Madurai Division of Southern Railway has sought adjustment of timings of trains post completion of track doubling between Dindigul and Villupuram, according to Divisional Railway Manager Sunil Kumar Garg.
Speaking to reporters here on Wednesday, Mr. Garg said the running time of trains between Madurai and Chennai would be reduced by 45 minutes to over one hour on completion of the project that was expected by the fiscal end.
Stating that double line between Chennai Egmore and Madurai would help running of additional trains, he said the trains could be speeded up.
He said both Madurai and Tiruchi divisions had appealed to the zonal headquarters for reducing the buffer period permitted in the present system of operation of trains in single line.
“We do not want the trains to arrive early to their destinations and then wait outside the stations due to the buffer timing,” he said.
Senior Divisional Operations Manager R. Senthil Kumar said the adjustment would be in either allowing early arrival of trains at both ends or late departure from the stations, he said.
Mr. Garg said operation of a shadow train for Pandian Superfast Express could be possible after completion of track doubling.
“However, new train services will have to terminate at Tambaram that is being readied as the next terminal,” he said.
Janani SewaMadurai Railway Division had made available Janani Sewa, children’s menu at the catering units, Mr. Sunil Kumar Garg said.
He said hot water, hot milk, milk bottles and baby food supplements would be available at the units for the benefit of the babies travelling on trains.
Similarly, e-catering facility of Indian Railway Catering and Toursim Corporation commenced at Madurai railway station.
“Train passengers could choose from a variety of food items available on the menu of IRCTC website www.ecatering.irctc.co.in,” he said.
People could place orders over the website or by calling over toll-free number1800-1034-139 or send SMS to 139. Passengers need to provide their PNR number at the time of booking and the food would be delivered to the passengers on the train arriving at the railway station, he said.
Online booking of retiring rooms would be introduced at Tirunelveli, Tenkasi and Virudhunagar soon, he added.
Eight pairsEight pairs of passengers trains had been augmented with an additional second class coach each.
From October 1, Train No. 16713/16714 Chennai Egmore-Rameswaram-Chennai Egmore Express would be converted into superfast express and its journey time would be cut down by 30 minutes, he added.
Additional Divisional Railway Manager P.V. Murali Krishna, Divisional Commercial Manager (Coordination) Guganesan, Senior Divisional Mechanical Manager Jay Prakash were also present.
