The inordinate delay in the introduction of a day train in the Salem – Chennai Egmore sector via Attur has caused much disappointment to the travelling public of Salem region.
The Railway Board had responded positively to the Salem Railway Division’s proposal for such a service about five months ago and its stoic silence since then is not to the liking of the people of Salem and the neighbouring districts.
The train service was introduced in the Salem – Attur broad gauge section about nine years ago and at present Salem – Chennai Egmore overnight service is the only daily train to be operated on this route.
Since then, the travelling public of the entire district, particularly the people of Attur and its surrounding areas, have been demanding that more trains be introduced in this sector.
A train from Salem to Chennai Egmore in the day time will be of much help to passengers.
During the whole of day time, only three pairs of passenger services are operated in this route. The Salem Division forwarded a favourable response to Railway Board in December last year.
The passengers were expecting the Railway Board to come out with an announcement on new train soon.
But the board has not taken any further initiative on this matter.
“We have been writing to the Railway Board every month reminding about the proposal. But, there is no response from the board so far,” said S. Sivakumar, president of the Guides Association, Attur.
The railways operated special trains in the day time from Salem to Chennai via Attur during festival seasons in the recent past and these services evoked reasonable patronage.
Any permanent service will immensely benefit the local people and those running a large number of sago units in and around Attur, said Mr. Sivakumar.
