Railway Users Consultative Committee Meeting Held

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
The 66th Divisional Railway Users’ Consultative Committee (DRUCC) of the Thiruvananthapuram Division, Southern Railway was held on 30.11.2016, in the Divisional Office under the Chairmanship of Prakash Butani , Divisional Railway Manager.
V.C. Sudheesh , Sr. Divisional Commercial Manager and Secretary, Thiruvananthapuram DRUCC, and other Branch officers participated in the meeting along with the 16 DRUCC Members including CK Hareendran, MLA, Jyothilal, Transport Secretary, Govt of Kerala .
DRM reiterated Railways commitment for safety in train operation as the foremost focus. This year Division have so far replaced 60 Km of rail as compared to 58 km rail replaced in last year. As high priority is given to track maintenance work, punctuality of trains are affected.. Onboard cleanliness of trains will be started progressively within two months.
The earlier attempts to fix the cleaning contracts did not succeed due to recent changes in labour rates.Railway will be focusing to work in close association with civil society groups like Kudumbasree to enhance passenger service quality in parking, waiting hall management etc. Air Conditioned paid waiting hall in association with Kudumbasree is well appreciated at Ernakulam Jn and Ernakulam Town stations and this model will be tried at Kollam and Thrissur shortly.
For the first time Kudumbasree has been associated with running the vegetarian refreshment room at Chengannur during Sabarimala season. . Free Wi-Fi service at Kollam will be commissioned shortly. New escalator at Chengannur and Nagercoil will be commissioned within a month. Automatic Water vending machines will be installed at 17 stations in which One litter of water will be vended at Rs5-.
This will help in reducing bottled water usage in the Railway stations.
DRM assured the MLA that to complement Kerala’s open defacation free status Railway will convert to bio toilets completely within 2020. In the coming days Railway will emphasize more on responses through Help Lines. Advance help can be sought through email id seniordcmtvc@gmail.com mainly for confirmation of emergency confirmation of tickets along with scanned copy of Id proof. The exclusive women helpline No.9567869385 may be contacted for any assistance from Trivandrum division for lady passengers.