Suburban passengers hit as fast EMUs turn slow

CHENNAI: The recent change in the operation of fast EMUs has put thousands of rail commuters of western suburbs to hardship as the trains are getting delayed by about 30 to 45 minutes everyday for the past four months.

Particularly, passengers from Tiruvallur, Thirunindravur, Kadambathur, Arakkonam and Tiruttani are badly hit as the fast EMUs /MEMU trains, on which they primarily depend for return journey from Chennai, are being operated on slow line as against the third line (down line).
The Fast EMUs from Chennai Moore Market Complex (MMC) take about an hour and ten minutes to reach Tiruvallur, while the scheduled travel time is only 45 minutes. Similarly,  travel time between Chennai and Thirunindravur has also increased by 25 to 35 minutes for Tirupati Fast MEMU Passenger, that originates from Chennai MMC at 7.10 p.m.

The delay in train operations is mainly due to change of operation of tracks, allege passengers. Earlier, Fast EMUs originating from Chennai MMC operated on the third line upto Thirunindravur or Tiruvallur since these trains have stoppage only at select stations, while the EMUs operated on dedicated slow lines stop at all stations en route.

However, for the past four months, fast EMUs/MEMU are operated via slow line from Chennai MMC, which has increased the travel time.“Now fast EMUs bound for Tiruvallur and Arakkonam have to chase local EMUs on the slow line till they get diverted to third line. Because of this, fast EMUs are getting delayed every day,” said K Baskar, Tiruvallur Rail Passengers Association secretary, who is also a former member of Chennai District Rail Users Consultative Committee.

Sources said, a few months back, Chennai-Tirupati Fast MEMU Passenger was routed to Korukkupet line at Basin Bridge railway station, instead of the third line (fast line). While railways had not taken any action against its employees, it has started to operate fast EMUs on the slowline since then.

Though for a few days fast EMUs were diverted to third line at Villivakkm station itself, it hardly helped to reduce the travel time. “EMUs are stopped for about 10 to 15 minutes at Villivakkam to pass the other trains coming towards Chennai. Preference is given to express trains on the third line,” Baskar said.

These 10 fast EMUs are overcrowded and are in demand, primarily due to lack of sufficient trains during evening hours in Chennai -Tiruvallur-Arakkonam section,  compared to morning hours. “After Jolarpet Express leaves Chennai at 5.55 p.m, there are no express trains to Tiruvallur and Arakkonam till 8.20 p.m. So, commuters from these stations and neighbouring villages choose the two fast EMUs during that time,” said Arumugam, a rail commuter from Putlur.

However, Southern Railway officials said the change of operation was only due to maintenance. “Track and signal maintenance work is being done between Villivakkam and Chennai without any line block, particularly without stopping any express and superfast trains. After two to three months, fast EMUs will be put on the third line,” the officer added.