Tamil Nadu - Tiruchi   

Mixed reaction to railway budget

TIRUCHI: There has been a mixed reaction to the railway budget from consumer organisations who have welcomed certain announcements made by the Union Railway Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee.

The positive features of the budget are the ticket booking facility in 5,000 post offices, point-to-point trains and ladies special in suburban services.

However, it is disappointing to note that the Union Minister has retained all unfair hidden charge of the earlier regime, S. Pushpavanam, secretary, Consumer Protection Council, Tamil Nadu said in a statement here.

While passengers save stationery, time and printing for the Railways while booking e-ticket, they were being charged Rs.40 even now.

When no extra service is rendered, no extra charge must be made but return journey surcharge continues, he said exuding hope that these would come under reconsideration during the budget discussion.

Except the Madurai- Chennai Express and Delhi-Chennai point-to-point and extension of Ernakulam express to Nagore, the South has been neglected.

Our demand for Garib Rath trains from Tirunelveli to Chennai and Bangalore via Tiruchi has also been ignored, Mr. Pushpavanam said. Double decker is not new as it was here 20 years ago and it failed

While stating that the budget seems public friendly, the Federation of Consumer and Service Organisations convenor M. Sekaran said the announcement of new non stop trains, quality food and drinking water, introduction of train services besides ladies special were all welcome features.

Before increasing the number of unreserved ticket counters, the railway should provide more coaches for unreserved passengers.

Most trains are having only two to three coaches for unreserved, but it was carrying more than three times of its capacity. Hence, the railway should ensure comfortable travel to all passengers.

He said there was no announcement for restoring the cancelled trains.

The demands for restoration of Tiruchi – Tirupathi daily express and Tiruchi-Ahemadabad train and a new train to Bangalore from Tiruchi are yet to be implemented.

The Federation has appealed to the Railway Minister to consider the long pending demands of the passengers of Central region.

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