T.K. Rangarajan, MP, has called for a day express between Chennai Egmore and Coimbatore to meet the growing need of passengers along the route.
Participating in a meeting convened by Southern Railway General Manager Rakesh Misra with Members of Parliament from the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha from Salem and Chennai Railway Divisions, Mr. Rangarajan pointed out that starting a morning train from Chennai to Coimbatore via Tambaram, Chengleput, Villupuram, Viridhachalam, Trichy, Karur and Erode would be very useful for passengers.
The CPI (M) MP also felt that a train from Tambaram to Avadi via Beach Station would help passengers from Tambaram avoid alighting at Park station as was current practice for going to Avadi. This would also reduce congestion in front of the Central Station, he said.
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Additional trains between Tirumalpoor and Chennai Beach Station, restoration of the 9.05 a.m. express from Tambaram to Beach Station which is cancelled and a circular train from Arakkonam (via Tiruvallur, Avadi, Tambaram, Chengalpattu and Kanchipuram) were his other demands. Mr. Rangarajan also sought restoring the special coach for handicapped in the Mangalore- Guruvayoor Express and improvement in platforms at stations such as Thirumalpoor, Trisoolam and Tambaram.
The MP also sought to highlight a major passenger woe relating to fleecing by call taxi operators at Tambaram station. Pointing out call taxis charge an extra Rs 60 from passengers in the form of parking charges and booking charges, he appealed to the Railways to instruct operators to do away with these exorbitant rates.
About 20 MPs participated in the meeting.
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