Train services resume

Train services resume

02/06/2020, S. SUNDAR,MADURAI

Passengers standing in a queue in front of Madurai railway station to board the special train bound for Villupuram after resumption of train services on Monday. G. Moorthy

Scheduled special trains open for all passengers resumed here on Monday.

While Madurai-Villupuram special train left the station at 7 a.m., another special train from Tiruchi bound for Nagercoil passed through Madurai at 8.15 a.m.

Though the schedule of the two trains were announced two days back, the announcement of e-pass continuing to be mandatory for passengers going from one zone to another one caught many passengers unawares. However, revenue officials set up special facilitation centres at Madurai, Virudhunagar and Dindigul stations to help the passengers get e-passes.

In Madurai, a handful of village administrative officers were deployed to generate e-passes for passengers using their mobile phones. “Since the announcement came late in the night, not all had e-pass. We are either generating e-pass or helping the passengers register themselves for it with the hope that they would get the pass by the time they reach their destination,” an official said. This is only a temporary arrangement and hereafter e-pass would be made mandatory for passengers to board the trains, he said.

In Virudhungar, passengers who came from Tiruchi without e-pass were asked to give their details like name, address, Aadhaar card number and mobile number before they were allowed to leave the railway station.

On the first day, the trains had only a moderate crowd. Southern Railway had advised the passengers to arrive at the station at least 90 minutes ahead of the scheduled departure so that they could be screened with thermal scanners. Only asymptomatic passengers are allowed to board the trains. Passengers must compulsorilty wear a mask. Only passengers with confirmed tickets are allowed to enter the station. Passengers have been advised to bring their own food.

Train timings

Train No.02636 Madurai- Villupuram Intercity special will leave Madurai at 7 a.m., Dindigul at 8 a..m., Tiruchi at 9.15 a.m., Ariyalur at 10.10 a.m. and reach Villupuram at 12.05 p.m.In the return direction, train No.02635 will leave Villupuram at 4 p.m., Ariyalur at 5.25 p.m., Tiruchi at 6.40 p.m., Dindigul at 8.05 p.m. and arrive Madurai at 9.20 p.m.

Nagercoil train

Train No.02627 Tiruchi– Nagercoil superfast special will leave Tiruchi at 6 a.m., Dindigul at 7.15 a.m., Madurai at 8.15 a.m., Virudhunagar at 8.57 a.m., Tirunelveli at 11.10 a.m..and reach Nagecoil at 1 p.m.

In the return direction, train No.02628 will leave Nagercoil at 3 p.m., Tirunelveli at 4.25 p.m. Virudhunagar at 6.25 p.m., Madurai at 7.25 p.m. and reach Tiruchi at 10.15 a.m.