Local train cancellations to hit North Chennai commuters
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
This will result in the full cancellation of 21 EMU and MEMU services and partial cancellation of two others, affecting commuters heading to and from Gummidipoondi, Ennore, Minjur, and Sullurupeta.
For residents in suburbs such as Minjur, Athipattu, and Ennore, where the train is one of the most preferred and economical modes of daily transport, the afternoon window includes both return trips for early-shift workers and outbound journeys for evening-shift commuters.
"A cancelled 2.30pm train means I either spend 50 for an auto or walk back 3km to the highway," said M Bhuvaneshwari, a textile worker from Ponneri.
Despite 10 special services being announced-including connections between Chennai Beach, Moore Market Complex, Ponneri, Minjur, and Ennore-commuters fear the alternatives won't be enough.
Regular weekend crowds on Saturdays and the pressure of Monday's office rush are expected to overwhelm the temporary arrangements.
Moreover, the special services skip through routes such as Sullurupeta-Nellore and lack adequate frequency.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
3 days ago
- The Hindu
Retiring rooms at Srirangam, Vriddhachalam railway stations refurbished
Retiring rooms now sport a new look at Srirangam and Vriddhachalam railway stations in Tiruchi Railway Division. Southern Railway had awarded contracts to the licensee under the Renovate, Operate, Maintain and Transfer (ROMT) policy for refurbishing the retiring rooms at both stations situated along the Villupuram-Tiruchi chord line. Railway sources said the contractor was asked to provide electrical fittings such as lights, fans, geysers and air-conditioners. Furniture such as dressing mirrors, coffee tables, chairs, cots and mattresses have been provided besides beds, pillows, bed spreads and bed sheets in each retiring room. The renovation work at Srirangam and Vriddhachalam retiring rooms have been completed and were put to use for rail travellers recently, the sources said. The licensee would operate and maintain the renovated retiring rooms for five years. Both stations have three retiring rooms each. The licensee has been asked to deploy sufficient manpower to ensure hassle-free allotment of retiring rooms to passengers booked through online and offline modes. The retiring rooms at Mayiladuthurai railway station are getting a makeover at present. Renovation of one of the two rooms had been completed and the work was under way in the other, sources added.
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- New Indian Express
Independence Day rush spurs rise in rail footfall; calls grow for special trains for Onam
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Major railway stations across the Thiruvananthapuram Division recorded close to a 20% spike in passenger footfall during the Independence Day weekend. The rush, which began on Thursday evening, was managed effectively with the operation of special trains and the addition of extra coaches, said senior railway officials. The surge in passenger numbers is expected to continue until Monday morning. Since Independence Day fell on Friday this year, Southern Railway introduced special services to manage the crowd, including the Mangaluru Junction-Thiruvananthapuram North Special on August 14 and 16, along with return services from Thiruvananthapuram North-Mangaluru Junction on August 15 and 17. Officials said these measures offered much relief to passengers at busy stations. Senior officials of Southern Railway said that the rush is only a precursor to the heavier traffic during Onam. Sources said the passenger footfall is projected to rise by over 40% between September 4 and 7. With this in mind, passengers have urged the Southern Railway to consider deploying additional Vande Bharat Express services for the festive season.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- The Hindu
Special drive to sensitise passengers on need to travel with valid tickets
The Southern Railway on Thursday began a special ticket checking drive to sensitise passengers on the importance of travelling with valid tickets to ensure a safe and comfortable journey for all. The drive will focus on the originating stations of the most crowded trains, where ticket checking teams will ensure that only passengers with valid tickets are allowed to board. En route stations where large number of passengers are known to board, particularly on busy routes with heavy unreserved traffic, will also be subjected to ticket checking. The stations targeted for the drive include Thiruvananthapuram Central, Mangaluru Central, Coimbatore Junction, Palakkad Junction, Madurai Junction etc. Passengers found travelling without proper tickets will be strictly dealt with as per the provisions of the Railways Act. Such passengers will either be deboarded and escorted out of the station premises or penalised/prosecuted, depending on the circumstances of each case, said railway authorities in a statement issued. The drive is aimed at safeguarding the rights of bona fide passengers and maintaining order in train operations as well as ensuring the security and safety of the travelling public, said the Railways. The Southern Railway has appealed to passengers to extend full cooperation during the drive and help in maintaining a safe, secure, and pleasant travel environment for all.
