Very Poor Patronage for the Erode-Chennai Egmore Day Time Special Express train via Salem

The Erode-Chennai Egmore Day Time Special Express train via Salem, that has been introduced recently, as per the long time demand  from the passengers of Salem-Vridhachalam Section for a day time intercity express to and from Chennai, is receiving very poor patronage from the passengers. It has been observed that only 20% of the seats are only occupied in the train, on an average. In the event of continuance of the poor patronage, Railways may have no other option, but to withdraw the said special train services. It is therefore requested that the passengers may comer forward to patronise the train, if they want the special to be either extended or to be considered for conversion into a regular train. 

 

Help from TTEs to passengers

With a view to assist the passengers for getting information and confirmation position of their seats/berths, in the train originating stations and intermediate stations, the Commercial Branch of Southern Railway has taken steps  in train originating stations, to ensure TTEs manning upper class coaches in trains are available on the Platform one hour before the scheduled departure of the train and the TTEs manning sleeper class coaches half-an-hour before the scheduled departure of the train.  Similarly in case of intermediate stations, TTEs manning upper class coaches will be present at the station half-an-hour before the scheduled arrival of the train and TTEs manning sleeper class coaches will be available 15 minutes before the scheduled arrival of the train.

In case TTEs are not so available, or if passengers have any grievances in this regard, they may kindly contact the matter on the following telephone numbers:

1) Commercial Control/Headquarters      

044-25350308 and 9003160995

2) Helpline number             138

3) Salem division                 

0427-2431010, 9600956230

Request to Public not to come near or try to cross the railway track in Podanur Pollachi section

The works for the new BG line between Podanur and Pollachi are going in full swing with the heavy deployment of track machines, ballast trains, ballast rail lorries, etc. It has been observed that public, without being aware of the risks involved, roam around the work spots and try to cross tracks in unauthorised locations.

Since such movement is likely to cause injury or even loss of lives to the trespassers, it is hereby advised that general public may kindly keep away from the track and not to cross them, in other than authorised locations, in view of their personal safety.

Mulluvadi LC Gate – permission only for pedestrians and 2 wheelers

Warning Boards placed on both sides of the Mulluvadi LC Gate

In some section of the media, it has been wrongly reported today that permission has been granted by Salem Division authorities, for all vehicles including cars and heavy vehicles to pass through the Mulluvadi LC Gate in Cherry Road, as requested by the traffic police authorities.

In this regard, it is clarified that only pedestrians and 2 wheelers have been permitted to pass through the said Mulluvadi LC Gate and no other vehicle has been permitted by Salem Division, with a view to reduce traffic congestion in the area, as the construction works are still going on there. Railway authorities have also placed boards and warning stickers on both the sides to this effect.

It is therefore warned that no vehicle other than 2 wheelers, including auto, car or any other vehicle, will be permitted to pass through the Mulluvadi LC, failing which Railway administration has got powers to proceed against them as trespass and punish them accordingly. The railway administration will also not be responsible for any mishap or consequences thereupon met by the trespasser. 

Southern Railway Salem Division performs better as it enters 10th year of its formation

Salem Division of Southern Railway that was formed 9 years ago, on 1.11.2007, has improved its year-over-year overall performance and has received wide accolades from all Rail users.

The financial performance of Salem Division, from November 2015 to  October 2016 is as follows (comparative performance during the same period last year are also given on the side:

	Amt in Lakhs	Amt in Lakhs
Head of Revenue (Nov-Oct)	2015-16	2014-15
ATM	54.69	61.35
Catering	3,07.88	3,08.29
Freight	54,43	61,28
GROSS EARNINGS	620,18	610,07
Loading (in MTs)	7,74.02	7,46.72
Originating Passengers (in Lakhs)	3,61.32	3,74.77
Other coaching	44,37	37,77
Parcel	19,78.19	21,90.5
Parking	3,03.66	3,32.30
Publicity	3,43.31	5,43.11
Retiring Rooms	54.18	44.84
Sundry Earnings	23,54	31,84
Ticket Checking	5,53.94	4,75.69
GRAND TOTAL	1287,67.19	1270,91.57

The fall in revenue on ATM, Catering, Freight, Parcel, Parking are in line with the trend all over Indian Railways and not specific to Salem Division alone. However, Salem Division, being a passenger oriented Division, has performed better on that front.

In addition, during the last year, various passenger amenities were added in the stations of Salem Division, such as Escalators in Salem Junction, Passenger Waiting Hall in Karur junction, New AC waiting Hall in Salem & Coimbatore Junctions (including AC dormitories in Coimbatore Junction), New Multifunction Complex near Salem Junction,  new Station Buildings at Vijayamangalam and Thottipalayam (near Tiruppur), etc.  Various special trains have been operated including the day time Express from Erode to Chennai Egmore.

At present, the following works have been taken up:

Construction of second entry to Salem Junction to ease congestion, for which preliminary works have already started by extension of Foot Over Bridge.

Installation of escalators and lifts at Coimbatore (including sky walk connecting Platform 1-A to the foyer area) and Erode junctions. Works are underway for these two projects.

Multi-level car parking at Coimbatore junction (in planning stage)

Extension of platforms at Mettupalayam to accommodate 24 coaches

Construction of new station buildings at Thudiyalur (participation from the TN State Government) and Periyanaickanpalayam (under CSR (corporate social responsibility) scheme  in Coimbatore-Metupalayam section.

Foundation stone has been laid for construction of a new BG line between Chinna Salem and Kallakurichi with 50% fund contribution from the Government of Tamil Nadu

VIGILANCE AWARENESS WEEK OBSERVED AT SALEM DIVISION, SOUTHERN RAILWAY

Sri Chandrapal, administering the Vigilance Pledge

 Officers and staff taking the pledge

 Sri Chandramouli, DSP, addressing the gathering

Officers and staff in full attention 

The Vigilance Awareness Week is being observed all over the Nation to promote probity in public life and to achieve a corruption free society. Indian Railways is also observing the same from 31.10.2016 to 05.11.2016, aligning with the birth day of Sardar Vallabhai Patel, the Iron Man of India and the architect of One India.

As part of the Vigilance Awareness Week, a Staff Sensitization Program was held today (02.11.2016) by the Salem Division, Southern Railway. In the program, Sri S. Chandramouli, Dy. Superintendent of Police, Vigilance & Anti-Corruption Branch of Tamil Nadu Police, Salem, participated as the Chief Guest and addressed a large gathering of officers and staff of Salem Division. While talking on the occasion, Sri Chandramouli, explained the intricacies of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and explained in detail about the difference between a Government and Public Servant. He also explained about the ways in which corrupt Government Officials are followed and trapped and the action taken thereafter.  He said that the ill-gotten money may give temporary pleasure, but will be a pain in the long run not only for the concerned but also his family and friends.

Dr. K.J. George, Project Director and Correspondent of Montfort Community Tribal School, Yercaud, also addressed the gathering and said that Railway Staff should take it as a challenge to not only clean the railway premises but also cleanse the system off corruption. Smt G. Gayathri, Dy. Chief Vigilance Officer/Traffic, Southern Railway, Chennai, also addressed the staff and officers.

Earlier, Sri Chandrapal, Addl. Divisional Railway Manager, Salem, administered the Vigilance Pledge to the officers and staff. Welcome address was provided by Sri. M. Prabhakaran, Sr. Divisional Electrical Engineer, and Vote of thanks was rendered by Sri Vijuvin, Divisional Commercial Manager/Coordination, Salem. 

ALL WOMAN FACILITATION CENTRE OPENED IN COIMBATORE RAILWAY STATION TODAY (01.11.2016)

 

In commemoration of completion of 9 years of fruitful service to the passengers of Indian Railways, since its formation on 01.11.2007, Salem Division, Southern Railway, has inaugurated the All Woman Facilitation Center in Coimbatore railway station, near the Passenger Reservation Centre (PRS),  today (01.11.2016).  This is one of seven such centers, in Southern Railway, and is the first of its kind on Indian Railways.

This All Women Facilitation Centre will provide a place for woman passengers to seek travel related assistance and is manned (rather womanned) round the clock by women staff from the Commercial and the Railway Protection Force departments of the Salem Division.  The counter provides the assistance needed by women passengers and in addition to this also provides help in lodging complaints with the Government Railway Police, access to prepaid auto services etc. In addition, the All Woman Facilitation Centers also have Baby Feeding Centers, where nursing mothers are given the necessary privacy to take care of their infants.   

More such Women Facilitation Centers are being planned to be provided in all the major stations of Salem Division, in the near future.