Inspection of Nilgiri Mountain Railway Section from Mettupalayam to Coonoor by Sri Vashishta Johri, GM, Southern Railway

 Sri Shubhranshu DRM explaining the renovation works undergoing in Mettupalayam Station to Sri Vashishta Johri, GM

 Sri Vashishta Johri is in full concentration while Shri Shubhranshu explains to him the intricacies of the NMR Steam Loco

 Sri Vashishta Johri and Sri Shubhranshu inside the NMR Steam Loco

 Sri Vashishta Johri, Sri Shubhranshu, and Sri Nandagopal, seen inspecting the NMR Bridge near Hillgrove

 Sri Vashishta Johri is inspecting the NMR track from the Guard side of the NMR Train 

Sri Nandagopal, (2nd from right) is explaining the proposed Platform & track extension works at Mettupalayam to Sri Vashishta Johri (2nd from left), while Sri Shubhranshu (in the middle) looks on

Sri Vashishta Johri, General Manager, Southern Railway, inspected the Mettupalayam and Coonoor Railway Stations in the Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR) section of Salem Division, today (22.04.2016). Sri Shubhranshu, DRM, Salem, Sri E. Harikrishnan, Sr. Divl. Operating Manager, Sri Rajkumar, Sr. Divl. Safety Officer, Sri Nandagopal, Divisional Engineer, and other officers of Salem Division accompanied him.

At Mettupalayam section, GM inspected the track/platform extension works and also laying of new railway track, at an estimated total cost of Rs.3.3 crores, for which works are underway now. The proposed track/platform extension work includes extension of track/platform length to accommodate 24 coach+1 loco full length express rake at Platform No.1, 20 coach express rake at Platform No.2, laying of a new track/platform to accommodate 12 Coach Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) passenger trains, and reconstruction of Foot Over Bridge suitable to the new electrified overhead traction. The works are estimated to be completed within 6 months.

During his inspection, Sri Vashishta Johri, participated in the Swachch Bharat (Clean India) campaign conducted by the students and staff of the Sachidananda Jothi Niketan School at Mettupalayam, and interacted with the students. Sachindananda Jothi Niketan school has also undertaken the development of a park around the Nilagiri Mountain Railway Heritage Museum near the Mettupalayam Station.

Later, Sri Vashishta Johri, undertook inspection of the NMR section, from Mettupalayam to Coonoor, and inspected the Kallar, Adderly, Hillgrove and Runnymede Railway stations en route. At Coonoor, GM visited the Loco Shed and inspected the locomotives being maintained therein. After inspection, satisfied with the quality of work undertaken by the employees of the Coonoor Loco Shed, Shri Johri announced a cash award of Rs.20,000/- to them.

Late, during an interaction with media persons, Sri Vashishta Johri, said that the fragile nature of NMR section, particularly the steam loco stretch between the Mettupalayam  and Coonoor is the main impediment for introduction of additional services and passengers safety cannot be compromised in such a situation. He however added that one additional coach has been added to the NMR rake on trial basis and said that 35 new coaches have been ordered for induction in the NMR train services. On a query for allowing the railway lands nearby the Coonoor station for using as parking space for general public, the utmost goal of the railways is to serve its passengers and that on date, the space is used for stocking ballasts that cannot be spared, he added. He also appreciated the steps taken by Salem Division in maintaining the NMR Section, which is an UNESCO recognised Heritage Railway.