70th Independence Day Celebrations at Salem Division, Southern Railway

 Sri Hari Shankar Verma unfurling the tricolor 

 Sri Hari Shankar Verma saluting the national flag

 DRM inspecting the guard of honor 

 DRM addressing the gathering 

 Rifle Show by the RPF commandants 

 Colorful cultural show by the children of Saraswati Vidhyalaya, a school run by SRWWO, Salem

An awareness Miming Show on the risks of excessive use of Cellphone

The 70^th Independence Day was celebrated today (15.08.2016) at Salem Division of Southern Railway with patriotic fervor. Shri Hari Shankar Verma, Divisional Railway Manager, Salem Division, Southern Railway, hoisted the tri-color and accepted the guard of honor presented by the RPF personnel of Salem Division.

While speaking on the occasion, Shri Hari Shankar Verma recalled the sacrifices by our great leaders for the freedom and paid his respect and homage to the martyrs. He read out the message from Sri Vashishta Johri, General Manager, Southern Railway.

A Rifle Show by RPF Commando Force, RPF Dog Squad, and a cultural show by the Railway School children were the highlights of the function. The function was attended by Shri Chander Pal, Addl. Divisional Railway Manager, Shri P. Raajmohan, Divisional Security Commissioner/RPF/Salem, and other Divisional officers, employees, and their family members in large numbers.

Later, while interacting with media persons, Sri Hari Shankar Verma said that the Salem Division is planning to plant 1 lakh saplings all over the Division. He said that the saplings will be planted in such a way that they do not disturb the natural flora and fauna along the railway tracks. He said that there are 36 railway bridges all over Salem Division which will be strengthened to ensure safety, and the works in 4 bridges have already been completed including the important bridge in Cauvery river near Erode. He mentioned that Salem Junction has been rated as the No.1 clean station among the Railway Stations in Divisional Headquarters and thanked the people of Salem for helping the Division to achieve the same.

On Nilgiri Mountain Railways, Sri Verma stated that 80% of tourists visiting Tamil Nadu visit Ooty and to attract more tourists to Ooty railway station,  the rose garden therein would be expanded and a steam loco with a coach would be installed in the station premises. The heritage railway stations of NMR, viz. Mettupalayam, Coonoor, Ooty and other stations, would be beautified without compromising their heritage nature and safety, he added.  On elephant crossings, DRM said that since the trains are operated in a very slow speed, there is no safety risk. However, to prevent landslides, mesh on the rocky areas would be increased, he said.

He said that 2 airconditioned waiting halls are coming up in Coimbatore Railway Station to help the business passengers, with facilities to sit and do their work. Hot  water facilities would be ensured along the Janani Sewa Baby Food Stalls with covered area for baby feeding. On provision of CCTV cameras, Sri Verma said that 54 CCTV cameras are planned to be installed in Salem Junction, and participation by Corporate Houses under CSR scheme is also welcome. On safety front, of the 78 unmanned level crossings in Salem Division , 58 would be closed by Limited Use Subway this year, and the balance would be eliminated by March 2018, he said.

On the question on increasing the security of cash laden parcel vans, DRM said that he held discussions with the Security Adviser of RBI, on designing a special type cash van and the matter would be finalized in consultation with RBI.  On electrification of Salem-Vridhachalam Section, he said that at present, the demand is very limited and based on demand only, the electrification can be taken up.