Tamil Nadu

Don’t reduce train service

When more and more trains are being introduced each year, it is disappointing to note that the Southern Railway has decided to offer reduced train service between Chennai and Rameswaram via Tiruchi, Sivaganga, and Manamadurai.

Under the metre gauge system, three trains were operated in this route — two expresses and one passenger. Now, after the gauge conversion, it seems as per a railway notification that there will be just one express train in this route and that too to be run for six days only.

The train on its downward journey will reach Sivaganga around 3 a.m., an unearthly hour, and the people of this region will not be able to use it.

The weekly once Bhubaneswar-Rameswaram Express is not going to be of much benefit to us.

G.K.S. Kandasubramanian,

Sivaganga.

The conversion of BG line from Rameswaram to Manamadurai has already been completed.

The stability of rails has also been tested by trial runs of trains. But the inauguration of BG train service is unduly delayed.

The people of this area are eagerly awaiting the start of this train service as they are deprived of train service for the last one year.

If this BG train service is commenced, the commuters can go to Chennai and other places via Madurai.

I request the railway authorities to speed up the commencement of this BG train service immediately.

G. Nagasamy,

Ramanathapuram.

In the State Bank of India Paramakudi branch, there is always a heavy rush of customers at counters. Government servants, pensioners, traders, self-help groups are having accounts. As we may not withdraw more than Rs.15,000 at the ATM centre, there is a heavy rush at the cash counters. Now only two counters are functioning.

Will the authorities open additional counters to control rush at the cash counter.

V. Rajendran,

Paramakudi.

The Centre is contemplating raising petrol and diesel prices saying that the international price has gone up. India is able to meet roughly 30 per cent of its annual consumption of petroleum products with sources available in our country.

The high rate of import duty, excise duty, sales tax by states is the basic reasons that contribute to exorbitant price of petrol.

If the import duly and excise duty of the Central Government as well as the sales tax of State Governments are brought down, it will not be difficult to maintain the prices.

Asmabagh Anvardeen,

Ramanathapuram.

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