CHENNAI: In a bid to address long-pending public demands and ease travel hardship, the BJP state unit on Thursday sought the granting and restoration of stoppages for several express trains at key railway stations across Tamil Nadu.
BJP state secretary A Ashvathaman has submitted a detailed representation to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, urging intervention to restore or approve halts that he said were critical for public convenience, pilgrimage travel and regional connectivity.
The representation seeks stoppages for the Pamban Express (16103/16104) at Panruti, Rockfort Express (12653/12654) at Pennadam, Cholan Express (22675/22676) at Kuttalam, Tirupati–Chamarajanagar Express (16219/16220) at Gudiyattam, and Tuticorin–Mysore Express (16235/16236) at Kadambur.
Highlighting the Pamban Express, Ashvathaman said a halt at Panruti had become especially significant for devotees travelling to Rameshwaram, particularly after the inauguration of the New Pamban Bridge, adding that the absence of a stoppage was forcing passengers to rely on distant stations and multiple connections.
He noted that several of the requested halts either existed earlier or were withdrawn during the COVID-19 period and are yet to be restored despite the normalisation of rail services. "The continued absence of these stoppages has caused serious inconvenience to pilgrims, students, farmers, senior citizens, daily wage earners and working professionals, especially in rural and semi-urban regions, " he said.
Ashvathaman expressed confidence that the Railway Ministry would positively consider these genuine public demands and take early steps to strengthen rail connectivity and passenger welfare in Tamil Nadu.