Chennai: The Southern Railway on Saturday reintroduced the suburban fast local train services between Chennai Beach - Chengalpattu /Tirumalpur.
Fast local services catering to commuters from Tambaram, Chengalpattu, Tirumalpur, Kanchipuram operating on the Chennai Beach - Tambaram suburban section, were suspended on July 24 last year after an accident at St Thomas Mount railway station resulted in the death of five commuters travelling on the footboard. Now, the tracks on Platform No. 4 at St Thomas Mount Station were the five had died, were realigned to increase the distance between the track and the concrete fencing, as an additional safety, said a release from Southern Railway. According to an official statement, a total of seven fast locals will be introduced from Saturday onwards on the Chennai Beach - Tambaram - Chengalpattu section.
Four locals connecting Chengalpattu with Chennai Beach and two locals from Thirumalpur to Chennai Beach will be operated during the morning rush hour. And, one train from Chennai Beach to Thirumalpur will be operated during the evening rush hours. During 2018-19, a total of 11,482 foot-board travellers were apprehended, prosecuted and fined under Section 156 of the Railways Act 1989. A fine of Rs 35.31 lakh was also realised from defaulters, the release said. Southern Railway has appealed to suburban commuters and rail users to refrain from foot-board travel, and cooperate with the railways in ensuring safety of train operations and be vigilant and alert while travelling on fast locals.
