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Title: Need to introduce a fast passenger train between Madurai and Chennai Dindigul in Tamil Nadu.
SHRI N.S.V. CHITTHAN (DINDIGUL): Sir, I emphasise the need for introducing a day time fast passenger train between Madurai and Chennai Egmore, via Kodaikanal Road and Dindigul as early as possible for the following reason.
For travelling on Chennai-Madurai route, Express train fares are not affordable for low income group people. Absence of a fast passenger train in this busy and most sought after route is very keenly felt by passengers in the low income bracket. In fact, the demand for introduction of such a train is a long pending one. The present fare for unreserved second class in a Superfast Express train between the two cities is Rs.128 whereas the fare for the same distance in a fast passenger train would be around Rs.64 only, a saving of 50 per cent in the fare.
Low income group passengers do not mind about the consumption of two to three hours extra running time taken by a fast passenger train provided the cost of travel is comparatively much cheaper than that of an Express train.
Introduction of a day time fast passenger train via Dindigul will immensely benefit passengers bound for intermittent stations and passengers boarding from such stations since Express trains halt only at important stations en route.
I request the hon. Minister for Railways to introduce a fast passenger train which will considerably reduce the pressure and heavy demand for accommodation now experienced in Express trains in this over utilised route.