The Hindu Business Line : Passenger, freight earnings up at Tiruchi railway division

Tiruchi, Aug. 15 The Tiruchi division of the Railways has registered a marginal increase of two per cent in passenger earnings in the first quarter of the current financial year.

Speaking at the Independence Day celebrations at the Kallukuzhi ground here on Friday, the Divisional Railway Manager, Mr S. Subramhanyan, said freight earnings have registered a healthy growth by 41 per cent over the corresponding period in the previous year.

Passenger earnings in the division stood at Rs 38.35 crore during the first four months of the year against Rs 37.78 crore netted during the corresponding period last year. Freight earnings have touched Rs 45.38 crore so far this year against Rs 32.11 crore recorded during the first quarter of the previous year.

Mr Subramhanyan said five railway stations in Tiruchi Division would be modernised during the current year. “Touch and feel” concept would be introduced at the stations through touch-screen kiosks and passenger-operated information system.

Currently, modernisation works were under way at Tiruchi Junction, Thanjavur, Kumbakonam, Vriddhachalam and Puducherry railway stations. The modernisation programme would be progressively extended to smaller stations, too.

The division has initiated various steps to improve passenger amenities, including the establishment of air-conditioned lounge, air-conditioned dormitory and renovation of restrooms at Tiruchi.

The platforms in Tiruchi, Thanjavur, Kumbakonam and Pudukottai have been resurfaced and mechanised cleaning machines have been introduced. Roadshows and awareness programmes were being organised to enlist passenger co-operation in keeping the railway stations clean.

Gauge conversion between Villupuram and Mayiladuthurai and Tiruvarur and Nagoor would be completed soon. The broad gauge line between Villupuram and Vellore Cantonment will be ready for passenger traffic during the current financial year.

To tighten security measures, surveillance cameras would be installed soon at the Tiruchi and Villupuram junctions. A sniffer dog squad has been sanctioned for Villupuram apart from Tiruchi.

Mr S. Ramasubbu, Additional Divisional Railway Manager; Mr S.R. Gandhi, Divisional Security Commissioner and senior Railway officials participated.