The inaugural service of the much-expected Madurai-Kacheguda Weekly Express via Tiruchi, Karur and Salem on Sunday went unnoticed. Neither the Railways nor the various associations which had been demanding the train for a long time celebrated the event.
The train was announced in last year's Railway Budget, but the train was not introduced for more than a year. The rail users associations and the consumer and traders bodies of Tiruchi had been making regular pleas for the operation of this train.
The Railways announced the introduction of this train on June 1 from Kacheguda and on June 2 from Madurai. Prior to the introduction of the regular service, the Railways operated a special train which plied in both the directions a few days earlier. The regular Kacheguda–Madurai Express arrived and left the Tiruchi junction in the early hours of Sunday. For its return journey, the train left from here on Sunday evening.
It is usual for the Railways and other organisations to accord reception to the inaugural service. But none of them found it fit to hold such an event for this train.
The Railways has cancelled train services in the past citing poor ticket sales as a reason. Holding functions will help in getting the much-needed publicity for the new facility, which in turn will pave way for increased patronage, say commuters.
“Brief functions should be organised to celebrate such events which will enthuse the officials and create awareness among the commuters,” says A. Ramani, a school teacher.
