Although it is popular among the members of the public and train commuters as “Town Station”, it is no better than a typical rural station. Lack of amenities has been hampering the Tiruchi Town Railway Station. And this situation has not improved for the past several decades.
Only one express train — the Rockfort Express stops here to benefit passengers, while the others the passenger services operated between Tiruchi and Cuddalore and Virudhachalam and Tiruchi.
Poor lighting has been a major problem at the station. Although a high-mast lamp had been set up in front of the railway station, it is not functioning. Local residents say a couple of focus lights were installed as a temporary measure at the left of the station’s entrance. “Although the high-mast lamp provided some relief later, it proved to be short lived,” says I. Stephen, an autorickshaw driver, near the station. S. Manikandan, another resident, says more trains should halt at this station for the benefit of wholesale traders and merchants of the Gandhi Market area in the vicinity. It will also benefit the entire East Boulevard Road area.
Mr. Manikandan and M. Sekaran, president of Federation of Consumer and Service Organisations, say the railways had been discriminating against the residents in and around Town Station area as compared to the commuters of Srirangam. “Although all major trains stop at Srirangam, they skip Town Station,” they say.
Mr. Sekaran says the Town Station does not have steps to cross the platforms and the passengers have to walk on the track. Even for the Rockfort Express, the length of the platform was short.
R. Muthu, who lives in the area, says the station acts as a link between the residents of Mela Devadhanam and Keezha Devadhanam areas.
Sources said the station catered to the needs of parcel services. A large number of lemon growers of Ariyalur and cashew cultivators of Jayamkondam send the goods by the passenger train. Moreover, Town Station is used more as a crossing station than as commuter service. “Once the track is doubled, the station will be closed,” sources added.
