Sri Hari Shankar Verma unfurling the tricolor
Sri Hari Shankar Verma saluting the national flag
DRM inspecting the guard of honor
DRM addressing the gathering
Rifle Show by the RPF commandants
Colorful cultural show by the children of Saraswati Vidhyalaya, a school run by SRWWO, Salem
An awareness Miming Show on the risks of excessive use of Cellphone
The 70th Independence Day was celebrated today
(15.08.2016) at Salem Division of Southern Railway with patriotic fervor. Shri
Hari Shankar Verma, 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 Hari Shankar Verma
recalled the sacrifices by our great leaders for the freedom and paid his
respect and homage to the martyrs. He read out the message from Sri Vashishta Johri,
General Manager, Southern Railway.
A 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 Chander Pal, Addl. Divisional
Railway Manager, Shri P. Raajmohan, Divisional Security Commissioner/RPF/Salem,
and other Divisional officers, employees, and their family members in large
numbers.
Later, while interacting with media persons, Sri Hari
Shankar Verma said that the Salem Division is planning to plant 1 lakh saplings
all over the Division. He said that the saplings will be planted in such a way
that they do not disturb the natural flora and fauna along the railway tracks.
He said that there are 36 railway bridges all over Salem Division which will be
strengthened to ensure safety, and the works in 4 bridges have already been
completed including the important bridge in Cauvery river near Erode. He
mentioned that Salem Junction has been rated as the No.1 clean station among
the Railway Stations in Divisional Headquarters and thanked the people of Salem
for helping the Division to achieve the same.
On Nilgiri Mountain Railways, Sri Verma stated that 80%
of tourists visiting Tamil Nadu visit Ooty and to attract more tourists to Ooty
railway station, the rose garden therein
would be expanded and a steam loco with a coach would be installed in the
station premises. The heritage railway stations of NMR, viz. Mettupalayam, Coonoor,
Ooty and other stations, would be beautified without compromising their
heritage nature and safety, he added. On
elephant crossings, DRM said that since the trains are operated in a very slow
speed, there is no safety risk. However, to prevent landslides, mesh on the
rocky areas would be increased, he said.
He said that 2 airconditioned waiting halls are coming up
in Coimbatore Railway Station to help the business passengers, with facilities
to sit and do their work. Hot water
facilities would be ensured along the Janani Sewa Baby Food Stalls with covered
area for baby feeding. On provision of CCTV cameras, Sri Verma said that 54
CCTV cameras are planned to be installed in Salem Junction, and participation
by Corporate Houses under CSR scheme is also welcome. On safety front, of the
78 unmanned level crossings in Salem Division , 58 would be closed by Limited
Use Subway this year, and the balance would be eliminated by March 2018, he
said.
On the question on increasing the security of cash laden
parcel vans, DRM said that he held discussions with the Security Adviser of
RBI, on designing a special type cash van and the matter would be finalized in
consultation with RBI. On
electrification of Salem-Vridhachalam Section, he said that at present, the
demand is very limited and based on demand only, the electrification can be
taken up.
