Railway Passengers’ Retiring Rooms at Karur Junction opened by Hon’ble Dy Speaker, Loksabha, today (26.12.2015)

(L-R) Sri Shubhranshu, DRM, Dr. M. Thambidurai, Hon'ble Dy.Speaker/Lok Sabha, Smt S. Jayanthi, Dist.Collector, Karur

 Dr. M. Thambidurai, cutting the ribbon to open the Retiring Rooms

Frontage of Karur Junction 

The Beautiful view of the Retiring Rooms at Karur Junction 

 The Airconditioned Retiring Room

 Non-airconditioned Retiring Room at Karur Junction 

Dr. Thambidurai inspecting the Automated Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs) at Karur Jn

The newly constructed Railway Passengers’ Retiring Rooms adjacent to the  Karur Railway Junction were declared open today (26.12.2015) by Dr. M. Thambidurai, Hon’ble Dy. Spekar, Lok Sabha, in the presence of  Sri Shubhranshu, Divisional Railway Manager, Salem, Smt S. Jayanthi, District Collector, Karur, and other dignitaries.

After opening the Retiring Rooms, Dr. Thambidurai, inspected the rooms and discussed with Shri Shubhanshu, on various railway projects pertaining to Karur. During his discussions, Dr.Thambidurai, informed DRM that he has recently met Sri Suresh Prabhu, Hon’ble Railway Minister and proposed a few trains connecting Karur, with other areas, such as 1. Passenger train from Salem to Thanjavur via Namakkal, Karur & Trichy, 2. Passenger Train from Salem to Madurai, via Karur and Dindigul, 3. Passenger Train from Karur to Coimbatore, via Erode and Tirupur, connecting the textile hubs of the State, and 4. Express train from Karur to Chennai Central via Salem and Jolarpet. He said that the Hon’ble Railway Minister assured to consider the demands of the Hon’ble Dy. Speaker, Lok Sabha, and take necessary steps in this regard.

Later, Dr. Thambidurai, also  inspected the newly installed Automated Ticket Vending Machine and the versatile Coin/Currency/Card operated Ticket Vending Machines. Sri Shubhranshu explained the salient features of the machines installed in Karur junction and said that the machines would help the passengers buy tickets easily during rush hours. Hon’ble Dy. Speaker appreciated the various steps taken by Salem Division, in improving the passenger amenities in Karur junction.  

Of the 3 retiring rooms, one is airconditioned and the other two are non-airconditioned. They were constructed at an estimated cost of Rs.35 lakhs. The tariff for the airconditioned room is Rs.400/- for 12 hours and Rs.800/- for 24 hours. For the non-airconditioned rooms, it is fixed at Rs.300/- for 12 hours and Rs.600/- for 24 hours.  The rooms will be made available for on-line booking shortly. 

Sri. K.P. Damodaran, Sr. Divisional Commercial Manager, Sri Ma.Vignavelu, Sr. Divisional Engineer/Co-ordination, other Salem Division Officials and staff were present during the inauguration. 

15th Salem Division Railway Users’ Consultative Committee (DRUCC) Meeting held on 22.12.2015

 (L-R) Sri K.P. Damodaran, Sr. DCM, Sri. Shubhranshu, DRM & Sri R.S.Sinha, ADRM 

Sri K.P. Damodaran, addressing the gathering

 

Sri Shubhranshu addressing the gathering

 The Members of the DRUCC with Salem Division Officals

The 15^th  Divisional Railway Users’ Consultative Committee (DRUCC) of the Salem Division, Southern Railway was held on 22.12.2015, in the Divisional Office premises under the  Chairmanship of Sri.Shubhranshu, Divisional Railway Manager, Salem Division. Sri R.S. Sinha, Addl. Divisional Railway Manager, Sri K.P. Damodaran, Sr. Divisional Commercial Manager and Secretary, Salem DRUCC, Sri E.Harikrishnan, Sr. Divisional Operations Manager, and other Branch officers participated in the meeting along with the 22 DRUCC Members from Salem, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Erode, Karur, Mettupalayam,  Kangeyam, Dharmapuri, Kallakurichi, Krishnagiri and Namakkal.  

Welcoming the gathering, Sri K.P. Damodaran, briefed about the various salient features and activities of Salem Division, to the members and said that the Salem Division is totally focused on the cleanliness in railway premises. He also solicited suggestions/participation from the DRUCC members in this regard.

During his address to the DRUCC Members, Sri Shubhranshu,  said that he was happy that e Salem Division was able to satisfy some of the demands from the demands within the powers of DRM. He said that the posters pasted by the staff unions have been removed from all the Railway Stations and they have been given strict warning not to paste posters in the station premises.  In his capacity as DRM, he had been meeting the representatives of people like MPs and MLAs to get the support from the State Government and Railway Board for completion of projects pertaining to Salem Division, apart from moving through the official channels, he added. The works for the second entry for the Salem Junction are under process, and Platform No.5 is being widened as an island platform, to ease traffic congestion on the main entrance,with extension of Foot Over Bridge (FOB).  It has also been planned to construct a fully functional station building on the other side of Salem Junction, as in Coimbatore, and Tirupur junctions. 

He further informed the members that Salem Division is taking steps with the Ministry of Railways to introduce a unique circular train system for Coimbatore, using Electric Multiple Units (that are in operation in metro cities like Chennai, etc.), connecting major areas of Coimbatore such as Mettupalayam, Coimbatore North, Coimbatore junction, Podanur  and Singanallur.  He expressed the hope with  this step, all the main areas of  Coimbatore will get connected and Coimbatore will explode commercially.  However, he said this being a futuristic plan, may take some time. 

He also listed out the various passenger amenities that have been provided in the Salem Division stations such as 15 Automatic Ticket Vending Machines-ATVMs (Mettupalayam-1, Coimbatore-3, Tiruppur-2, Erode-2, Karur-2, Salem-2, Salem Town-1, Chinna Salem-1, and Attur-1), 6 versatile Coin, Cash and Card operated ATVMs (CoTVMs) in Salem, Erode, Karur, Tiruppur, Coimbatore & Mettupalayam, new station building for Coimbatore North, booking of retiring rooms in Coimbatore, Salem, Eode, Tiruppur, through online.

On future plans, he said that the following amenities are getting ready

1.                  8 escalators (Coimbatore-4, Salem-2 & Erode-2), 5 lifts (Tiruppur-2, Erode-2, Coimbatore-1)

  

LED True Color information Boards for 27 Stations that include coach indication boards, train arrival/departure boards, platform boards with GPS clocks, and touch screen for railway information display

Advance Railway Ticket Booking Counters in post offices in Mohanur, Sulur Road, Yercaud, Dharapuram, Gobichettipalayam and Sri Ramakrishna Vidhyalaya at Periyanaickanpalayam

Medical assistance booth at Coimbatore by Sri Ramakrishna Hospital

Extension of Platform at Peelamedu to hold 24 coaches to enable stoppage of express trains

Train halt station at Thudiyalur under construction

Extension of platform at Mettupalayam to hold 24 coaches to enable arrival and departure of full rake of express trains

Installation of 40 water vending machines by IRCTC in Coimbatore-12, Tiruppur-4, Salem-8, Erode-10, Karur-3, Mettupalayam-3

Unique BMI Kiosk Machines (in place of the weight machines now available) in 5 stations, Coimbatore, Erode, Tiruppur, and Salem

New Retiring Room to be installed by this month end at Karur, for which booking will be available on line

Then, the members raised various queries and they were replied as under :

Erode:

For a query by Sri C.S.Gowthaman, on water logging in concourse area, it was advised that drainage facilities will be improved to avoid this problem. On a query on re-using of unwashed bedrolls in Yercaud Express, it was informed that the contractor was fined for the same and warned.

For a demand from Sri N. Sivanesan on extension of Salem-Vridhachalam passenger up to Erode, it was informed that since the rake is being used for extended service from Vridhachalam to Trichy, it is not viable. On a demand for linking Perundurai Railway Station with SIPCOT therein by providing a pathway, he was advised to take up the matter with the District Administration and to send a proposal for consideration.

Coimbatore

For a query from Sri C. Balasubramanian, on introduction of overnight train from Coimbatore to  Bangalore, he was informed that a proposal has already been sent to Railway Board.  When he asked about the Ticket counters at the second entry remaining closed, it was informed that ATVMs have been installed for the use of passengers, but even they are under-utiised. For a demand for introduction of a train between Coimbatore and Puduchery, it was assured to be forwarded to Board for consideration.

On a demand from Sri Jayakrishnan Palanisamy, for routing of more trains through Coimbatore, it was informed that already T.No.22207/22208 Chennai Central Trivandrum Express is being routed through Coimbatore from April 2016, and more trains would follow.

On a demand from Sri Mohansankar, for improvement of North Coimbatore Railway Station and shifting of goods shed to Irugur, he was informed that these steps are already being taken up.

Mettupalayam

On the demand from Sri P. Rajendran, for increasing the number of coaches in the Mettupalayam-Coimbatore passenger, in view of the present road traffic bottlenecks, it was assured that necessary steps would be taken immediately. For a demand to stop the train at Veerapandi, Puthupalayam, and Urumandipalayam, he was advised to take up the matter with the local bodies for provision of funds for construction of stations in these areas, and then the stoppages can be provided, as has been done in  the matter of Thudiyalur. For a demand to introduce the train services on  Sundays as well, it was advised that due  to service demands of the rake,  Sunday services cannot be taken up at present, however, the possibility will be considered, he was assured.

Tiruppur

On a complaint from Sri J.V.Sureshkumar, that both the entrances of Tiruppur stations are poorly lit, it was assured to him that necessary lighting would be provided. On a demand by him for stoppage of all trains for 5 minutes in Tiruppur, for loading of parcels, he was informed that even in the 7 trains already provided with 5 minutes stoppage, the loading is very poor and if the booking is improved, certainly, more trains would be stopped.

On a query from Sri Kishore Kumar Krishnasamy, on construction of VIP waiting hall, he was told that the assured funds of Rs.10 lakhs are yet to be deposited with the railways by the Municipal Corporation and once it is done, the works will be undertaken.

Karur

On a request from Sri K. Raju, for introduction of passenger train from Salem to Dindigul via Karur, DRM informed that proposals have already been sent in this regard, in addition to trains from Salem to Tanjavur, via Karur and Trichirapalli.

At the end of the meeting, Sri E. Harikrishnan, Sr. DOM, delivered the vote of thanks. 

New Building for St. John Ambulance Brigade declared open by DRM Salem, today (21.12.2015)

 The newly inaugurated Office Building for St. John Ambulance Brigade

 Cadets of the SJAB gathered for the inauguration 

 Sri Shubhranshu, DRM, Salem, unfurling the SJAB Flag during the Inaugural Function 

 Sri Shubhranshu, DRM, Salem, addressing the gathering 

 Sri Shubhranshu, DRM, Salem, lighting the traditional lamp

 Dr. A. Kalanidhi, CMS, Salem, lighting the lamp

Dr. M. Narasimham, ACMS, Salem, lighting the lamp

A new building for the St John Ambulance Brigade (SJAB) was declared open by Sir Shubhranshu, Divisional Railway Manager, Salem, today (21.12.2015) in the West Railway Colony, old Suramangalam,Salem. 

SJAB is a Disaster Relief and Rescue Team (DRRT) of Indian Railways, which has 120  trained railway staff of Salem Division,to assist and provide relief to victims of national disasters such as the recent Chennai floods, all over the Nation.    

Dr. A. Kalanidhi, Chief Medical Superintend, Salem Division, welcomed the gathering of Officers, staff and Cadets of Salem Division SJAB. During his address Dr Kalanidhi said that about 120 cadets of SJAB Salem Division are actively involved in relief operations.

During his address, Sri Shubhranshu, expressed his happiness over the extensive field work undertaken by the SJAB cadres not only during calamities such as the recent Chennai floods, but also in their work places. The success of SJAB is the result of discipline and team work, he added. He wanted the SJAB to impart first aid training to front line railway staff, such as train ticket examiners, station masters, AC mechanics, ticket counter staff, etc, who have direct dealing with passengers/public. This will help the victims within the golden hour without waiting for external assistance, he said.

Dr.M. Narasimham, Addl. Chief Medical Superintendent, other Officers & staff of Salem Division, were present during the inauguration.

Salem Division, Southern Railway, undertakes major track maintenance works between Bommidi and Buddireddypatti which was inspected by DRM, Salem, today (19.12.2015)

Sri R.S.Sinha, ADRM,(1st left) Sri Shubhranshu, DRM (2nd from right), Sri B.Harishnan, Sr.DOM (1st right)

 Poklain Machine lifting the ballast 

 Work going on the field

 Morrum Soil (Left) & Black Cotton (clay) Soil (Right)

 Sri M. Mariappan, DEN discussing with Sri Shubhranshu, DRM

The Vibratory Roller (left) and the Poklain (right) on the job

On regular inspections, the soil beneath the railway tracks between Bommidi and Buddireddypatti, in the Salem-Jolarpet Section was found to be Black Cotton Clay Soil which is a subtle and unstable one and was likely to inundate during rains, posing threat to the safety of train operation. So, it was decided   by the Salem Division Engineering Branch, to replace the same with Morrum soil (taken from the hill tops) that possesses good drainage property and provide stability to the tracks and ballasts, apart from ensuring smooth riding on the tracks.

The soil beneath the railway tracks in between Bommidi and Buddireddypatti was found to be Black Cotton (clay) Soil which is subtle and unstable with swelling and shrinking characteristics. This will tend to disturb the track during rains, posing threat to the retention of track parameters and operating train at restricted speeds. So, it was decided by the Salem Division Engineering Branch, to replace the same with Morrum soil (taken from the hill tops) that possesses good drainage property and provide stability to the tracks and ballast, apart from ensuring smooth riding on the tracks.

The work needs to be carried out for a distance of 1.5 kms which is at 5 kms distance from Bommidi and 6 kms from Buddireddypatti. The works have been started on 25.11.2015 and targeted to be completed by 10.01.2016.  Every day, the work is being carried out for about 3 hours 55 minutes at the rate of 50 meters/day. The estimated cost of the works is 1crore. 3 heavy duty Poklain Earth Moving Machines and 1 Vibratory Roller Machine has been deployed on the job.

Today (19.12.2015), Sri Shubhranshu, Divisional Railway Manager, Salem, visited the work spot along with Sri R.S. Sinha, Addl. DRM, Sri M. Mariappan, Divisional Engineer, Sri Srinivasan, Asst. Divisional Engineer, Sri B.Harikrishnan, Sr Divisional Operations Manager, and other Branch Officers. He inspected the works and congratulated the Engineering and other Branch officials engaged in the job, for carrying out the works smoothly without any hindrance to the train traffic. 

Special Trains between Coimbatore and Chennai Central via Salem,Erode and Tirupur

The following special trains will be run to clear the extra rush.

                                                                       

Train No.00632 Chennai Central – Coimbatore Suvidha superfast special train will leave Chennai Central at 23.55 hrs. on 14.01.2016 and reach Coimbatore at 08.15 hrs. the next day.  Train No.06149 Coimbatore – Chennai Central superfast special train will leave Coimbatore at 18.45 hrs. on 15.01.2016 and reach Chennai Central at 03.30 hrs. the next day.

Composition:  AC 2-tier – 3, AC 3-tier – 3, Sleeper Class – 12 & Luggage-cum-brake van – 2 coaches.

Stoppages: Arakkonam, Katpadi, Jolarpettai, SALEM, ERODE, AND TIRUPPUR.

Train No. 00632 Chennai Central – Coimbatore Suvidha superfast special train will stop at Coimbatore North.   Train No.06149 Coimbatore – Chennai Central superfast special train will stop at Perambur.

Advance reservations for the above trains will commence on 16.12.2015.

Pension Adalat 2015 held at Southern Railway Salem Division today (15.12.2015)

Sri R..S.Sinha, Addl. DRM addressing the gathering. (L-R) Sri P. Kamban, Sr.DFM and Sri G.Janarthanan, DPO, seen along with him in  the dais. 

The Pension Adalat for the year 2015, was held by the Salem Division of Southern Railway, today (15.12.2015) at the Railway Officers’ Club Premises, near the Divisional Office. The Adalat was presided over by Sri Ravi Sekhar Sinha, Additional Divisional Railway Manager. About 60 retired railway pensioners/beneficiaries attended the Adalat and submitted their claims. The members  of the Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies, (SCOVA) an organization  recognized by the Govt. of India, were  also invited to be present to assist the pensioners/beneficiaries. Sri. P. Kamban, Sr. Divisional Financial Manager, Sri G. Janarthanan, Divisional Personnel Officer, and other Divisional Officers were present during the Adalat.

Totally, 93 representations were received for redressal during the Adalat, of which 48 were disposed in favour of the applicants and an amount of Rs.7,36,197/- (Rupees seven lakhs, thirty six thousand, one hundred and ninety seven only) was released in favour of them. 27 representations could not be accepted as they were in contravention to the extant rules. Further, 15 representations had to be kept pending for want of sufficient documents.  3 representations are being dealt with and will be disposed of shortly.  Further, 20 more representations were submitted on the day of Adalat, that will be taken up for examination and will be disposed of in a month’s time. 

The pensioners/beneficiaries who attended the Adalat expressed their happiness and satisfaction over the steps taken by the Salem Division administration to listen to their grievances and settle them off. 

Skin, Hair and Cosmetology Camp for Railway Employees conducted by Salem Division, Southern Railway, today (14.12.2015)

Skin and Hair challenges are the most perturbing in today's modern world and new type of problems is faced by people due to various reasons such  as lifestyle changes, pollution, food habits, etc. and this area is most neglected, though needs much attention. 

With a view to counsel railway employees in  Salem on such skin and hair problems, a Camp was conducted by the  Medical Branch of Salem Division, Southern Railway, today (14.12.2015) together with Dr. Thaj Laser Skin and Hair Clinic, Coimbatore, in the Railway Health Unit in Railway Colony, Salem. A team of doctors lead by Dr.Tajudeen, Dr. Priyadarshini and Dr. Jyothy, conducted various checkups and counselling to the Railway Employees and their family members, under the supervision of  Dr.M. Narasimhanm, Addl. Chief Medical Superintendent, Salem Division. 

About 200 employees and their family members attended the camp. They were checked for any skin/hair irregularities and other cosmetic challenges such as pimples, scars, hair fall, dullness of skin, tattoos, varicose veins, wrinkles, black marks, fatness, etc., Dandruff testing was conducted using advanced machinery and medicines were also provided by the doctors from Dr.Thaj Laser Skin and Hair Clinic to the attendees free of cost. 

Already, such a camp was conducted for Railway Employees in Coimbatore, in which about 300 railway employees and their family members were benefited. In the near future, such a Special Camp for School Children has been planned to be conducted in Erode, where a number of Railway Schools are situated. 

Inauguration of New Railway Institute Building in West Railway Colony, Salem

 

 L-R: Sri K.P.Damodaran, Sr.Divl.Comml. Manager, Sri S.Rangarajan, Sr.Divl. Elec. Engineer (Partially hidden), Sri Ma. Vignavelu, Sr.Divl. Engineer, Co-ordination, Sri Ramachandran, Asst. Divl. Engineer & Shri Shubhranshu, Divl. Railway Manager, Salem

The new Railway Institute Building for the use by the employees of Salem Division, situated in the West Railway Colony, behind the Salem Junction, was inaugurated by Shri Shubhranshu, Divisional Railway Manager, Salem, today (05.12.2015).  The Institute with capacity for seating of about 500 persons, at a time,  has facilities to hold official functions such as meetings, conferences, etc. that can be used for ceremonial occasions/family functions such as marriage, etc., by the railway employees. The utility Hall of the Institute can be booked for functions by general public also on payment basis, for which the rates will be fixed soon. However, the priority will be given to the railway employees and the rates will be concessional. The new building has been constructed at a cost of Rs.96.26 lakhs. In future, a separate kitchen area, dining area and a garden have been planned to be added to the new building.

Later, while interacting with the media persons on the occasion, Sri Shubranshu, stated that the Railway Board has given positive signal for the Salem Division’s proposal for introduction of a day time express train service between Salem and Chennai Egmore, via Vridhachalam, and added that the train will be launched soon.  He mentioned that the Southern Railway is operating special trains from and to Chennai with a view to help stranded passengers to move out of Chennai and also enable the help reach them. He further stated that once trains were able to reach Chennai Central by tomorrow afternoon, in the event of the waterlogging comes down, then, regular services may be resumed in a phased manner. He said that Salem Division has sent 32 wagons of construction materials with 90 engineering officers & staff, for restoration works to Chennai Division and additional support will be provided if required. There is a lot of demand from the NGOs in the Salem Division area for transporting relief materials to the Chennai residents affected by floods and once passenger train services start running, Salem Division will consider transporting them to Chennai free of cost, he added.