Railway goes extra miles for passengers, revenue

Earlier the empty rakes of these expresses used to be shunted to and from Chengalpattu nearly 50 km away for “cleaning and watering” after ending their journey at Chennai Egmore. 

It may be recalled that DTNext had highlighted the fact that both the trains were halted at Chengalpattu due space shortage at Egmore railway station. Both trains reach Egmore in the morning and after the passengers disembark are shunted to Chengalpattu station. 

Obviously, the travelling public are not enthused by the move as both trains travel to Chengalpattu during non-peak hours. According to Velusamy of Chengalpattu, who travels regularly to Chennai, “the extension serves no purpose as there are other trains between the destinations in both directions at almost the same time.” 

Another commuter Mani adds, “this is a move to earn revenue from both trains which are at present shunted empty to Chengalpattu.” 

There seems to be some truth in this as the Kachiguda and Kakinada expresses which arrive at Egmore at 6.30 am and 7.25 am, spend 20 minutes and 25 minutes respectively before they leave for Chengalpattu. But the Pondy Express leaves Egmore at 6.35 am followed by 4 Beach – Chengalpattu locals at 6.40 am, 6.55 am, 7.05 am and 7.15 am. The Guruvayoor Express leaves Egmore at 7.40 am followed by the Tiruchy Express at 8.15 am. In the return direction, both expresses leave Chengalpattu and reach Egmore at 3.20 pm and 4 pm and as this is not a peak hour and also there are locals to Chennai at 3.05 pm, 3.40 pm and 4.10 pm followed by the Cholan Express at 4.15 pm and another local 15 minutes later, the chance of the extension being useful to the public is very thin. Season ticket holders will welcome the trains as it will ensure seats for them. Others might prefer the cheaper local trains. 

Officials said, “the extension to Chengalpattu was undertaken keeping in mind the expedited development of Tambaram where such trains would be halted in future.”