Reconsider new Rockfort timing

Stating that the proposed timetable of Chennai - Trichy Rockfort Express would adversely affect the interests of passengers, the Air, Rail and Road Travellers Federation has appealed to the railway board to operate the train as per the existing schedule. The federation has sent a memorandum to the railway ministry in this regard appealing to reconsider the new timing which is scheduled to come into effect from November 1.


The Chennai Egmore - Trichy Rockfort Express (train no. 12653) at present departs from Chennai at 10.30pm. As per the revised timetable announced by the Southern Railway, it has been rescheduled to leave at 11.30pm. This would adversely affect the passengers. Public transport system is available only up to 10pm in Chennai and thereafter it is very difficult for commuters to reach the railway station, said M Sekaran, president of the federation. If the new timetable comes into force, passengers would be forced to wait till 11.45pm at Mambalam and 12am at Tambaram, he claimed.

The railway board should not make any modifications to the timings, as it would ultimately affect the sleeping hours of passengers. Ailing people, children and senior citizens have to sacrifice their sleeping hours as it would be reduced to just five hours, he said.

"Nowadays, railway authorities forget to consult rail users or their representatives before taking any decision even during the divisional and zonal level consultative committee meetings. So, the chairman of the railway board should consider genuine grievances and continue with the existing departure time of Rockfort Express in Chennai," he added.