Air India special flight departing from Delhi on Friday will evacuate around 400 Indians trapped in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-fears-grip-chinas-borders-families-of-uk-citizens-barred-from-departing-as-they-hold-chinese-passports-277484">coronavirus-hit Chinese city of Wuhan</a>, the national carrier's Chairman and Managing Director Ashwani Lohani said.

Lohani said that the Boeing 747 Jumbo aircraft will take off at 12 pm from Delhi today and will return by 2 am on Saturday. "We are sending a Boeing 747 Jumbo aircraft. Around 400 Indians will be evacuated today from Wuhan in China by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/air-india-disinvestment-begins-modi-govt-invites-bids-for-100-stake-sale-276796">Air India</a> flight. It will take off at 12 pm today and will return by 2 am tomorrow," he added.

<img alt="CMD Ashwani Lohani" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="40457b0e-386f-4ade-b624-2a28836753a4" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2824%29_4.jpg" /> 
[ Ashwani Lohani, Chairman, Managing Director, Air India (Courtesy: ANI) ]

The flight will include all <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/air-india-has-to-be-privatised-no-other-option-hardeep-puri-271260">necessary </a>resources like masks, medical equipment, packed food, prescribed medicines, along with a team of five doctors from the Health Ministry, and paramedical personnel from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/government-puts-100-of-air-india-on-sale-277092">Air India</a>. Twenty crew members, including 15 cabin crew and five cockpit crew will be on board. Lohani said that the team of doctors and crew will be led by Air India's Director of Operations Captain Amitabh Singh.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/coronavirus-outbreak-indigo-air-india-suspend-most-china-bound-flights-no-case-in-india-yet-277405">Coronavirus outbreak: IndiGo, Air India suspend most China-bound flights; no case in India yet</a>

Lohani said that further arrangements for the passengers upon their return to India will be done by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Health Ministry. China has imposed a lockdown in Wuhan following the outbreak of the virus.

Coronavirus has claimed the lives of as many as 213 people in China alone, while cases have been reported in several countries across the world. Health authorities around the world are taking action to prevent a global pandemic as the virus continues to spread, with cases reported in Australia, France, the US, and several Asian countries besides China

Air India special flight departing from Delhi on Friday will evacuate around 400 Indians trapped in the coronavirus-hit Chinese city of Wuhan, the national carrier's Chairman and Managing Director Ashwani Lohani said.

Air India special flight departing from Delhi on Friday will evacuate around 400 Indians trapped in the coronavirus-hit Chinese city of Wuhan, the national carrier's Chairman and Managing Director Ashwani Lohani said. Lohani said that the Boeing 747 Jumbo aircraft will take off at 12 pm from Delhi today and will return by 2 am on Saturday. "We are sending a Boeing 747 Jumbo aircraft. Around 400 Indians will be evacuated today from Wuhan in China by Air India flight. It will take off at 12 pm today and will return by 2 am tomorrow," he added. [ Ashwani Lohani, Chairman, Managing Director, Air India (Courtesy: ANI) ] The flight will include all necessary resources like masks, medical equipment, packed food, prescribed medicines, along with a team of five doctors from the Health Ministry, and paramedical personnel from Air India. Twenty crew members, including 15 cabin crew and five cockpit crew will be on board. Lohani said that the team of doctors and crew will be led by Air India's Director of Operations Captain Amitabh Singh. Also Read: Coronavirus outbreak: IndiGo, Air India suspend most China-bound flights; no case in India yet Lohani said that further arrangements for the passengers upon their return to India will be done by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Health Ministry. China has imposed a lockdown in Wuhan following the outbreak of the virus. Coronavirus has claimed the lives of as many as 213 people in China alone, while cases have been reported in several countries across the world. Health authorities around the world are taking action to prevent a global pandemic as the virus continues to spread, with cases reported in Australia, France, the US, and several Asian countries besides China

Air India CMD says around 400 Indians to be evacuated from Wuhan

Air India's SITA server has been restored after the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/air-indias-operations-hit-globally-due-to-technical-glitch-official-213832">system was down all over India and overseas</a> since 3:30 am on Saturday that led to the delay of its flights.

Chairman and Managing Director of the state-owned airline, Ashwani Lohani, said in a statement, "Air India's system is restored." Several Air India flights were affected due to the SITA server glitch all over India and overseas since the wee hours of Saturday.

Taking to Twitter, the national carrier had said, "#FlyAI: Due to a breakdown in our server system, some of our flights are getting affected all over the world. Work is on in full swing to restore the system. We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused to passengers."

Many passengers are stranded at airports worldwide due to the delay in flights.

Passengers took to Twitter to express their ordeal.

Air India's SITA server has been restored after the system was down all over India and overseas since 3:30 am on Saturday that led to the delay of its flights. Chairman and Managing Director of the state-owned airline, Ashwani Lohani, said in a statement, "Air India's system is restored.

Air India's SITA server has been restored after the system was down all over India and overseas since 3:30 am on Saturday that led to the delay of its flights. Chairman and Managing Director of the state-owned airline, Ashwani Lohani, said in a statement, "Air India's system is restored." Several Air India flights were affected due to the SITA server glitch all over India and overseas since the wee hours of Saturday. Taking to Twitter, the national carrier had said, "#FlyAI: Due to a breakdown in our server system, some of our flights are getting affected all over the world. Work is on in full swing to restore the system. We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused to passengers." Many passengers are stranded at airports worldwide due to the delay in flights. Passengers took to Twitter to express their ordeal.

Air India server systems restored after affecting flights worldwide

The Rs 100 crore country's first engineless train "Train 18", developed by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai and regarded as a successor to the prestigious Shatabdi Express, was unveiled on Monday by Railway Board Chairman Ashwani Lohani.

Train 18, the first long-distance train sans separate locomotive (engine), was flagged off at the ICF premises by Lohani and would undergo trials in the coming months, ICF officials said.

The fully air-conditioned train, driven by a self-propulsion module, had the potential to become the country's fastest train provided the infrastructure was bettered, Lohani said.

Five more units of the train would be produced by the ICF by the end of 2019-20 production year, which is same as the financial year, he said.

The swanky 16-coach train will cut journey time by 15 per cent compared to the 30-year old Shatabdi.

"It is a matter of pride that India has made such a train for the first time and that too ICF has done it within 18 months," Lohani told reporters.

"Within 2018-19 production year another unit of the train would be manufactured and four more units would be manufactured by end of 2019-20 production year," Lohani said.

According to ICF, the train is capable of running at a speed of up to 160 kmph and comes with technical features for enhanced quick acceleration. The train is designed in such a way that passengers can have a look at the driver's cabin.

Fitted with CCTV cameras, Train 18 would have two executive compartments in the middle with 52 seats each, whereas trailer coaches would have 78 seats each. It has diffused lighting, automatic doors and footsteps beside GPS-based Passenger Information System.

The footstep in a coach's doorway slides outward when the train stops at a station enabling passengers to alight safely with comfort in view of the variation in height between a train's floor and the platform.

Shatabdi was introduced in 1988 and is presently running on over 20 routes connecting metros with other important cities.

ICF General Manager Sudhanshu Mani had earlier said the train cost nearly Rs 100 crore to build the prototype and subsequent production would bring down the cost.

The Rs 100 crore country's first engineless train "Train 18", developed by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai and regarded as a successor to the prestigious Shatabdi Express, was unveiled on Monday by Railway Board Chairman Ashwani Lohani.

The Rs 100 crore country's first engineless train "Train 18", developed by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai and regarded as a successor to the prestigious Shatabdi Express, was unveiled on Monday by Railway Board Chairman Ashwani Lohani. Train 18, the first long-distance train sans separate locomotive (engine), was flagged off at the ICF premises by Lohani and would undergo trials in the coming months, ICF officials said. The fully air-conditioned train, driven by a self-propulsion module, had the potential to become the country's fastest train provided the infrastructure was bettered, Lohani said. Five more units of the train would be produced by the ICF by the end of 2019-20 production year, which is same as the financial year, he said. The swanky 16-coach train will cut journey time by 15 per cent compared to the 30-year old Shatabdi. "It is a matter of pride that India has made such a train for the first time and that too ICF has done it within 18 months," Lohani told reporters. "Within 2018-19 production year another unit of the train would be manufactured and four more units would be manufactured by end of 2019-20 production year," Lohani said. According to ICF, the train is capable of running at a speed of up to 160 kmph and comes with technical features for enhanced quick acceleration. The train is designed in such a way that passengers can have a look at the driver's cabin. Fitted with CCTV cameras, Train 18 would have two executive compartments in the middle with 52 seats each, whereas trailer coaches would have 78 seats each. It has diffused lighting, automatic doors and footsteps beside GPS-based Passenger Information System. The footstep in a coach's doorway slides outward when the train stops at a station enabling passengers to alight safely with comfort in view of the variation in height between a train's floor and the platform. Shatabdi was introduced in 1988 and is presently running on over 20 routes connecting metros with other important cities. ICF General Manager Sudhanshu Mani had earlier said the train cost nearly Rs 100 crore to build the prototype and subsequent production would bring down the cost.

'Train 18', India’s first engineless train worth Rs 100 crore, unveiled

Coaches reserved for women will now be placed in the centre of trains instead of its rear end and will be painted in a different colour to make it easily identifiable, sources in the Railway Ministry say.

This will be done in suburban as well as long-distance trains, they say, as part of the national transporter's plan to mark 2018 as the year for the security of women.

The coaches will also have CCTV cameras as an additional security measure and it is also being discussed to cover their windows with wire meshes, they say.

A committee formed to monitor the implementation of plans for safety and security of women travelling on trains, comprising Railway Board Chairman Ashwani Lohani, member (traffic) Mohd&nbspJamshed and other senior officials, has already taken a policy decision regarding the issue, the sources said today.

Opinions have been sought from railway zones to finalise the details, they said.&nbsp

While it is not clear what colour the coaches will be painted in, the sources said the railways is considering the universal colour associated with the fairer sex -- pink.

"We realised that in the present situation where the ladies coach comes right at the end, there are times when the coach is completely in the dark and women passengers are afraid to board it. It was a security issue," said a source.&nbsp

The source said the railways is also planning to install wire meshes on the windows of the coaches for additional security and to prevent men from entering the ladies coaches through windows, which happens regularly.

It has also been decided that these coaches will have mixed crew - be it ticket checkers or RPF personnel - they will have women on their squads, sources said.&nbsp

The committee has also said that in next three years, the number of stations managed by women should be increased from the present three to 100. General Managers have been instructed to earmark 10 stations from every zone for this purpose, the sources said.&nbsp

The committee has also decided to build infrastructure facilities at railway stations and trains which will include separate toilets and changing room for women.&nbsp

This will be done in suburban as well as long-distance trains, they say, as part of the national transporter's plan to mark 2018 as the year for security of women

Coaches reserved for women will now be placed in the centre of trains instead of its rear end and will be painted in a different colour to make it easily identifiable, sources in the Railway Ministry say. This will be done in suburban as well as long-distance trains, they say, as part of the national transporter's plan to mark 2018 as the year for the security of women. The coaches will also have CCTV cameras as an additional security measure and it is also being discussed to cover their windows with wire meshes, they say. A committee formed to monitor the implementation of plans for safety and security of women travelling on trains, comprising Railway Board Chairman Ashwani Lohani, member (traffic) Mohd&nbspJamshed and other senior officials, has already taken a policy decision regarding the issue, the sources said today. Opinions have been sought from railway zones to finalise the details, they said. While it is not clear what colour the coaches will be painted in, the sources said the railways is considering the universal colour associated with the fairer sex -- pink. "We realised that in the present situation where the ladies coach comes right at the end, there are times when the coach is completely in the dark and women passengers are afraid to board it. It was a security issue," said a source. The source said the railways is also planning to install wire meshes on the windows of the coaches for additional security and to prevent men from entering the ladies coaches through windows, which happens regularly. It has also been decided that these coaches will have mixed crew - be it ticket checkers or RPF personnel - they will have women on their squads, sources said. The committee has also said that in next three years, the number of stations managed by women should be increased from the present three to 100. General Managers have been instructed to earmark 10 stations from every zone for this purpose, the sources said. The committee has also decided to build infrastructure facilities at railway stations and trains which will include separate toilets and changing room for women.

Railways to place ladies coaches in centre, paint in different colour

In the wake of the death of 13 children after a train rammed into their school van in Uttar Pradesh today, the railways said it will eliminate all unmanned level crossings (UMLCs) by March 31, 2020.

Railway Board Chairman Ashwani Lohani also said no step the national carrier takes could be completely foolproof against the negligence of people and urged them to be careful while crossing tracks.

"We will eliminate all UMLCs (unmanned level crossings) by March 31, 2020," he said, hours after a passenger train hit the school van killing 13 children -- all of them between the ages of 8-10 years on the spot. Eight others, including the driver of the van, were injured, officials said.

Lohani said till the UMLCs are eliminated, people need to be careful while crossing tracks. "There is no substitute to that. The railways cannot take any step that is completely foolproof against negligence," he said.

The officer also said the national transporter has been aggressively removing UMLCs — 1,565 of them were eliminated in 2017-18 and the target is to remove 1,600 in 2018-19.

He said that the elimination has resulted in the decrease in the number of accidents at such crossings over the years - in 2014-2015, 50 such accidents took place at UMLCs, 29 in 2015-2016, 20 in 2016-2017, 10 in 2017-2018 and one this financial year.

Accidents also took place at manned railway crossings - in 2014-15 and 2015-16, there were six accidents each, in 2016-17 there were no such accidents. In 2017-18, there were three accidents and only one reported this year, according to data provided by the railways.

Presently, there are 5,792 such unmanned and 19,507 manned crossings across the railway network. Lohani also said that while till March 31 this year, the railways had completed the work of eliminating most of the unmanned level crossings at the busy stations, work on 44 such stations is going on and will be finished by June.

The railways have also built over bridges and subways for people to cross the tracks — 1,354 ROB/RUB were built in 2016-17 and the target is 1600 in 2018-19.

The railways has also issued both print and television advertisements creating awareness against irresponsible crossing of tracks.

"While crossing UMLCs, the primary responsibility lies with the road user, and not with the railways. The rule while crossing such railway lines is to look both ways, stop and then proceed. In this case, according to reports, the driver did not stop.

"However, because the accidents happened in our territory, it remains our concern. That's why we are trying to eliminate all unmanned level crossings. In the meantime, I urge people to be careful. Also, please do not use earphones when walking near the railway tracks," Lohani said.

Section 131 of the Motor Vehicles Act as well as Section 161 of The Railways Act have provisions on crossing unmanned railway lines -- both put the onus on the driver of the motor vehicle to ensure that there is no train approaching.

Earlier in the day, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal ordered an inquiry into the accident and announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the kin of the deceased. The minister also said the railways will provide an ex gratia amount of Rs 1 lakh for those with serious injuries and Rs 50,000 for those with simple injuries.

"My thoughts are with the families of the deceased and I pray for the early recovery of the injured. Ministry of Railways will provide an ex gratia amount of Rs 2 lakh for the kin of the deceased, Rs 1 lakh for those with serious injuries and Rs 50,000 for those with simple injuries," the railway minister said in a statement.

The accident site is 90-100 km away from Gorakhpur and 30 km from Pandrauna.

There were 50 accidents on unmanned level crossings in 2014-15, 29 in 2015-16, 20 in 2016-17 and ten in 2017-18.

In the wake of the death of 13 children after a train rammed into their school van in Uttar Pradesh today, the railways said it will eliminate all unmanned level crossings (UMLCs) by March 31, 2020. Railway Board Chairman Ashwani Lohani also said no step the national carrier takes could be completely foolproof against the negligence of people and urged them to be careful while crossing tracks. "We will eliminate all UMLCs (unmanned level crossings) by March 31, 2020," he said, hours after a passenger train hit the school van killing 13 children -- all of them between the ages of 8-10 years on the spot. Eight others, including the driver of the van, were injured, officials said. Lohani said till the UMLCs are eliminated, people need to be careful while crossing tracks. "There is no substitute to that. The railways cannot take any step that is completely foolproof against negligence," he said. The officer also said the national transporter has been aggressively removing UMLCs — 1,565 of them were eliminated in 2017-18 and the target is to remove 1,600 in 2018-19. He said that the elimination has resulted in the decrease in the number of accidents at such crossings over the years - in 2014-2015, 50 such accidents took place at UMLCs, 29 in 2015-2016, 20 in 2016-2017, 10 in 2017-2018 and one this financial year. Accidents also took place at manned railway crossings - in 2014-15 and 2015-16, there were six accidents each, in 2016-17 there were no such accidents. In 2017-18, there were three accidents and only one reported this year, according to data provided by the railways. Presently, there are 5,792 such unmanned and 19,507 manned crossings across the railway network. Lohani also said that while till March 31 this year, the railways had completed the work of eliminating most of the unmanned level crossings at the busy stations, work on 44 such stations is going on and will be finished by June. The railways have also built over bridges and subways for people to cross the tracks — 1,354 ROB/RUB were built in 2016-17 and the target is 1600 in 2018-19. The railways has also issued both print and television advertisements creating awareness against irresponsible crossing of tracks. "While crossing UMLCs, the primary responsibility lies with the road user, and not with the railways. The rule while crossing such railway lines is to look both ways, stop and then proceed. In this case, according to reports, the driver did not stop. "However, because the accidents happened in our territory, it remains our concern. That's why we are trying to eliminate all unmanned level crossings. In the meantime, I urge people to be careful. Also, please do not use earphones when walking near the railway tracks," Lohani said. Section 131 of the Motor Vehicles Act as well as Section 161 of The Railways Act have provisions on crossing unmanned railway lines -- both put the onus on the driver of the motor vehicle to ensure that there is no train approaching. Earlier in the day, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal ordered an inquiry into the accident and announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the kin of the deceased. The minister also said the railways will provide an ex gratia amount of Rs 1 lakh for those with serious injuries and Rs 50,000 for those with simple injuries. "My thoughts are with the families of the deceased and I pray for the early recovery of the injured. Ministry of Railways will provide an ex gratia amount of Rs 2 lakh for the kin of the deceased, Rs 1 lakh for those with serious injuries and Rs 50,000 for those with simple injuries," the railway minister said in a statement. The accident site is 90-100 km away from Gorakhpur and 30 km from Pandrauna.

All unmanned crossings to shut by 2020: Railway board chairman

Air India chairman and managing director Ashwani Lohani will take charge as the Railways Board chairman today.

Former Railways Board chairman, A K Mittal, resigned yesterday after two train accidents in five days, the latest being Wednesday&rsquo;s Auraiya derailment that left at least 20 people injured.&nbsp;

&quot;Orders promoting me as Chairman, Railway Board have been issued today. I shall be joining my parent organisation, the Indian Railways tomorrow,&quot; Lohani said in a statement on Wednesday.&nbsp;

Lohani has earlier been the divisional railway manager (DRM) of &nbsp;Delhi division, director, National Rail Museum; and chief administrative officer, Rail Alternate Fuel.

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Former Railways Board chairman, A K Mittal, resigned yesterday

Air India chairman and managing director Ashwani Lohani will take charge as the Railways Board chairman today. Former Railways Board chairman, A K Mittal, resigned yesterday after two train accidents in five days, the latest being Wednesday’s Auraiya derailment that left at least 20 people injured. "Orders promoting me as Chairman, Railway Board have been issued today. I shall be joining my parent organisation, the Indian Railways tomorrow," Lohani said in a statement on Wednesday. Lohani has earlier been the divisional railway manager (DRM) of Delhi division, director, National Rail Museum; and chief administrative officer, Rail Alternate Fuel.

Ashwani Lohani to take charge as Railways Board chairman today

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