Works at Coimbatore Jn. to be completed by March 2017.

Divisional Railway Manager of the Salem Division of Southern Railways, Hari Shankar Verma, has said that all ongoing modernisation works at the Coimbatore Junction worth Rs. 7 crore will be completed by March 31, 2017. The works will make access easy for passengers.

The DRM was interacting with reporters here on Sunday after inspecting the junction in view of the Passenger Amenities Committee’s visit on Wednesday. The works include installing two lifts and four escalators at about Rs. 6 crore. He said that the two lifts will be dedicated to the public on January 1, 2017.

“We expect all the four escalator installations to be completed by the end of this financial year,” Mr. Verma said. He added that by the same time widening of the underpass connecting both ends of the junction and covering open portions of platforms would also be completed.

According to him, the division is planning to have bio-toilets in all the coaches in Cheran Express by the end of October this year, followed by the Navjeevan Express and Yercaud Express. “We are also working towards better maintenance of toilets but face short supply of materials. We are working in it,” he added.

On the cleanliness front, he said that it would not be possible to maintain railway junctions and trains clean without the support of the people. “There are dustbins, toilets and other facilities at the junction. People should take ownership of these places and maintain them clean,” he said.


THE HINDU