Chennai :Ø  Southern Railway has eliminated all Unmanned Level Crossing Gates as on 01.10.2018.  In fact, Chennai, Palakkad and Thiruvananthapuram Divisions have much earlier eliminated all unmanned level crossing gates and other three Divisions viz. Madurai, Tiruchirappalli and Salem are now free from Unmanned Level crossings.  This will lead to eliminate accident on account of trespassing in the unmanned level crossing gates.

 

Ø  Gross originatingearnings of Southern Railway during the current financial year 2018-19 upto September 2018 is Rs.4434.14crore which is 14.94% higher than the corresponding period of the previous year.

Ø  About 422 million passengers have travelled up to September 2018 which is 3.8 % higher than the corresponding period of 2017-18.

Ø  Freight loading has witnessed significant growth.  In the first six months of the current financial year, Southern Railway achieved an originating loading of17.735 MT which is 34% more as compared to the same period of last year.

Ø  Predominantly a Passenger traffic zone, to ease congestion Southern Railway operated 945 reserved special trains and 1961unreserved special trains up to September 2018 to clear waitlisted passengers.  34 Velankanni specialsto ease the festival rush, was appreciated by Public. 18 Special trains are also announced in view of Thamiraparani Maha Pushkaram and 33 special trains for Dussera festivals.

Ø  A total of 2559 coaches were added by various trains and creating an additionally 1,09,000 berths up to September 2018. Coaches have been augmented to 8 trains permanently.

Ø  During the current year, Southern Railway introduced new trains viz., Humsafar Express from Tambaram to Bhagat Ki Kothi,  Uday Express from Coimbtore to Bengaluru and two Antyodaya Express trains – one from Tambaram To Tirunelveli and one more from  Kochuveli to Mangalore Junction.Rameswaram- Ajmer Express also introduced.

Ø  In Chennai Beach-Tambaram suburban section, fast locals were withdrawn due to the unfortunate incident taken place at St.Thomas Mount in the recent past.  However, considering the difficulties faced by the public, a new passenger special EMU is introduced for one time from Kanchipuram to Madras Beach at 06.10 hrs.  Similarly, Chennai Beach to Chengalpattu EMU services departing at 18.40 hours is extended upto Kanchipuram.  Similarly, Puduchery-Chennai Egmore pairing trains have been augmented with additional 3 coaches to take care of the passenger traffic with additional stoppage at Guindy and Mambalam.  Further, this train is extended to Chennai Beach on 5 days in a week.

• T. No 40561 from Chennai Beach (departure 1840 hours) to Chengalpattu (arrival 2030 hours). EMU service is extended from Chengalpattu to Kancheepuram (arrival 2140 hours) to facilitate commuters from Kancheepuram section to reach home in time.
• T.No 16115/116 Puducherry -Chennai Egmore -Puducherry express train is augmented with 3 coaches ie from 11 coaches to 14 coacheswith additional stoppage at Guindy and Mambalam railway stations. Further this train is extended to Chennai Beach from Chennai Egmoreon five days a week to help the commuters of fast locals.

Ø  To ease the congestion in Ticket counter, AutomaticTicket Vending Machines have been installed at various stations which evoked a very good response and currently on an average 1.80 lakh passengers per day using this facility.

Ø  The number of passengers buying tickets through the UTS on mobileapp has also increased to 14.5 lakhs per month average.

Ø  Special Heritage steam voyage train services have been introduced between Mettupalayam to Coonoor with value added service on 31.03.2018 and operated upto 24.06.2018.  The same was reintroduced with effect from 10.10.2018.

Ø  1 Escalator and 6 lifts have been commissioned during 2018-19up to September,and 12 more escalators and 13 lifts are planned to be commissioned during 2018-19.

Ø  Southern Railway has planned to provide 4 MWp capacity Solar plants in the roof of station buildings and platforms in 25 Railway stations.  Further, 4MWp is planned to be commissioned at 48 stations, so that the existing load can be managed.

Ø  Five wind mills totalling 10.5 MW wind plant will be commissioned by Jan.2019.  Already one wind mill is erected.

Ø  AC paid waiting halls are provided at 16 stations,  Battery Operated Cars are provided in 15 stations, Emergency Medical Assistance booths are provided in 24 stations, App based Cab services has been provided at 5 stations.

Ø   To provide clean and potable drinking water to the passengers, 185 Nos. Water Vending Machines have been installed at various stationsupto24.09.2018

Ø  During the current year, it is planned to commission the following Projects:

Gauge conversion :

• Thiruvarur-Tiruthuraipoondi,
• Tiruthuraipoondi-Pattukottai,
• Madurai-Usilampatti section

Doubling works:

• Guduvancheri-SingaperumalKoil,
• Mecheri Road-Mettur Dam and

Commissioning of new line between

• Third line between  Chennai beach-Korrukkupet ; and
• 4^thline between Korukkupet and Tiruvattiyur
• Milavittan-Melmarudur will be tried depending on the land acquisition issue.

Ø  As part of “Traffic Facility” work, Tambaram has been developed as a Coaching Terminal and a new Antyodaya Express started running from Tambaram Terminal.

Ø  Electrification of 73.97 kms. between Karur-Dindigul section has been commissioned.

Ø  During this year upto September ’18, as part of Safety related work, 226 Track km. of Track renewal have been completed.  Apart from this 31 Nos. of bridge rehabilitation works completed and 4 Nos. of ROBs have been commissioned for enhancing safety of travelling public.

Ø  31 Bridges have been rehabilitated this year upto September 2018 of which 10 are major bridges. We have recently introduced under water inspection with remote operated robotic vehicle for the first time in Indian Railways for enhancing safety of bridges up & down.  Likewise, we haveconducted Drone survey of 4 mega bridges of Nethravathi up and down, Cauvery and Pamban bridges.

Ø  Southern Railway introduced LHB coaches in 46 trains. Upto September 2018

Ø  Southern Railway has provided Head on Generation (HOG) for 13 pairs of Mail/Express trains.  The savings of 9.42 lakhs litres of diesel amounting to Rs.74 Crores due to non running of diesel engine in power cars.

Ø  Special Joy ride round trip service was also run between Ooty – Ketti – Ooty, 10 such services were run in June 2018, 3 services in August and one service in September2018.  A Special Heritage Special was run between Ooty and Ketti ( Single Trip service) on October ^2nd, 2018,  using Heritage Coal fired steam locomotive X-37384, the world’s oldest working MG steam locomotive.

Ø  For Heritage fans, Chennai Division of Southern Railway ran its First Heritage special for the Public on Sunday 27.05.2018 between Chennai Egmore and Kodambakkam. Two more such trains services were run on June 3rd and June 10^th 2018. This service was extremely popular among the Steam Loco Fans. With this running, EIR 21 is the oldest BG working Steam locomotive in the World along with EIR 22. Southern Railway is processing for incorporation of EIR-21 in Guinness World of Records through Railway Board.

Ø  Followed by Chennai Division, similar heritage runs of EIR-21 conducted in ThiruchchirapalliDivision betweenPuducherry and Chinnababusamudram between 25.08.2018 and 29.09.2018. This Heritage run is proposed to be extended for all Divisions.  The heritage locomotive EIR 21 will be moving to Madurai division for Heritage run in Tiruchendur – Tirunelveli section. Thiruvananthapuram Division will run the Heritage special after Madurai.

Ø  Southern Railway has surpassed the target in fitment of Bio toilets in Coaches for the year 2017-18.19728 bio-toilets have been provided in5263coaches so far. It is planned to provide bio-toilets in all coaches before 31.03.2019. In Southern Railway there are green corridors namely Rameshwaram-Manamadurai, Tiruchirappalli-Manamadurai, Madurai-Manamadurai, Virudunagar-Manamadurai and Shoranur-Nilambur sections.

Ø  Various Energy Efficient equipments/fittings viz. LED lamps, energy efficient BLDC fans, super efficient air conditioners etc. have been provided to conserve energy.100% LED light fittings have been provided in all the Railway stations and service buildings in Southern Railway.  Chennai Central got Green Certification recently.  Chennai Central became the first Station in Southern Railway to get the prestigious Green Building Certification.

Ø  Southern Railway has planned to provide 4 MWp capacity Solar plants in the roof of station buildings and platforms in 25 Railway stations.  Further, 4MWp is planned to be commissioned at 48 stations, so that the existing load can be managed.

Ø  Five wind mills totalling 10.5 MW wind plant will be commissioned by Jan.2019.  Already one wind mill is erected.

Ø  All India RPF Security Helpline No.182 is functional in Southern Railway from Dec.2014 onwards to deal the complaints instantly.   During the year upto September 18, 502 messages for help were received from the passengers and the same were redressed on real time basis.   All Women Facilitation Centre is functional at Chennai Central, Chennai Egmore, Tiruchirappalli, Coimbatore, Madurai, Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram Railway stations to help lone women passengers.

Ø  143 persons in 130 cases were prosecuted for involving in touting activities and an amount ofRs. 1.98 Lakhs realised as fine by RPF.

Ø  Intensive Campaign and awareness programme is also organised by RPF team on  Safe Method of Travelling like avoiding Foot board traveling, Tress Passing, Using mobile phone while traveling,  Usage of Back packs etc.,

Ø  .For a hassle free train services in signalling arrangements, Southern Railway has eliminated old Signalling System of Lever Frames, Semaphore & Neal’s ball token instruments over entire Passenger Carrying network in Southern Railway.

Ø  Interlocking of LC gates has been carried out in 1263 stations and 480 stations Data loggers were provided.

Ø  100% Track circuiting is provided at all stations to enhance safety

Ø  Provision of Wi-Fi at all A1, A and B category station was announced in the Railway Budget and we have provided wi-fi facility at 52 stations upto September 2018.  Integrated Surveillance Security System is provided in 14 stations.  CCTV cameras provided at 6 stations under Nirbhaya Fund.

Ø  Station premises, platforms have been kept clean by engaging cleaning contracts duly utilizing new modern gadgets.  We have outsourced the cleaning activities in 64 railwaystations and for E category stations, we have sanctioned imprest cash to the station managers for keeping the stations clean and tidy.

Ø  Coaches have also been kept clean by On Board House Keeping contracts (OBHS) who travel in the coaches and maintain the cleanliness in the coaches and toilets. The executive Housekeeper(EHK) of OBHS is acting as Coach Mitra” who attends the passenger complaints enroute.  ‘Coach Mitra’ service has been extended in 26 Non –OBHS trains running within the Zone.

Ø  RPF personnel are escorting 311 trains and recently formed SakthiPadai consisting of women RPF for escorting EMU services.  They also protect the railway properties in the stations, workshops and railway premises.  Upto September 352 criminals have been arrested in 305  cases and railway property worth about Rs.7.97 lakhs have been recovered

Ø  SRWWO and their team actively participated in various activities towards the welfare of Railway employees and their family members. In the recent past it has taken initiatives in helping patients at Railway Hospital and is assisting special children at ‘Ashraya’. They also donated Bottle Crusher at Thiruchchirapalli Railway Station

Ø  Swachatha Hi Seva Pakwara Drive was conducted which focused on  intensive cleaning of station premises in all stations over Southern Railway – in Chennai, Tiruchchirappalli, Madurai, Salem, Palakkad and Thiruvananthapuram Division.  Officials distributed pamphlets to passengers and interacted with them. The officials also inspected the availability and ensured the functionality of mechanised cleaning equipment’s and involved themselves in mechanised cleaning activities. Principal Heads of Departments, Branch officers, Depot officers, workshop and station staff and other employees involved themselves in cleaning their respective work places.  504 Officers were deputed for monitoring the cleanliness drives at stations.  48 officers conducted on-board inspections and surprise checks to ensure the desired level of cleanliness in trains.   Many Schools / Scouts & Guides / NGOs / Volunteers / Institutions / Service Organisations participated in this campaign/Rally/Skits /Sharmadan at various places.  Such organisations / institutions contributed their efforts in cleaning as well as creating awareness regarding the importance of cleanliness. 329 cleanliness drives were conducted involving NGOs. 

Ø  Southern Railway Headquarters Hospital at Perambur, Chennai was conferred with a Shield and Citation under “NBE Scroll of Honour for Teaching Institutions” category for the year 2014.  The National Board of Examinations has conferred the 2014 NBE Scroll of Honour upon the Hospital, for its outstanding commitment towards preserving the highest standards in higher medical education, clinical research and training

Ø  Chennai Central, Udhagamandalam, Madurai, Mettupalayam, station has been face lifted with colourful illumination to welcome the tourist during “Paryatan Parv” celebration. Operated four services of Udhagamandalam- Ketti round trip train during “Paryatan Parv”.

Ø  Railways look forward for continuous Press and Media support in creating awareness on safety as well maintaining the cleanliness at Railway premises.