Divisional Railway Users’ Consultative Committee (DRUCC) is one of the interactive mechanisms Indian Railways is employing to get the feedback from the rail users on its services. The Salem DRUCC has a meeting scheduled every quarter of the year, under the Chairmanship of the DRM, to discuss various issues including demands from the rail users and the steps taken by Salem Division, based on such requests.
The 18th DRUCC Meeting was hosted today (17.04.2017) in the Salem Division Office Meeting Hall with 22 members from various places of Salem Division such as Metupalayam, Coimbatore, Erode, Salem and Karur. Hari Shankar Verma, DRM, chaired the meeting and answered various queries from members.
A question from P. Rajendran, member from Mettupalayam, regarding completion of station building construction at Thudiyalur, DRM said that June 2017 has been fixed as deadline for completion of works and after completion of construction, Station will be put into full use. When Rajendran asked about connecting Mettupalayam, by trains through the new Podanur- Pollachi BG Line, DRM informed that totally, 11 trains have been proposed in the said route, including a new train from Mettupalayam to Madurai. He further stated that out of the 11 trains proposed, 4 trains were trains that were running in the MG line before conversion in the route. Further, DRM clarified that with a view to develop Mettupalayam as a tourist centre, en route to Coonoor and Ooty, the works for increasing the platform length of platform is taking place and this awaits clearance from Commissioner for Railway Safety.
On a query from C. Balasubramanian, from Coimbatore, on Multi Level Parking facility, DRM clarified that for the earlier tender, there was no response and steps have been taken to float the tender again. On the complaint from him as to the overcharging by the parking contractor, DRM explained that last year 18 complaints were received and the contractor was penalized and his contract was cancelled. Now, a temporary contract is in place and as on date, there were no complaints received, he added. He assured that steps will be taken to display parking rates in all prominent locations of parking area.
When J.V. Sureshkumar, from Tirupur, requested for stoppage of all trains more than 5 minutes to load parcels, DRM clarified that already many trains have been given stoppage up to 5 minutes and additional time would infringe the punctuality of trains. This member requested for stoppage of more trains that pass through, at Tirupur, such as 12659 Nagercoil Shalimar Gurudev Express, 12698 Trivandrum Chennai Express, DRM assured that steps will be taken towards the same.
On request from C.S. Gowthaman, Erode, for provision of a passenger general waiting hall in Platform No.3/4, DRM explained that the waiting hall facility at subway is capable of accommodating the passengers. When he requested stoppage of trains such as Chennai Coimbatore Intercity Express, Yercaud Express at Cauvery Railway Station, DRM, explained that the distance between these two stations is too short to accept such a demand.
When Dr. Athiyanna, representing the Differently Abled Passengers’ Association, Salem, requested for enabling online reservation facilities for booking tickets availing concession in all classes, since they differently abled persons are forced to visit Railway Station for ticket booking, DRM explained that it was mandatory to check the concession documents in person by the Reservation Clerk, it is not viable to accept this demand.
When members pointed out the increase in the number of crimes in trains in Salem-Jolarpet Section, DRM said that he had discussed the matter with GRP officials and they have agreed to post a DSP level officer at Salem, to tackle this menace.
For demands from other members, such as introduction of new train services, policy matters, etc., DRM explained that these fall under the purview of Railway Board and can be taken up with the Ministry of Railways through Members of Parliament.