Salem railway division eyes Rs 912 Crore revenue
our revenues have increased last year and we are aiming Rs 912 crores of earnings in the current financial year, says Subba Rao.
SALEM: The Salem railway division is aiming for Rs 912 crore in earnings in the current financial year, 2019-2020 from all its revenue sources, said the Divisional Railway Manager U. Subba Rao.
Talking to presspersons on sidelines of the International level crossing day celebrations, Mr. Subba Rao said, “our revenues have increased last year and we are aiming Rs 912 crores of earnings in the current financial year, including Rs 605 crore in passenger earnings and Rs 225 crore in freight earnings.” Mr. Subba Rao said, “in 2018-19, our gross earnings was Rs 750 crore which was 17.85 per cent higher than previous year and we have transported 1.44 million tonnes of freight during last financial year.”
Talking about improving safety features at level crossings and railway stations, Mr. Rao said, “there 233 level crossings under the division and we eliminated all unmanned gates by September 30.” He added that 30 railway gates under the division lack interlocking facilities and they are planning to resolve the issue within this financial year itself. “Out of the 30 gates, we would be building subway at 10 locations out of which we have got approval for seven from respective district collectors. We are also working towards interlocking the remaining 20 railway gates with nearest stations within this year”, he said. He added that as part of improving security, they would be installing CCTV cameras at Erode, Tiurppur and Salem junctions shortly.
Talking about various development works in the division, Mr. Rao said, “we are constructing foot-over bridges at 12 locations at a cost of Rs 12 crore. We are constructing high level platforms at 13 locations at a cost of Rs 25 crore and expanding the length of platforms at 13 locations at a cost of Rs 24 crore.” He added that the Salem railway junction facade development is being done up at a cost of Rs 24 crore. Regarding the construction of multi-level parking at Coimbatore junction, Mr. Rao said, “the construction is 90 per cent completed, it would be commissioned in next two months.”