A host of demands, including augmentation of coaches, installation of CCTV cameras, provision of new halts, introduction of new trains, revision of timings, and enhancement of passenger amenities were raised by members of the Divisional Railway Users’ Consultative Committee (DRUCC) meeting organised by the Tiruchi Railway Division here on Friday.

The nearly three-hour DRUCC meeting presided over by Tiruchi Divisional Railway Manager Balak Ram Negi was attended by senior divisional officers of different railway departments.

T. Saravanan, a DRUCC member based at Papanasam, said he raised long-pending demand of the rail users seeking a halt of the Tambaram-Nagercoil Antyodaya Express at Papanasam in both directions. Providing a halt at Papanasam station for the Antyodaya express, which is operated completely with unreserved coaches, would substantially reduce overcrowding in the unreserved coaches of the Thanjavur-Chennai-Thanjavur Uzhavan Express trains and distribute passenger load, he said.

Installation of closed circuit television cameras at Papanasam station to enhance the security of passengers and augmentation of coaches in the Mayiladuthurai-Tiruchi and Mayiladuthurai-Salem MEMU (Mainline Electric Multiple Unit) services to benefit the growing number of daily commuters were his other demands.

Mr. Saravanan said the revised timing of the Mannargudi-Tiruchi DEMU (Diesel Electric Multiple Unit) service had caused hardship to commuters, students, and office-goers and requested the divisional authorities to restore the earlier timing of 7.55 a.m. at Thanjavur junction for the convenience of passengers.

V. R. Dhanaseelane, a DRUCC member of Karaikal, said he had raised at the meeting the need to install closed circuit television cameras at Karaikal station and deployment of Railway Protection Force personnel on a full-time basis. This demand had remained unsolved since 2014 and its implementation was essential to ensure the safety and security of passengers besides railway property, he said. He requested for the installation of a RO-based drinking water plant at Karaikal station for the benefit of the travelling public.

Mr. Dhanaseelane handed over a memorandum to the Divisional Railway Manager seeking the introduction of a weekly express train between Thirunallar and Tiruchendur via Karaikal, Tiruvarur, Pattukottai, Karaikudi, Manamadurai, Virudhunagar, and Tirunelveli or via Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Tiruchi, Madurai, and Tirunelveli. The introduction of the service would connect the religious towns of Thirunallar and Tiruchendur.

R. Subhash Chandran, a DRUCC member based in Nagapattinam, said he had sought the introduction of a daily day time express service between Velankanni and Chennai and revision of the timings of the Karaikal-Bengaluru Express to provide a connection with the Mayiladuthurai-Karaikudi passenger train at Tiruvarur junction among others.

Meanwhile, a press release from the Tiruchi Division said the Divisional Railway Manager and the branch officers acknowledged the concerns raised by the DRUCC members and provided responses to the members suggestions.

The Divisional Railway Manager assured the members that the issues raised at the meeting would be examined and appropriate action taken wherever feasible in accordance with operational requirements and guidelines. P. Venkataragavan, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager and secretary of DRUCC, provided an overview of the significant developments and the ongoing projects within Tiruchi Division.

Published - August 14, 2026 05:56 pm IST