67th Republic Day Celebrations at Salem Division, Southern Railway

 Sri Shubhranshu, DRM, unfurling the tricolor

 Shri Shubhranshu, DRM, saluting the National Flag

 Sri Shubhranshu, Saluting the National Flag

 Shri Shubhranshu insecting the guard of honor by the  RPF Contingent

 Shri Shubhranshu, DRM, addressing the gathering (on his right Shri Raajmohan, DSC and on his left Shri Govindarajan, ASC

 Shri Shubhranshu interacting with the parade commanders

 RPF Kennel Squad Dog Obeying the Command by its trainer

 A dog is sniffing for the hidden explosives underground

 Shri Senthil Kumar, Goods Guard, Erode, receiving certificate from Shri Shubhranshu, DRM, for averting an accident, by detecting a Hot Axle in the Goods Train

 Sri Selvakumar, Dy.Station Master/Commercial is receiving the Merit Certificate from Shri Shubhranshu, DRM, for safely returning 10 Sovereign Gold contained bag to a women passenger  

Colorful cultural program by the wards of Salem Division employees 

The 67^th Republic Day was celebrated today (26.01.2016) with gay and gaiety in the Salem Division of Southern Railway, with Shri Shubhranshu, Divisional Railway Manager, hoisting the national flag and accepting the guard of honor by the RPF battalion. The function was attended by the officers & staff of the Salem Division and their family members in large numbers.

For the first time, as a special gesture of recognizing the staff who have done exemplary works towards safety in train operations and passenger services, Shri Shubhranshu, handed over Certificates and Cash Award to 5 employees of Salem Division.

While addressing the large gathering of officers and staff of Salem Division, Shri Shubhranshu, recalled the adaptation of the Constitution of India on this day, with a view to protect the welfare of common men. Railways are also playing a major role in this, by way of employment opportunities, directly and indirectly.

Performance of Salem Division:

He mentioned that Salem Division has performed better than last year from April to December, as the Division’s Passenger earnings have increased by 4% from Rs.340 crores to Rs.355 crores, and other coaching earnings by 7%, despite the fall in freight earnings, as the Salem Division has moved about 4 lakh tones. He further stated that by strict implementation of austerity  measures, the Division’s expenditure brought down from Rs. 761 crores to Rs.670 crores. Though there was a slight slump in punctuality to 86% from April to November 2015, during December, 2015, it was brought back to 90% and it would be improved further, he added.

New Trains

He said that apart from introduction of new generation Diesel Electric Multiple Units for the Salem-Vridhachalam Section and enhancement of passenger train services in the Salem-Namakkal-Karur Section, proposals have been sent for new express trains such as Salem-Chennai Egmore daytime Express, Trichy-Bangalore Night Train Express via Vridhachalam, Salem, passenger trains from Salem to Thanjavur, Salem to Madurai via Karur, and for extension of Trichy-Karur Passenger up to Salem.        

                       

Passenger Amenities/Grievance Redressal

From April to December, 2015, he said that the following achievements have been made by Salem Division:

Mettupalayam – Coimbatore North Electrification.

New Passenger waiting hall on PF 3/4 at Salem Junction.

Fifteen Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs) have been installed at all important stations.

New station building at Coimbatore North.

Construction of second entry and Passenger Waiting Hall at at PF.2 at Tiruppur.

Removal of Scissors Cross over at CBE, to enhance safety in operation of trains

Extension of high level platform 2/3 at Bommidi

New Foot Over Bridge at Sankaridurg.

New Retiring Rooms at Karur.

Coach guidance display system on PF.1 & 4 at Coimbatore.

Rail Museum at Mettupalayam.

Private Ticket Reservation centre with extended working hours, at Erode Bus stand under Yatri Ticket Sewak Kendra scheme.

On-line complaint management system was introduced for the passengers and during the period between April to Dec. 15, about 500 complaints have been redressed.  In spite of this, the complaints received through emails and social media like Whatsapp, Twitter and Facebook are also redressed immediately.  

Green Initiatives

He further stated that Salem Division continues its focus on green initiatives, by installation of Solar PV panels of 2.88 kW capacity at Tiruppur and Solar Water heaters at Coimabtore, Tiruppur, and Salem junction passenger retiring rooms and  1kW solar power system to cater the need of the DRM’s administrative office building, is being taken up.

Cleanliness

In line with Hon’ble Prime Minister’s Swachh Bharat Mission, Salem Division is continuing its  massive cleanliness drives throughout the Division during 2015 involving all our officers, staff, NGOs, School & College students, on a regular basis and awareness campaign on cleanliness are being conducted at important stations to educate the public to keep the surroundings clean, he said.  Wall paintings on compound walls also have been organized utilizing the services of NGOs and School children.  A large number of tree saplings have also been planted all over the Division. 

Staff Welfare

On staff welfare front, Sri Shubhranshu, said that during the current year, 1118 candidates have been  appointed through RRB, RRC,  Compassionate Ground and under LARSGESS (voluntary retirement scheme for Safety Category employees and provision of employment to their wards) scheme.  He said that from April to December, 2015, 1345 employees have been promoted as compared to 627 during last year.  144 Wards of Railway employees who secured 85% above were given about Rs.4.35 lakhs as merit scholarship. 16 Employees who were on chronic illness were sanctioned Rs.2.85 lakhs as relief from DSBF.  The staff grievances system is functioning effectively.  During current year, we have redressed 493 grievances when compared to 443 during last year.  In addition, he said that Salem Division has constructed new Railway Institute at Salem and renovated the Kalyanamandap at Karur.  The newly constructed Hospital Building at Erode is completed and will be opened shortly.  50 New quarters were constructed and ready for allotment at Athur and Karur.  All the Holiday Homes at Ooty and Coonoor have been refurbished and provided with new furniture and television with cable connection.    For reaching out immediate updates to the employees, Salem Division has introduced the system of sending swift bulk SMS through mobile phones to all employees regarding pay, bonus, PF etc, he added. Aadhar special camp exclusively for Railway employees was conducted at Erode and about 700 employees and their family members have enrolled for the same and action is being taken to conduct a special camp at Salem also for the residents of Salem and adjoining areas.

Safety & Security

He also lauded the role played by the RPF for safe and secure journey of passengers.  On Safety frot, he said that Salem Division has been conducting various seminars, awareness campaign to road users as well as railwaymen on the safe crossing of Level crossings as well as safe operation of trains.  He also mentioned about the recently introduced Automatic Train Warning System at unmanned Level Crossing gate as a trial measure which will give advance warning to the road users. Salem Division is also focusing on 100% elimination of unmanned level crossings by way of providing Limited Use subways, Road Over Bridges and Road Under bridges.

A captivating Dog Show and valour show by the commandants of the RPF staff, cultural programs by children from Railway Schools and staff of Salem Division were a fitting finale for the grand Republic Day Celebrations.