Shri John Thomas, General Manager, Southern Railway conducted annual inspection in Chennai – Arakkonam – Renigunta Section of Chennai Division on 5th January 2022. Shri Ganesh, Divisional Railway Manager of Chennai Division, Principal Heads of Departments, Officers and staff accompanied the General Manager.
- Annual inspections are done on various sections of every division to review the performance and improve various aspects of Railway working including infrastructure.
- In the morning, Shri John Thomas, General Manager visited the Zonal Electric Traction Training Centre (ZETTC) at Avadi and took stock of various training modules available for imparting induction and orientation training to new recruits and serving employees including the renovated modern classrooms for the trainees.
- He visited the Health Unit at Annanur and interacted with the doctors and other healthcare workers.
- Appreciating the Health Unit staff for their dedicated services during the peak of COVID waves, the General Manager called for rapid gearing up of the Railway healthcare system to meet the impact of the COVID third wave and its recent variant.
- Later he inaugurated the Power Quality Control Equipment room at the Avadi Traction Substation.
- At Hindu College station, Multi Section Digital Axle Counter (MSDAC), a mechanism to reset track failures was commissioned.
- Later, Level Crossing No 13 between Thiruninravur and Tiruvallur Stations was inspected.
- On arrival at Tirvallur Station, General Manager inspected various facilities at the station.
- He inaugurated a Digital Train Display Board and a Rest Room for the Lady RPF staff.
- The General Manager inspected the Major bridge No. 55 and level crossing No.25 in the Tiruvallur- Tiruvalangadu section.
Safety:
- On reaching Arakkonam, Shri John Thomas reviewed various passenger amenities and inspected Crew Lobby, RPF barrack and watched a demonstration of NTES integrated auto announcement system.
- He inaugurated a Bottle crusher Unit at the station and laid foundation stone of new running room.
- Safety literature in the form of posters elucidating various important safety precautions to be adhered to by the Signal & Telecom staff was also released.
- Later the General Manager visited Winterpet Colony at Arakkonam and interacted with the residents.
- After commissioning a new staff quarters in the colony, the inspection team participated in a tree plantation drive.
Other Projects:
- Various curves and points, minor stations, major and minor bridges were inspected between Tiruttani and Puttur stations.
- At Puttur, Electronic Interlocking cabin, Traction Distribution depot were inspected along with passenger amenities such as Renovated Retiring rooms and dormitory.
- Later, a speed trial was conducted between Puttur and Renigunta stations.
- Bridge no 188 enroute was also inspected by the General Manager.
- During the course of inspection, Shri John Thomas, General Manager appreciated the commendable work done by the employees and declared awards for meritorious performance.
- He interacted with Passenger Associations and commuters at various railway stations enroute and received their representations.
- General Manager also addressed the Press and Media at Puttur, Tiruvallur and Arakkonam and replied to their queries on train operations and status of various projects in Chennai Division.
Source: Southern Railway- Press Release | Image Credit (representational): MoR
