CHENNAI:Based on directions from the Railway Ministry with regard to the ongoing Passenger Facilitation Fortnight, Anupam Sharma, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of Chennai division of Southern Railway, took a ride with regular commuters on an EMU train from Chennai to Ambattur on Friday. Sharma, the highest ranking official of Chennai division, told mediapersons that co-passengers on the second class EMU train apprised him of the problems they encountered on a daily basis. “The three main issues they pointed out were non-availability of drinking water, unclean toilets and poor frequency of announcements at stations,” Sharma said. He made note of the specific issues at stations and said he would take immediate action to resolve them.
Passengers who spoke to City Express were visibly happy about a senior official interacting with them personally. “We told them about the stinking toilets on stations and about women’s safety on trains. He has promised quick action. It was a good initiative of the Railways,” said a commuter at Perambur station.
Skits to Raise Awareness About Run Over Deaths
Chennai: In a bid to reduce the number of train run-over deaths in the Chennai division, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) has tied up with a popular Chennai-based FM radio channel to spread the message. It has also conducted skits by traditional artistes at various stations across the city. On Friday, the skits were performed at the Perambur Railway Station. Anupam Sharma, DRM, Chennai Division of Southern Railways, said that the division had devised short, medium and long term plans to reduce the run-over deaths by more than 50 per cent in the coming fiscal year. The RPF is also planning to rope in a local celebrity or film-star as a brand ambassador for the awareness campaign.