DRM Press Meet
International Level Crossing Awareness Day
an unmanned Level Crossing
Sri Ma Vignavel, SrDEN/Co (1st left) Sri Hari Shankar Verma, DRM (2nd from left), Sri R.S.Sinha (1st right-partially hidden)\
During a Press Meet held today (10.06.2016) in Salem Division Office today, on the eve of the International Level Crossing Awareness Day, Sri Hari Shankar Verma, Divisional Railway Manager, Salem, stated that all the unmanned level crossings in Salem Division, amounting to 72, will be completely eliminated by the year 2017-18, by manning, providing Limited Use Subway (LUS) or Road Over Bridges (ROBs). Of these 53 will be taken up during the current fiscal and the balance 19 in 2017-18, he added. He further stated that funds are not constraint on this front, being safety related, and Rs.6 crores have been provided so far in the current year for the works. If more funds come forth, the works ear marked for next year would also be taken up in the current year itself, he said.
DRM stated that for 15 LCs the pre-fabricated concrete boxes are already in place and works are going on. For closure of 20 unmanned LCs in Salem-Vridhachalam section and Salem-Dindigul Section, letters have been sent to the respective District Collectors seeking permission. He added that there were no accidents/incidents in any of the unmanned LCs in Salem Division during the year 2015-16, thanks to the regular awareness campaigns taken up by the Safety Branch of Salem Division.
Later, while answering to questions from the media persons, Sri Hari Shankar Verma stated that in the NIlgiri Mountain Railway section, crossing of elephants regularly has become a challenge and stated that Railways are working with Forest Department to reduce such trespasses, without causing any harm to the pachyderms. For a question on traffic congestion in front of Salem Junction, Sri Verma stated that he had discussed the issue with Hon’ble Mayor of Salem and has requested the Salem Corporation consider widening of the road and would send a letter in this regard to the Corporation authorities. On extension of passenger trains up to Salem Town, DRM stated that at present it could not be considered for want of proper passenger amenities in Salem Town Station. Regarding the demand for an intercity express between Salem-Chennai and Coimbatore-Bangaluru, DRM stated that a proposal has already been mooted for the same and it will be discussed in the ensuing Time Table Committee meeting.
On overcharging by vendors in the stations and trains, Sri Verma clarified that he had recently called for a meeting of all the concerned and he had given clear instructions against overcharging. If any overcharging incident is proved, first there will be a warning, followed by fine and finally steps will be taken to cancel the licence and close the outlet, if found to be repeating the same. To curb the unauthorized vendor menace, the licencees will be permitted to utilize more number of vendors, he added. Strict vigil is maintained against adulteration of food and if any incidence is proved, he said that the Railway Administration will consider initiating legal measures to get the adulterator arrested, apart from fining and cancellation of licence.
Sri R.S. Sinha, Addl. DRM, Sri Ma.Vignavelu, Sr. Divisional Engineer/Coordination and Sri A.Rajkumar, Sr. Divisional Safety Officer, were present during the Press Meet.
No comments:
Post a Comment