Salem Division Railway User’s Consultative Committee (DRUCC) Meeting

The 14^th Divisional Railway User’s consultative committee (DRUCC) meeting of Salem division, Southern Railway was held today (08.05.2015) at Salem Division office. Shri Shubhranshu, Divisional Railway Manager, Salem Division & Chairperson, DRUCC/Salem Division presided over the meeting. Shri. V.Thavamanipandi, Addl. Divisional Railway Manager, Shri. K.P.Damodaran, Sr. Divisional Commercial Manager & Secretary, DRUCC/Salem Division, Sri. E. Hari Krishnan, Sr. Division Operations Manager, Salem, other Salem Division officials and members of the DRUCC from various places like Salem, Coimbatore, Erode, Karur, Tiruppur, Mettupalayam, Dharmapuri, Coonoor, etc., participated in the meeting.

While addressing the DRUCC members, Shri Shubhranshu, DRM, Salem, stated that Salem Division administration is working relentlessly to improve the passenger amenities. He mentioned that the new station building was opened at the Salem junction recently, and that the second entry for the Tirupur junction is to be opened shortly. On the parking problems faced at the Salem Junction, DRM stated that it is being planned to have a second entrance on the other side of the junction, duly shifting the goods shed therein to Salem Market.  To help the passengers during the summer, 21 water coolers have been installed in major stations such as Coimbatore, Mettupalayam, Pothanur, etc., To facilitate the passengers to identify their coaches easily, Wi-fi enabled coach guidance system is in place in Coimbatore and other major stations, he added. Automated Ticket Vending Machines are being planned to be installed in stations such as Coimbatore, Salem, Erode, Tirupur, Karur, Chinnaselam, Athur, Mettupalayam, etc.,

To various queries by the individual members, DRM and Sr.DCM replied as under:

1. Erode: For a question from Sri C.S. Gowthaman, Member from Erode on the unauthorised entry by unreserved passengers in the reserved coaches, DRM said that patrolling will be intensified to check the same.

2.   Erode: On the issue of provision of lifts and escalators, raised by Sri N. Sivanesan of Erode, it was assured that 2 lifts and 2 escalators at Erode has been planned and tenders have been opened for the same.

3.      Coimbatore: On the question by Sri C. Balasubramanian, member from Coimbatore on introduction of train linking Coimbatore to Bangaluru, DRM replied that already a few trains are passing through Coimbatore are connecting Bangaluru and a proposal has already been sent to introduce a regular train between Coimbatore and Bangaluru.

4.      Coimbatore: When Sri. Jeyakrishna Palanisamy, member from Coimbatore, requested for stoppage of Nilagiri Express and Cheran Express at Peelamedu and Irugur stations, it was clarified that since the platforms in the said stations can accommodate only 21 coaches and the above trains are of 24 coach formation, once the platform extension work is completed, the stoppage will be considered.  

5. Mettupalayam: When the question of operating the Mettupalayam-Coimbatore passenger train and stopping the said train at Thudiyalur was raised by Sri P.Rajendran, it was clarified that the feasibility of running the train on Sundays is being explored and a proposal has already been sent for stopping of the train at Thudiyalur.

6.    Tiruppur: When Sri J.V.Suresh Kumar requested for provision of a pay and use toilet  in Platform No.2, he was assured that the same will be considered.

7.     Tiruppur: On the question of increasing the number of ticket issue counters during peak hours, raised by Sri Kishore Kumar Krishnasamy, Sr.DCM replied that there are 2 counters functioning on both the entrances of the Tiruppur junction at present, of which one counter is functioning round the clock from 6.00 hrs. to 22.00 hrs.

8.   Salem: To a specific request by Dr. P. Aththianna, member from Salem, Sr.DCM assured that specific announcement will be added to the public announcement stations to indicate the coaches for the differently abled persons, while announcing the coach position before train arrival, to enable the differently abled persons to identify their coach easily. To facilitate the issue of ID cards for the differently abled persons to avail concessional train fares, it was informed to the members that Salem Division is willing to send its officials to the offices of the Differently Abled Passengers’ Association directly, on a designated day, to collect the application forms.

9.  Dharmapuri: When Sri A. Saravanan, raised the question of stoppage of trains at Morappur and Bommidi on a regular basis, it was clarified to him that permanent stoppage of trains come under the purview of the Railway Board and it was requested to him to make a representation to the Railway Board, through the Hon’ble Member of Parliament, in this regard.

The DRUCC members appreciated the officers and staff of the Salem Division Southern Railway in attending to various requests/demands made by them for the betterment of service to the rail users and assured all the help to the administration in this regard.     

Earlier, Sri K. P. Damodaran, Sr.DCM, welcomed the members, and the meeting was concluded with the vote of thanks by Sri. E. Hari Krishnan, Sr. DOM, Salem.