Madurai readers’ mail – The Hindu

To reduce high omnibus fares

During the Deepavali festival season, many passengers are forced to travel by omnibuses that charge exorbitant fares due to the lack of other transport options. Omnibus operators often double or even triple their ticket prices compared to normal rates. Despite repeated warnings from the State transport authorities, some operators are selling one-way tickets for as high as ₹4500 on the Chennai-Madurai route. Such inflated fares make travel unaffordable for middle and lower-income passengers. The demand for return travel is even higher. The government should strictly monitor omnibus fares and take firm action against violators. In addition the state transport authorities should operate more government buses during the Deepavali.

T.R. Pratap Chandran,

Villapuram

Raliways to recruit local youths

This is in reference to the news item – ‘Loco pilots complain of denial of leave for going home for Deepavali’. Loco Pilots, Train Managers, Station Masters etc., are designated as essential category staff to serve the people round the clock. The only solution to mitigate these issues would be giving priority to local youths in the respective RRBs, though Railway Ministry can conduct an integrated RRB examination all over India. This was the practice in those days, and regional representation had also been maintained. Railways may make arrangements for recruiting local youths for each state RRB.

V. Loga prakash,

West Chitrai Street

Need for alternate new train

Recently, the Amritha Express train running between Trivandrum and Madurai has been extended to Rameswaram. It is highly appreciated. Earlier, this train was running up to Palghat and then extended to Madurai and now to Rameswaram. However, the total carrying capacity of passengers remains the same, and now the station-wise quota has reduced as the number of stations has increased. Better the earlier Amritha Express should have been retained and a new train via Alleppey could have been introduced between Trivandrum and Rameswaram for the benefit of passengers. Alternatively, a new train between Trivandrum and Madurai via Alleppey could be introduced with slightly staggered timings.

C.A.Pradeep,

Pudur

Stagnation of sewage water

One could not have lost sight of this cesspool, bubbling with sewage water 24/7 opposite to PSY super market and near an old rice mill, coming under Zone II Ward 15. It is not only an eyesore to the passers-by, but a threatening spot too, as any vehicle speeding on that stagnant ugly water is sure to give a free unsanitary bath to the unwary pedestrian. This nauseating sight continues for months. I request the Madurai Corporation to set this right immediately as the oncoming rainy season will make matters worse, for sure.

S. Vaithianathan,

Narayanapuram

Bumpy rides

Big potholes along the extended wards in Madurai city are still waiting to see the reality of the authorities laying roads. When the Corporation makes announcements through public address systems in auto rickshaws to remit the property tax promptly, why not the civic body too lay the roads. After all, the government keeps on saying that ‘Dravidian model’ is being followed by others in the country. So, should we not be a model in real sense. The authorities should lay roads and also fit street lights without delay.

C Radhakrishnan

Kalai Nagar