The Hindu : Rail passenger traffic on rise in Madurai division

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Feb 05, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Madurai

Rail passenger traffic on rise in Madurai division

By S. Vijay Kumar

MADURAI, FEB. 4. The persistent demand for more trains, coupled with a constant rush, has left Railway officials perplexed in the Madurai division. Notwithstanding the off-peak season, almost all trains are running full, leaving behind scores of waitlisted passengers dejected.

Starting mid-October last, the flow of passengers is steadily on the rise in the southern districts. Despite introduction of weekly special trains, the demand remains high on the Nagercoil-Chennai-Nagercoil sector. ``On an average, at least 500 waitlisted passengers are being left out on trains originating from the southern destinations to Chennai. We have recorded a 14 per cent growth in passenger traffic this year,'' says a senior Railway official.

The patronage of passenger trains has also gone up mounting pressure on the officials to attach additional unreserved compartments. For instance, the Nagercoil-Coimbatore-Nagercoil, Madurai-Kollam-Madurai and Madurai-Coimbatore-Madurai passenger trains are overcrowded with small traders, office-goers and students. ``There is a sustained demand for operating a fast passenger day train between Madurai and Chennai Egmore. Steps should be taken to revive the Janata Express, Mahal Express and the day passenger trains which were operated before gauge conversion. These trains had a very good traffic, including parcels,'' he says.

The steep upsurge in travelling public has enhanced the revenue of the division to new records.

The officials are hoping to surpass the target of Rs. 210 crores this year.

``Since the utilisation of the Madurai-Dindigul section has crossed 150 per cent, the emphasis should be more on expediting the doubling project sanctioned last year. As an immediate relief, additional coaches should be attached to select trains and the frequency of weekly/bi-weekly trains be increased,'' says a frontline staff.

While a boom in tourism and trading activities in this part of the State is believed to have resulted in the unprecedented rise in passenger traffic, the cost and safety factors, compared to other forms of transport, are also said to be the reasons for the upsurge.

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