The frontage of the Salem Railway Junction will wear a new look from next year.
The works on giving a facelift to the junction, in particular to the frontage, is nearing completion. Final touches are now being given and in probability the new look frontage will be thrown open for public use by January 1.
Spacious parking lotThe frontage will give a broad look hereafter with the setting up of another entrance, adjacent to the present main entrance. The vehicles will have a spacious parking lot with the completion of this project. The current ticket booking counters, at present at the first entrance leading to frequent congestion, will be shifted to the northern end near the ATMs block.
DecongestionWith the shifting of the counters issuing current tickets, the entire hall will now be available for the commuters use giving much moving space. This will help in decongestion in a big way, the source said.
The second entrance will have ramp facility for the benefit of the differently abled commuters. A new waiting hall is also coming on Platform No. 1.
Another important work on developing platform No. 5 and extending the sub-way to this new platform has also been completed and will be inaugurated by New Year.
With the development of platform No. 5 as major platform, the long distance trains will be drawn on platform Nos. 4 and 5.
This platform has been developed with concrete apron due to which it will be able to carry fast moving trains, besides more number of trains. With the commissioning of this platform, the Railways has proposed to develop platform No. 4 too with concrete apron shortly.
The subway linking platform numbers 2, 3/ 4 from the main entrance has been extended to Platform 5 and this work was executed at an outlay of Rs. 60 lakh. The Platform 5 will also have escalator facility. At present, the work of covering the entire platform No. 5 with shelter is in progress and is expected to be completed shortly.