Chennai: Doubling with electrification of Chennai-Madurai railway line running to about 497 km will be completed by this year since the balance 25 km is scheduled for completion by December 2017, southern railway general manager Vashishta Johri told railway staff after unfurling the tricolour at the Independence Day function held at Ayanavaram RPF grounds here on Tuesday. Doubling between Ponmalai and Thanjavur (47 km), Changanasseri and Chingavanam (9.5 km) is also targeted for completion during this year and this will benefit the public and the railway operations, the GM said. On the passenger front, Southern Railway has carried 1.9 per cent more passengers than last year with a consequent increase of 4.9 per cent in passenger earnings. On the freight side, the earnings are nearly at the same level as last year, although we loaded about 2.5 MT less than last year, due to changes in pattern in the movement of coal rakes and the surge in electricity generation through alternate means. With the increase in ordinary working expenses to Rs 3018 crore the railway operating ratio has become 165.8 percent till July 2017. Based on the instructions from railway minister Suresh Prabhu, the southern railways have embarked on a journey of transformation as announced in the Budget. Under the budget announcements substantial improvements are planned in passenger safety, cleanliness, developmental works and financial performance, the GM added.
Naveen Gulati, divisional railway manager, Chennai division, and L. Sudhakar Rao, chief administrative officer, (Construction) southern railway also hoisted the national flag.
