Survey to identify Vulnerable spots on Nilgiri Mountain Railway Section

Survey to identify Vulnerable spots on Nilgiri Mountain Railway Section

Salem: The Salem Railway Division has undertaken a survey of the Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR) section to identify the vulnerable spots. The survey is undertaken due to frequent landslides there.

To undertake the survey, the operation of the NMR services in the Mettupalayam–Coonoor section has been cancelled for four days, said Shubhranshu, Divisional Railway Manager, while speaking to reporters in connection with the completion of the functioning of Salem Railway Division here on Monday.

Referring to the performance of the division in the financial front, Mr.Shubranshu said that it had registered 8.08 per cent increase in the passenger earnings in the first seven months of this fiscal. The passenger earnings stood at Rs.282.44 crore compared to Rs.261.33 crore during the corresponding period last year.

Ticket checking earnings registered 10.09 per cent – Rs.2.86 crore in the first seven months this year compared to Rs.2.59 crore during the corresponding period last year. The commercial department staff conducted as many as 18,619 surprise checks.

The catering earnings registered a 118 per cent increase – from Rs.84.62 lakh last year to Rs.1.85 crore. The parcel earnings increased to Rs.12.19 crore from Rs.12.07 crore last year. Mr.Shubhranshu said that Salem Division has installed train warning system in unmanned level crossing on trial basis in Coimbatore – Mettupalayam section.

He said that track doubling work between Omalur and Mettur Dam is the major work undertaken by the division. The Railway Board has already allotted funds and the work has already begun. It is proving a difficult terrain with rocks found in many areas. In some places adequate land has to be acquired. The work will be completed within a period of four years.

Referring to the future proposals, Mr. Shubranshu said the division has taken steps for promoting Coimbatore North Railway Station as a major terminus. Plans are on the anvil for operating trains from Coimbatore North station to decongest Coimbatore Junction. It has also been planned to extend the length of the platforms in Mettupalayam Railway Station so as to accommodate 24 coaches. Contract has already been awarded for the same.