SOUTHERN RAILWAY PRESS RELEASE ON ARRANGEMENTS MADE BY SOUTHERN RAILWAY TO THE RAILUSERS

397/2015-16	03-12-2015 CHENNAI
SOUTHERN RAILWAY PRESS RELEASE ON ARRANGEMENTS MADE BY SOUTHERN RAILWAY TO THE RAILUSERS

ARRANGEMENTS MADE BY SOUTHERN RAILWAY FOR STRANDED PASSENGERS & TRAVELLING PUBLIC DURING THE HEAVY RAINS  AT CHENNAI AND ADJOINING AREAS.

ØHelpline are put in place and have been given wide publicity in Press and media.

Helpline Nos.

Chennai Central	044-25330714
Chennai Egmore	044-28190216
Chennai Control	044-29015204
Chennai Control	044-29015208
Madurai	0452-2308250
Tiruchchirappalli	0431-2418992 9003864971; 9003864960
Thanjavur	9003033265 04362-230131
Villupuram	9003864959

ØFor the convenience of the suburban passengers skeleton services are run in the following sections:

Chennai Beach – Tiruvallur – Arakkonam - Tiruttani,

Ennore – Gummidipoondi and 

Chennai Beach – Velacherry MRTS services

ØOfficers are deputed at major stations to oversee the arrangements made for the stranded passengers.

ØAnnouncements are regularly made through PA system and regular updates about the running of trains are displayed through LED Boards for the information of the passengers.

ØAround 20000 food packets and water packets have been  distributed to stranded passengers at major stations at free of cost in association with  NGOs like Jain Association  and others. Another 10000 food packets are being distributed today.  In addition, Food outlets are also  selling food to the passengers.

ØSupply of sufficient drinking water and food items are ensured in the stations.  Regular cholorination of water is being done.

ØRound the clock Medical facilities are extended in the Chennai Central, Chennai Egmore, Madurai and Tiruchchirappalli stations and also in trains which have been stopped enroute.

Ø Medical booths with sufficient medicines are made available at the major stations like Chennai Central, Chennai Egmore, Chennai Tambaram and Chengalpattu.

ØSanitation and cleanliness are ensured at all major stations/platforms

ØRPF personnel are deputed at Chennai Central, Chennai Egmore, Pallavaram, Guduvancheri, Chengalpattu, Arakkonam, Tiruvallur, Katpadi and Jolarpettai to ensure the following:

ØEnsuring security of passengers and their properties

ØWaist band and neck band announcement system were made for providing information and to guide passengers

ØTo regulate queues at Cancellation counters, ticket counters, information centres and foot outlets.

ØSpecial RPF help booths are set up at Chennai Central, Chennai Egmore, Arakkonam and Katpadi to supplement efforts of Commercial department.

ØWide publicity is given in the Press and media about the cancellation of trains and refunds are made without any restriction and sufficient cash is also made available. This was also tweeted and posted in the Facebook. Cancellation of trains are also updated in the PRS system to facilitate full refund.

ØSpecial trains are run today (03.12.2015) at 13 hrs of from Chennai Beach to  Mangalore and at 14 .00hrs  from Chennai  Beach to Bangalore to cater to the stranded passengers.  Arrangements are made with MTC buses for taking passengers to their residence.

ØAt various affected locations,  action is being taken o­n war-footing to attend to the repair work. P.way materials and other track materials are arranged to attend to the work and senior officers are available at site to oversee the work.

ØAt km 85/2-10 between Chengalpattu  and  Villupuram Up/Down line section  of Chennai Division was suspended o­n 01.12.15 at 15.30 hrs due to erosion of bank, as water over-flowing from the Chembarambakkam  lake.  5 wagons with  boulders and sand were unloaded  to attend to the track inspite of heavy rains o­n 02.12.15 and down line track was certified fit at 11.45 hrs o­n 02.12.15.

ØAt km 78, in the bridge No 167 between Tada and Sullurpeta of Chennai Central – Gudur section of  Chennai Division,  water from Kalingi river was over flowing above the danger level.  The track was suspended at  21.00 hrs of 01.12.15.  The condition of the bridge was continuously monitored and necessary precautions were taken and the bridge was certified fit  for traffic at 12.30 hrs of 03.12.15.

ØAt  km 38, between Guduvancherry and Vandalur of Tambaram – Chengalpattu section of Chennai Division both Up and down lines were suspended due to track washed out/eroded  for about 500 m length along with formation and ballast.  The track is under attention and all men and materials are put into action o­n war footing for restoration of the track.

ØBridge No.53 between Guindy and Saidapet has been suspended due to Adyar river  is over flowing the girder even now and the bridge is under continuous monitoring.  All services including Chennai Beach – Tambaram suburban services are suspended in the section

ØIn BBQ Basin Bridge – Chenani Central because of the water overflowing in Coovum river and all the lines are submerged.  The third line between Chennai Egmore  and Chennai Beach are also suspended.

ØThe train operations are monitored and regulated in such a way that safety of the train and passengers is ensured.