The Madras High Court has ordered notice on a writ petition seeking a direction to the railway authorities to provide a stop for the Madurai-Tirupati Express at Mayiladuthurai junction and to issue tickets to the public to board the train there.
The First Bench comprising Chief Justice M.Y.Eqbal and Justice T.S.Sivagnanam ordered notice on a petition by K.Rajendran, an advocate of Mayiladuthurai.
The petitioner said prior to gauge conversion, the Madurai-Mayiladuthurai-Tirupati Express stopped at Mayiladuthurai, Kumbakonam, Chidambaram, Thirukoilur and Tiruvannamalai, benefiting the public to a large extent.
After gauge conversion, the railways withdrew the train. A bi-weekly Madurai-Tirupati Express was introduced which caused inconvenience to the public.
From March 27, the train stopped at Mayiladuthurai junction only to enable engine drivers to receive speed regulation chart and to fill water in the compartment tanks.
Tickets were not being issued to the public to travel by the train. Passengers were prevented from boarding the train.
Several citizens residing in and around Mayiladuthurai, Kumbakonam, Chidambaram and Tiruvannamalai had been affected as the train did not stop at these stations.