The culmination of ‘Swachhata Pakhwada’, a fortnight-long Cleanliness drive is being observed in Southern Railway today, 2^nd October 2021.    Earlier in the morning, Shri John Thomas, General Manager administered the Swachhata (Cleanliness) Pledge to the Officers and Staff of Southern Railway.  Shri John Thomas, General Manager, Shri S.Srinivas, Principal Chief Mechanical Engineer, Smt Aruna Nayar, Principal Chief Personnel Officer, Shri R. K. Mehta, Principal Chief Electrical Engineer, Shri Ravi Valluri, Principal Chief Commercial Manager, Shri Birendra Kumar, Principal Chief Security Commissioner, Shri. A. K. Siddhartha, Principal Chief Safety Officer and other Officers and Staff of Southern Railway participated in the event. Dr.Bina John, President, Southern Railway Women’s Headquarters Organisation (SRWHO), who attended the event distributed jute bags and caps to Officers and Staff.

Addressing the gathering, Shri John Thomas recalled the impact of Gandhi’s rail journeys o­n freedom struggle and how Mahatma imbibed the spirit of patriotism through his iconic rail journeys. General Manager appreciated the concerted efforts of Officers and Staff of Southern Railway, NGOs, volunteers, students and Scouts & Guides in organizing intensive Cleanliness drives all over the zone.  He praised the efforts of the zone in generating substantial power savings through Solar installations at railway stations.  He accorded a special mention o­n Coimbatore Junction having been awarded the coveted Platinum rating from Indian Green Building Council, which is the first-of-its-kind in Southern Railway. 

In commemoration of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ signifying 75 golden years of Independent India and Gandhi Jayanthi 2021,  an exclusive section o­n Mahatma Gandhi’s historic rail journeys, ‘Celebrating Mahatma’s Rail Journeys’ has been opened at the Heritage Photo Gallery at Southern Railway Headquarters, Chennai.   Vintage Photographs of Mahatma Gandhi’s iconic rail travel across South India and other important destinations during the days of freedom struggle have been exhibited.  The Heritage Photo Gallery will remain open for public o­n working days (Monday to Friday) from 10:00 hrs to 17:00 hrs.  and paid floral tributes to the portrait of the great leader.

A special train hauled by vintage oil-fired steam loco X-37396 was run between Mettupalayam and Udhagamandalam today in commemoration of Gandhi Jayanthi and ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’. Hundreds of rail enthusiasts and tourists experienced the romance of rail journey in the UNESCO-listed Nilgiri Mountain Railway known for its steep gradients, unique rack and pinion system, vintage locos and abounding nature’s charm.

Heritage Photo Gallery at Southern Railway Headquarters

A Railway Heritage Photo Gallery was opened at Southern Railway Headquarters Building on 29^th January 2019. The gallery has o­n display some of the fascinating photographs from the Railway’s glorious past .  Archival photographs of the Engineering marvels of Southern Railway, namely, the UNESCO listed NMR, Great Pamban Bridge and Sengottai – Punalur section deserve special mention. Enthralling portraits of the erstwhile era – Vintage locos, signaling equipment, brass bells, heritage buildings, century-old cash chest, etc., will offer a visual retreat to rail aficionados. Photographs of Great Leaders’ iconic visits to erstwhile South Indian Railway are sure to make the visitor tread through the Zone’s landmark moments.

The two-storey Photo Gallery is also home to some of the significant moments from the presentday Railway system  – New station Buildings, developments over the years, Cutting-edge technologies deployed, to mention a few.A print version of ‘Timeline of Southern Railway’ will help the visitors recall the significant milestones surpassed by the zone.   Mahatma Gandhi’s historic photographs beautifully chronicled in the new section will fascinate history enthusiasts and children, among others.

The Heritage Gallery will be constantly updated as and when Heritage material and old pictures surface from various sources, from time to time.

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As approved by Railway Board the following Daily Unreserved Express Special will run as detailed below:

1. Train No.06654/06655Rameswaram - Madurai – Rameswaram Daily UnreservedExpressSpecial:

Train No. 06654 Rameswaram – Madurai Daily UnreservedExpressSpecial will leave Rameswaram at 05.40 hrs o­n and from 07^th October, 2021 and reach Madurai at 09.30 hrs, the same day until further advice

In return direction Train No. 06655 Madurai – Rameswaram Daily UnreservedExpressSpecial will leave Madurai at 18.10 hrs o­n and from 07^th October, 2021 and reach Rameswaram at 22.05 hrs until further advice

Coach Composition: 10- General Second Class, Rameswaram Luggage cum Brake Vans

The details of Timings and stoppages of Train No.06654/06655Rameswaram - Madurai – Rameswaram Daily UnreservedExpressSpecial are as follows:

2. Train No.06498/06499Dindigul - Tiruchchirappalli - DindigulDailyUnreservedExpressSpecial:

Train No. 06498 Dindigul - Tiruchchirappalli DailyUnreservedExpressSpecial will leave Dindigul at 06.15 hrs o­n and from 08^th October, 2021 and reach Tiruchchirappalli at 08.30 hrs, the same day until further advice

In return direction Train No. 06499 Tiruchchirappalli - DindigulDailyUnreservedExpressSpecial will leave Tiruchchirappalli at 18.30 hrs o­n and from 07^th October, 2021 and reach Dindigul at 20.45 hrs, the same day until further advice

Coach Composition: 10- General Second Class, Rameswaram Luggage cum Brake Vans

The details of timings and stoppages of Train No.06498/06499Dindigul - Tiruchchirappalli - DindigulDailyUnreservedExpressSpecial are as follows: