Gauge conversion of the first section of Madurai-Bodinayakanur metre gauge line till Usilampatti, will be completed by March 2018, according to Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Neenu Ittyerah. The line, one of the last metre gauge routes in Tamil Nadu, was closed in 2011 for conversion.
‘Rail dhaba,’ a food plaza, and water vending machines on Platform 1 of Madurai Junction were inaugurated by Union Minister of Railways Suresh Prabhu from Chennai Central Railway Station through video conferencing on Saturday.
Addressing media persons on the occasion, the DRM spoke of amenities to be provided at the junction. These included a foot-over-bridge and improvements to the Western entry of the junction. She stated that preliminary plans were in place to provide more amenities for the passengers. “Unless we build infrastructure, we cannot provide better service. Without better service, the earnings may not look up,” she said.
The DRM also said the railways had plans to open an all-purpose enquiry counter and bring the Women Facilitation Centre closer to the entrance as women would have easier access to file complaints.
R. Baradwaj, a frequent traveller in the Pandian Express, said that the upkeep of toilets in the train was far from satisfactory. The monsoon also brought with it leaky train roofs and insects such as cockroaches and moths, he complained. Ms. Ittyerah said she had proposed provision of floor mats in the bio-toilets as a temporary measure. She stated that she would also be looking at a more sustainable solution. The Madurai Junction is all set to go solar besides getting an executive A/C lounge, the tender for which would be floated on July 19. Collector K. Veera Raghava Rao was also present.
Tiruchi
The refurbished food plaza at the Tiruchi Railway Junction was formally dedicated to the public by Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu, through video conferencing from Chennai on Saturday. The food plaza, which was already functional, was spread over an area of 1,158 square feet with vegetarian, non-vegetarian and pastries segments.
P. Kumar, MP, P. Uday Kumar Reddy, Divisional Railway Manager, Tiruchi, were present.
