Title - Rail users seek special trains during counselling days

Kanyakumari: With the counselling dates for engineering courses by Anna University scheduled from June 21 to July 30, rail users from Kanyakumari district have appealed to the railway authorities to operate special trains for the benefit of students and parents during this period.According to the rail users, more number of students is expected to attend the counselling this year. But, there not many trains originating from the district to reach Chennai where the counselling is held. There are only three daily trains - Kanyakumari - Chennai Express, Thiruvananthapuram - Chennai Ananthapuri Express and Guruvayur - Chennai Express to Chennai in addition to five weekly trains and one bi-weekly trains in the section. However, getting reservation in these trains is near impossible, they said.Ignashius Stany, 17, from Thuckalay is planning to attend the counselling this year. "We have not decided the mode of travel yet but train journey will be more comfortable since travelling by bus for more than 12 hours and facing the counselling will be very tiring," he said. His father, Maria Johnson said that the bus fares are generally costlier when compared to the train and the fares may be hiked by the bus operators during the counselling time. "We may have to shell out more than Rs 1000 per head in private buses - the luxury ones for comfort and imagine the plight of poor students and their parents", Johnson who is a bank staff commented."When the counselling starts, hundreds of students along with their parents will travel to Chennai and special trains will be of immense help to them. Along with the engineering counselling, the medical and dental counselling will also start side by side. Daily trains during those days will be ideal but the railways can at least consider operating them three days in a week for the benefit of the students," said P Edward Jeni, secretary of Kanyakumari District Railway User's Association (KKDRUA). "Besides, if these special or existing trains are provided additional stoppage at Guindy or Saidapet, it will help the students to reach out Anna University campus without much hassle," he added.When contacted, Rajesh Agarwal, divisional railway manager of Thirvananthapuram division under which Kanyakumari district falls said the association can submit a petition to the Southern Railway headquarters and send a copy to the DRM's office. "They can send their requirement to the railways and we will take it up with our headquarters to arrive at a favourable decision," he said.