Newly elected Member of Parliament Karti P Chidambaram has presented a memorandum to Railway Minister Piyush Goyal in Delhi on Wednesday, requesting re-scheduling of some of the existing trains, introduction of new trains and development of passenger facilities in the railway stations in the constituency.
In a five-page memorandum, Mr Karti requested the Railway Minister to re-schedule and provide stoppages of trains, which passed through Sivaganga and Karaikudi. He wanted the Chennai – Sengottai Silambu express (16181/16182) to ply daily, Ayodhya – Rameswaram express (16794) to stop at Sivaganga and Karaikudi and Ajmer – Rameswaram Humsafar express (19603/19604) at Karaikudi.
Pointing that the present 7 15 p.m. departure timing of Rameswaram express (16851) from Chennai Egmore was inconvenient to passengers, Mr Karti urged the Railway Minister to reschedule the departure time at 8 30 p.m.. He also wanted the re-introduction of Antyodaya (16189) express and extend Chennai – Karaikudi express up to Manamadurai.
Mr Karti wanted the Railway Minister to expedite and complete the already approved Karaikudi – Madurai, Karaikudi – Thoothukudi and Karaikudi – Dindigul railway routes. He urged Mr Goyal to introduce new trains in the Chennai – Rameswaram, Tiruchi – Manamadurai, Tiruvarur – Madurai, Rameswaram – Bengaluru and Chennai – Tirunelveli sectors.
He urged the Railway Minister to sanction workshop for coach repair and water refilling at Karaikudi junction, reopening of computer reservation facility Sivaganga Railway station and passenger lounge, lighting and public address systems at Karaikudi, Sivaganga and Manamadurai railway stations.