With Tuticorin slowly emerging as a commercial hub in the southern part of Tamil Nadu, the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Tuticorin, has urged the railway authorities to improve train services and also goods services to facilitate this process.
A intercity rail service between Tuticorin and Madurai during day time on a daily basis was essential as Madurai, was the next biggest city and people needed to reach the city to avail many facilities, including medical and also for business purpose. This long awaited demand would also help people board express trains bound for other cities across India, D. R. Kodeeswaran, Secretary, ICCI, Tuticorin said.
He also pointed out that on almost all days; the Pearl City Express was running behind schedule. Moreover, unnecessary intermediate stopping especially during the down trip to Tuticorin, was a major cause for delay. Hence, its running time should be reduced. After completion of broad gauge works on the Karur – Namakkal -Salem sector, the running time of the Tuticorin - Mysore Express train was expected to be reduced by one and half hours, he noted.
Bi-weekly service
He said the Chamber was also looking forward for the introduction of the bi- weekly rail service to Howrah, New Delhi and also a daily day time train to Chennai. Representations demanding the required rail connectivity have been forwarded to the authorities concerned. It would certainly promote passenger traffic and also enhance movement of goods. Since many people, who hailed from North India, were working in chemical industries based in Tuticorin, the introduction of new long distance train service was much sought after one. Tuticorin railway station also needs a facelift with additional passenger amenities. Retiring rooms and dormitory facilities should be made available in the interest of passengers.
Pit line works
Pit line works, which were underway at Keelur railway station in Tuticorin, should be expedited and Melur railway station had to be shifted towards the new bus stand area as resolution to this effect was passed by corporation authorities concerned.
Doubling of rail track between Tuticorin and Madurai was also necessary since movement of cargoes from VOC Port in Tuticorin to various destinations was witnessed on the single track leading to delay in movement of goods. If such facility was augmented, possibilities were more for an increase in volume of cargo being handled at the Port. He noted that the new Mangalore Port witnessed increased handling of goods after the railway infrastructure was strengthened.
The freight corridor between Nagpur and Erode, which is in the offing, should be extended up to Tuticorin to enhance the growth of cargo handling at the Port. All these demands were represented to The Chairman of Railway Board, New Delhi, The General Manager, Southern Railway, Chennai and Divisional Railway Manager, Madurai, he added.
