Date:01/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/01/stories/2008070157710300.htm

Tamil Nadu

Smoking in public places

Though smoking in public places is prohibited for the benefit of non-smokers, a section of people continues to smoke in open places. I travelled in a government bus (plying towards Kanchipuram) from Thanjavur to Kumbakonam. The driver of the bus started smoking a cigarette on Thanjavur outskirts and smoked at least five cigarettes before reaching Kumbakonam.

R. Satyanarayana,

Thanjavur.

Train service in new section

The news that Chennai-Rameshwaram Sethu express will be operated via Pudukottai and Karaikudi from July 2, following the completion of the board gauge conversion in the Karaikudi-Manamadurai section, has brought joy to people. I request officials to introduce a direct overnight train from Nagapattinam to Rameshwaram.

P. Gnanasekaran,

Thanjavur.

Enforce uniform rates

This has a reference to a reader’s letter (The Hindu dated 24/06/08) on pulse rates charged by different mobile phone services. The difference is vast and the public have to spend excessively without any awareness. In the case of liquefied petroleum gas cylinders, the prices fixed by various oil companies have been remaining the same. Likewise, why can’t the TRAI enforce uniform rates among landline users and mobile phone customers?

G. Vedarajan,

Thanjavur.

Regulate traffic

After the new housing unit stop in Thanjavur on Pudukkottai road, all buses, besides autos and other vehicles, have to negotiate a big turn, to and from the new bus stand . Traffic needs to be controlled at the spot. This will avert accidents.

A. Xavier,

Thanjavur.

Post box restored

Regarding my letter in these columns on June 7 about missing of a post box on Fourth Street, LIC Colony, Thanjavur, and seeking its restoration immediately, the post box was not only restored at the same place on June 17 but the Senior Superintendent of Post Offices wrote to me saying it was removed for repainting.

Vengarai S. Raman,

Thanjavur.