The travelling public of the delta districts rejoiced when the Chennai–Tiruchendur–Chennai Chendur weekly express was regularised a few months ago. This facility provided overnight connectivity to the southern districts, besides a day time option to reach Chennai.
However, the joy was short lived when the Railway allotted only 10 berths in this train, which is serving as an inter-city express, for the delta districts.
Ever since this train was introduced it has been enjoying good patronage. The timings of this train are to the liking of the delta people on both directions. The train departs from Tiruchendur at 7.45 p.m. and arrives at Tiruchi junction at 3.25 a.m. the next day. It departs from Thanjavur at 4.20 a.m.; Kumbakonam 5.04 a.m.; Mayiladuthurai 5.45 a.m.; Sirkazhi 6.10 a.m. and Chidambaram 6.27 a.m. and reaches Chennai at 11.40 a.m.
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In the return direction, the train leaves Chennai Egmore at 4.05 p.m.; Chidambaram 8.30 p.m.; Sirkazhi 8.57 p.m.; Mayiladuthurai 9.30 p.m.; Kumbakonam 9.55 p.m.; Thanjavaur 10.40 p.m. to reach Tiruchendur at 8:00 the next morning.
People have demanded chair car coaches in this train in the Tiruchi–Chennai section. “This will provide additional reserved travelling facility for the people at a lesser fare,” says A. Giri, vice-president, Thanjavur District Rail Users Association. He pointed out that chair cars attached in the Guruvayur – Chennai ‘Guruvayur' express in the Madurai – Chennai section have proved to be a boon to the people of the southern districts.
Mr.Giri says trains are operated to Howrah on the chord line thrice a week. One of these trains should be diverted on the main line. The commuters also complain about the inadequate passenger train services on the main line, particularly between Tiruchi and Kumbakonam. Mr.Giri demanded a special fast passenger service from Tiruchi – Kumbakonam, using the coaches of the Chennai – Tiruchi complement of the Rockfort express. He suggested that the passenger train may leave Tiruchi at about 10.30 a.m. and reach Kumbakonam at noon. On the return direction the train may leave Kumbakonam around 4 p.m. to reach Tiruchi at 5.30 p.m.
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At present, there is no train from Tiruchi towards Kumbakonam after Cholan express at 9.15 a.m. till 1 p.m., barring the fully reserved Jan Shatabdi. Likewise, there is no train from Kumbakonam to Tiruchi after Cholan express at 2.05 p.m. till the arrival of ever-crowded the Mysore express at 6.18 p.m.
There are also pleas for using the coaches of Mannai express as a passenger train between Mannargudi and Tiruchi.