: Rameswaram Railway station falling under Madurai division, has been nominated as a 'Green station' with full compliment of bio-toilets in all coaches leaving from the town, a top railway official said today
Addressing the 61st railway week celebrations here,Sunil Kumar Garg, Railway Divisional manager, said Madurai Junction had been ranked One among the 10 top cleanest stations under "A1" category in the country. Kovilpatti and Virudhunagar figured top 10 clean stations in "A"Category.
He said a mechanised BOOT (Built, Own, Operate, Transfer)laundry of four ton capacity would be commissioned here soon to improve quality of linen supplied to passengers.
In terms of earnings, the Division's originating earnings for 2015-16 was Rs 735.14 crore as against last year's Rs. 723.36 crore.
The passenger earnings was Rs.440.82 croreas against Rs 414. 66 crores of last year.
In freight transport, the division loaded 2.1035 million tons last year and earnings was Rs 237.30 crore, he said.
Garg said the division has completed works on passenger amenities worth Rs 7.17 crore last year.
The shortfalls in Minimum Essential Amenities as per Railway board norms instations would be fulfilled at a cost of Rs two crore this year, he said.
On gauge conversion and doubling works, he said the Sengottai-Punalur GC work was progressing well and was targeted for completion this year.
The second line between Tiruchchirappalli and Manaparai has become operational from April 1 2016, he said.
(REOPENS CAL8)
As the Railway Minister commissioned lifts and
escalators in Bhubaneswar station and new facilities for Jharsuguda, Patnaik expressed happiness and said passenger amenities were also important.
The Chief Minister pointed out that the state government, while partnering with the Railways, has formed a joint venture company for strengthening rail connectivity.
"I have set a target of taking railways to each of our 30 districts and for that we will contribute financially and support railway projects through various means," he said.
"We are also partnering with the Ministry of Coal and the Ministry of Shipping to upgrade rail infrastructure in an effort to aid mineral movement," Patnaik said.
Urging the Railway Minister to invest heavily in Odisha, the Chief Minister said it would return handsome dividends to the Railways as Odisha was a preferred destination for industries.
Speaking on the occasion, Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said Odisha, which had been neglected for a long time in the Railways sector, was now being accorded top priority by the NDA government at the Centre.
Huge investment was now being made to bolster rail network in the state, he said.
