The Hindu : Front Page : Demand for fast passenger train persists

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jan 27, 2006

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Demand for fast passenger train persists

S. Vijay Kumar

`Timings of Madurai-Villupuram-Madurai service inconvenient to travellers'

MADURAI. It was a long fought struggle of traders, elected representatives and passengers that led to the introduction of Madurai-Villupuram-Madurai Passenger train. However, it is losing patronage because of its odd timings.

At present, it leaves Madurai at 11.30 p.m. and reaches Villupuram at 12.15 p.m. the next day. It leaves Villupuram at 2.30 p.m. and returns to Madurai at 4.15 a.m. The train consumes over 13 hours to cover a distance of 338 km. A major stretch of the route is traversed during wee hours making it inconvenient to passengers.

"There are just a handful of passengers when the train departs/reaches Madurai. If this situation continues, the very operation of the train will come under scrutiny," a senior official said.

Operating the train during the day would affect maintenance of tracks and bridges. "We have just a couple of hours for maintenance in the Madurai-Tiruchi section. There are operational constraints to run this train during the day. Besides, we need additional rakes and locomotives."

Chamber plea

The Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry has sought extension of the train to Chennai Egmore and operate it as a Fast Passenger (day) train. In a memorandum sent to the Union Minister of State for Railways, R. Velu, its president S. Rethinavelu said the increasing traffic between Madurai and Chennai, and the need for providing an opportunity for the low-income group to travel had prompted traders and welfare organisations to lay emphasis on a passenger train.

The present train timings not only make the passenger take a tedious and long journey to reach Villupuram but also make him wait for over three hours to board a train to reach Chennai Egmore.

"Since the train passes through wayside stations at odd hours, it does not benefit office-goers, vendors and students. The administration should consider operating the train either before or after the departure of the Madurai-Chennai Egmore Vaigai Superfast Express," he said.

Madurai District Tiny and Small Scale Industries Association president S. Aravind has also demanded a passenger (day) train.

Madurai MP P. Mohan said the issue had been taken up with the Southern Railway General Manager. "The matter will come up for discussion during the meeting of MPs in Madurai on February 1," he added.

The public demand either introduction of a direct Madurai-Chennai Egmore Fast Passenger train or revision of timings of the Madurai-Villupuram Passenger so as to provide a link to the Chennai Egmore-Pondicherry-Chennai Egmore Fast Passenger.

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