The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Madurai News : Madurai railway station is a model, says Velu

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Feb 11, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Madurai

Madurai railway station is a model, says Velu

By Our Staff Reporter

MADURAI, FEB. 10. The Union Minister of State for Railways, R. Velu, today lauded the maintenance of the Madurai railway station and said that it had emerged as a model for others to emulate.

Accompanied by senior railway officials, Mr. Velu inspected various passenger amenities in the station and walked into waiting halls, restaurants, retiring rooms, security establishments and the parcel office. Appreciating the Divisional Railway Manager, B.N. Rajashekar, and the Station Manager, K. Velumani, for keeping the premises spic and span, he gave a few suggestions to improve the services.

At the parcel office, the Minister enquired about the quantum of parcels booked and the safety parameters adopted. When the parcel clerk him that there was no mechanism to check what was inside consignments, Mr. Velu advised the authorities concerned to amend the application forms to include a standard format of undertaking that could be taken from consignors to prevent transportation of contraband or banned substances.

At the Tamil Nadu Railway Police unit, he asked the sentry constable why his gun was not loaded. The railway officials were directed to ensure that police personnel on duty carried loaded guns for safety and security.

Mr. Velu then walked into some of the restaurants and tasted the food served there. At the Food Plaza multi-cuisine restaurant, he pointed out that the prices of some of the items were high. He made enquiries about the rate of occupancy of the retiring rooms and advised the matron to ensure that passengers were not kept waiting while the rooms were allotted.

Later, talking to reporters, Mr. Velu said the use of jatropha bio-diesel was found to be economical and efficient. "The railway has bigger plans for bio-diesel in the future."

On the release of funds to different States, Mr. Velu said the Railway Board was adopting a standard formula of allocation. "Though funds are given based on various factors, the focus is mainly on socio-economic objectivity. The memorandum given by the Members of Parliament of the Democratic Progressive Alliance would be considered in accordance with procedures. MPs of several States have given representations seeking more funds for pending projects," he said.

The Additional Divisional Railway Manager, R. Venkadasamy, the Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, V.R. Lenin, and the Senior Public Relations Officer, N. Venugopal, were present.

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