Hon’ble MP, Kallakurichi, travels in the Salem Vridhachalam DEMU passenger train along with DRM, Salem Division, Southern Railway, and interacts with rail passengers

As part of the Indian Railways’ Customer Facilitation Fortnight from 26.05.2015 to 09.06.2015, today (01.06.2015), Dr. K. Kamaraj, Hon’ble MP, Kallakurichi Constituency, travelled in the Salem-Vridhachalam Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) Passenger Train along with Shri Shubhranshu, Divisional Railway Manager, Salem Division, Southern Railway, and interacted with the passengers.

During the interaction, many passengers expressed their appreciation and happiness on the comfort and convenience of the new DEMU train recently introduced in the Salem-Vridhachalam section. In particular, they were happy about the increased seating capacity in the DEMU and also the improved modern row type cushion seats with improved ventilation and lumination in the new design coaches and also the hand rails provided for the standing passengers. A few passengers demanded extension of the DEMU train from Vridhachalam-Salem to Erode-Tirupur-Coimbatore and also replacement of the present Karaikal-Bangaluru Passenger train coaches with the DEMU rakes, for which DRM replied that the same will be considered and a proposal will be sent to this effect to head quarters. Some of the passengers wanted a Vegetarian Refreshment Restaurant (VRR) at Athur, and DRM assured them that steps will be taken to start the VRR therein. Some of the passengers felt that the stoppage time for the Salem-Chennai Egmore Express at Athur, as the elderly passengers could not board the train within that short time, DRM assured that it will be considered. 

During his discussions with Shri Shubhranshu, Dr. K. Kamaraj, Hon’ble MP, Kallakurichi, wanted the project for rail link from Kallakurichi to Ulundurpet which was originally proposed in 2006 but could not be taken up for want of funds, be taken up on priority, DRM assured him that the matter will be pursued with the head quarters. When Hon’ble MP discussed the issue of putting up new halt stations in  Sarvai and Kattukottai, DRM explained to him that it can be taken up under the Shramdhan scheme for which the local body of the respective area has to send a proposal accepting to share the costs. To a proposal by Hon’ble MP, Kallakurichi, on construction of a Foot Over Bridge at Chinna Salem and stoppage of the Puducherry-Mangalore Express at Pukravari station near Vridhachalam, Shri Shubhranshu assured him that necessary proposals for the same will be forwarded to headquarters for consideration. Hon’ble MP also inspected the Automated Ticket Vending Machine installed in the Chinna Salem Station and Shri Shubhranshu explained to Hon’ble MP the salient features of the ATVM.