Railway GM inspects Karaikal-Thanjavur track, level crossings.

Southern Railway General Manager R.K. Kulshrestha on Wednesday inspected the broad gauge section from Karaikal to Thanjavur to get a first-hand account of various aspects connected with safety, infrastructure and passenger amenities.

Accompanied by principal heads of various railway departments and top Tiruchi divisional railway officials, he interacted with representatives of passenger associations and commuters during his day-long inspection and interaction.

Mr. Kulshrestha travelled in a inspection special starting from Karaikal station where he conducted checks and interacted with families of railway officials residing in the railway colony. He inquired about the facilities available. He dedicated an air-conditioned running room facility for loco pilots and guards near the station. Thereafter, he left in the special train to inspect level crossings and bridges.

At Nagapattinam, the senior railway official took stock of the upgraded passenger amenities at the station. He alighted at a level crossing between Keezh Velur and Tiruvarur and inspected the functioning of the gate and lever.

Midway, he carried out trolley inspections in some stretches and interacted with gangmen and carriage and wagon staff ascertaining their feedback on the field conditions. At Saliyamangalam, he inaugurated a solar lighting system costing ₹80,000 installed at a level crossing gate as a back up in case of power failure.

He released the Disaster Management Plan 2018 of Tiruchi Division compiled by the Safety Department. He also declared cash awards to outstanding employees and distributed merit certificates. A slew of demands, including operation of additional trains from Karaikal and to Nagapattinam, Nagore and Velankanni, besides construction of more toilets at Nagapattinam, were put forth to him. The ongoing Tiruvarur-Karaikudi gauge conversion works would be completed within two years, he told reporters.

Divisional Railway Manager, Tiruchi, P. Uday Kumar Reddy was present.

THE HINDU