Shri Deepak Krishan, General Manager, Southern Railway hoisted the National Flag on the occasion of the Nation's 63rdRepublic Day at the Southern Railway New General Office, Chennai.He later inspected an impressive guard of honour put up by the Railway Protection Force (RPF).
Speaking on the occasion, the General Manager said that during the current year, Southern Railway had commissioned new lines between Nidamangalam – Mannargudi (14 km) and Nagore – Karaikal (11 km).Villupuram – Mundiyambakkam (6 km stretch of Chengalpattu – Villupuram Gauge conversion project) and Kayankulam – Cheppad – Haripad (13 km) doubling projects had also been completed and commissioned during the year.
This year, engine rolling has been done on New lines like Namakkal – karur section of 36 km length along with Salem – Namakkal section and Walajah Road – Ranipet section of 6 km length, on Gauge Converted sections of Tirunelveli – Tenkasi of 72 km. length, Dindigul – Palani of 58 km length and Mayiladuthurai – Tiruvarur of 38 km. length & on sections where Doubling works had been done like Nethravathi – Mangalore of 4 km. length and Attipattu – Ennore of 7 km length. CRS inspections are planned shortly.
Further, engine rolling is also planned in the remaining months of the current financial year on the following sections:
ØPalani – Pollachi (62 km), Pollachi – Muthalamada (26 km).This will enable train services between Palani and Pollachi.
ØTiruchuli – Manamadurai (32 km) section of Virudhunagar – Manamaduraigauge conversion (64 km).This will enable direct train services between Virudhunagar and Manamadurai.
ØChengannur – Mavelikara (12 km) double line section is ready and will be commissioned shortly giving lot of relief to trains in Kerala.
ØChengalpattu – Ottivakkam (9 km), Melmaruvathur – Madurantakam (11 km), Perani – Vikravandi (7 km) sections are ready.Vikravandi – Mundiyambakkam section (6 km) will be ready by February.With the above, 40 km out of 103 km of Chengalpattu – Villupuram section would be doubled by March 2012 and the balance 63 km has will been planned for completion in 2012-13.
The year 2011-12 was declared as the ‘Year of Green Energy’ by Hon’ble Minister of Railways.Southern Railway has been able to achieve 4% electrical savings in non-traction purposes in spite of increase in connected load by 1%.
During the current financial year up to December 2011, the originating passengers in Southern Railway was 589.51 million, registering a growth of 42.75 million originating passengers over the corresponding period last year.This was possible by running over 6000 additional Express trains and 1600 passenger trains besides over 1100 special trains during this period.As a result, the Passenger Earnings during April – December 2011 had crossed Rs.2130 crores, registering 9.61% growth.
Punctuality performance of Mail/Express trains during the current financial year up to December 2011 improved to 93%.
The originating loading during the current financial year up to December 2011 was 28.41 million tonnes, registering an impressive growth of 10.77% over the corresponding period last year. With a longer lead in traffic as well as movement of high rated commodities, the originating freight earnings crossed Rs.1,390 crores, registering a phenomenal 15.66% growth over last year.It is a matter of pride that during this period, out of 16 zonal railways, Southern Raiway is one of the four zones to have achieved positive percentage variation in loading target set by Railway Board.
The earnings during the current financial year upto December 2011 is Rs.4075.94 crores, which is 18.52% more than the corresponding period of last year whereas the expenditure stands at Rs.3889.15 cr.
In order to enhance security in the Railways, a system of Integrated Security System which comprises CCTV, Access control, personal baggage scanning and explosive detection & disposal will be installed at 9 stations on this Railway.
Southern Railway is also taking all out efforts to fill up the safety category vacancies and shortly about 4000 persons will be recruited in Group ‘D’.We have also recruited 710 ex-servicemen against Group ‘D’ safety category.
Carriage Workshop, Perambur has been designated as the Metre gauge export hub in August 2011.So far, four DEMU shells have been rolled out to ICF.Carriage Works is also expecting an order of 414 metre gauge coaches for export to Bangaladesh at a cost of Rs.800 cr.Due to the efforts of Goldenrock Workshops, the first indigenous steam locomotive which was commissioned in the month of April 2011 is running successfully.The second locomotive is likely to roll out in February 2012.
To improve passenger satisfaction over supply of linen, an automatic mechanised laundry of 6 ton capacity has been commissioned at Basin Bridge Depot in October 2011.With this facility, the quality of linen will be substantially improved.
100% LED signals which provide better visibility have been provided between Chennai Beach - Tiruchchirappalli both via. main line and chord line and also between Chennai Beach - Jolarpattai, Chennai Basin Bridge - Gudur and Arakkonam – Renigunta, covering a total length of 980 km.
