The Hindu : Mahamaham specials fetch Rs. 1.8-crore for Railways

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 10, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Mahamaham specials fetch Rs. 1.8-crore for Railways

By S. Vydhianathan

CHENNAI, MARCH 9. Southern Railway has earned a record revenue of Rs 1.8 crores, operating special services to Kumbakonam in connection with Mahamaham.

The railway administration operated 167 broad gauge and 110 metre gauge special trains in the last 10 days.

While shuttle services were operated to Kumbakonam from Tiruchi and Mayiladuturai, long distance specials were introduced from Chennai, Coimbatore and Nagercoil. All diesel electric multiple units, which were running on various circuits in the zone, were diverted to the Tiruchi division for operating the BG shuttle services.

Railway sources said finding coaches for running the services was a major problem for Southern Railway. Though it wrote to the Railway Board well in advance for allotment of 60 additional coaches, the board was not in a position to supply them due to shortage.

However, the coach maintenance staff released 45 coaches in advance, after periodic overhauling.

These coaches were utilised to release the DEMU in various sectors of Southern Railway.

Thanks to the operation of DEMUs, the administration was able to run more services as there was no need for change of locomotive. On March 5 and 6, BG and MG services were operated round the clock in view of heavy traffic.

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