31st RPF Raising Day Celebrated in Salem Division, Southern Railway today (26.09.2016)

DRM addressing the gathering, while DSC looks on from his left

 DRM inspecting the guard of honor 

 Impressive March Past by the RPF Contingents

Sri Aravind Kumar, Parade Commandant, leading the parade

The Railway Protection Force (RPF), one of the armed forces of the India, is celebrating its Raising Day all over Indian Railways, to commemorate the conferment of the Status of Armed Forces to RPF, by an Act of Parliament, on 20^th of September, 1957. This Raising Day was celebrated today (26.09.2016) by the RPF of Salem Division, Southern Railway.

In the function held at Railway Grounds behind the Divisional Railway Manager’s Office, Salem, Sri Hari Shankar Verma, Divisional Railway Manager, participated as Chief Guest and inspected the Guard of Honor.  He also witnessed the colorful march past by the RPF contingent consisting of RPF cadres and RPF Sniffer Dogs Squad. The parade was commanded by Sri Aravindkumar, Inspector, CIB, RPF. 

While addressing the gathering of large number of officers, staff and RPF cadre of Salem Division, Sri Verma, lauded the active role played by the RPF in protecting the railway property and ensuring the safety of rail passengers. He also praised the role of RPF, Salem Division, in working along with Commercial and other branches during the ticket checks and other activities. In the checks conducted against ticketless travelers, RPF played an active role in booking of 27,200 persons, and collection of Rs.99,92,806/-, he added.

He pointed out that during 2015-16, 39 cases were registered by RPF, Salem Division, after apprehending 41 criminals in connection with the theft of railway property and their recovery to the tune of Rs.1,02,287/- and prosecuted 7200 offenders, resulting in collection of Rs.25,71,050/- as fine under various categories of Railways Act. Towards prevention of touts, he said that RPF, Salem, has apprehended 21 black ticket marketing agents, seizing tickets worth Rs.2,47,566/- from them, and they were fined to the tune of Rs.45,000/- He also praised RPF in playing a proactive role, by conducting 174 awareness campaigns, in the year 2015-16. He announced a cash award of Rs.3000/- each to each of the contingents, over and above the group award of Rs.10,000/-    He also appreciated Sri P. Raajmohan, Divisional Security Commissioner, Salem, and Sri M. Sivadas, Asst. Security Commissioner, Salem, and other RPF cadres, for conducting the Raising Day in a grand manner. 

A blood donation camp was also organized on the occasion, in which 25 Staff, officers and RPF cadres, participated and donated blood. 

Changes in the Operation of Trains in the Jolarpet-Salem Section from 23.09.2016 to 25.10.2016

Due to track maintenance works, between Tinnapatti and Salem, in the Jolarpet-Salem Section, from 23.09.2016 to 25.10.2016, the following changes have been made in the operation of trains in the section: 

1.	26.09.16 (MON)	T.No.06024 Bangaluru Krishnarajapuram -Nagercoil special fare special train will be detained in Karuppur for  50 minutes.
2	27.09.16 (TUE)	T.No.22815 Bilaspur Ernakulam Exp will be detained for 40 mts at Tinnapatti
3	28.09.16 (WED)	T.No.22619 Bilaspur-Tirunelveli Exp will be detained at Karuppur for  50 minutes
4	04.10.16 (TUE)	T.No.22815 Bilaspur Ernakulam Exp will be detained for 40 mts at Tinnapatti
5	05.10.16 (WED)	T.No.22619 Bilaspur-Tirunelveli Exp will be detained at Karuppur for  50 minutes
6	09.10.16 (SUN)	T.No.07115 Hyderabad Kochuveli special fare special train will be be detained for 20 mts at Tinnapatti
7	11.10.16 (TUE)	T.No.22815 Bilaspur Ernakulam Exp will be detained for 40 mts at Tinnapatti
8	12.10.16 (WED)	T.No.22619 Bilaspur-Tirunelveli Exp will be detained at Karuppur for  50 minutes
9	16.10.16 (SUN)	T.No.07115 Hyderabad Kochuveli special fare special train will be be detained for 20 mts at Tinnapatti
10	18.10.16 (TUE)	T.No.22815 Bilaspur Ernakulam Exp will be detained for 40 mts at Tinnapatti
11	19.10.16 (WED)	T.No.22619 Bilaspur-Tirunelveli Exp will be detained at Karuppur for  50 minutes
12	23.10.16 (SUN)	T.No.07115 Hyderabad Kochuveli special fare special train will be be detained for 15 mts at Karuppur
13	25.10.16 (TUE)	T.No.22815 Bilaspur Ernakulam Exp will be detained for 35 mts at Karuppur

Special Additional Passenger Trains between Coimbatore and Mettupalayam from 27.09.2016

As announced by Hon’ble Union Minister for Railways, Sri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu, during his recent visit to Coimbatore, an additional passenger train service is being operated daily, to the following timings, between Coimbatore and Mettupalayam, ON TRIAL BASIS FOR A PERIOD OF THREE MONTHS as special trains from 27.09.2016 (except Sundays). The composition of the train will be 10 General unreserved second class day coaches and 2 Luggage-Cum-Brake Vans. Public are requested to make use of the same.

T.No.06152 Coimbatore Mettupalayam  Special Passenger (Ex.Sun)	¯	STATION	­	T.No.06153 Mettupalayam  Coimbatore Special Passenger (Ex.Sun)
11.00	(d)	Coimbatore	(a)	13.30
11.07	(a/d)	Coimbatore North	(a/d)	12.50
11.20	(a/d)	Periyanayakanpalayam (Halt)	(a/d)	12.38
11.31	(a/d)	Karamadai	(a/d)	12.26
11.55	(a)	Mettupalaiyam	(d)	12.15

Observance of Swachch Aahar Divas –Clean Food Day –campaign by Salem Division, Southern Railway, today (25.09.2016)

  

 ADRM Checking the fruits in a fruit stall

  

 ADRM Checking the packaged foods in VRR 

 ADRM and ACM checking the input materials 

ADRM and ACM checking the kitchen of a VRR

 DCM/Co-ordination checking the quality of edibles in the pantry car of a train

 DCM/Co-ordination checking the quality of the edible oil used in the pantry car 

DCM/Co-ordination interacting with the passengers on board a train

The ninth and last day of the Swachchta Saptah (Cleanliness Week) campaign was observed today (26.09.2016) as the Swachch Aahar Divas –Clean Food Day –all over Salem Division. Today was dedicated to checks would be conducted in all static and mobile catering units, restaurants, food stalls and other catering places in the Railway Stations and Pantry Cars in the trains, to ensure cleanliness, hygiene and quality of food, cleanliness and hygiene of the cooks, bearers and other workers, with emphasis on proper handling and disposal of kitchen and catering wastes/garbage.  Officers and staff under the guidance of Sri Chandra Pal, Addl. Divisional Railway Manager, Salem, undertook the checks in trains and foods stalls, VRRs (Vegetarian Refreshment Rooms) and NVRRs (Non-Vegetarian Refreshment Rooms),  in Salem, Erode, Tiruppur, Coimbatore, Mettupalayam, Coonoor, Ooty, Karur, Morappur, Thiruppathur, etc., Expiry dates in the packed products such as biscuits, etc., water bottles were checked. In VRRs/NVRRs, the food inputs such as flour, oils, were checked as to their food certification, expiry dates, etc. Quality of drinking water supplied therein was also checked. In one of the NVRRs, contractor was advised by ADRM to display the date of cleaning and next cleaning date due in the RO Water Filter system.  In trains, the pantry cars and the vendors were checked. Passengers of trains were also enquired about the quality of food and other edibles supplied. Passengers expressed their satisfaction on the quality and hygiene of the food supplies. 

Observance of Swachch Samarpan Divas –Day of Dedication for ensuring cleanliness–campaign by Salem Division, Southern Railway, today (24.09.2016)

 Sri Abdul Rahman, (in  lavendar shirt) inspecting foyer area of Salem Junction

 Salem Division Officials inspecting the Salem Junction, along with Chief Engineer

 Sri Abdul Rahman inaugurating the Cleanliness March

 The skit by scouts 

 Cleanliness March

 The Cleanliness Awareness March

A clean Salem Junction 

The eighth day of the Swachchta Saptah (Cleanliness Week) campaign was observed today (24.09.2016) as the Swachch Samarpan Divas –Day of Dedication for ensuring cleanliness–all over Salem Division. Today was dedicated to conducting of Cleanliness Marches around the railway premises including the railway colonies and conducting road shows/skits/dramas on importance of cleanliness, involving school students, scouts and guides, etc., would be conducted. Officers and staff under the guidance of Sri Chandra Pal, Addl. Divisional Railway Manager, Salem, undertook the cleaning awareness campaign in Salem, Erode, Tiruppur, Coimbatore, Mettupalayam, Coonoor, Ooty, Karur, Morappur, Thiruppathur, etc., In Salem junction, Chief Engineer/Traction Procurement, Southern Railway, Sri Abdul Rahman, participated in the Swachhta Saptah campaign and involved in the activities along with the officers and staff. The scouts and guides from the Southern Railway Bharat Scouts and Guides, participated in the cleanliness campaigns and conducted skits/dramas. Sri Abdul Rahman  witnessed the skit by the Scouts on the cleanliness in Railway Premises, and congratulated them for their active participation. Later, he inspected Salem Junction  for cleanliness  and when he noticed the food particles clogging a drinking water tap in Platform No.4, he instructed to immediately clear them. When he noticed some passengers having food in the platform, he requested them to move to waiting halls for eating and asked them to cooperate with the Railway administration in keeping the railway premises clean. 

Observance of Swachch Samwad Diwas ( Cleanliness Dialogue Day) campaign by Salem Division, Southern Railway, today (23.09.2016)

 DRM addressing the media persons 

 Members of the media in full attention to DRM's address

 DRM addressing media persons after inspection 

 DRM issuing notices to passengers at the platform soliciting their cooperation in keeping the stations clean

 DRM issuing notices to passengers of a train soliciting their cooperation in keeping the stations clean

DRM inspecting the pantry car of Train No. 16339

The seventh day of the Swachchta Saptah (Cleanliness Week) campaign was observed today (22.09.2016) as the Swchch Samwad Diwas ( Cleanliness Dialogue Day) by Salem Division. Today, Sri Hari Shankar Verma, DRM, had a meeting with media persons at Salem Junction and explained to them the various activities undertaken by Salem Division, during the Swachhta Saptah-Cleanliness Week.

He said that the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India and the Hon’ble Railway Minister are laying a lot of emphasis on cleanliness in public places in general and in Railway Stations in particular. Railways are taking every measure to keep the railway premises neat and clean. He explained to them that with a view to invigorate such efforts, Railways are observing the Cleanliness Week and every day is dedicated to different activity.  He expressed happiness that in a recent survey conducted among the rail users by IRCTC, Salem Junction has been ranked as the No. 1 Clean  Station among the Railway Divisional Headquarters stations. He also said that Erode has also got the top ranking in the list of cleanest stations. He said that because of the cooperation from the passengers and other rail users only, this was possible and hoped that the support would continue.

He added that the Salem Division is focusing more on the passenger amenities and in Salem Junction, Escalators have already started functioning. CCTVs are being planned to be installed in 7 to 8 months time, either through CSR or PPP mode.  On pre-paid auto system, he said that already Salem Division authorities are in touch with Tamil Nadu State Transport and Police Officials and would be pursued more. To avoid the incidents such as the recent cash heist from the Salem-Chennai Egmore train, a special type of multi-layer security enabled cash van has been recommended to RBI, he said.  

H e further stated that a Multi-Level Car Parking is considered to be developed near the Escalators area, to ease the parking problem in front of the Salem Junction. He said that the planning works for the second entry at Salem Junction has already started and is estimated to be completed in one year from now. To help the passengers arriving at and going out of Salem Junction, he has talked to State Transport Corporation Authorities and requested to increase the route of buses originating from Salem Junction. To facilitate that he said he had assured the Transport officials that the Bus Stop bay would be widened by relocating the trees therein. On a question of regularizing the Erode-Chennai Egmore Special Train, he said that based on the demand it may be considered and added that already, the train is being planned to be operated up to 30^th November, 2016, in view of the ensuing Deepavali Festival, beyond 14.10.2016, up to which date it was originally planned to be operated, now making it 50 pairs of services (instead of 16 pairs already planned). He said that this train will serve the passengers of Salem Vridhachalam Section in a better way, which is one of the oldest railway sections of Tamil Nadu.

Later, DRM inspected the cleanliness of platforms, foyer area and bus bay of Salem Junction and the pantry car of T.No.16339 Mumbai Nagercoil Express. He also checked the quality of the cooking items & water bottles stocked in the pantry car and expressed his satisfaction over the cleanliness of the pantry car.

Cancellation of Cheran Express and running of AC Special trains

Due to indefinite delay of pairing train (Ahmedabad-Chennai Central Navjeevan Express because of AP floods), T.No.12673 Chennai Central -Coimbatore Cheran Express is cancelled today (23.09.2016). Consequently, T.No.12674 Coimbatore -Chennai Central Cheran Express leaving Coimbatore on 24.09.2016 is also cancelled. In its place, the following AC Spl train is being operated with 1 First AC, 3 AC 2 tier, 6 AC 3 tier coaches.

T.No.06041 Chennai Central -Coimbatore AC Spl Express from Chennai Central on 23.09.2016. & T.No.06042 Coimbatore Chennai Central - AC Spl Express from Coimbatore on 24.09.2016. 

Detailed timings are given hereunder: