The Southern Railway would finalise on designing a special cash van soon.

Disclosing this to mediapersons here after participating in the Independence Day celebrations at the Salem Division of the Southern Railways, Divisional Railway Manager Hari Shanker Verma said the Railways had had a discussion with the security adviser of the Reserve Bank of India in this regard. “It will be decided soon in consultation with the RBI,” he said.

On elephant crossings, he said since the trains move slowly, there was no safety risk for humans and animals. He added that mesh on the rocky areas would be increased to prevent landslides.

The division would also be strengthening bridges all over the Salem Division to ensure safety. “Works in four bridges have already been completed, including the one that runs across the Cauvery river near Erode,” Verma added.

On developments in the Nilgiri Mountain Railways, Verma said the Rose Garden would be expanded and a Steam Loco be installed at the Ooty station to attract more tourists. Other heritage stations including NMR, Mettupalayam, Coonoor and Ooty would be beautified without disturbing the original structure.

Earlier Verma hoisted the tricolour at the Salem Division office. Later, he informed that the Division was planning to plant 1 lakh saplings without disturbing the natural flora and fauna along the railway tracks.