Even while the Railways has decided not to extend the operation of Erode-Salem-Chennai Egmore special day train beyond November 30, various traders bodies, service and voluntary organisations, farmers associations and political parties in Attur, in their last-minute bid, have jointly urged the Salem Railway Division to extend operation of the train and to take steps for converting it as a regular service.
The special train introduced on September 23 is likely to be terminated on November 30 and the Railways has cited “poor patronage” for its decision. Following repeated pleas, the day train was introduced as a temporary service for five days in a week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday) from September 23 to October 14. Later the operation of this train was extended to November 30.
The senior Salem division officials recently hinted that the special train enjoyed only 20 per cent patronage and hence the Railways has decided not to extend its service.
This announcement sent shock waves, as the people of Attur town and the other parts of the district were expecting the Railways to make it a permanent feature.
Meanwhile, L.R.C. Ravisankar, president, Attur Chamber of Commerce; M. Habeeb Hussain, secretary, Attur Chamber of Commerce; Sivaprakasam, president of Lorry Owners’ Association; Govindaraj, president of farmers’ association; office-bearers and members of Rotary Club of Attur, Lions Club of Attur, rice mill owners association, and cadres of various political parties met Ravi Shankar Verma, Divisional Railway Manager, during his inspection visit to Attur on Saturday morning and urged him to use his good office to convince the Southern Railway to continue to operate the special train. The patronage will pick up during the Christmas, Pongal holiday season, they informed the DRM.
The DRM assured to convey their requests to the higher authorities.
Mr. Habeeb Hussain said that his chamber has printed about 20,000 colour stickers explaining the timings and fare of this train and displayed them in the business establishments in Attur town and other surrounding areas.
Some associations of Salem city too have taken up the matter and have urged the Railways to convert it into a regular service.
The Salem Gandhi Stadium Walkers have displayed flex banners near Salem Railway Junction and other vantage points in the city, with train timings and fare details and a message urging people to extend patronage for the special train service.
