Date:15/10/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/10/15/stories/2007101574330600.htm

Tamil Nadu

Forum for slip coaches in north-bound trains

SIVAKASI: The Tamil Nadu Fireworks and Amorces Manufacturers’ Association has urged the Railway Minister, Lalu Prasad, to introduce slip coach facility in trains operated to north Indian destinations on the Kanyakumari-Madurai sector.

Seeking new train services from Tenkasi to Coimbatore, Rameswaram, and Banglaore, the association President, A.P. Selvarajan, sought slip coach facilities if direct trains could not be operated from Tenkasi. He sought the slip coaches for Kanyakumari-Howrah, Kanyakumari-Nizammudin, Nagercoil-Mumbai and also for Nagercoil-Coimbatore passenger, Guruvayoor-Chennai and Tuticorin-Mysore Express.

He also sought authorised connection of Tenkasi-Madurai passenger (784) for the Tuticorin-Mysore Express (6731) at Virudhunagar.

Stating that the all the Madurai-Tenkasi passenger specials were overcrowded because they were provided with only ten coaches, Mr. Selvarajan sought additional coaches for all the four specials.

Extra general coaches in trains Chennai-Tenkasi Pothigai Express, extension of the platforms and provision of protected drinking water at Sivakasi Railway station were other demands.