The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Don’t extend train

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Monday, Sep 08, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Don’t extend train

In response to the demands of the people in Salem and Villupuram, a super fast train was introduced in August 9. It has been reported by the Railway authorities that the train was very popular. This is the only super fast train for the sector serving the people of Attur, Kallakurichi and Vridachalam. On the day after its introduction, the Railway Minister said that the extensi-on of this train up to Coimbat-ore is under consideration. This is the plea of the people of Salem region not to disturb the train’s origin from Salem.

B. Ayub Khan,

Salem

Remove LPG godown

Recently an LPG godown was set up near Cluny Matriculation School, Salem. There is an ENT hospital near the godown and a children’s play school adjoining the hospital. Opposite the godown is a transformer. Last but not the least, frequently funeral processions are taken out on this route since there is a graveyard nearby and the processionists invariably burst crackers while passing through this area. A spark from the crackers or an electric leakage can wreak havoc of unimaginable intensity on people, especially during peak hours when hundreds of students pass through this area. One wonders how the authorities concerned allowed an LPG godown at such a vulnerable area. They should immediately relocate the godown to a safer place.

Murali. S,

Salem.

Killer phone

Improper use of mobile phones is increasing. One can find drivers of all sorts of vehicles - two wheelers, cars, buses, trucks and even tractors, no to forget the poor man’s bicycle – using mobiles. According to the the latest report, ‘Mobile subscribers can now spend less and talk more. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has asked the telecom operators to waive the processing charge on the top-up cards to facilitate full talk time on such recharges.’ Even as they talk more and pay less, it is certain that they will care less and kill more!

V.S.Venkatavaradan,

Salem.

Hospital accreditation

The Union Ministry of Health is going to grade hospitals throughout India according to the facilities available in the hospitals. As far as tertiary stage hospitals are concerned, it should have all facilities such as latest investigation equipment and a rehabilitation centre. The rehabilitation centre should have physiothe-rapy, occupational therapy and artificial limb sections. There should be a speech pathologist too.

B.R. Ramasubramanian,

Salem.

Train timings

The train timings at Salem Junction towards Erode in the early morning are inconvenient for regular users of trains. After a gap of two hours (Kurla Express leaving at 3.05 a.m.), there are three express trains, namely, Rapthisagar Express (5.05 a.m.), Yercaud Express (5.15 a.m.) and Sabari Express (5.30 a.m.), leaving Salem junction in a span of 30 minutes and creating a big gap of three hours to wait for the next train towards Erode at 8.15 a.m. (Jolarpet-Erode passenger) and three-and-a-half hours towards Coimbatore (Dhanbad-Alleppey Express) at 9 a.m. The railway authorities can reschedule the Sabari Express at Salem so that it will arrive and leave at 7 a.m. thus benefiting frequent rail users to plan their journey. Alternatively, the present running schedule and routes of train number 6107/6108 Mangalore to Chennai Egmore can be diverted via Salem, Vridhachalam to reduce running hours in a such way that the train will arrive and leave Salem at 7 a.m.

V.P. Chandra Sekar,

Salem.

Railway reforms

The Indian Railways has introduced many reforms. However, there are some drawbacks such as sticking of posters by unionists, commuters using train toilets when the train is on the platform and beggars’ menace which need to be addressed.

G.N. Devaraj,

Bhavanisagar.

Midnight robbery

Midnight robbery has become a regular feature in the Nilgiris, especially in villages. Owing to the steep fall in tea prices people have migrated to other places for alternative livelihood. The robbers loot locked houses and decamp with whatever valuables they can lay their hands on. The strength of the police in the district is not sufficient to deal with the situation. Police beat at night is necessary to make villagers feel secure. The district authorities should take effective steps to arrest the gang of robbers.

B. Bellukutty,

The Nilgiris.

Mini buses

Mini buses are operated throughout Tamil Nadu for the convenience of the rural people. Unlike the regular town buses, mini buses reach the interior areas of the town and naturally people are willing to avail the facility more often. However, the operation of the mini buses needs to be properly organised. At present they are run according to the whims and fancies of the drivers and the conductors. They stop the buses at roadside teashops and go for tea without bothering about the passengers. Even at regular bus stops, the conductor stops the bus for a long time without adhering to the allotted time. This invariably ends in a wordy duel between the passengers and the bus crew.

Radha Bhaskaran,

Erode. (Readers can mail to cbereaders@ thehindu.co.in)

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