Title - Palani - Chennai daily train service to start soon

MADURAI: A team led by Dindigul MP, N S V Chitthan and rail users of the region met the Southern Railway general manager, RakeshMisra, on Friday with a request to expedite the process to inaugurate the proposed daily train services between Palani and Chennai. Though the representatives expressed optimism that the train services will commence shortly, railway officials in Madurai said that they are yet to get any notification for the same.

The current railway budget saw many trains announced for the southern region and Palani - Chennai daily service cheered the rail users in Dindigul district after the broad gauge works were completed in the section last November. At present, three pairs of Dindigul - Palani passengers are operated in the section.

After meeting Misra, Chitthan said that though the railway authorities have assured to take efforts, they pointed out that rake shortage in the zone was impeding the operation of new trains. "We have met the railway board chairman and officials here in Chennai urging them to operate the Palani - Chennai train at the earliest," he said.

A Rasheel Mohideen, former member of Zone Rail Users Consultative Committee (ZRUCC) from Dindigul said that the train will help people from the entire district and places from Pollachi, Udamalaipet, Oddanchathram, who depend on omni buses to reach Chennai. "There are approximately 500 more buses operating on these routes to Chennai and the bus fare is higher when compared to train," he said. "Further, thousands of pilgrims, who travel to Palani have to alight at Dindigul and take buses. Once the train, is operated, they can reach the destination very easily," Rasheel pointed out.

"Palani is a significant place attracting people from across the country and world. We are meeting officials and the railway minister to sensitise them about this significance and the possible patronage. We are very optimistic that the train will start chugging very shortly," Chitthan added.

S P Jayapragasam, former member of Divisional Rail Users Consultative Committee in Madurai who accompanied Chitthan said that the railway authorities have already fixed the timings of the train. It is likely to depart at 10pm from Palani to reach Chennai by 8am. It will be run via Erode and Salem. "We have suggested the railway authorities to operate it through the recently inaugurated Karur - Salem section, which will save another 60 km on the stretch," he said.

V Ajithkumar, additional divisional railway manager of Madurai division said that they are yet to get any notification on train operations from Palani. "The notification will come when the new railway calendar comes into force from July 1," he said.