More trains to reduce burden on chord line

With the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) according his clearance for the operation of passenger train services in the newly laid broad gauge track from Nidamangalam to Mannargudi, people of delta districts are expected to get a few new trains, including a overnight express train to Chennai and passenger trains to Tiruchi.

The construction work of the new railway station in Mannargudi has already been completed and the Tiruchi Railway division has also set up a satellite passenger reservation centre in Mannargudi town.

Though the BG conversion work on the Tiruvarur – Mayiladuthurai section is in progress, the Railways is likely to introduce a direct train service to Chennai from Mannargudi via Thanjavur on the main line initially.

At present, the Tiruchi – Chennai day express, Kumbakonam – Chennai Rockfort express, Rameswaram – Chennai express; Nagore – Chennai express (all daily trains); Madurai – Chennai express (weekly twice), Tiruchendur – Chennai weekly express are the trains connecting the delta districts with the state capital.

Southern Railway is said to have sent a proposal to the Railway Board for introducing a new overnight train from Mannargudi to Chennai via Thanjavur. The recent visit of A..P.Mishra, member (engineering), Railway Board, to Mannargudi to inspect the new infrastructure facilities at the station, apart from the track, has raised the hopes of all the three districts of Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam, of getting an additional train. A cross section of the travelling public of Tiruchi district feel that the introduction of an additional overnight train on the main line will immensely reduce the burden on the trains passing via Tiruchi on the chord line, in particular on the rockfort express, which is at present originating from Kumbakonam.

T.R.B.Rajaa, Mannargudi MLA, submitted a memorandum to Mr.Mishra in this connection. Besides, he also demanded introduction of an overnight express train from Mannargudi to Coimbatore. At present Janshatabdi express and the Nagore – Ernakulam overnight express are the only trains connecting delta districts with Coimbatore, apart from a few passenger trains. The overnight express train will be of great help to the people of Tiruchi district, says Esthar, a housewife.