With elevators, bio-toilets, and escalators, the Coimbatore Railway Junction is all set to be modernised before the end of March 2017, said Hari Shankar Verma, Divisional Railway Manager of the Salem Railway Division, here in Coimbatore, on Sunday.

Verma also said that one of the prime targets of the division was to make it proactive, in meeting passenger amenities by keeping it clean and passenger-friendly.

“The people here have done a good job, and a few rectifications I had suggested during my previous visits have been implemented. Our aim now is to improve the maintenance of the carriages and the cleanliness of the trains and stations,” he said.

He informed that the division was keen on introducing bio-toilets in selective trains, starting with Cheran Express, adding that the railways were unable to provide 100 per cent clean toilets because of material shortage.

“The cleaning materials are short and we are awaiting them. Although we are forced to manage with limited resources, once the materials come, the flooring and other jobs will become easy,” said Verma.

Talking about the installation of lifts and escalators in the station, Verma said that while two lifts will be available for the passengers from January 1, 2017, four escalators will start functioning by March 31.

“The total expenditure is estimated at around Rs.7 crores for the project. This also includes the widening of subway,” Verma added.

He also advised that passengers should help the railways keep the stations clean by using the dustbin and not defecating in the open.

He was inspecting the junction ahead the Passenger Amenities Committee’s visit on Wednesday.