Tamil Nadu - Madurai   

Double track work to be over by March

Staff Reporter

Madurai-Dindigul metre gauge track to be closed from next month

FELICITATION: P.Maruthamuthu, right, Vice-Chancellor, Madurai Kamaraj University, hands over shield to the Senior Public Relations Officer, N. Venugopal, in Madurai on Monday. (from left) M. Suyambulingam, ADRM, and Hemant Kumar, DRM, are also seen. — Photo: K. Ganesan

MADURAI: The much-awaited broad gauge double-track between Madurai and Dindigul will be established by next March. The existing 66-km metre gauge section will be closed by the third week of May.

Speaking at the 52nd Railway Week celebrations here on Monday, the Divisional Railway Manager, Hemant Kumar, said that the passenger amenities worth Rs. 20 crore would be implemented in the current fiscal. A few stations, including Rameswaram, Palani and Karaikudi, had been identified for providing modern amenities such as touch-screen passenger information system, digital public announcement, coach indicators and ticket vending machines.

While Unreserved Ticketing System would be introduced in Rajapalayam, Tenkasi, Sattur and Sivakasi railway stations, Automated Teller Machines would be established in 28 stations in association with the State Bank of India, Canara Bank, Bank of Baroda and Indian Bank, he said. Mr. Hemant Kumar said that the division recorded a growth of more than 30 per cent in overall earnings, though 200-km of metre gauge routes had been closed for gauge conversion.

In order to clear extra rush of passengers during festival season and holidays, 1,110 special trains were operated.

On the safety front, there was not a single fatal accident last year.

P. Maruthamuthu, Vice-Chancellor, Madurai Kamaraj University, said that the railways remained the largest profit-making organisation of the Government over the years because of a dedicated work force. Challenges were bound to come in the discharge of duties and employees should face them with courage and confidence.

R. Kesavan, divisional secretary, Southern Railway Mazdoor Union, and V. Gopalakrishnan, divisional secretary, Southern Railway Employees Sangh, opposed the privatisation moves of the railways.

Awards

M. Suyambulingam, Additional Divisional Railway Manager, also spoke. Dr. Maruthamuthu presented the Rajbhasha Rolling Shield to Senior Public Relations Officer, N. Venugopal, for effective implementation of Rajbhasha Hindi. Lobby Assistant R. Edward William was given the award for `Most Passenger Friendly Service.' Commercial Supervisor, V. Radha, received the award for meritorious service.

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