Madurai: It has been third time unlucky for the commuters using 13 railway stations between Tiruchuli and Sengottah that the railway administration has shelved its proposal to provide them an express train service to Chennai by extending bi-weekly Chennai Egmore- Manamadurai Silambu Express up to Sengottah.
Madurai railway division announced running of the extended train on Pongal day. The administration even released the timings for each station. With an additional running of less than five hours, the train was scheduled to provide train connectivity to 13 more stations, covering over 180 km in Virudhunagar and Tirunelveli districts.
However, the administration quickly shelved the proposal without citing any reason.
“After I represented the case, the train was extended up to Sengottah on a trial basis for six months,” said former Virudhunagar MP B. Manicka Tagore.
He said the demand or lack of demand was not an issue. “That the ruling party with 50 MPs is not able to put pressure to bring railway facilities to Tamil Nadu is what makes the difference,” he said.
Pothigai Express has been the only express train connecting Sengottah with Chennai ever since Virudhunagar-Rajapalayam broad gauge section was inaugurated in 2003. This section includes industrial towns such as Rajapalayam and Sivakasi, and the pilgrimage town of Srivilliputtur.
When the demand for a second express train was made by the commuters, railway administration came forward to extend Silambu Express. In 2015, the announcement was delayed on the claim that the proposal would be implemented after the fourth line at Sengottah railway station was laid.
According to railway sources, Sengottah now has infrastructure to handle the second express train with four running lines and two stabling line. The timing of the extended Silambu Express suited the limited-time operation of trains in Virudhunagar-Sengottah section, the sources said.
It can also help tourists from far and near to reach Courtallam during monsoon.
Besides, the extension would serve the people from the eastern parts of Virudhunagar district such as Narikudi, Tiruchuli and Aruppukottai who, otherwise, have to travel all the way to Virudhunagar for the nearest rail link. “They lose time and money on road travel. The rural masses have to spend additional money on road to get railway concessions extended to senior citizens,” a railway official said.
Pudhucherry-Kanyakumari Weekly Express is the only express train running via Aruppukottai-Virudhunagar section.
