Railway ministry will decide on resuming passenger trains: SR general manager

MADURAI: Southern Railway (SR) general manager John Thomas on Wednesday expressed reservations over operating

passenger trains

due to Covid-19.

Interacting with reporters at Tirunelveli junction after inspecting the track, stations, infrastructure and passenger amenities from the Tenkasi to Tirunelveli section on Wednesday, he said, “The

railway ministry

will have to take a decision on operating the trains.”

The GM was responding to a question pertaining to resuming passenger train services on the Tirunelveli - Tiruchendur, Tirunelveli - Sengottai and Tirunelveli - Tuticorin sections that are regularly used by college and school students. He said resuming these train services would benefit the students as they would be able to use the railway passes for a pocket friendly and comfortable journey.

“Covid-19 has still not vanished. Cases are on the rise in Kerala,” he said and added that the cases have not come down to zero in Tamil Nadu. He said railway services would resume slowly.

“Suburban train service has opened in Chennai and there is an increase in the number of express train services too. In the next phase, passenger trains will start functioning,” he added.

Asked if the railways would consider operating passenger trains during school and college hours, he said, “We will have to discuss with the railway ministry and take a decision.”

The GM also said that the Madurai – Maniyachi – Tuticorin doubling will be completed by December 2022 and the commissioner of railway safety will inspect the stretch in the same month.

About the demand to resume link trains from Tuticorin to benefit passengers taking the Guruvayur Express and Coimbatore Express trains, the GM said it would be examined.

Expressing satisfaction over the track inspection and other infrastructures like goods shed and the passenger amenities, Thomas was hopeful that they would attract more passengers and freight loaders in the section.

Madurai divisional railway manager V R Lenin and officials from Southern Railway and Madurai division were present during the inspection.