Signature campaign for train halt

More than 3,000 signatures were collected from the public, traders, industrialists, and students, seeking support for the demand to halt all trains passing through Cuddalore at the Thirupadiripuliyur railway station.The memorandum was sent to the General Manager of Southern Railway and the Divisional Railway Manager, Tiruchi division. They pointed out that Cuddalore was the headquarters and boasted of reputed places of worship.Those who planned to undertake temple-circuit were disappointed as the trains did not halt at the Thirupadiripuliyur station, situated in the heart of the town. For instance, the Bhubaneswar–Varanasi Express and the Chennai (Egmore)–Thiruchendur Express used to pass through Cuddalore without halting at Thirupadiripuliyur.Repeated appeals made to Railway officials, both in person and by post, had not evoked any response. Expectations of residents that after gauge conversion regular train services would be resumed to Cuddalore were belied. Failure to provide proper rail link to Cuddalore would have an adverse impact on the socio-economic conditions of the district.