69th Independence Day Celebrations At Salem Division, Southern Railway

The 69^th Independence Day was celebrated today (15.08.2015) at Salem Division of Southern Railway with patriotic fervor. Shri SHUBRANSHU, Divisional Railway Manager, Salem Division, Southern Railway, hoisted the tri-color and accepted the guard of honor presented by the RPF personnel of Salem Division.

While speaking on the occasion, Shri Shubhranshu recalled the sacrifices by our great leaders for the freedom and paid his respect and homage to the martyrs.

He said that during 2014-15, the Gross Earnings of Salem Division, has risen by 12% from Rs.548 crores in 2013-14, to Rs.611 crores. Up to July, 2015, the gross earnings stood at Rs.197 crores, he added. On comparison, he said that the passenger earnings has gone up by 17.2% from Rs.391 crores to Rs.458 crores, and up to July, 2015, the earnings stand at Rs.162 crores. On punctuality front, he was happy to share that it has been maintained at 93%.

On new passenger facilities, he pointed out the introduction of modern Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) services between Salem and Vridhachalam, opening of a Yatri Ticket Sevak Kendra (private reserved ticket booking agent) at Erode apart from appointing 23 Station Ticket Booking Sevaks & installation of 15 automatic Ticket Vending Machines at 9 major stations, electrification of Coimbatore North-Mettupalayam link, opening of second entry and new waiting hall at Tiruppur, the extension  of subway up to 5^th platform and extension of station building at Salem, and inauguration of new station building at Coimbatore North recently. On future plans, Shri Shubhranshu, mentioned that eight escalators, 4 in Coimbatore, 2 each in Salem & Erode will be commissioned, along with 2 passengers each at Tiruppur, Erode and Coimbatore. To provide clean water at low cost to passengers, water vending machines will installed in all major stations, he added. He also said that sanction has been obtained for a second entry to Salem Station, extension of platform at Mettupalayam, Pilamedu & Samalpatty. Plans on the anvil to develop Coimbatore North as a major passenger terminal in the near future, to decongest the Coimbatore main station.

While emphasizing maintaining the railway premises clean, he said that Salem Division has geared up well for the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s call for a Swachch Bharath, by taking enormous steps for keeping the stations, circulating areas and surrounding areas clean, by involving railwaymen, NGOs and students, and as a result Salem Division bagged the Cleanliness Shield during the last Railway Week function. On green initiatives, he said that Salem Division, is in the process of setting up 100 kW Solar Plants, for which preliminary works are going on, over and above the solar panels in 4 stations, 50 level crossings gates, prototype solar water pump and solar water heaters in all running rooms for loco pilots that are already in place. He also said that various other green initiatives like planting tree saplings in various locations in Salem Division, is being carried out. He lauded the efforts of the Safety Branch in creating awareness on using the level crossings safely, and the RPF Branch in protecting passengers and railway properties.

Sri Shubhranshu mentioned that Salem Division is concentrating totally on staff welfare, and as a step towards reaching the staff, a mechanism has been developed for ascertaining leave balance of employees by sending an SMS and the Railway School at Erode has obtained affiliation with CBSE and effective steps are taken for filling up all vacancies through Railway Recruitment Board/Cell, compassionate appointments, and appointment of Railway Employees’ wards under voluntary retirement scheme called LARSGESS.

A talent show by the Rifle Show by RPF Commando Force, RPF Dog Squad, and a cultural show by the Railway School children were the highlights of the function. The function was attended by Shri R.S.Sinha, Addl. Divisional Railway Manager, Shri V. Govindarajan, Asst. Security Commissioner/RPF, and other Divisional officers, employees, and their family members in large numbers.