Title - Thanjavur commuters worried over losing Rockfort Express - The Hindu

G. SRINIVASAN
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Association says the train should be continued till a new train was introduced


Demand for continuing Rockfort express from Kumbakonam till the new Thanjavur-Chennai Express train is introduced has been growing in Thanjavur district as the people feel that they may lose a vital link to Chennai if the train is short-terminated in Tiruchi before introducing the new train.

People said that reservation had been stopped for Rockfort Express beyond August 28. It was assumed that the train would be stopped by then. If the train was stopped on August 28, people of Thanjavur district would be deprived of a vital link to Chennai. If the new Thanjavur-Chennai Express was introduced before that, it would cater to the demands of the people of the district, they said.

According to A. Giri, Vice-President, Thanjavur District Rail Users’ Association, people of Thanjavur and Kumbakonam had five trains to Chennai before gauge conversion which provided them 1,500 berths. “Now there are three trains — Rameswaram, Mannai express and Rockfort Express — which provide them 422 berths. Out of these, Rockfort Express alone provides them 250 berths. If this train was short-terminated without introducing the new Thanjavur-Chennai express, which had been announced in the last year budget and for which time table has been announced by the Southern Railway, then the people will be deprived of major percentage of berths they enjoy,” Mr. Giri said.

Therefore, the southern Railway should continue to operate the Rockfort Express from Kumbakonam till the new train was introduced, Mr. Giri added.

Running the train from Kumbakonam for a couple of months more would not be a problem. It would help the pilgrims who would throng Velankanni, where the festival of Basilica of Our Lady of Health begins on August 29 and would go on till September 12. Vinayaka Chathurthi falls on September 9, when the people would travel from Chennai to respective places, Mr. Giri said.

He expressed concern over the delay in introducing the new Thanjavur-Chennai Express. “All the three trains announced in Tiruchi division have been introduced. They are Mannai-Coimbatore Chemmozhi Express, Velankanni-Madras Egmore Link Express, Chennai-Karaikudi bi-weekly Express. Only the train from Thanjavur-Chennai has not been introduced so far. It should be introduced immediately,” he said.

V. Jeevakumar, Adviser to Train Passengers Association from Thanjavur to Tiruchi, said that senior citizens were using the Rockfort Express. Train remained the most convenient mode of transport for old people. Rockfort had been a convenient train for people of Kumbakonam and Thanjavur. If it was closed, then the people should be provided with an alternative.

As the new train had been announced, it should be introduced quickly.

K. Padmanabhan, president of Thanjavur Chamber of Commerce and Industry, echoed the same and said that Rockfort Express should be operated from Kumbakonam till the new train was introduced.

S.S. Palani Manickam, MP and former union minister, said he held discussions with General Manager of Southern Railway and Divisional Railway Manager, Tiruchi, regarding the demand. They promised to look into the matter.