Authorities directed to ensure rail safety: Minister

Chennai, June 25 (UNI) The damage caused to South Central Railways, South Western Railways and Central Railways by the recent incessant rains is yet to be assessed and the authorities have been directed to ensure rail safety while operating trains in flood-hit areas, Minister of State for Railways R Velu said today.

Addressing a press conference after inaugurating the Rs 33 crore modern paint workshop at Integral Coach Factory (ICF) here, he said the new facility would help the coach factory to enhance its production. Several automation works were underway in the workshop and in the future double decker railway coaches would also be produced at ICF, he added.

Mr Velu said the paint shed was equipped with an effluent treatment plant and could treat the paint sludge wastes as per the norms of the Pollution Control Board. With this facility, five coaches could be painted per day and the life of painting coats would extend from two to four years, he added.

The conversion between Tenkasi and Sengottai had been completed and the Podhigai Express running between Chennai Egmore and Tenkasi would be extended to Sengottai, he added.

UNI