Regularise Yeswantpur-Tiruchi special train

Amid persistent demands for operating an additional train between Tiruchi and Bengaluru and the rising passenger traffic on the sector, service organisations and residents in the city have urged the railways to extend the special trains operated recently between Yeswantpur and Tiruchi as a regular service.

The railway’s decision to operate a special train between Yeswantpur and Tiruchi on December 29 and January 13 was largely welcomed by the residents and seen as a step towards introduction of regular services on the section.

They have been pointing out that the only night train to Bengaluru from Tiruchi, Mayiladuthurai-Mysuru-Mayiladuthurai Express, has been running to full capacity for several years now.

“Scores of buses operated to Bengaluru from Tiruchi, including government services, are also running to capacity. Even the flight service operated by a private airline is said to be doing well,” said Vignesh, a resident.

The railways has been citing operational constraints, given the number of trains handled at the Bengaluru station, for its inability to operate an additional train. And when the railways announced the special trains to Yeswantpur near Bengaluru, it was viewed with optimism by the residents.

“Now that the possibility of running a train has been clearly established, there is no reason why it should not be made a regular bi-weekly train. This requires no investment. Lie-over rakes and idle loco are used on available yard and platform for the train,” said S. Pushpavanam in a representation to the Member (Traffic), Railway Board.

He pointed out that N.Siva and T. Rathinavelu, Rajya Sabha Members, and P. Kumar, MP, Tiruchi, had also pressed the demand in representations to Railways.

“There is growing demand for trains between Tiruchi and Bengaluru owing to rise in population, expansion of IT sector and pilgrims visiting Navagraha temples and Velankanni,” DMK Rajya Sabha MP Tiruchi Siva said in a recent letter addressed to Railway Minister Piyush Goyal.

Source