Tamil Nadu   

SRMU gives suggestions on new Salem division

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: Southern Railway Mazdoor Union has urged the Railway Ministry to include Pothanur -Valayar, Salem-Dharmapuri-Hosur sections in the proposed Salem division.

Union general secretary N. Kanniah talking to newsmen here on Friday said that the areas formed part of Tamil Nadu linguistically and geographically. As there was a move to retain these sections with the Palghat division, the union demanded their inclusion in the new division.

Alleging that many essential services in railways were privatised, Mr.Kanniah said formation of catering corporation, decision to allow private agencies to issue reservation tickets and leasing out parcel vans were all done to the detriment of passengers.

Eastern corridor

The Railway Minister's recent announcement on construction of eastern corridor between Delhi and Kolkata and western corridor from Amritsar to Mumbai for running goods trains with public-private sector participation would only result in privatisation and escalation of freight rates, leading to increase in prices of essential commodities.

Mr. Kanniah said that the perception that privatisation of government organisations alone would yield good results and provide better services had been proved wrong with the Railways making a turnaround with record revenue. The organisation would do even better if the operation of uneconomical services such as Salem-Mettur Dam, Anna Nagar West and Beach and Egmore-Pondicherry, were suspended.

Mr.Kanniah also criticised the railway administration for increasing the fare "surreptitiously" by classifying major expresses as super fast services without reduction in running time and without giving additional facilities. He warned that the union would be forced to take direct action if the administration did not withdraw the utilisation of private parties for various services in railways.

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