New Madurai

Escalators inaugurated at Madurai Junction:

BOON:Minister of State for Railways Kotla Jaya Surya Prakash Reddy and officials using the escalator in Madurai Junction on Tuesday.

After a long wait, Madurai Junction has finally got its first set of escalators. Passengers can now cross with ease from one platform to the next.

Minister of State for Railways Kotla Jaya Surya Prakash Reddy inaugurated the escalator facility on Tuesday.

Dual-direction escalators are now operational on platform numbers one , two, three and six. They were installed at a cost of Rs.5.25 crore.

An estimated 30,000 passengers visit Madurai Junction every day.

Speaking to reporters, Mr.Reddy said he had instructed railway officials to provide bathrooms for pilgrims visiting the Temple City.

"Pilgrims will be provided with towels, soaps and tooth paste at a nominal rate," the Minister said.

The pilgrims arriving here could refresh themselves at the railway station, leave their luggage in the cloak room and visit the temples in the city, he added.

Mr.Reddy, who inspected the facilities provided by the railways, said he would sanction a digital X-ray machine and an additional elevator for the Madurai Railway Hospital.

He directed the railway authorities to provide an air-conditioned rest room for train crew. "The AC facility will provide better comfort to the loco pilots and guards who wish to take rest," he said.

Centre to set up Rs.150-crore multi-speciality hospital in Madurai:

A multi-speciality hospital will be established in Madurai at an outlay of about Rs.150 crore to be sanctioned by the Central and State Governments.

The new healthcare institution, which is described as an “upgraded hospital”, is likely to come up at Madurai Medical College Ground in the city.

Sandeep K.Naik, Joint Secretary, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, on Tuesday held talks with officials of the Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) here and discussed the infrastructure facilities to be provided in the new hospital.

According to officials, Mr.Naik had indicated that of the total fund requirement of Rs.150 crore, the Centre would provide Rs.124 crore and the remaining amount would be borne by the State. The upcoming facility would have well-equipped neurology, urology, cancer and cardiology wings, they said.

As the Ministry was looking for a four-acre site, the GRH authorities showed the Madurai Medical College Ground to Mr.Naik in view of its easy accessibility.

The project is expected to take off in two months and construction work will be completed in two years. Mr.Naik said the Centre would have consultations with Chief Minister J.Jayalalithaa in this regard.

Once the new facility is ready, it will function in tandem with the Trauma Care Centre of the GRH which is situated close by. The Joint Secretary had a meeting with the Heads of Departments of various specialities to chalk out a strategy on how to make it highly beneficial to the people of the southern districts. He also had a meeting with C.Vamsadhara, Director of Medical Education.

N.Mohan, Dean, GRH, A.Pragadeeswaran, Resident Medical Officer, and senior doctors from various departments participated in the meetings.