Southern States - Tamil Nadu   

`Thanjavur Shatabdi must continue, but make it passenger-friendly'

By Syed Muthahar

TIRUCHI FEB. 18 . Worried over a possible withdrawal of the Jan Shatabdi service between Thanjavur and Coimbatore, rail users have pleaded that it be made more area-friendly. For their part, railway authorities too are seeking ways to make the service, plagued by poor patronage, more acceptable. The Railways is wooing high-end customers with quicker travel duration and increased comforts. The service has been on a trial run for two months since January 20.

Now the train is running with just 30 per cent occupancy, out of a maximum of 659 seats.

Many aboard the Coimbatore-bound train on Monday told a group of presspersons that they were `totally satisfied' with the passenger-friendly features and the services offered.

Mani, a travel agency employee, travelling in an AC chair car, however, urged the Railways to give more publicity for the facilities. People should be informed that the train covered the distance in five hours and 15 minutes, compared to seven-hour travel by road.

Nagarajan, holding a senior position in a Central Government department, said the seats in second class compartments must be tilted further for increased comfort. The seats were also made of thick cushion. In the north, travel even in second class compartments by Jan Shatabdi trains was a pleasant experience, thanks to comfortable seating, he said.

Also, the Railways should not include catering charges in the fare. The second class fare can be brought down from Rs. 122 to Rs. 100, to make it `very reasonable and competitive'.

Sriram, a pharmaceutical company employee, said the quality of food should be improved and a pantry car attached.

The All-Bharat Confederation of Senior Citizens and Pensioners president, A. Saminathan, said he preferred to travel in the second class by Jan Shatabdi to travelling in a car, for the comforts and reduced travel time.

He suggested that the speed be increased to cover the distance in four hours. Also, a telephone facility should be introduced in all compartments.

The Tiruchi divisional manager, N.S. Kasthurirangan, later told presspersons that the Palakkad division was executing works for improving and strengthening the track between Tiruchi and Erode. Once the job was completed, the speed would be increased from 75 to 100 kmph, which, in turn would help in further reducing the travelling time.

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