and child health for a long run growth, the Economic Survey 2015-16 called for early life interventions and low-cost investments in maternal nutrition and sanitation programmes.

Pointing at a high neonatal mortality rate and increasing number of underweight pregnant women, the survey emphasized on the need for nourishment during pregnancy.

Out of all the infants who die in India, 70% die in the first month, primarily because of low birth weight, according to the survey tabled in the Parliament by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Friday.

The survey also highlighted 42.2% of Indian women are underweight at the beginning of pregnancy. Even during pregnancy, they gain only about 7kgs, which is substantially less than the 12.5-18 kg gain as is recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for underweight women.

The survey stressed that relatively low-cost maternal and early life health and nutrition programmes offer very high returns on investments.

"Given that maternal health casts a long shadow on an individual's cognitive development and life changes, investing in maternal health could become a top policy priority of the government," the survey said, adding programmes targeting younger children are also relatively cheaper investments.

Though the National Food Security Act, 2013 provides for a universal cash entitlement of at least Rs 6,000 for pregnant women in order to improve nutrition during pregnancy, the survey highlighted concerns about getting the government funds into the hands of pregnant women.

It recommended pairing cash transfers with education about pregnancy weight gain.

It also said that breast-feeding illustrates how some investments by the state can lead to tangible changes in social norms in a relatively short period of time. As per the survey, programmes like 'Janani Suraksha Yojana' and other schemes under the Integrated Child Development Scheme delivered via anganwadi programme has increased the proportion of breast-feeding mothers to 62%.

PRE 2006 PENSIONERS Railways Senior Citizens

Railways Senior Citizens Welfare Society

(Estd. 1991, Regd. No. 1881 – Under Registration of Societies Act),

Head Office: 32, Phase- 6, Mohali Chandigarh -160055

Website http:/www.rscws.com Email: rscws1991@gmail.com

No. RSCWS/ CHD/Memo/2016-2

Dated: 24-2-2016

Shri Narendra Modi,
Hon. Prime Minister of India &
Minister of Personnel, PG & Pensions,
South Block, New Delhi.

Dear Sir,

Subject: Revision of Pension of Pre 2006 Pensioners – Reg: minimum pension for Pre-2006 Pensioners who retired from posts where pay scales have been merged/upgraded

Ref:- i) Resolution of GOI No. 38/37/08-P&PW (A) dated 29-8-08 & OM Dated 1-9-08,

ii) DOP&PW O.M. F.No. 38/37/08-P&PW (A) dated 3-10-08, 14-10-08 & 11-2-09

iii) DOP&PW O.M. F.No. 38/37/08-P&PW (A) dated 30-7-2015

We seek your benign intervention in the following matter of serious injustice with a section of Pre-2006 Central Government Pensioners:

1. Sixth Pay Commission recommended for “Modified Parity” between Pre-2006 & post- 2006 Pensioners. Its Recommendations were accepted by the Cabinet vide Resolution dated 29-8-08 cited above, which inter-alia provided that “The fixation (of Pension) ………. will be subject to the provision that the revised pension, in no case, shall be lower than 50% of the sum of the minimum of the pay in the pay band and the grade pay thereon corresponding to the pre-revised pay scale from which the pensioner had retired.” DOP&PW issued the orders

thereon vide OM dated 1-9-08.

2. Later on, DOP&PW made changes in the above said orders (vide Para 5 of OM dated 11- 2-09 cited above) & inter-alia laid down the condition that “benefit of up-gradation of posts subsequent to their retirement would not be admissible to the pre-2006 pensioners in this regard.”

3. The above said condition changed the very nature and content of the decision of the Cabinet notified vide Gazette Notification dated 29-8-2008 as the said Resolution did not provide for it.

4. DOP&PW’s OM dated 11-2-09 has since been quashed by the CAT New Delhi vide OA 655/2010 directed for fixation of Pension as per Resolution dated 29-8-2008.

4. All SLPs of the Government in this regard, against the judgements of the CAT and High Courts, had been conclusively been rejected by the Apex Court vide its judgement dated 17- 3-15.

5. a) DOP&PW vide OM dated 28-1-2013 ordered for Revision of Pension of Pre-2006 Pensioners to 50% of minimum of the Pay in the Pay Band plus Grade Pay of the Corresponding to Pre-revised scale w.e.f. 24-9-2012 whereas the decision of the Cabinet on 24-9-2012.

b) This order was modified and implemented w.e.f. 1-1-2006 vide DOP&PW OM dated 30- 7-15 – as per Orders of the Supreme Court on 17-3-2015.

6. The order dated 30-7-15 only partially implemented the orders of the Courts and the orders are yet to be issued in respect of revision of Pension as per pay scales of merged/upgraded posts.

7. DOP&PW OM No. 38/77-A/09- P&PW(A) Pt. of 5.3.2015 (para 2) says “Hon’ CAT/PB in orders dt. 1.11.2011 directed that the past pensioners may be granted w.e.f. 1.1.2006 C to revise pension of pre 2006 Civilian Pensioners with ref. to Fitment Table for the Post, as adopted for pay fixation of serving employees as on 1.1.2006.”

8. Delhi High Court in W.P.(C) 8012/2013 had held that “policy decision of the Government in the OM dated September 01, 2008 to fix pension for all category of pensioners did not classify post of pre January 01, 2006 retirees and all were entitled to pension as per a common formula”

9. All the above said judgements have been conclusively upheld by the Supreme Court.

10. It is, therefore, requested that Pre-2006 Pensioners be given the benefit of upgraded Pay Band and Grade Pay of the post from which they retired so that, minimum pension be not lower than 50% of the pay in the revised pay band plus the grade pay corresponding to the of the post from which the pensioner retired

Yours faithfully,

Sd/-

Secretary General, RSCWS

Source:- RSCWS

Strike Ballot – 95% Railway employees want strike

Strike Ballot – 95% Railway employees want strike

PRESS RELEASE

New Delhi: 14th February, 2016 – On the clarion call of the National Joint Council of Action(NJCA) and All India Railwaymen’s Federation(AIRF), strike ballot was conducted all over the Indian Railways among the Railwaymen on 11-12 February, 2016 against retrograde recommendations of the VII CPC, 11-point Charter of demands of the Central Government employees as also non-settlement of long pending genuine demands of the Railwaymen.

The Convener of the NJCA and General Secretary AIRF, Shri Shiva Gopal Mishra said, “there is serious resentment among the Central Government employees in general and the Railwaymen in particular on against retrograde recommendations of the VII CPC and non-settlement of their long pending genuine demands. As a result of which, in the strike ballot conducted all over the Indian Railway on 11-12 February, 2016, more than 95% Railwaymen casted their votes in favour of the strike with full enthusiasm”.

Shri Mishra further said, “overwhelming voting in favour of strike ballot has proved that the Railwaymen are totally in favour of the strike”.

Shri Mishra also told that, “keeping in view result of the strike ballot, notice for withdrawal of labour, i.e. Strike Notice, will be served to the respective general Managers on 11th March, 2016 for “indefinite strike” from 06:00 hrs. of 11th April, 2016, in case the government does not resolve the genuine demands of the employees and this will be the biggest and historical strike of the Railway employees, responsibility of which shall be of the Government of India”.

Press Release in Hindi – Click here

Source: AIRF

Google’s free WiFi at Railway Stations know everything how it will work for passengers

Google’s free WiFi at Railway Stations know everything how it will work for passengers

Google’s free WiFi at railway stations will give high speed for only 1 hour: 9 things you should know about the RailWire project

Most of you, by now, must have learnt that Google is going to kick off its free WiFi service at railway stations in India from January next year – with a goal to provide services at 100 stations by end of 2016, but there still are a few things that is not widely known about the ambitious RailWire project.

On the sidelines of the Google for India event on December 16 in New Delhi, IBNLive spoke to Marian Croak, VP (access strategy and emerging markets) at Google, and the company’s head of access programs in India Gulzar Azad, who has been working on the RailWire WiFi partnership initiative to bring public Internet access to hundreds of railway stations across India.

Gulzar and Marian not only shared interesting facts about the much-talked about project, but also answered to a lot of queries concerning the speed of the Internet, technology used, and the approach as to how stations are being picked for the project, among others.

Here are some interesting facts about Google’s RailWire WiFi project in India that you perhaps didn’t know about:

1. The first station that Google has chosen to provide free WiFi services is Mumbai Central, which is currently under testing. The company says it will open it to the public in January 2016. Thereafter, the company will add a bunch of stations every quarter, with the goal of having 100 stations ready to launch by the end of 2016. These would be the 100 busiest stations in the country.

2. While Gulzar refused to share any list as to what all stations are lined up next, he shared the approach that Google has decided to opt for the project (IBNLive had put together a map mashup that gave a fair idea about which stations could be among the first 100). “We are going for all the zones of the Indian Railways. There are 16 zones of the Indian railways and in the next lot, we hope to have one station from every zone of the railways,” he revealed, adding, as they go towards each railway zone, they will work with the regional railways to pick one station out of thaRailway

3. When asked about the speed that can be expected at stations, Gulzar preferred to stay away from quoting any numbers, but firmly said, the speed will be much faster than the average speed that we experience in India.

When prodded further, he answered in a roundabout way and said, “if you think of the outcome, people will be able to come there (at stations) and watch HD quality videos.”

“That is the idea and that is what we are guided by. So if it takes for us to densify the WiFi network and/or enable more backhaul, we will do that. The idea is to make sure that people are able to access high-definition content.”

4. In line with our assumptions, the Internet service at stations will not offer the same speed throughout the period it is accessed. While it will remain free for the entire duration, the high speed will be delivered only for the first hour. And after that, as Gulzar said, “we will put the speed to something that is nominal and supportable.”

Justifying the objective behind this model, Gulzar said that the idea is to make sure that this public WiFi stays self sustainable. “This has been one of the goals that we have as we deploy it. Because this is not just about 100 stations or 500. The country has more than 7000 stations. Therefore, it is very important that this remains self sustainable, financially. So we are going to build a model which helps achieve that in future. We might also try different models in future,” he explained, adding, “I have just explained one model, we might have different models in place.”

The Internet access at stations will be free in entirety. The access is time bound in terms of speed – and not accessibility. After the first hour of use, the speed will go down, but users will be able to access the Internet – however, at relatively slower speeds. But note that there would be no paywall after the first hour, as with many other public WiFi services.

5. As stations are public places and are flocked by a huge number people everyday, we asked them to shed some light on the performance that the service could show,
to which Marian said that the performance is based on the number of people using a shared infrastructure. So initially, it will be extremely fast, as they had tested so far. “As more and more people start to use, which we hope they will eventually, so you can expect the speed to slow down. But as it starts to happen, we will immediately deploy more access points so that the speed maintains at a certain service level,” he said.

When asked her about the number of access points the company is starting off with, Marian said, that there while is a specific number that they have used, she wasn’t in a position to share that.

She further explained that as each railway station is different, “we have performance and network engineers to ascertain the number of access points that are needed to give each user the best experience.”

6. Public WiFis are already offered at many places in India but what makes Google’s project promising is the use of technology. In other words, public WiFis offered are based on a number of technologies – DSL backhaul or cable backhaul or point-to-point wireless, but the one that Google is deploying will be fibre backed. And the idea that Google has is to bring that fibre right up to the platform. And that is why the company seems confident in delivering speed much faster than the average speed in India. “So with fibre, we believe there should be a high speed capacity for users and there shouldn’t be a constraint in the backhaul,” said Gulzar.

7. Marian claimed that the entire project is net neutral and the company has no intention that users can only get to Google applications. So, users will be able to access whatever apps are best for them.

8. The Internet accessibility will not be limited to only browsing. Users will also be able to download and upload as well. Google, however, has no plans right now to provide free WiFi services on moving trains.

9. This will be the world’s largest free public WiFi project.

While the RailWire WiFi in India is on top of Google’s priority list, the company also intends to soon introduce Project Loon in the country. While Marian refused to share any timeframe to bring the Internet-beaming balloons to India, she said, “We will launch as soon as we can.”

Furthermore, the company right now has no plans to launch the Google Fibre service in India.

Category: Indian Railway