Trichy: The Trichy railway division's decision to cancel three passenger trains and partial cancellation of another train for 45 days in order to provide a path for freight traffic and to utilize the released crew for freight trains has invited sharp criticism from rail users. Angered by the announcement, commuters slammed the railways saying that it is only keen on generating revenue and not considering common passengers. In order to improve its revenue through freight, railways has directed all zonal networks to allocate specific period for freight trains operation.The division had announced that three passenger trains – Trichy – Thanjavur, Trichy – Karikal and Karaikudi – Pattukottai have been cancelled while the Tirunelveli – Mayiladuthurai passenger has been partially canceeled till March 31.In a bid to improve its revenue through freight, railways has directed all zonal rail networks to allocate two days a week and a specific time period for freight trains to operate. Acting to the instruction, officials from Trichy division have sent a communique to the station Manager of Trichy station and station superintendents of respective stations.In that letter dated February 13, officials quoting the chief passenger traffic manager’s (CPTMs) letter that three passenger trains will be cancelled fully and another passenger train will be cancelled partially, in order to provide the path for freight trains and to utilize the released crew for freight trains.“A lot of people started depending on trains after the bus fare hike. This is a double blow to the commuters. What happened to the Trichy-Lalgudi DEMU passenger?. It stands cancelled for a long time. Except, Karaikudi – Pattukottai passenger, the rest of the trains are most sought after trains by the public. That should not be stopped,” V B Jagannath of the Trichy Intra-City Development Endeavors (TIDES) said.“Freight is important because it generates more income. That does not mean passenger trains must be taken off the tracks. Only the poor, migrant labour and office-goers use passenger trains. Accommodating all traffic by better time-management, is efficiency,” secretary of the Consumer Protection Council, Tamil Nadu S Pushpavanam said.“Railways must restore the passenger trains. They could change the timing, but taking them off the tracks is not acceptable. Railway bureaucrats must also serve the poor. The bureaucrats and employees are serving very well by spending 66% of the expenditure on themselves,” he said.Member of DRUCC and Thanjavur District Rail Users Association A Giri said that when doubling works between Trichy – Thanjavur were already over, how would it affect freight traffic. It is unacceptable to cancel the Trichy – Thanjavur passenger, he said.“When it comes to partial cancellation of Tirunelveli passenger between Mayiladuthurai and Thanjavur section, it is very evident that the section should immediately be doubled. Cancelling passenger trains alone will hit the poor,” he said.

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