Date:21/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/21/stories/2008052158440200.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Battery-operated car inaugurated at Egmore station

Staff Reporter

To help physically challenged and aged train passengers

— Photo: S. Thanthoni

EASY NAVIGATION: A battery-operated car for the use of physically-challenged and aged passengers that was inaugurated at the Egmore railway station on Tuesday.

Chennai: Physically challenged and aged train passengers at Egmore Railway Station will be offered the services of a battery-operated car for easy navigation within the station.

Union Minister of State for Railways R.Velu inaugurated the car on Tuesday. The battery-operated car, which can seat four persons, can be booked by calling 99520-56789 or placing a request at the information desk.

It will transport physically challenged and aged passengers free of cost from the station entrance to their train coaches and vice-versa.

The vehicle was donated by telecom firm Airtel. It will be maintained by Srishti Communications, which will generate revenue for maintenance through advertisements. A battery-operated car is already available at Chennai Central. Mr. Velu said similar facilities would be provided in Madurai and Tiruchi railway stations soon.

Bullet trains

Mr.Velu said that the Railways had commissioned a private consultancy firm to study the feasibility of bullet trains in the country.

The firm would study if elevated corridors or rail tracks were better suited to bullet trains, he said.

Gauge conversion projects

With regard to rail projects in the State, the Minister said the Tirunelveli-Tiruchendur and Karaikudi-Manamadurai gauge conversion was in the final stages of completion and awaiting inspection by the Safety Commission. The Villupuram-Tiruchi line electrification would be completed by December this year.

Second railway terminal

The project to construct a second railway terminal at Salt Cotaurs in Chennai would be revived, the Minister added.