Lone passenger in reserved class in special train

Chennai, Dec 9 (UNI) A special train from Chennai Central to Chhapra received very poor reaction with only one passenger travelling in the reserved compartment which left the station on December seven.

Talking to UNI, southern railway sources said Union Minister of State for Railways R Velu had ordered a special train on Chennai Central-Chhaapra section to clear the extra rush of passengers on December seven.

As per the time table, the train left for Chhaapra at 1730 hrs, with 12 sleeper class coaches, three air-conditioned two-tier coaches, two air-conditioned three-tier coaches, luggage-cum-brake van coaches and a pantry car, besides two unreserved compartments, the sources said.

Though there were roughly about 50 passengers in the unreserved compartments, not a single passenger had occupied any reserved compartment till the train left the station.

However, a Varanasi-bound passenger came running and occupied his second class berth in the reserved compartment as the train was leaving the platform.

The train left with the lone reserved passenger, about ten ticket travel examiners, three loco pilots and other staff members, the sources said.

However, the special train accommodated some passengers in the unreserved compartment, when the train reached Gudur, Vijayawada and Warangal railway stations, the sources added.

Due to inadequate publicity to the special train, the train suffered a poor response. As a result, Southern Railway would suffer a huge loss to the tune of several lakh, the sources said.

The Public Relations wing of the Southern Railway which normally announces special trains atleast ten days in advance, issued the press release on December six, just a day prior to its departure, the sources said.

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