The Chamber of Commerce and Industries (CCI), Karaikudi, has urged the Southern Railway to introduce link train service between Tiruchi and Karaikudi for the convenience of Karaikudi passengers who often travel by Mysore, Bengaluru, Mangalore, Ernakulam and Coimbatore express trains from Tiruchi.
CCI office-bearers, led by its president Samy Thiravidamani in a memorandum presented to Meenu Ittyerah, Madurai Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) recently, urged her to introduce the link train for the benefit of Karaikudi passengers who often visit Mysore, Bengaluru, Mangalore, Ernakulam and Coimbatore.
The link train could leave Tiruchi at 5.30 a.m. so that passengers who arrived from the express trains could reach Karaikudi with ease. They could also get a direct ticket to Karaikudi if the link train service was provided, they suggested.
They said Karaikudi passengers would also be greatly benefited if the timing of the Rameswaram – Tiruchi passenger (56830/31) was revised and ensured that it reached Tiruchi junction by 7.45 p.m. so that it would be convenient for them to catch the trains to Mysore, Ernakulam and other places. As per the existing timing, the passenger train reached Tiruchi around 8 50 p.m., they said.
Ms. Ittyeraj was sympathetic and agreed to consider their demands, Mr. Thiravidamani said. They also requested her to ensure that the Karaikudi-Madurai railway line project was speeded up and completed at the earliest.
Citing passenger traffic in the Rameswaram – Coimbatore sector, they urged the DRM to run the existing weekly Coimbatore – Rameswaram express thrice in a week or on daily basis.
Stating that patronage had increased substantially after the Chennai Egmore – Manamadurai Silambu express was extended up to Shengottai, they requested the DRM to provide additional four coaches — three sleeper and one AC coaches — for the convenience of passengers.
Pointing out that more tickets were booked at Karaikudi for Chennai in the Rameswaram – Chennai Sethu Express (22662), they urged the DRM to increase the ticket quota for Karaikudi.
The existing quota of 40 berths was insufficient and passengers were forced to buy tickets from Paramakudi to Chennai with Karaikudi boarding, they said. CCI Secretary V. Venkatachalam and Treasurer SP Alagappan accompanied the office-bearers.
