Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Thoothukudi, has requested the railway authorities to reduce journey time of express trains bound for Chennai and Mysore from Thoothukudi.
Only two express trains were departing from Thoothukudi railway station every day. But, their journey time was too long, making the travel tedious for passengers, D.R. Kodeeswaran, secretary, ICCI, Thoothukudi, said. In a memorandum submitted to Vashishta Johri, General Manager, Southern Railway, Chennai, he said Pearl City (Thoothukudi-Chennai Egmore) Superfast Express (Train no: 12693/12694) was highly patronised by regular commuters, and about 120 passengers would be waitlisted on normal booking and about 50 passengers on ‘tatkal’ booking every day.
The authorities could avoid less important stoppages to reduce the journey time of the train to ensure that it reached Chennai Egmore station at 6.45 a.m. instead of 7.45 a.m. The Chamber also suggested a shorter route for Thoothukudi-Mysore Express via the newly laid Dindigul-Namakal-Salem section. If this new regulation was effected, the train, and it could reach Thoothukudi possibly at 9.30 a.m. instead of 11.15 a.m.
