Southern Railway salutes the nation
S Vishnu Sharmaa, INN/Chennai, @Svs037
Southern Railway is high on the achievement front. This was reflected during its Independence Day celebration this year.
Additional general manager, Southern Railway P K Mishra said in Southern Railway, 15 new trains were introduced, 13 trains were extended, 2321 special trains were run, 42 coaches were added permanently and 75 stoppages have been provided for various trains during the year 2018-19.
In spite of running more trains and undertaking record number of safety related track and bridge works, our punctuality has significantly improved from 77 percent last year to 82 percent this year, he said. To improve the punctuality further, 15 speed restrictions were relaxed during 2019-20 up to July and increase of speed has been planned in many sections.
‘I am extremely happy to share that during current financial year upto July, we have achieved 7.37 percent growth in overall earnings and 8.62 percent increase in passenger earnings compared to last year.’
Loading of 10.862 MTs of various commodities has been done in the current financial year. In addition to loading of coal, cement, food grains, fertilizers, petroleum, oil and lubricants and containers, they have started loading Water for Chennai from Jolarpettai to Villivakkam on 12 July and 55 trips have been run upto 14 August. Each trip carries 2.5 million litres of water, said P K Mishra.
Southern Railway is targeting 112 kilometres of doubling, 127 kilometres of gauge conversion and 18 kilometres of new line, a total of 257 kilometres of commissioning of track and 239 kilometres of railway electrification during the current financial year.
Southern Railway has completed interlocking of 98 level crossing gates last year and another 45 have been interlocked this year and we are progressing well to complete interlocking of all level crossings in Chennai, Salem and Palghat divisions this year, he said.
P.K. Mishra hoisted the national flag and inspected the ceremonial parade by various platoons of RPF Commandos, RPF men and women personnel, Scouts and Guides, St.John’s Ambulance and RPF dog squad.