Two new passenger waiting halls for the passengers were inaugurated at Platform No 4 at the Salem Railway Junction here on Tuesday.
V. Pannerselvam, MP, inaugurated the facility in the presence of Salem Railway Divisional Manager Shubhranshu. Constructed at a cost of Rs. 18 lakh, the waiting rooms, one for general and other for women passengers, has toilets and bathrooms attached to it with an exclusive toilet for differently-abled persons.
The halls have seating capacity of 40 in general hall and 30 in ladies waiting hall. Also, passengers can use the plug points for recharging their mobile phones.Speaking to reporters, Mr. Pannerselvam said that he had already taken up the issue of operating day time trains from Salem to Chennai Egmore and Kumbakonam with the Railway Minister who has positively responded to the requests.
He said that the issue of opening a second entry for Salem Junction to ease the congestion at the present entrance and installation of a Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) Shed in Salem, which will facilitate introduction of DEMU trains originating from Salem to various places, will be raised in Parliament and with the Ministry.
Mr. Shubhranshu said that the present waiting hall would be converted into air-conditioned for which tenders have already been floated. Later, during the discussions with the DRM, the MP raised the issue of shifting the goods shed from Salem Junction to Salem Market Railway Station, for which DRM clarified that only the freight for Food Corporation of India, are being handled at Salem Junction at present, and shifting of the same to Salem Market would facilitate construction of more platforms and opening of second entry.
