Title - TAMIL NADU : ‘Extend train services'

Ambedkar Makkal Iyakkam has demanded introduction of new train and extension of trains that pass through the Salem Junction.

In a petition submitted to the General Manager of Southern Railway Deepak Krishnan, District president of the association A. Annadurai said that the Salem Railway Division has been established five years ago, but no new trains had been introduced from Salem junction.

Petition

The petition said that the railway timetable released in July 2011 noted that the Salem – Bangalore passenger would be extended to Nagoor after broad gauge conversion of the Mayiladuthurai – Tiruvarur section metre gauge.

Though the 37 k.m. metre gauge was converted and trial run completed in February 2012, no steps have been taken to extend the Salem – Bangalore passenger till Nagoor. The petition also said that students, workers and patients travel to Coimbatore daily, but once the Sabari Express leaves for Coimbatore at 5.25 a.m., the next train is at 9 a.m.

Hence the Erode – Coimbatore passenger train leaving Erode at 7 a.m. should be extended to Salem so that it starts from Salem at 6 a.m.

The petition said that after formation of the division only two new trains, Train No 6669/ 79 Erode – Chennai and Train No 6608/ 09 Coimbatore - Nagarcoil were introduced.

But the division was not allotted separate train numbers as prevailing in Chennai or Trichy divisions.

The petition also said that though the division was formed in November 2007, no separate computer servers have been provided and employees were unable to access their Provident Fund account.

Passengers face difficulty in accessing touch screen facilities as the server connected to Palghat Division often fails.

Hence Salem Railway Division should have a separate server, the petition added.

No new trains have been introduced from Salem Junction, says association