Unkempt GH premises
There is wild growth of shrubs and bushes at the back of the Government Hospital in Aranthangi in Pudukottai district. This facility is most likely to be upgraded into a Government Headquarters Hospital as the present headquarters hospital is to be linked to the Government Medical College. I request the authorities to accord priority for proper upkeep and maintenance of the hospital.
V. Malliga,
Pudukottai
Increase frequency of train services
The two weekly long distance trains operated via the main line — Rameswaram-Varanasi Express (on Thursdays) and Rameswaram-Bhubaneswar Express (on Sundays) enjoy a very good patronage. These are the only trains which provide direct connectivity to north India for passengers from Thanjavur, Kumbakonam, Mayiladuthurai and Chidambaram towns and hence are always jam-packed. I request the railways to increase the frequency of these trains. Moreover, a stoppage must be provided at Chidambaram for Bhubaneswar Express.
M. Hasnain Sheriff,
Thanjavur
A/C waiting hall needed at bus stand
A large number of tourists and devotees arriving by train at Thanjavur visit the other major temple towns of Kumbakonam, Mayiladuthurai, Vaitheeswarankoil and Tiruvarur by bus. They board the buses at Thanjavur bus stand. In the absence of pay-and-use waiting hall, they wait on platforms which are always crowded and are not kept neat and tidy. I request the Thanjavur Municipality to provide a pay-and-use air-conditioned waiting hall in Thanjavur bus stand for the benefit of tourists and devotees.
A. Hafsa Fathima Bijli,
Thanjavur
No train to Salem
There is no direct train from delta districts to Salem but for the Mayiladuthurai-Mysore Express. This causes much hardship to passengers, particularly old people, women and children. The railways should introduce a daytime train from Mayiladuthurai to Salem via Tiruchi and Namakkal with immediate effect.
Asfiya Bathool,
Thanjavur
Unclean tank vicinity
Unhygienic conditions prevail on the eastern side of Theerthavari Mandapam opposite the famous Mahamaham tank. It has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and flies. Stench emanates from the place as well as it is used as an unauthorised public convenience. Anti-social elements at night tease devotees and tourists. The health authorities with the help of police should arrange for cleaning the area and keep it in their custody.
K. Krishnaswamy,
Kumbakonam
Rash driving
Private buses pose a threat to other road users. Rash overtaking by theses buses poses great danger to vehicles coming in the opposite direction. Since it causes frequent accidents, traffic police should check this menace and slap heavy fine on drivers involved in rash driving.
G. Sathyanarayanan Iyer,
Thanjavur
Unsafe junction
The junctions of West Agraharam and North Agraharam and that of East Agraharam and North Agraharam on the Thippirajapuram-Nathankoil main road are accident-prone owing to movement of heavy vehicles, autorickshaws and two-wheelers at high speed. Those proceeding either from West Agraharam or East Agraharam do not have a clear view of oncoming vehicles while turning to the east or west of the main road. Moreover there are no speed-breakers to make crossing safe, particularly for children, at the junction. Last week a pet dog was fatally hit by a speeding two-wheeler. Hence, the panchayat must take immediate steps to erect speed-breakers to prevent accidents.
R. Pichumani,
Thippirajapuram
Demand for more train stoppages
This relates to a letter in these columns on July 5, requesting stoppage of Jan Shatabdi Express at Papanasam. Nowadays, everybody wants a stop at his nearest railway station. This defeats the very purpose of running such a fast train. When it stops at a station, its speed is lowered and it takes much time to regain it, resulting in wastage of fuel and time.
For an express train, the distance between two stopping stations must be minimum 40 to 50 km. Then only the meaning of ‘Express’ is best served. When we pay more for Express, the journey time should be minimum.
The Uzhavan Express stops at all stations where a former passenger train stopped and also takes the same or more time to reach Chennai. But we pay the express fare. Instead, the famous Shencottah Passenger from Chennai could be re-introduced.
A. Kalyanaraman,
Kumbakonam
Carcass of dogs
Many dogs get killed after being hit by vehicles while crossing the road. Their carcasses are not removed immediately. I request the authorities to look into this problem and come up with a solution.
C. Subramanian,
Pudukottai
