KOLLAM: The Public Action Council (PAC) to press for speeding up the gauge conversion work of the Kollam-Tenkasi railway line has registered its strong protest against a move by the Madurai Division of the Railways to stop services between Punalur and Kollam from April.

In a statement, chairman of the PAC A.L. Sreenivasan, said that if the train services between Punalur and Kollam were stopped it will put the travelling public into a great deal of hardship.

The PAC represents the Kollam units of the Kerala State Small Industries Association, the Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samiti, the Chamber of Commerce, the Merchants Association, the Tamil Sangam, the Nadar Sangam, the Travancore Reddiar Aikya Sangam, the Dr. Sivanthi Aditanar Welfare Association, the Senaithalaivar Munnetra Sangam, the Railway Passengers Association and the Rotary and Lions districts.

Mr. Sreenivasan said in spite of repeated submissions to the Railway authorities, the gauge conversion work was progressing at a snail's pace. If the train services between Kollam and Punalur were stopped, it will put the travelling public into a great deal of hardship for a period of almost two years, the expected time for the completion of the gauge conversion. The work on the construction of several overbridges is still in the initial stages. The statement urged the Railway authorities not to stop the train services at least till the time the over bridges are commissioned.

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