It also completed electrification of Chennai- Kanyakumari line and increased speed on a few routes last month.
IRCTC had run 10 pairs of special trains to meet the requirements of pilgrims and tourists to different destinations, said a statement detailing Southern Railway’s achievements in April.
In the suburban sector, the zone also changed 32 six-car trains to nine-car services on the Chennai Beach-Velachery MRTS section and introduced GPS-based passenger information system in 46 EMUs to provide audio-visual announcements that helps passengers identify stations.
In a bid to improve speed of trains and avoid delays, section speed has been increased from 90 kmph to 100 kmph on the Tiruvalangadu-Arakkonam fourth line.
Section speed has also been increased on the Mayiladuthurai-Tiruvarur single line from 80 kmph to 90 kmph and on the Nidamangalam-Mannargudi single line from 50 kmph to 80 kmph.
Electrified traction between Virudhunagar – Tuticorin/Vanchi Maniyachchi – Tirunelveli was commissioned in April. With this, the entire route from Chennai Egmore to Kanyakumari via Villupuram, Tiruchchirappalli, Madurai and Tirunelveli has been electrified.
This eliminates delays needed for changing locomotives from electric to diesel.
Other developments include introduction of TPWS (Train Protection Warning System) in 81 EMU / MEMU motor coaches that prevents motormen from violating signals and speed restrictions, station ticket booking sevak at 13 locations, e-catering in 21 trains by IRCTC and onboard housekeeping in train no 16787 / 16788 Tirunelveli – Jammu Tawi – Tirunelveli bi-weekly express trains.
Escalators in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam Junction, Ernakulam Town, Chengannur and in Tambaram were commissioned. Two level crossings were closed in the month.
The Southern Railway conducted 96 cleanliness drives. It also held 35 other campaigns with the participation of about 2,800 volunteers to improve hygiene.
As many as 82 food samples were collected to ensure quality standards were maintained.