Indian Railways’ Green Initiative-Dispensing of pasting reservation charts in railway coaches

Based on encouraging results obtained from trials conducted in selected stations, Indian Railways are going ahead with their Green initiative of dispensing with pasting of charts on coaches at all A1 (Coimbatore in Salem Division), A (Salem, Mettupalayam, Erode, Karur and Tiruppur in Salem Division) and B (No station in Salem Division under this category) Class Stations. This will be on trial basis for a period of 6 months from March 1^st. For Southern Railway alone, this will result in saving of more than 28 tonnes of Charting paper or Rs.1,70,000/- every year, pointing to a major effort in becoming more eco-friendly. Railways’ other efforts in this direction include encouraging “E” ticketing for both reserved and unreserved tickets, eliminating large quantity of paper charts and daily reports by Computerized charting and reporting and moving towards paperless office.

Dispelling worries of inconvenience to passengers, particularly elderly people and senior citizens, Commercial Department indicated that the required Coach and Berth number information will STILL be available at Centralized locations at all stations and with the TTEs.  Only the charts pasted on the coaches are being withdrawn. To help Senior Citizen passengers to avoid going to from coach to coach looking for their accommodation, this information will continue to be available on the charts displayed at prominent standard locations in concourse and platforms.

Further, until the reliability of electronic charts has been proven, waitlist charts will continue to be pasted at all stations.

This is in addition to the SMS messages sent to all confirmed passengers during charting, and multiple messages sent to all passengers who have booked online, during various stages as the journey date approaches. Over and above all this, the seat position can also be obtained from the website  www.indianrailways.gov.in and www.irctc.co.in as well as the Railways’ call Centre 139 through IVRS or SMS.

"Ministry of Railways Announces one of the World’s Largest Recruitment Drive"

Online Applications are invited around 90,000 posts in Group C Level I (Erstwhile Group D) like Track maintainer, Points man, Helper, Gateman, Porter and Group C Level II categories like Assistant Loco Pilots (ALP), Technicians (Fitter, Crane Driver, Blacksmith, Carpenter) through Railway Recruitment Boards websites.

 

Largest Computer based test in the World is scheduled tentatively in April – May 2018.

 

Educational Qualifications for various posts are class Xth passed & Industrial Training Institute certificate (ITI).

 

Selection procedure only includes Computer Based Test without Interviews.

 

New Delhi, 15th February 2018

 

Ministry of Railways has announced one of the world’s largest recruitment processes for 89409 posts in Group C Level I (Erstwhile Group D) & Level II Categories. Online applications have been invited for the Group C Level II posts like Assistant Loco Pilots, Technicians (Fitter, Crane Driver, Blacksmith, and Carpenter) and Group C Level I (Erstwhile Group D) posts like Track maintainer, Points man, Helper, Gateman, Porter. This recruitment drive is open for candidates who have passed Class Xth & ITI for Group C Level I posts & Class Xth & ITI or diploma in engineering or a graduation in engineering for Group C Level II posts like Assistant Loco Pilots, Technicians and aspire to join Indian Railways.

 

Ministry of Railways has published a notification no. CEN 01/2018 for Group C Level II Categories posts for the candidates in the age group of 18-28 years who have passed Class X and have an industrial training certificate (ITI) or diploma in engineering or a graduation in engineering.

 

The notification no. CEN 02/2018 about Group C Level I (Erstwhile Group D) posts for candidates in the age group of 18-31 years and who have passed Class X and have an industrial training certificate (ITI). The notifications have already been uploaded on RRB Websites. The link of the website is as follows:

http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,4,1244

 

For Group C level II posts, the monthly salary along with allowances as per the Seventh Pay Commission (level 2) Scale (19,900-63,200) will be given to the selected candidates. For Group C Level I (Erstwhile Group D) posts, the monthly salary along with allowances as per the Seventh Pay Commission (level 1) Scale (18,000- 56,900) will be given to the selected candidates. Applications for Group C Level II posts will be accepted till 5th March 2018 & for Group C Level I (Erstwhile Group D) posts will be accepted till 12th March 2018.

Free Sleeper Class Railway Pass facility shall be available for SC/ST candidates for Computer Based Aptitude Tests, Physical Efficiency Tests, Document verification during the recruitment stages

 

IMPORTANT DATES:

 

Railway Recruitment Group C Level II Notification

February 3, 2018

Start of Railway Recruitment Group C Level II 2018 Online Application

February 3, 2018

Application Closes

March 5, 2018

Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBT) tentatively

April- May, 2018

Railway Recruitment Group C Level I 2018 Notification

February 10, 2018

Start of Railway Recruitment Group C Level I 2018 Online Application

February 10, 2018

Railway Recruitment Group C Level I 2018 Application Form Closes

March 12, 2018

Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBT) tentatively

During April and May, 2018

69th Republic Day Celebrations at Salem Division, Southern Railway

 The 69^th  Republic Day was celebrated today (26.01.2018) at Salem Division of Southern Railway with patriotic fervor. Shri Hari Shankar Verma, Divisional Railway Manager, Salem Division, Southern Railway, hoisted the tricolor and accepted the guard of honor presented by the RPF personnel of Salem Division.

While speaking on the occasion, Shri Hari Shankar Verma recalled the adaptation of the Constitution of India on this day, with a view to protect the welfare of common men. He read out the message from Sri R. K. Kulshreshta, General Manager, Southern Railway. (original text given in full at the end in English). 

Show by RPF Commando Force, and a cultural show by the children from Railway School, Erode and Salem,  were the highlights of the function. The function was attended by Shri Chander Pal, Addl. Divisional Railway Manager, Dr. M. Narasimham, Chief Medical Superintendent, Shri P.Ponraj, Divisional Security Commissioner/RPF/Salem, Sri S. Thirumurugan, Divisional Personnel Officer, Sri Perumal Nandalal, Sr. Divisional Engineer,  Dr. S. Uma Maheswari, Sr. Divisional Financial Manager, Sri A. Vijuvin, Sr. Divl Commercial Manager, and other Divisional officers, employees, and their family members in large numbers.

Later, Sri Hari Shankar Verma declared open the RPF Inspector’s Office at the Salem Junction PF No.3/4 and also the RPF Barracks on the western side of the Salem Junction, in the presence of Salem Division Officials. He said that the barracks will be sheltering both the RPF and the GRP personnel and further improvements will be made in the Barracks.  

General Manager’s Speech-69^th Republic Day-26^th January 2018

My colleague officers from Headquarters and Divisions and their families, Retired Officers present here, Supervisors and staff and their families, Representatives of Press and Media, Representatives of recognised Trade Union & Associations,  Ladies & Gentlemen and My dear children.

Good morning to all of you on the occasion of 69^th Republic Day of our Nation today.  It is my privilege and pleasure to extend my best wishes and greetings to all of you present here and your families.

Just as our Constitution preserves secular, sovereign democratic character of our country, Indian Railway helps to nurture national integrity, fulfilling the transportation needs across length and breadth of our country without any bias of caste, creed, region or religion.          

On this vibrant occasion, I would like to inform all of you certain highlights of Southern Railway..

Upto Dec.’17 this year, Southern Railway’s gross earnings is at Rs.5422.09 crores and our operating ratio is 168.07%.  I am happy to inform you that we are operating 63% more number of special trains than last year apart from regular trains (i.e. 1974 special trains).  We are also planning to run another 270 more special trains, time tabled summer specials and augment extra coaches during demand time this year.  We also have provided 25% more traffic blocks to attend safety track works in this year. In-spite of that, we could able to maintain 83.7% punctuality so far. 

I would also like to mention  few important passenger facilities provided like Emergency Medical centres which have been set up at 23 stations, Child Helpline centres at 6 stations, Differently-abled friendly measures at 71 stations, ‘Wi-Fi’ at 23 stations, 84 Escalators and 61 Lifts commissioned over Southern Railway.  These passenger friendly measures will be provided in many more stations in the coming year.

I would also like to highlight the fact that all 735 stations will be provided with 100% LEDs.

On safety front, I am happy to mention that all unmanned level crossings will be eliminated in A, B, C routes before March 2018. This year, SouthernRailway has already eliminated 52 unmanned level crossings and constructed 15 Road Over Bridges and Road Under Bridges. We are actively working on removing all unmanned level crossing in Southern Railway by September 2018.

As per the vision of our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji towards clean India, Southern Railway accords highest priority for cleanliness.  I am very glad to inform you that Kozhikode station in Southern Railway ranked No.1 by the travellers in terms of cleanliness in the survey conducted by IXIGO. 

We are also giving utmost priority in the passenger comfort.  I am glad to inform that we have attached two Ánubhuti Coaches’ in Shatabdi Expresses which increased the passenger comfort with modern facilities. New LHB design coaches have also been introduced in 12 trains and few more trains will be introduced this year.  Bio-toilets in all coaches will be provided by December 2018.

We are also concerned about the Safety and Security of the passengers especially women passengers. As part of enhancing security, Southern Railway have implemented Integrated Security System at 14 important Railway Stations by way of providing CCTVs.  Under Nirbhaya Fund, CCTVs are also to be provided in the 136  A1, A, B, C category stations including Suburban Railway Stations and as a trial measure, work has been completed in Nungambakkam Railway station.

On the part of Energy saving, Southern Railway did a very good job to get First Prize  in National Energy Conservation Award by Ministry of Power for the year 2017 for Central Workshop, Ponmalai.

During the recent bus strike, Southern Railway has taken swift action in running more EMUs for the benefit of stranded passengers which was widely appreciated by Press and Public.

As far as projects are concerned, Southern Railway has spent so far Rs.299 crores on Doubling, Rs.294 crores on Gauge Conversion, Rs.52 crores for New Lines and 201 crores for Road Over Bridges/Road Under Bridges. 

We have recently commissioned the Tambaram Coaching Terminal which will ease the congestion at Egmore.

This year, Madurai-Chennai route will be fully doubled. Edamann-New Aryankavu (21 km.) gauge conversion will get completed and it will connect Kollam/Trivandrum to Chennai via Madurai and Sengottai..    

The Three prestigious doubling with electrification rail development projects of Tamil Nadu and Kerala Region viz.  Madurai-Vanchi Maniyachi –Ttutiocorin , Vanchi Maniyachchi – Tirunelveli – Nagercoil section  and Thiruvannathapuram Central – Kanniyakumari section have been sanctioned and Foundation Stone was laid by Hon’ble  Minister of State of Railways Shri Rajen  Gohain on 23.01.18.

It is pertinent to mention here that Southern Railway stood 1^st in reduction of public complaints this year. 

All these achievements are possible because of the dedicated and hardworking staff like all of you.  I am happy to state that staff facilitation centres have started to dispose off grievances speedily and 87 grievance Adalats and   pension adalats have been conducted for the benefit of staff and retired employees.   

We are also taking care of our employees by way of providing excellent health care.  Current year as per the order of Railway Board, Annual Wellness check up has been organised for all employees and I am happy to note that so far 38600 employees have been examined.

On this occasion, I  congratulate Shri Sathishkumar who won Gold medal in Weightlifting in Australia and also represented World Weightlifting Championship 2017 at USA.  I also congratulate Ms. Tintu Luka who won Gold in 800m in Kazakisthan and won silver in 800m in Asian Grand Prix in April 2017 and congratulate all sports persons of Southern Railway who have represented our nation in various international events.

Our trade union has been a major source of strength and support in every  achievement of Southern Railway.  I would like to sincerely thank for their support and extend my best wishes for them.

My best wishes for the President of SRWWO and all their Members for their outstanding work for the staff welfare related activities.

I would also like to convey my greetings and wishes to all associations for their support.

On this occasion, I thank and congratulate each and every Officer, Supervisor and staff of Southern Railway for their wholehearted support and co-operation and I wish them all and their families a bright future and good luck in all their endeavours on this republic day.

Thank you,

‘JAI HIND’

Bus facilities arranged by the Salem Division Administration for reserved passengers between Coimbatore and Matuppalayam due to termination and departure of Nilgiri Express from 01.02.2018

Due to engineering and related works for increase of the length of Platforms at Mettupalayam to accommodate 23 coaches, T.No.12671/12672 Chennai Central Mettupalayam Nilgiri Express will be terminated at Coimbatore and will start from Coimbatore for 31 days from 01.02.2018 to 03.03.2018. With a view to help the passengers of Blue Mountain Express  alighting at Coimbatore to catch the Mettupalayam-Ooty NMR Toy Train and also the passengers who are coming down from Ooty to Mettupalayam by NMR Toy Train, under the instructions of Sri Hari Shankar Verma, DRM, Salem, buses have been arranged by the Commercial Branch of Salem Division, between Coimbatore and Mettupalayam as per timings of  Nilgiri Express. This facility is being extended to ONLY RESERVED PASSENGERS who are holding valid journey tickets. The passengers need not to pay for this free bus service. The passengers may please contact the Dy. Station Manager, Commercial, Coimbatore Junction, in Mobile No. 96009 56236, for any assistance in this regard.

It is pertinent to mention here that increasing the length of Platforms at Mettupalayam will enable stabling of the entire rake of Nilgiri Express at Mettupalayam instead of leaving a portion of the train at Coimbatore. 

Marathon Staff Grievance Meeting conducted by Salem Division, Southern Railway

With a view to redress grievances of the Staff  and to listen to various suggestions for the improvement of Railways, Salem Division, Southern Railway, is conducting Staff Interactive Meetings called PNM (Permanent Negotiating Machinery) periodically, with the recognized trade union.

The PNM for the year 2017 was conducted for 2 days un-intermittently with the representatives of the recognized Labour Union viz Southern Railway Masdoor Union (SRMU) headed by Sri M. Govindran, Divisional Secretary, SRMU, by the Salem Division administration under the chairmanship of Sri Hari Shankar Verma, DRM, Salem.  The meeting started at 11.00 hrs. on 28.12.2017 (Thursday) and was completed at 14,30 hrs. on 29.12.2017 (Friday), with small intervals in between. In this marathon meetings totally, 420 demands were placed. Major demands included upgradation of Salem Health Unit as Sub Divisional Hospital, Kendriya Vidyalaya at Salem, provision of park at Railway Colonies, construction of new railway quarters, duly demolishing the condemned ones, LED lights for all the houses in Railway Colonies, ensuring RO water supply in all offices and stations, Lady Staff Dress Changing Room wherever not available, etc.  DRM gave on the spot orders for about 412 cases that were within his jurisdictional  powers. For about 8 cases, he advised the Divisional Secretary, SRMU, to approach Southern Railway Head Quarters for action, since they were policy matters to be decided at a higher level. Staff representatives expressed their happiness on getting  solution to almost all of their demands.

The meeting was attended by the other office bearers and members of SRMU, Sri Chandrapal, ADRM, Sri Perumal Nandalal, Sr. Divisional Engineer, Dr. S. Uma Maheswari, Sr. Divisional Finance Manager, Sri A. Vijuvin, Sr. Divisional Commercial Manager, Sri M. Prabhakaran, Sr. Divisional Electrical Engineer, Sr. S. Naseer Ahamed, Sr. Divisional Electrical Engineer, Sri. S. Thirumurugan, Divisional Personnel Officer, and other Salem Division officials.

Pension Adalat (Pensioners’ Grievance Redressal Meet) for the year 2017 held at Southern Railway Salem Division today (15.12.2017)

 

DRM addressing the gathering

 Sri S. Thirumurugan, DPO welcoming the gathering

Pensioners and beneficiaries gathered in the Adalat

With a view to redress the grievances of the railway pensioners, all over Indian Railways, Pensioners’ Grievance Redressal Meets called Pension Adalaats are being conducted twice a year, one regular Adalat and one midterm Adalat.  The Pension Adalat for the year 2017 was held by the Salem Division of Southern Railway, today (15.12.2017) at the Multi Purpose Conference Hall in the Salem DRM Office. The Adalat was presided over by Sri Hari Shankar Verma, Divisional Railway Manager. About 62 claims were received from railway pensioners/beneficiaries during the Adalat. The members of the Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies, (SCOVA) an organization recognized by the Govt. of India, were also invited to be present to assist the pensioners/beneficiaries., Sri S.Thirumurugan, Divisional Personnel Officer, and other Divisional Officers were present during the Adalat.

While addressing the participants, DRM Sri Hari Shankar Verma said that the Indian Railways in general and Salem Division in particular, always focus on the welfare of its staff both serving and retired and no efforts will be spared in ensuring their satisfaction.

Out of the total 62  representations that were received during the Adalat, 35 were disposed in favour of the applicants and an amount of Rs.48,05,333/- (Rupees forty eight lakhs,   five thousands, three hundred and thirty three only) was released in favour of them. The balance representations could not be disposed during the adalat as they were either in contravention to the extant rules or  for want of sufficient documents. 

The pensioners/beneficiaries who attended the Adalat expressed their happiness and satisfaction over the steps taken by the Salem Railway Division authorities to listen to their grievances and settle them off. 

Distribution of free LED Tube lights for Railway Staff in Salem East Railway Colony by Salem Division, Southern Railway

The Ministry of Railways is taking various steps towards conservation of electric energy by usage of energy efficient electric gadgets and also generation of electricity through renewable energy sources such as wind mills, solar panels, etc., with a view to make the Railways greener and reduce carbon footprint.

Salem Division, on its part, taking up the cause of energy conservation by creation of awareness among its staff and rail users, regularly. As a giant leap towards that goal, Salem Division has started distribution of free LED Tube lights to the railway staff residing in railway colonies all over the Division. Already, distribution of such tube lights was done for railway staff in colonies at Podanur (700 Tubes to 350 houses), Coimbatore (370 Tubes to 185 houses) and Karur (380 tubes to 190 houses) at the rate of 2 tube lights per household.

Today (13.12.2017), the distribution of 800 tube lights was started for 400 houses in Salem Railway Colonies, in the presence of Sri M. Govindan, Divisional Secretary of SRMU, Salem other railway officials and staff. These 18 watts LED tube lights will replace the existing conventional 52 W tube lights, resulting in a saving of 68 watts of electricity per household. Thus, in Salem alone, these LED tube lights will result in an average saving of whopping 27,200 watts of electricity overall.

Already, Solar power is being extensively tapped by the Electrical branch of Salem Division by fitment of Solar Panels in various places, such as Salem (3.25 kW),   Tiruppur (2.88 kW), Mettuppalayam (10 kW), and small Solar Plants of 1.5 kW capacity in 6 railway stations in Salem-Vridhachalam Section such as Chinna Salem, Athur, Salem Town, Mukasaparur, etc.,  Solar powered water pumps installed in Perugumani Station in Karur-Trichy Fort Section. Solar water heaters have been provided in all major stations such as Coimbatore, Karur, Salem, Tiruppur, Erode, etc., Solar panel fitted passenger coach has been attached in Coimbatore-Mayavaram Jan Shatabdi Express and 6 more coaches are planned to be fitted with solar panels at a cost of Rs.20 lakhs.  This initiative was ushered in by Sri Hari Shankar Verma, DRM, Salem, with a view to make the Salem Division an energy efficient one. He  congratulated Sri Naseer Ahamed, Sr. Divisional Electrical Engineer, and his team of officers and staff for taking up effective steps in this direction.