The Salem Railway Division had sought four more Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) services to cater to the needs of commuters in the region, said Shubhranshu, Divisional Railway Manager, Salem.
Speaking to The Hindu after inspecting the Karur Railway junction here on Thursday, he said it had been proposed to increase the number of DEMU services to five from one in Salem division. Four routes such as Salem-Karur-Tiruchi-
Thanjavur, Salem-Virudhachalam-Thanjavur, Salem-Karur, and Salem-Mettur had been shortlisted for running DEMU services based on representations from passengers and commercial viability report.
The proposal had been sent to the Southern Railway for taking steps to allot four more services to Salem division. It had received positive signals from the Southern Railway.
Mr.Shubhranshu said electrification of Coimbatore and Mettupalayam route had been completed. Trial runs were conducted. Final stage checking was on progress. Steps were taken to operate services on the route within a few weeks.
He said construction of additional buildings had been undertaken at several stations, including Coimbatore North, Salem and Mettur to cater to the needs of passengers.
Steps had been taken to expedite the works. Extension work had been undertaken at Mettupalayam station to handle 24 coach trains, instead of the existing 13 coach trains.
Earlier, accompanied by K.P.Damodaran, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Mr.Shubhranshu met the Collector S.Jayandhi to seek the cooperation of the district administration in stepping up cleanliness in railway stations.
