6.5 lakh passengers utilised train services operated by Salem Railway Division for Deepavali

The Salem Division of Southern Railway has fulfilled travel needs of about 6.5 lakh passengers through regular and special services for the Deepavali festival.

Twelve special trains were operated from the Division: five each from Coimbatore and Podanur, and one each from Mettupalayam and Erode. Additionally, 37 TOD (Train on Demand) services originating from other divisions passed through Salem Division.

Moreover, Amrit Bharat Express between Erode – Jogbani also caters to the north-bound passengers. Trains have been augmented by 22 additional coaches, for the Deepavali and Chhath festivals, Divisional Railway Manager of Salem Division, Panna Lal said.

Security arrangements put in place for passenger safety and crowd control for Deepavali have, by and large, been retained till the completion of the four-day Chhath from October 25 to 28.

At Coimbatore Junction, 160 personnel of Railway Police Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police have been deployed. A total of 120 personnel have been deployed in Tiruppur, 70 at Erode and 65 at Salem, says data provided by the Divisional authorities.

The personnel have been vested with the responsibility of assisting passengers round-the-clock for orderly boarding / deboarding and entry / exit.

In addition, the services of volunteers, Scouts and Guides, and retired RPF personnel have also been requisitioned for crowd management, and enforcement of queue system.

The personnel are assisted by dog and bomb squads for anti-sabotage checks. A quick-response team has also been stationed at the Coimbatore Junction.

The crowd control measures are being monitored by the authorities from a specially established War Room. Seating arrangements, drinking water, fans, lights, CCTV, and Public Address system have been ensured for the convenience of passengers.

The special services for Chhath Puja are operated from Coimbatore and Erode to Barauni, factoring in the large presence of migrant workers from Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh, Railway sources added.