The Madurai District Tiny and Small Scale Industries Association (MADITSSIA) has called for a new direct line from Madurai to Tuticorin in view of the fast-growing industrialisation driven by thermal power plants and the Koodankulam Nuclear Power Station.
Passing through Virudhunagar, Sattur, Kovilpatti and Vanchi Maniachi stations, the present route is circuitous and should be replaced with a new line that proceeded through Aruppukottai and Ettayapuram, a shorter route.
A MADITSSIA delegation met the Southern Railway General Manager Deepak Krishan recently and presented a memorandum containing demands.
The association also pressed for stoppage of all trains at Koodal Nagar and Madurai east railway stations. These stations should be upgraded and basic amenities provided for the benefit of passengers. Welcoming the introduction of Duronto Express from Thiruvananthapuram to Chennai via Madurai, association president N. Somasundaram said that train should pass through Tiruchi instead of Erode so to as to benefit more passengers.
While lauding the move to establish new station at Tambaram, the association said that if all trains from southern Tamil Nadu were to stop at Tambaram, many passengers would suffer. It suggested the status quo to be maintained on this regard and a new terminus could be opened at Royapuram to decongest Egmore.
The trade body also called for a new line from Madurai to Karaikudi via Melur, which would facilitate the introduction of sub-urban services in the Virudhunagar-Madurai-Dindigul sector and Madurai-Madurai East-Melur sector.
Besides calling for expediting the “inordinately-delayed” doubling work between Madurai and Nagercoil, the association also wanted adequate funds to be allocated for the gauge conversion between Dindigul and Coimbatore.
Mr. Somasundaram also said that an intercity express must be introduced between Madurai and Bangalore, besides two new day trains from Madurai to Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram.
The trade body also wanted the erstwhile Zonal Railway Uses Consultative Committee, of which MADITSSIA was a former member, to be revived in order to provide a platform for small industries to air their grievances.
