More amenities and trains demanded by the members during the 16th Divisional Rail Users’ Consultative Meeting held at Salem Division, today (21.06.2016)

 Sri Hari Shankar Verma lighting the traditional kuthuvilaku before the DRUCC Meeting

 The Meeting in progress

 The members are interacting 

 Sri Hari Shankar Verma addressing the DRUCC Members, right to him is Sri Viju Vin, DCM

Section of officers who attended the DRUCC Meeting

 

 

In the 16^th Divisional Rail Users’ Consultative Committee (DRUCC) Meeting held under the chairmanship of Sri Hari Shankar Verma, Divisional Railway Manager, Salem, members from Salem, Coimbatore, Erode, Tirupur, Hosur and Karur, participated and put forth various demands and suggestions for consideration.

Mettupalayam

For a question by Sri P. Rajendran, for revamping Thudiyalur and Periyanaickanpalayam stations in Coimbatore-Mettupalayam Sections, DRM replied that the works for development of these stations have already been taken up and once the new stations buildings are in place, all the required facilities will be provided.  He also requested him and other members from Mettupalayam to interact with the State Govt agencies, to help railways in removing the encroachments in Mettupalayam Station, to enable taking up the platform extension works.

Coimbatore

For questions from Sri C. Balasubramanian, regarding introduction of overnight train between Coimbatore and Bangalore, DRM clarified that already requests have been sent to the competent authority seeking this new service and said that he is expecting a positive reply in this regard. On upgrading Peelamedu Railway station as a model station, DRM said that estimates have already been drawn and he requested the members to help railways to mobilize funds for such developments with assistance from Corporates under Corporate Social Responsibility (CRS) scheme. On upgrading Coimbatore North Railway Station, as a terminal junction for trains such as Cheran Express, it was clarified that unless the Goods Shed is shifted from there to Irugur station, not much development can be taken up there. He solicited help from members to mobilize public opinion in favour of shifting the goods shed to Irugur, which is met with resistance by some sections. On a question for improving Coimbatore junction with facilities for differently abled persons, DRM clarified that already an audit has been taken up with the assistance of an NGO and shortly Coimbatore junction will be made differently abled passenger-friendly. On introduction of Battery Car, he said plans are under way and discussions are undergoing with some sponsors.

Tirupur

On a request from Sri J.V.Sureshkumar, for introducing battery car services for senior citizens and differently abled passengers, DRM clarified that it needs sponsors, and that while some companies have come up for sponsoring the Battery Operated Car, they are not willing to arrange drivers, which is mandatory. He suggested that many corporate under social service organizations such as Rotary Club can come forward to bear the Driver salary and other allied expenses, on a rotational basis, as is being done elsewhere. He also assured him that the request for airconditioned dormitory rooms will be considered positively. He said that as requested more trees would be planted in Tirupur junction premises, which work is already being done in phases.

When Sri RKKM Sabapathi mentioned that ticket checking need to be tightened up in the Coimbatore Mayiladuthurai Jan Shatabdi Express, DRM assured this would be done. When the demand was made for stopping of express trains at Tirupur for 5 minutes to enable loading of parcels, DRM replied that already 8 minutes have been ordered to be stopped in Tiruppur for 5 minutes and more trains would be considered.

Erode

For the request from Sri N. Sivanesan, on battery operated cars in Erode, DRM said that he can help Salem Division, by getting sponsors for the car and drivers as suggested already. For a request from him to provide mobile charging points in the unreserved coaches also, DRM assured that in all the trains originating from Salem Division, this will be fitted immediately. On demand for new line between Perundurai Railway Station/Ingur to the SIPCOT Industrial Estate, Perudurai, DRM said that he is yet to receive a reply for the letter sent from Salem Division, to the SIPCOT officials, so far. He said the works for provision of lifts and escalators have started in Erode junction and are in progress. On the complaint by him that the TTEs behaving rudely with the Season Ticket Holders boarding in the reserved coaches of the trains in which unreserved coaches not available, DRM said that instructions have already been issued to treat the passengers courteously and action will be taken against those who violate the same. However, he requested him to educate the Season Ticket Holders not to board the reserved coaches of trains causing nuisance to the reserved passengers.

On the request by Sri C.S.Gowthaman, DRM replied that the replacement of damaged seats in Kovai Chennai Intercity Express/Kovai Express and replacement of damaged sanitaryware/fittings in Yercaud Express would be immediately taken up.  On extension of Salem-Vridhachalam Passenger up to Erode, DRM clarified that since only one rake is available for service in the section and due to paucity of time, this cannot be taken up at present.

Salem

On the question from Sri M. Durairaj, regarding introduction of day time express from Salem to Chennai, DRM said that a proposal has already been sent in this regard, and is being followed up. On a request by him to permit sale of Amma Water Bottles from the State Govt in Railway Stations, DRM replied that this being a policy matter, has to be decided by Railway Board only. 

When Sri A. Jayaseelan, sought stoppage of Salem-Chennai Egmore Express at Salem Market Station and improvement of facilities therein, DRM asked him to submit a request so that it will be considered. When he pointed out that the coaches are not being stopped according to the coach indication board, putting elderly passengers to trouble, DRM assured that the same would be immediately looked into and set right.

When Sri P. Athianna, pointed out that the wheel chairs are not available for passengers at night, DRM assured him that it will be ensured that wheel chairs are available round the clock. When he put forth a request for home delivery of ID cards for differently abled persons for availing concessions, DRM said that since there are possibility of the ID cards reaching wrong persons, leading to misuse, steps would be taken to issue the ID cards at pre-designated places such as the Differently Abled Persons Associations or in  a place outside the Divisional Office on designated days. He also assured cleanliness would be ensured in the coaches earmarked for differently abled persons in trains.

When a demand was made by members to improve facilities at Omalur, by stopping more trains at Omalur and provision of a PRS therein, DRM said that depending upon the passenger traffic, it would be considered.

Namakkal

When Smt Tamilarasi Yogam demanded provision of proper approach road to Namakkal station and also said that the passengers booked tickets in Palani Chennai Express find it difficult to board the trains because all the coaches were locked from inside, DRM assured instructions would be issued in this regard to the TTEs and road would be provided.

Karur

When Sri V.N. Mohan pointed out that the differently abled/senior citizens find it difficult to climb the Foot Over Bridge (FOB) to reach other platforms, DRM explained that installation of lifts in Karur Junction has been proposed and will be taken up shortly. When Sri Mohan pointed out that the timings of Palani Chennai Express at Karuru are inconveniencing women passengers and sought the same to be changed, DRM clarified that this train timings are fixed based on the availability of platform at Chennai Central and hence only Chennai Division can take a decision on the same.

On a request by a member on shifting one of 3 Automated Ticket Vending Machines which are in front of the station, DRM ordered to shift one machine to the other side of the station to help passengers. When one member pointed out that due to sunlight reflection the display boards in front of the station are not visible, DRM ordered shifting of them to the other side, to make them visible.

Later while addressing the members, Sri Hari Shankar Verma, thanked the members for their valuable participation in the development of railways by way of fruitful suggestions. He said that the cleanliness of toilets and bed rolls in the Cheran Express and the Kongu express found wanting and the contracts have been terminated. New contracts would be in place shortly, he said. On overcharging by vendors in stations, Sri Verma said that during a recent meeting with the catering contractors, he has fixed the deadline for correcting such practices as July 10^th, beyond which, if such incidents noticed, the licences would be cancelled and stalls would be closed. He requested the members to bring such instances immediately to the notice of the Commercial Branch officials.   

Sri Hari Shankar Verma also requested the DRUCC members, including members nominated by the Hon'ble Members of Parliament, to liaise with the Members of Parliament in their respective areas, for release of funds from their Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) for various railway projects in Salem Division, such as construction of approach road to stations, circulating areas, etc., for which Ministry of Statistics & Program implementation have provided approval. Members were also given a list of railway works that can be undertaken under the CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) Scheme (indicating separately such projects that were already undertaken in Salem Division) and were requested to help mobilise funds for such projects in association with the Corporates in their respective areas. 

Earlier, Sri Viju Vin, Divisional Commercial Manager/Co-ordination welcomed the members and officers. Sri R.S. Sinha, ADRM, listed out the developments taking place in Salem Division, such as Janani Sewa Baby Food Stalls, Foot Over Bridge in Buddireddipatti, Airconditioned Passenger Waiting Hall at Salem Junction, etc., At the end, Sri E. Harikrishna, Sr. Divisional Operations Manager, rendered the vote of thanks.