There is no proposal to increase frequency on Coimbatore - Mettupalayam section’.
The Salem Division of Southern Railways is taking steps to study the possibilities of carrying out improvement works to make Coimbatore Junction friendly to differently abled persons, Divisional Railway Manager, Salem Division of Southern Railways, Shri Hari Shankar Verma told media persons here on Wednesday.
“We want to make all the facilities in the station to be easily accessible to differently abled persons by removing all barriers that are hindering them. Providing more lifts will be among other facilities that we will study and introduce to meet accessibility related requirements of differently abled persons,” he said.
Providing more potable water taps, lights on the platforms and other areas that are accessed by commuters, more toilets, better lounges to accommodate more passengers and improving parking facilities at the second gate were among facilities the railways are planning for the land locked railway junction. When asked about the long-pending major proposal of shifting the goods shed from Coimbatore North Station to Irugur to make the North Station a secondary station in a bid to decongest the Coimbatore Junction, he said that this may take sometime as they are yet to study the viability and work on it.
“We welcome corporates to carry out maintenance works and preserve the heritage value of the railway stations on the Nilgiris Mountain Railways,” Mr. Verma said.
He said this is in line with the renovation of the Periyanaickenpalayam Railway Station on the Coimbatore to Mettupalayam section that has been taken up by a private firm - under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
On the renovation of the Periyanaickenpalayam Station for which the foundation stone laying was held on Wednesday, he expressed hope that the work would be completed in a year.
More stations to be renovated
“There are more stations in the district that can be renovated under CSR model,” he added.
About the proposed night train connectivity to Bengaluru, he said that time for the train will be confirmed only after studying the requirements of commuters. Stating that there is no proposal to increase frequency on the Coimbatore – Mettupalayam section and on operating trains on Sunday, he said that it may be considered after studying the need.
To overcome the rodent and pest problems in coaches, the Salem Division is working with the contractor for better pest control and maintenance that would not affect the passengers. “For trains crossing through this division we will inform the divisions concerned to carry out pest control measures,” he said. The division has finalised a new contractor to meet the shortfall of bed rolls in air conditioned coaches that has become an increasing issue of concern, he added.
Inspected
Earlier in the day, the DRM inspected stalls in Erode Junction.
After checking the date of packing and expiry, he asked the vendors to display the rate chart for various items, abiding by the railway norms.
He asked officials to remove unnecessary protrusions that would affect differently abled persons.
Later, he took part in a function in which 15 wheelchairs and three stretchers were donated to the Coimbatore Station, by Round Table India.
He also inspected the platform extension works at Mettupalayam Railway Station and studied operational difficulties and safety concerns in executing it.
Coimbatore Railway Coordinators Association made a representation to the DRM, seeking fulfilment of six demands.
Its president T. Sampathkumar said their demands included commissioning two lifts at Coimbatore Junction, press for speedy completion of the Coimbatore - Pollachi gauge conversion works and extending Nagercoil Express to Mettupalayam.
The Salem Division of Southern Railways is taking steps to study the possibilities of carrying out improvement works to make Coimbatore Junction friendly to differently abled persons, Divisional Railway Manager, Salem Division of Southern Railways, Shri Hari Shankar Verma told media persons here on Wednesday.
“We want to make all the facilities in the station to be easily accessible to differently abled persons by removing all barriers that are hindering them. Providing more lifts will be among other facilities that we will study and introduce to meet accessibility related requirements of differently abled persons,” he said.
Providing more potable water taps, lights on the platforms and other areas that are accessed by commuters, more toilets, better lounges to accommodate more passengers and improving parking facilities at the second gate were among facilities the railways are planning for the land locked railway junction. When asked about the long-pending major proposal of shifting the goods shed from Coimbatore North Station to Irugur to make the North Station a secondary station in a bid to decongest the Coimbatore Junction, he said that this may take sometime as they are yet to study the viability and work on it.
“We welcome corporates to carry out maintenance works and preserve the heritage value of the railway stations on the Nilgiris Mountain Railways,” Mr. Verma said.
He said this is in line with the renovation of the Periyanaickenpalayam Railway Station on the Coimbatore to Mettupalayam section that has been taken up by a private firm - under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
On the renovation of the Periyanaickenpalayam Station for which the foundation stone laying was held on Wednesday, he expressed hope that the work would be completed in a year.
More stations to be renovated
“There are more stations in the district that can be renovated under CSR model,” he added.
About the proposed night train connectivity to Bengaluru, he said that time for the train will be confirmed only after studying the requirements of commuters. Stating that there is no proposal to increase frequency on the Coimbatore – Mettupalayam section and on operating trains on Sunday, he said that it may be considered after studying the need.
To overcome the rodent and pest problems in coaches, the Salem Division is working with the contractor for better pest control and maintenance that would not affect the passengers. “For trains crossing through this division we will inform the divisions concerned to carry out pest control measures,” he said. The division has finalised a new contractor to meet the shortfall of bed rolls in air conditioned coaches that has become an increasing issue of concern, he added.
Inspected
Earlier in the day, the DRM inspected stalls in Erode Junction.
After checking the date of packing and expiry, he asked the vendors to display the rate chart for various items, abiding by the railway norms.
He asked officials to remove unnecessary protrusions that would affect differently abled persons.
Later, he took part in a function in which 15 wheelchairs and three stretchers were donated to the Coimbatore Station, by Round Table India.
He also inspected the platform extension works at Mettupalayam Railway Station and studied operational difficulties and safety concerns in executing it.
Coimbatore Railway Coordinators Association made a representation to the DRM, seeking fulfilment of six demands.
Its president T. Sampathkumar said their demands included commissioning two lifts at Coimbatore Junction, press for speedy completion of the Coimbatore - Pollachi gauge conversion works and extending Nagercoil Express to Mettupalayam.