Tiruchendur-Palani passenger train service to begin soon, says DRM

A.K. Rastogi (right), Divisional Railway Manager, inspecting the ‘running room,’ rest room for railway employees, after inaugurating it at the railway station in Dindigul on Tuesday. Photo: G. Karthikeyan

A passenger train to Tiruchendur from Palani will be operated between February 15 and 25, said A.K. Rastogi, Divisional Railway Manager, Southern Railway (Madurai Division).

Talking to presspersons before inspecting gauge conversion of Pollachi-Palani section on Dindigul-Palghat track here on Tuesday, he said that the exact date of introduction of the new train service will be announced shortly after consultation with the railway ministry.

The gauge conversion work on Pollachi-Dindigul section was over up to Udumalpet. Erection of signal network was expedited.

When a section of passengers urged the DRM to change the departure time of Palani-Chennai Express to 8 p.m. instead of scheduled time of 6 p.m. as many pilgrims waiting for dharshan in the evening hours could not board the train, Mr. Rastogi ruled out any change in the departure time since this train could not be operated keeping in mind the interests of pilgrims alone.

“We had to consider interests and convenience of passengers in Dindigul, Karur, Rasipuram, Namakkal and Salem railway stations.”

Departure of Palani-Chennai Express at 8 p.m., from Palani railway station would affect passengers in other stations, he pointed out.

Operation of a passenger train between Madurai and Dindigul on Virudhunagar and Dindigul electrified track would be done after obtaining clearance from Commissioner for Rail Safety. Inspection was over and trial run was also completed. He inspected the gauge conversion work in Pollachi-Palani section.

Earlier, he inaugurated the rest house for staff at Dindigul railway station and went to Palani and checked basic amenities and facilities at the railway station there. Dindigul Railway Station Manager R. Murugan accompanied him.