Chennai: The inaugural introduction of stoppage of the Chennai Egmore-Madurai Tejas Superfast express at Tambaram station was formally flagged off to start by Union Minister of State for I and B, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Dr.L.Murugan on Sunday.
Dr Murugan flagged off the train to Madurai after the stoppage at Tambaram in the presence of DMK Parliamentary Party Leader T.R.Baalu and others.
Mr Ganesh, Divisional Railway Manager, Chennai, MR P.Ananth, Chief Project Manager, Gati Sakthi, Chennai, Mr Sachin Punetha, Additional Divisional Manager, Chennai and Officers and Staff of Southern Railway also participated in the brief function held at the Tambaram Railway Station.
The stoppage at Tambaram was much sought after by the passengers. Tambaram is a major Suburban of Chennai City. This stoppage will immensely benefit IT employees commuting regularly between Madurai and Chennai as Tambaram is close to IT hubs like Mahindra city.
This stoppage will also benefit businessmen and merchants travelling between the two cities.
Railway Board has permitted stoppage of the train at Tambaram Railway station for a period of six months on experimental basis with effect from today.
The 6 days a Week train will leave Chennai Egmore at 0600 hrs on all days except Thursdays with the stoppage at Tambaram (0625-Arr/0627- Dep) and reach Madurai at 1215 hrs.
In the return direction, the Madurai–Chennai Egmore Tejas Superfast Express (6 days a Week) will leave Madurai at 1500 hrs on all days except Thursdays with the stoppage at Tambaram (20.38-Arr/20.40-Dep) and reach Chennai Egmore at 2115 hrs.
Meanwhile, DMK in a statement here said that stoppage of the train was possible due to the four year long struggle by Mr Baalu.
It said Mr Baalu’s four year long effort fructified.