The Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) is likely to inspect the newly laid broad gauge track in the main line section from Villupuram to Mayiladuturai in the first week of March, the Additional Divisional Railway Manager, Tiruchi M. Selvaraj said on Tuesday.
Signalling arrangements and testing works has already been completed in nine block stations, while installation of signals and its testing were currently underway in seven block stations, he told reporters at the Srirangam railway station here after inaugurating a cleanliness campaign.
Goods trains were at present being operated in the 122 km stretch from Villupuram to Mayiladuturai, Mr. Selvaraj said, adding that necessary documents had been forwarded to the CRS for inspecting the main line section and obtain his mandatory clearance for operating passenger train services.
"The CRS is likely to come in March first week to inspect the section", Mr. Selvaraj said. The Rail Vikas Nigam Limited is executing the Villupuram – Mayiladuthurai broad gauge conversion project.
On-board cleaning
The divisional railway administration has identified the Tiruchi – Howrah and Tiruchi – Ernakulam Tea Garden Expresses for carrying out "on-board" cleaning of coaches,even when the trains were on the move. The works are expected to commence from April, he said.
Stating that top priority had been accorded to cleanliness, he said agencies had been fixed for carrying out cleaning works in "D" type stations too in Tiruchi Division. Tiruverambur, Tiruchi Fort, Tiruchi Town, Srirangam, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur and Pattukottai railway stations in the Tiruchi Division fell under the "D" category.
He said plans were afoot to set up modular toilets at gate lodges in 42 places within the Tiruchi Railway Division. Orders had been issued in this regard and necessary arrangements had been made with the TWAD Board and panchayats for supply of water. Wherever required bores would be sunk for supply of water, he said.
The Additional Divisional Railway Manager said 10 unmanned level crossings had been converted into manned gates this year and works were for establishment of 10 limited use subways in the Division were currently on.
Earlier, Mr. Selvaraj distributed pamphlets to rail travellers at the Srirangam station as part of the campaign that was organised by the Medical Branch of the Tiruchi Division. The Chief Medical Superintendent, Railway Hospital, Ponmalai Dr. P. Velusamy, members of St. John Ambulance, Junior Red Cross besides railway staff took part in the campaign.
