THOOTHUKUDI: The demands to enhance infrastructure at Tiruchendur railway station to operate more trains from the temple city, have been growing over the years. The public has also called for a flyover across Arumuganeri manual railway gate on Thoothukudi- Tiruchendur NH road, where massive traffic congestion is commonplace during festivals at the Tiruchendur Murugan temple and Kulasekarapattinam Dasara.
Tiruchendur is a temple city located on the east coast and is revered as the second abode of Lord Murugan. Thousands of devotees from across south India reach Tiruchendur to offer worship at the Murugan temple. The crowd swells during the annual festivals of Thaipoosam, Kanda Sashti, Masi and other carnivals, besides Kulasekarapattinam Dasara. Hundreds of business persons and traders, who hail from Tiruchendur and operate in Chennai, also visit the city frequently.
Sources said the Tiruchendur-Chennai Express and Palakkad Express are being operated daily from the station, whereas the Tiruchendur-Tirunelveli passenger train shuttles eight times a day. The Tiruchendur railway station has only one platform, which can accommodate a maximum of 18 compartments. Though the patronage for railway transport is high, the lack of trains to far-off places forces the people to opt for buses, said members of the Tiruchendur Railway Passengers Association.
The association secretary, Venugopal, told TNIE that the poor infrastructure of Tiruchendur railway station is the reason for the railway department not operating 26-coach trains from here. "During festival seasons, several hundred people await trains, however, to their chagrin, only a limited number of trains operate from here," he said. The public, hence, relies on omnibuses, which often fleece them, he added.
The passengers lamented that the Chendur Express, which starts by 8.15 pm at Tiruchendur and reaches Chennai by 11 am, has an untimely schedule as far as business persons, government employees and other private employees are concerned. "People reach offices late and the whole day gets affected," said K Prasana, an entrepreneur.
Another grievance about the Tiruchendur-Chennai train is that its route detours around Thanjavur, said railway passengers who demanded a direct train to Chennai from Tiruchendur via Vilupuram-Tiruchy track.
Another resident, Thirumurugan, said that the authorities must consider constructing a flyover at Arumuganeri, as the gate is closed and gets lifted at least 14 times daily, disrupting traffic on the busy Tiruchendur road. "During the passing of trains, heavy traffic congestion occurs at Arumuganeri, as the buses, lorries and cars beeline for two to three km," said another passenger.
Tamil Nadu Traders Association president K Kamaraja said the Thoothukudi-Tiruchendur road is a narrow single-lane stretch. The railway gate at Arumuganeri is a crucial place to cross over. Hence, the state and central government must consider constructing a flyover, improving the facilities at Tiruchendur railway station and operating a direct train to Chennai, he said.