Passengers stage rail roko in Guduvanchery to protest delay

On Wednesday, many office-goers and college students blocked the Chengalpattu-Beach EMU at Guduvancherry railway station to protest its delayed arrival. The train, which was supposed to arrive at 7.50 am, reached the station only at 8.20 am.

Passengers who were inside the train also alighted and supported the protest. Three express trains were also blocked at Guduvancherry due to the protest. Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) officers from Tambaram and Chengalpattu came to the spot on information and pacified the agitators. The passengers pointed out that, though the Railways has asked them to not travel on the footboard, they are forced to do the same due to the insufficient number of trains and their delayed arrival.

The authorities promised to take the issue to the Railways and the protesters were dispersed around 9.30 am. The protest affected the train services for nearly two hours.

Meanwhile, the Southern Railway has decided to increase local train services during rush hour in Chengalpattu-Chennai Beach section. This decision was taken after the two-day public hearing by the Railway Safety Commissioner on the accident that took place at the St Thomas Mount railway station on June 24.