Airconditioned Waiting Hall at Salem Junction inaugurated by Hon’ble MP, Salem, today (01.06.2016) on the final day of the Rail Hamsafar Saptah (Customer Facilitation Week) that was observed as Sanchar Diwas (Communication Day)

 Sri V. Pannerselvam, Hon'ble MP inaugurating the AC Waiting Hall

 Hon'ble MP discussing with DRM

 Hon'ble Salem MP inspecting the works for installation of escalators at Salem Junction 

DRM addressing the media persons

 Sri Raju, senior most employee of Buddireddypatti Rly Stn inaugurating the new FOB, to his right (2nd from left) is Sri Ma Vignavelu, Sr.Dvil. Engineer/Coordination

 The new FOB

 Sri S. Selvakumara Chinnayan, Hon'ble Erode MP discussing with DRM in his chambers

Airconditioned Waiting Hall at Salem Junction inaugurated by Hon’ble MP, Salem, today (01.06.2016) on the final day of the Rail Hamsafar Saptah (Customer Facilitation Week) that was observed as Sanchar Diwas (Communication Day)

On the 7^th and  final day of the Rail Hamsafar Saptah (Customer Facilitation Week) that was observed as Sanchar Diwas (Communication Day), the  Airconditioned Waiting Hall at Salem Junction in Platform Nos. 3/4 was inaugurated by Sri V. Pannerselvam, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Salem, today (01.06.2016), in the presence of Sri S.Soundappan, Hon’ble Mayor, Salem Municipal Corporation, Sri Hari Shankar Verma, Divisional Railway Manager, Salem, and other dignitaries.

The pay and use AC Waiting Hall for passengers has been upgraded from the existing non-AC Waiting Hall, and has 36 seats. The contract for the AC Waiting Hall has been awarded at a cost of Rs.10.5 lakhs for a period of 3 years to M/s. AJP Groups, Madurai. The AC Waiting Hall would function 24x7 on all 365 days of the year. The charges for usage of the AC waiting hall would be Rs.15/- per hour per head. On an estimate, about 100 to 150 passengers are expected to use the facility. Toilet and bathing facilities have been provided therein.

After inauguration of the function, Hon’ble MP, Sri Pannerselvam, inspected the Escalator works that are under installation in Platform No.1 and Platform Nos.3 / 4 of the Salem Junction. He also discussed various issues concerning railways in Salem with DRM and assured all help that is needed from him.

Later, while interacting with the media persons, Sri Hari Shankar Verma, said that the AC waiting hall would be very helpful for the rail passengers at Salem Junction, which is a connecting centre point. The contractor will provide water, coffee, tea and other snacks on demand to passengers. He said that the cleanliness in Salem Division Railway Stations are being monitored strictly, in the catering units, eatable vending places and other food stalls. He said that it has been planned to extend the present AC Waiting Hall duly annexing the nearby space available, to accommodate more passengers.

He said that the present main entrance to Salem Junction has become congested due to heavy vehicular parking and traffic and hence, it has been decided to go for a second entry on the other side of the station, which is expected to be completed within 12 to 18 months’ time. On demands for a day time intercity express between Salem and Chennai, Sri Verma said that Hon’ble Salem MP has already taken up the matter with the Hon’ble Minister for Railways, which is pending for want of new rake. The matter will be pursued vigorously at the appropriate level to get a new train that will early in the morning from Salem and will return back by night.

On a query for increasing the Nilgiri Mountain Rail services between Mettupalayam and Coonoor, Sri Hari Shankar Verma replied that due to tough hill terrain, operation of additional services is not feasible. When asked about the extension of passenger train services from and to Salem from/to other places such as Jolarpet, Coimabtore and Erode, Sri Vema replied that the main challenge is lack of coach maintenance facilities at Salem, for which land is required and nearby Salem Junction the railway land available is very limited. However, he added that this will be looked into.

On WiFi facilities in Salem Division, DRM said that already works are going on for providing free WiFi by Rail Tel in collaboration with Google India and as far as Salem junction is concerned, efforts will be taken to provide paid WiFi facilities in the AC Waiting Hall as at present there is no proposal to make the free WiFi available in Salem.

Today, the Foot Over Bridge newly constructed in the Buddireddypatti Railway Station of Salem Station was inaugurated by one oldest serving employee of the station by name Sri Raju, Pointsman, in the presence of Sri Ma. Vignavelu, Sr. Divisional Engineer/Coordination, and Sri Mariappan, Divisional Engineer, Salem. The FOB constructed at a cost of Rs.1.05 crores connecting Platform Nos. 1 and 2 would help the rail passengers reach the other platform without taking the risk of crossing the platform.

Later, Sri S. Selvakumara Chinnaiyan, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Erode, called on DRM Sri Hari Shankar Verma, and discussed about the various issues concerned with the railway stations in Erode area, including stopping of express trains at Kodumudi, reviving the Erode-Palani Rail link project, improving rain water draining facilities at Erode Junction, provision of lifts and escalators, at Erode. DRM assured him that by middle of June, he will visit Erode junction for a joint inspection of Erode junction and issue orders for immediate steps required.