‘Unmanned crossings to go by Sept.’

Southern Railway is actively working on removing all unmanned level crossings in its jurisdiction by September 2018.

Reading out the message of Southern Railway General Manager on the occasion of the 69th Republic Day celebrations held here on Friday, the Divisional Railway Manager, Tiruchi, P. Uday Kumar Reddy, said Southern Railway had eliminated 52 unmanned level crossings and constructed 15 road overbridges and road underbridges this year.

On the passenger front, facilities such as emergency medical centres had been set up at 23 stations; child helpline centres at six stations; WiFi at 23 stations; escalators at 84 stations and differently-abled friendly measures at 71 stations.

Such measures would be provided in more stations in the coming year, Mr. Reddy said, reading out the message of the General Manager.

All the 735 stations over Southern Railway would be provided with 100 % LEDs and bio-toilets in all coaches would be provided by December 2018.

Southern Railway had provided 25 % more traffic blocks to attend to track works in this year, he said adding that despite this the railways was able to maintain 83.7 % punctuality so far.

The Southern Railway’s gross earnings this year up to December 2017 was ₹ 5,422.09 crore.

It operated 63 % more number of special trains this year as compared to last year in addition to regular trains.

He said Southern Railway stood first in reduction of public complaints this year.

Earlier, Mr. Reddy unfurled the national flag at the Kallukuzhi railway ground and inspected the ceremonial parade by the Railway Protection Force personnel.