It is about eight years since train service was introduced in the newly-converted broad gauge track in the Salem – Attur section. At present, the Salem – Chennai Egmore overnight service is the only express train to be operated via Attur.
Two more long distance express trains – Puducherry to Mangalore; and Puducherry to Yesvantpur – too are being operated in this section. But both these trains are weekly trains. What has caused much anxiety to the commuters of Attur town and the surrounding areas is that all the three express trains arrive and depart from Attur station in the night hours.
All the three pairs of trains being plied on this section during day time are passenger services – Bangalore-Karaikal passenger and two pairs of Salem – Vriddhachalam passenger trains. The only regular express train Salem – Chennai Egmore service departs from Attur at 10.10 p.m.; while the Chennai Egmore – Salem train departs at 4.35 a.m.
The Puducherry – Mangalore express is operated via Attur (8.10 p.m.) on Thursdays and the Mangalore – Puducherry Express on Saturdays (5.20 a.m.).
The Puducherry – Yesvantpur express is operated via Attur (12.30 a.m.) on Sundays. The Yesvantpur – Puducherry Express departs from Attur at 2.25 a.m. on Saturdays.
Ever since the newly-converted BG track was commissioned, the commuters of Attur have been demanding additional trains in this route to meet the heavy demand.
Attur is a major town in the western part of the state and accounts for a large number of sago factories.
The people of Attur and the surrounding villages have been demanding the creation of a new revenue district with Attur as headquarters.
A struggle committee has already been formed and it has approached the State Government in this regard.
As such, more trains via Attur will immensely benefit the travelling public, says K. Vadivel, president, Rail Passengers Welfare Association, Attur.
“Our major and consistent demand for many years is the introduction of a day time train between Salem and Chennai Egmore via Attur. The Salem division and the Southern Railway, understanding the need for such a service, have recommended the same to the Railway Board. Unfortunately, this just demand has not been conceded so far”, he says.
All the mofussil buses in the Salem – Kallakurichi route via Attur are always overcrowded.
Hence, the Association has also demanded introduction of passenger train service in the Salem – Chinna Salem section using the coaches of the Salem – Chennai Egmore overnight train, which lie idle at Salem Junction for the whole day, Mr. Vadivel said.
The Railway sources said that the possibility of introduction of additional trains in the Chennai – Attur – Vriddhachalam – Chennai Egmore section are very bleak, due to heavy traffic congestion witnessed in the Vriddhachalam – Egmore section which formed part of chord line. The track is 140 per cent over saturated, the sources said.
On the running of shuttle services using the coaches of Salem – Chennai Egmore train, the sources said that this is a Railway Board train operated to Mumbai Dadar from Chennai.
Ever since the
newly-converted BG track got commissioned, the commuters of Attur have been demanding additional trains
