Come forward to support Indian Railways by travelling in trains in more numbers to have a safe and comfortable journey and to boost revenue of Railways – DRM, Salem, appeals to passengers

 Sri Hari Shankar Verma opening the plaque for the escalators

 The plaque 

 The escalators in decoartion before inauguration 

 A section of the gathering 

The giant screen installed in the function view, that was telecasting the program from Chennai Central

The 2 escalators that were installed in Platform Nos. 1 & 3/4  of the Salem Junction at a cost of Rs.2 crores with a view to help differently-abled passengers and senior citizens, were inaugurated by Sri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu, Hon’ble Union Minister for Railways, from Chennai Central through video conferencing, today (24.07.2016).

During his address Sri Suresh Prabhu said that the Ministry of Railways is focusing and giving priority to railway projects in Tamil Nadu and allocating funds multi-fold year over year, and particularly giving priority to projects like installation of escalators to assist passengers. 

The plaque for the inauguration of Escalators at Salem Junction was opened by Sri Hari Shankar Verma, DRM, Salem, in the presence of dignitaries, officers and staff of Salem Division, Southern Railway, simultaneously when Hon’ble Railway Minister unveiled the plaque at Chennai Central for the project.

Later, addressing the media persons, Sri Hari Shankar Verma, DRM, stated that Indian Railways, as pointed out by Hon’ble Minister, is spending more on passenger amenities in Railway stations to make the train journey safe and comfortable. In Salem Junction, the works for a second entry on the other side has already started and will be available for use by passengers soon, he added. He further stated that the works for installation of escalators at Erode has started and will be completed shortly. 

Sri Verma stated that Indian Railways is giving priority to Passenger Train Services and in Salem Division, now all Passenger trains are ensured to start in time and arrive/depart in stations in time, maintaining punctuality.  He appealed to the public to come forward to travel in trains in more numbers, which is a safe and comfortable way of travel compared to road journey, and this will help Railways to increase its revenue, which will in turn ensure implementation of more projects and passenger amenities. He also solicited the help from passengers and other rail users to keep the railway premises clean.

On questions from media persons, DRM replied that the WiFi facilities will be rolled out in Coimbatore junction first, being a A1 Category station and will be later expanded to Salem and Erode.  He also said that proposals have been sent to Southern Railway Had Quarters for day time train from Salem to Chennai via Jolarpet, night time train from Coimbatore to Bangaluru, day time train from Salem to Chennai via Vridhachalam and these proposals are being followed up. The request by Hon’ble Namakkal MP Sri P.R.Sundaram, for extension of Chennai Egmore-Salem Express up to Karur, is also being pursued with head quarters, he said.