Additional coach sought in Pallavan, Vaigai expresses

Madurai: The Madurai bench of the Madras high court on Tuesday directed the Southern Railway to get instructions from the authorities on a public interest litigation seeking to add one more unreserved coach each to Vaigain Superfast and Pallavan Superfast express trains.

A division bench of justices M Venugopal and Abdul Quoddhose gave this direction on the plea filed by B Karthee from Madurai. When the case came up for hearing, the petitioner’s counsel R Alagumani said that both the trains that connect southern districts to Chennai, were operated with two unreserved general compartments. The Southern Railway replaced one unreserved coach with a reserved coach (second class chair car) from September 11 last.

The railway’s action has severely affected the economically backward people who used to travel in unreserved coaches. Already, passengers travelling in unreserved coaches experience pathetic conditions as many of them sit near toilets due to non-availability of seats.

Rail passengers and political parties in Madurai repeatedly demanded the higher officials of Southern Railway to attach a general coach in Vaigai and Pallavan superfast express trains. But the management did not take any fruitful steps to address the grievance of the people. On October 3, the issue was again taken to the railways. But, no action was taken.

With Diwali approaching next week, many people would be travelling in these trains since the fare for unreserved general compartment from Chennai to Madurai is only Rs 165 and from Trichy to Chennai in Pallavan is Rs 126. Normally, about 250 passengers travel in a general compartment. At the same time, private buses would charge about Rs 1,000 during the festival season, the counsel said. Therefore, the additional coach should be added to these trains, he said.