The Hindu : Front Page : Consumers stage demonstration

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jan 13, 2007
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Consumers stage demonstration

Staff Reporter

They seek restoration of Tiruchi-Mangalore Express train service

AGITATION: Representatives of consumer organisations raising slogans in Tiruchi on Friday. — PHOTO: R.M. RAJARATHINAM

TIRUCHI: Representatives of consumer organisations staged a demonstration in front of the Divisional Railway Manager's office here on Friday. They demanded restoration of the Tiruchi-Mangalore Express, which was cancelled from January 3 following extension of the Chennai-Coimbatore Express to Mangalore.

The organisations came together under the banner of Federation of Service Organisation. Led by M. Sekaran, convener, the agitators urged the authorities not to neglect Tiruchi and accord due importance to the people of the region.

Around 100 members from various consumer groups, including Tiruchi District Consumer Council, Tamil Nadu Consumer Federation, Tamil Nadu Consumers' Peravai, Tiruchi Consumer Movement, Deccan Consumer Rights Protection Movement and representative from Karur District Railway Passengers' Welfare Association, participated. Raising slogans, the demonstrators said that the Tiruchi-Mangalore Express had been running for several years with good patronage from the people in Tiruchi, Karur and Erode.

Covering three States, the train was of great benefit to the people, as they did not have to book a ticket in advance.

People could travel by purchasing an open ticket minutes before the departure of the train, they said.

The consumer groups also demanded that the Rockfort Express be restored to its original route and operated between Tiruchi and Chennai.

They also wanted the authorities to operate long distance trains originating from south, via Dindigul, Tiruchi and Karur, and direct train services to New Delhi and Mumbai from Tiruchi.

The demonstrators wanted reconstitution of the railway consultative committee with members taking up public issues.

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