by: NavJeevan

78th Independence Day: Southern Railway GM hoists tricolor at Railway Stadium

NE NEWS SERVICE
CHENNAI, AUG 15

Southern Railway celebrated the 78th Independence Day on Thursday at the Railway Stadium, Perambur, Chennai. R.N. Singh, General Manager, Southern Railway hoisted the National Flag in the presence of  G.M. Eswara Rao, IG-cum-Principal Chief Security Commissioner, RPF, and took the salute at the RPF parade consisting of RPF contingents including Women Platoons and St John’s Ambulance Brigade.

The Independence Day programme was attended by Kaushal Kishore, Additional General Manager,  Principal Heads of Departments of Southern Railway, B. Viswanath Eerya , Divisional Railway Manager/Chennai, Sonia Singh, President of Southern Railway Women’s Headquarters Organisation,  Officers & Staff and their family members, and  Representatives of Labour Unions and Associations of Southern Railway.

While addressing the gathering, the General Manager expressed pride in Indian Railways and its dedicated workforce, emphasizing their profound contributions to the Nation’s progress and unity. The General Manager also highlighted that Southern Railway has consistently played a pivotal role in the overall development of Indian Railways, including the augmentation and modernization of the rail network, as well as providing exceptional service to its valued passengers.

He also listed out the achievements of Southern Railway:

  • During 2023-24, Southern Railway’s Gross earnings stood at about Rs.12,117 Crores, 10.3% higher than 2022-23. During the current year upto July, we have achieved a Gross earning of Rs. 4108 Crores with a positive growth of 6% compared to corresponding period of previous year.
  •  Freight Loading of 41.4 Million Tonnes during 2023-24 which was 9% more than previous year
  •  The Originating Passengers for the year 2023-24 was 708 Millions – 11% more than the previous year.
  • During 2023-24, we operated about 1200 Special Trains, over & above the regular trains, which was 135% more than previous year.
  • Speed of 58 Express and 13 Passenger trains were increased.
  • 9 pairs of Vande Bharat Trains were introduced.   To ease the rush during seasons, we have also operated 96 trips of Vande Bharat Special trains.
  • SR has raised the speed over 1577 Route kms in the zone from 110 to 130 kmph and from 90 kmph to 110 kmph.  Jolarpettai – Coimbatore sectional speed is going to be raised to 130 kmph soon.
  • During Apr’ 23 to July’ 24, a total of 278 Track Km was electrified.
  • 95 stations have been undergoing upgradation under “Amrit Station Scheme” and 21 stations have been taken up for major Redevelopment and works are progressing at a fast pace
  • 30 Lifts and 7 Escalators at various stations of SR during 2023-24
  • 14 Foot Over Bridges & Raising of 34 platforms have been completed during 2023-24 & till July of current year.
  • New Pamban Bridge work is nearing completion
  • 142 Bridges were rehabilitated.
  • 57 ROB/RUB/Limited use subways were completed, thereby eliminating 64 manned Level Crossings.
  • 38 Level Crossing gates were interlocked and 161 Interlocked LCs were provided with sliding Booms.  
  • The state-of-the-art train detection system, the Multi-Section Digital Axle Counter (MSDAC), was commissioned at 458 track sections.  
  • 1060 CCTV cameras have been commissioned at 33 stations
  • A new “AI” technology based “Intrusion Detection System” for detecting elephants approaching the track is under implementation at Walayar-Kanjikode section in Kerala & Tamil Nadu to eliminate any untoward incident.
  • In the Current year, 13.9 lakh units of solar power was generated.  Also, 136 million units of wind energy has been generated till now, amounting to a savings of Rs. 79.6 Crores.
  • 72,119 offenders were arrested and prosecuted under various sections of the Railways Act, realizing fines of Rs. 3.2 Crores.
  • Illegal contraband articles valued at about Rs.170 Cr. were seized by arresting 303 carriers.
  • 335 touts were arrested with seizure of railway e-tickets valued Rs.1.25 crores.  
  • A total of 1208 runaway children were rescued and handed over to the authorities and by alert and swift action of RPF staff, the lives of 24 passengers were saved.   
  • Southern Railway is the only zone in Indian Railways, having five Super Specialty departments at Headquarters Hospital/Perambur. A new hospital Block in Perambur has been commissioned recently with state of the art medical facilities.
  • During 2023-24, 11,700 candidates were recruited for Southern Railway through RRB, RRC and under Compassionate ground.

Cultural programmes by RPF, Impressive Dog Show by Southern Railway Dog Squad and performances by various departments including the Railway schools and Ashraya school for special children, followed the Flag Hoisting and March Past.

The General Manager also inaugurated the New Renovated Building of Ashraya School at Perambur in the presence of Sonia Singh, President of Southern Railway Women’s Headquarters Organisation (SRWHQ), Members of SRWHQ, Officers  & Staff.

Sushil Kumar Maurya., Chief Administrative Officer, Railway Construction Organisation, Egmore, B. Viswanath Eerya, Divisional Railway Manager, Chennai, and P. Balasundar, Chief Workshop Manager, Perambur Carriage Works hoisted the National flag at the respective Railway offices in Chennai.

Justice K. Kannan, Former Chairman, Railway Claims Tribunal, hoisted the National Flag in the presence of Vijayath Singh, Hon’ble Member Judicial/Chennai at Railway Claims Tribunal, Chennai.

It is noteworthy that Shri G.M. Eswara Rao, IG-cum-Principal Chief Security Commissioner of Southern Railway has been conferred with the prestigious President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service, awarded on the occasion of Independence Day 2024.

The vintage building housing the Southern Railway Headquarters, Dr. MGR Chennai Central, and other major station buildings across the zone are beautifully illuminated in the nation’s hues in commemoration of the 78th Independence Day.

As part of the celebrations, exhibitions showcasing photographs of the ‘Horrors of Partition’ were set up at various stations, and veteran freedom fighters and their families were felicitated. Additionally, railway employees of the zone enthusiastically participated in the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign, hoisting the national flag at their homes and posing for selfies with the Tricolour.

Chennai Division

Tiruhirappalli Division

Madurai Division

Salem Division

Thiruvananthapuram Division

Palaghat Division