Thanjavur District Rail Users Association has urged the Railways to operate Mannargudi-Jodhpur Weekly Express announced in the recent Railway Interim Budget, on the main line.
The announcement on the new Mannargudi-Jodhpur express has been widely welcomed by all sections, A. Giri, vice president of the association, said in a communication to the chairman, Railway Board.
The route of the proposed Mannargudi-Jodhpur weekly has not been finalised.
A large number of Gujarathis and Rajasthanis are living in Thanjavur, Kumbakonam, Mayiladuthurai, Sirkazhi,Chidambaram, and Cuddalore.
At present, they have to go to Chennai to catch trains for their onward journey.
He urged the Railways to operate the new train via Thanjavur, Kumbakonam, Chidambaram, Cuddalore Port Junction, Vriddhachalam, Salem, Yaswanthpur, Hubli, Pune, Kalyan, Surat, and Ahmedabad.
This route will provide a direct train from the delta districts to Bangalore (Yasvanthpur), Hubli, Pune, Mumbai (Kalyan), Surat, Vadodra, Ahmedabad, and Ajmer.
Also, pilgrims from Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra visiting temples in Chidambaram, Kumbakonam, and Thanjavur will get a direct train.
The train will fetch good parcel revenue of textiles and handicrafts from Surat and Ajmer and of brass items from the delta districts.
He has sent a similar communication to T. R. Baalu, MP, and Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee for Railways, urging him to utilise his good office for operating the new train via Thanjavur, Kumbakonam, and Mayiladuthurai.