Tiruvarur-Karaikudi section DEMU may be suspended

The 148-km long Tiruvarur-Karaikudi section was converted into broad gauge and the works commenced in 2012 and was completed on March 30 this year, following which a trial run was also held. Subsequently, under phase I, the Pattukkottai –Karaikudi section commenced but the travel time was too long, leading to poor patronage among the people. Subsequently, the service was stopped then.

Meanwhile, the DEMU rail service commenced from June 1. However, again the travel duration was too long leading to poor public response. While commuters said the Tiruvarur-Karaikudi section would take at the maximum 3.45 hours to cover, the DEMU train took around 6.30 hours. Furthermore, the section has 74 level crossings and needs the appointment of at least 650 employees. Since, it needed a longer time to make those appointments, the railway authorities have decided to stop the service temporarily.