“Integrated security system for Madurai railway station proposed”

A.K.Goel, Divisional Railway Manager, giving away prizes to special children during the Independence Day celebrations in the city on Sunday. Photo: G. Moorthy.

In an effort to improve the security measures , a proposal is on to implement integrated security system at the Madurai Railway Station at a total cost of Rs.4.48 crore, according to A.K. Goel, Divisional Railway Manager, Madurai Division, Southern Railway.

Mr. Goel earlier unfurled the flag and took salute in the march past done by Railway Protection Force, NCC Cadets, Scouts and Guides and students of Railway Mixed Higher Secondary School at Red Field Grounds here on Sunday.

Delivering the Independence Day address, Mr. Goel said that the Madurai Division during the current financial year had seen revenue of Rs.85 crore in passenger traffic and Rs. 41 crore in goods and including miscellaneous the division had earned Rs.137 crore.

Construction of a compound wall at a cost of Rs.1.4 crore had been made and the works were in progress, he said. “We have tightened security with CCTVs, sniffer dogs and additional deployment of RPF personnel. Vital installations are now being guarded with the coordination of local police and Government Railway Police.”

Passenger amenities are being improved and it is also our focus area and works to the tune of Rs 18 crore are already in progress at Madurai Station and besides that, works on additional passenger amenities are under way at Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, Dindigul, Karaikudi, Rameswaram, Tenkasi and Palani stations.

Mr. Goel said that gauge conversion work between Sengottai and Punalur will commence shortly and with regard to the conversion work between Virudhunagar and Manamadurai, Dindigul and Pollachi and Tirunelveli and Tenkasi, the progress is on various stages.

Railway electrification work between Tiruchirapalli and Madurai will be completed by the end of current financial year and the Madurai-Tuticorin-Nagercoil section has been sanctioned and is planned to be completed by December 2011.

T. Venkatasubramanian, Additional Divisional Railway Manager, Padmini Venkatasubramanian, vice-president, Southern Railway Women's Welfare Organisation, M. Suresh, Divisional Security Commissioner, Hoshiar Chand, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, and trade union representatives were present. T. Mathivananan, Senior Divisional Personnel Officer, proposed a vote of thanks.