The Salem Railway Division has made a request to the Railway headquarters to allot four high horsepower Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) rakes for operating trains in different routes. The request was following the overwhelming response from the travelling public for the recently introduced DEMU rakes with toilet facility in the Salem – Vridhachalam section.
Shubhranshu, Divisional Railway Manager, Salem, accompanied by K. Kamaraj, MP, (Kallidaikurichi), and a team of officials of the Salem Railway Division, listened to the grievances of the commuters in the Salem – Vridhachalam passenger train on Monday.
He said that the division had already submitted a proposal for operating DEMU trains in four sections: Salem – Thanjavur (via Namakkal, Karur and Tiruchi); Salem – Mettur Dam; Erode – Tiruchi and Erode – Vridhachalam. Following persistent demands, the DEMU trains for Thanjavur and Mettur dam from Salem would originate from Salem Town Railway Station. The DRM also promised to consider the request made by a passenger T. S. Sankaran of Shevvapet to operate the Salem – Yeshvantpur passenger from Salem Town station.
Mr. Subhranshu said that the DEMU train gives the speed of an express train at the fare of passenger trains. The operation of trains with DEMU rakes will enable in releasing the conventional coaches of the existing trains to augment the other long distance trains. Moreover, the locomotives could be used for operating more goods trains, he said.
The DRM said that the pay and use air-conditioned waiting hall in Coimbatore junction, where Rs. 15 is charged for an hour’s waiting, has been well received by the commuters. The Division has proposed to set up similar pay and use AC waiting halls in Erode and Salem junctions too shortly.
He also assured the commuters that their requests for increasing the speed of the Salem – Vridhachalam passenger will be favourably considered.
Mr. Kamaraj, Member of Parliament, who listened to the grievances of the commuters between Attur and Chinna Salem stations, later urged the DRM to accord priority for the execution of the project for rail link from Kallakurichi to Ulundurpet, which was originally proposed in 2006, but could not be taken up for want of funds. The MP said that the Chief Minister had already sanctioned the State Government’s share of Rs. 64.5 crore for the implementation of this project.
When Mr. Kamaraj pleaded for new halt stations in Servai and Kattukottai, the DRM explained to him that it can be taken up under the Shramdhan scheme for which the local body of the respective area has to send a proposal accepting to share the costs.
To the demand of the MP for construction of a foot over bridge at Chinna Salem station and stoppage of Puducherry – Mangalore Weekly Express at Pukravari station, Mr. Shubhranshu assured that necessary proposals for the same will be forwarded to the Railway headquarters for consideration. At Chinna Salem Railway Station, Mr. Kamaraj inspected the newly commissioned Automated Ticket Vending Machine. K. P. Damodaran, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, explained the functioning of the new facility.
