Latest news with #SouthernRailway
The Hindu
14 hours ago
- General
- The Hindu
Overgrown vegetation stifles ‘Oxygen Park' at Ponmalai
An 'Oxygen Park' initiated by the Golden Rock Railway Workshop at Ponmalai in 2022 is a picture of neglect today, with overgrown Beema Bamboo choking the premises of the circular public space. Dedicated to the nation by the then Principal Chief Mechanical Engineer, Southern Railway, Gautam Dutta in March, 2022, the eco-friendly initiative was intended to provide green cover in the Golden Rock locality. It was established after bushes were cleared near the Elephant Park and Rail Kalyana Mandapam. Removal of old soil, addition of vermi-compost, manure and fresh soil were carried out to ensure proper soil preparation. A total of 1,050 of Beema Bamboo saplings were planted in the park. The plant is a superior, fast-growing, and high-biomass yielding bamboo clone, developed from Bambusa balcooa. Its ability to sequester large amounts of carbon dioxide make it ideal for environmental regeneration projects. At present, with the lack of watering and pruning, the dried up vegetation is an eyesore, say residents. 'The park was launched with the intention of creating a green lung within the Ponmalai neighbourhood. Now it resembles a rundown forest that nobody can enter,' civic activist K.C. Neelamegam told The Hindu. Those who venture to peer through the compound fence can see faded signboards explaining the history of the park. The stone seats, domed metal trellis corridor and revolving gates clearly have seen better days. In tropical conditions, Beema Bamboo is said to grow up to one and a half feet a day. Since the clone is thornless and sterile, managing its growth and harvest is simpler than regular bamboo. 'With regular watering and pruning, the Oxygen Park could have been beneficial for the families of railway employees residing in Ponmalai and nearby areas. There are two schools in its immediate vicinity. We are afraid that the park may be sheltering snakes and other animals in the bamboo overgrowth,' said a resident.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
Two trains running via Coimbatore to be short terminated
COIMBATORE: Southern Railway has announced short termination of train services in view of engineering work at a level crossing between Lalapet and Kulitalai railway stations in the Karur – Tiruchchirappalli sector. Train No16843 Trichy Jn – Palakkad Town Express will be short terminated at Kulitalai railway station on July 27 and 28. After completion of work at the level crossing, the train will be run as an unreserved special train from Kulitalai to Palakkad Town with the same stoppages. Train No16844 Palakkad Town – Trichy Jn Express will be short terminated at Karur railway station. After completion of work at the level crossing, the train will be run as an unreserved special train from Karur to Trichy Jn with the same stoppages.
The Hindu
22-07-2025
- The Hindu
Pasting of unauthorised posters mars the aesthetics in several railway stations
The menace of unauthorised pasting of posters is not only prevalent at bus stops and public places in the Chennai Corporation limits, but is also rather prominent in railway stations and suburban trains. The pasting of posters, , mars the appearance of several railway stations in the city, even as officials at these stations fear removing the posters due to their sensitive nature. While large posters by trade unions mar the appearance of the railway stations, smaller posters from commercial institutions dot the coaches of the electric multiple units (EMUs). Several railway stations, including Guindy, Saidapet, Perambur Loco, Beach, Kodambakkam, and Thirumullaivoyal in and around the city, all have unauthorised posters adorning their walls, spoiling the aestethics and overall look. Even when these posters are removed, they leave lasting glue stains on the walls. P. Balaraman, who regularly commutes from Guindy to Avadi, said unauthorised posters — mostly by railway trade unions and, in some places, political parties — are pasted in Saidapet railway station. This station is currently being redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, incidentally. In some stations including Perambur Loco and Hindu College, posters of private functions are also installed near the railway tracks or on the walls of public conveniences. Consumer activist T. Sadagopan said the Southern Railway, which creates awareness about Swachh Bharat by organising Swachhta Pakhwada campaigns to keep railway stations clean, should similarly create awareness among railway staff and various union members to avoid pasting posters on railway premises. He said announcements through the public address systems installed in stations should also be used to spread awareness. A senior official of the Chennai Division said that pasting posters in suburban trains or at railway stations is a punishable offence carrying fines under Section 166 of the Railway Act, 1989, and is enforced by the Railway Protection Force (RPF). The RPF has been conducting a sustained campaign to remove unauthorised posters from railway premises, with nearly 30 cases filed against offenders. Regarding the posters put up by trade unions, the railway official said the Southern Railway, based on the advice of the Railway Board, has allotted separate spaces in various railway stations for recognised trade unions to display union-related information and would soon take steps to enforce this.
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Time of India
Special trains between Madurai and Rameswaram for fest
Madurai: In view of the Aadi Thirukalyanam festival at the Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram, Southern Railway will operate one pair of unreserved express special trains between Madurai Junction and Rameswaram on July 23 and 24. Train No. 06711 Madurai–Rameswaram special will depart Madurai at 11.15pm on July 23 and reach Rameswaram at 2.30am on July 24. In the return direction, train No. 06712 Rameswaram–Madurai special will leave Rameswaram at 3am on July 24 and reach Madurai at 6am the same day. The special trains will stop at Madurai East, Tiruppuvanam, Manamadurai, Paramakudi, and Ramanathapuram. The train will consist of 14 general second class coaches and two luggage-cum-brake van coaches. Southern Railway has also announced the temporary augmentation of four passenger trains between Madurai - Rameswaram - Madurai on July 24 with three additional general second class coaches each. The services are train No. 56714, 56712, 56713, and 56716. Railway officials have requested passengers to make use of the special arrangements for hassle-free travel during the festival.
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Time of India
These trains won't reach and leave Coimbatore junction on two days
COIMBATORE: Southern Railway has announced changes in train services to carry out track renewal work at Podanur railway yard. In a press release, Salem Railway Division stated that Train No 16722 Madurai – Coimbatore Express, scheduled to leave Madurai at 7.05am, will be short-terminated at Pollachi on July 25 and 27. The train will run from Madurai to Pollachi only; it will not run from Pollachi to Coimbatore on those days. Train no 16608 Coimbatore – Kannur Express, scheduled to leave Coimbatore at 1.50 pm, will instead leave from Palakkad at 3.10pm on July 25 and 27. The train will not run from Coimbatore to Palakkad; it will leave from Palakkad and run up to Kannur on those days.
