This story is from June 4, 2015

Rail users seek special train to Courtallam

After the southwest monsoon begins, the Courtallam falls in Tiruneveli is expected to overflow with water, attracting lakhs of tourists. Rail users from the region urged railway authorities to operate special trains in the next three months to Sengotta- 6km away from Courtallam- to clear the rush, similar to the way they operate special trains during festivals.
Rail users seek special train to Courtallam
MADURAI: After the southwest monsoon begins, the Courtallam falls in Tiruneveli is expected to overflow with water, attracting lakhs of tourists. Rail users from the region urged railway authorities to operate special trains in the next three months to Sengotta- 6km away from Courtallam- to clear the rush, similar to the way they operate special trains during festivals.

Rail users also urged the Madurai division to extend the biweekly Silambu Express from Manamadurai to Sengotta during the season.
The season at Courtallam, which starts with fresh showers of southwest monsoon, will go on till the end of August. It is possible to get to Courtallam through National Highway 208 connecting Madurai and Kollam but the road has many curves and is considered dangerous. Three pairs of passenger trains between Madurai and Sengotta and the Podhigai Express from Chennai provide rail connectivity to the area.
A merchant from Sivakasi visiting Courtallam with family said trains were the best mode of transport. “A road journey to Courtellam is cumbersome and exhaustive. Train is a safe mode of transport, especially if you are going with your family,” he said.
S P Jeyapragasam, former member of Divisional Rail Users Consultative Committee and president of Tamil Nadu Foodgrains Merchants Association Limited, said the railways could operate special trains during Courtallam season.
“Like they operate special trains for festivals, they can operate special trains at least on weekends,” he said.
Rail users also pointed out that the DEMU (diesel-electric multiple unit) train from Manamadurai to Virudhunagar could be extended till Sengottai during season in Courtallam.
Another viable option is extending the biweekly Silambu Express from Chennai to Manamadurai till Sengotta, thus connecting to Courtallam. A Malairajan, consumer forum president at Aruppukottai, said the train ran till Sengotta in 2013. “The train was running fully packed but railways stopped the extension suddenly. We appeal to the railways to extend the train. We are thinking of holding a demonstration on the issue,” he said.
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