Railway Official’s Special Treatment Causes Chaos for 1000 Passengers, Madurai MP Demands Accountability

In an unprecedented incident at Egmore railway station on the night of November 16th, the Pandyan Express disrupted the travel plans of around 1000 passengers after being shifted to an unusual platform, prompting Madurai MP Su. Venkatesan to demand an explanation. Venkatesan, in a letter addressed to the General Manager of Southern Railway, called for responsibility and clarification on the decision to prioritize the convenience of one officer over the well-being of a thousand passengers.

Traditionally scheduled to stop at the fourth platform for passenger boarding, the Pandyan Express was unexpectedly relocated to the fifth platform, causing chaos among travelers. Venkatesan, who arrived at Egmore railway station to board the train, expressed shock at the unusual platform allocation.

In his letter to the General Manager of Southern Railway, Venkatesan questioned the decision to place the Pandian Express on platform 5 instead of the usual platform 4. He revealed that the non-placement was not due to operational constraints but rather to facilitate the boarding of a single individual, a Member of Infrastructure on the Railway Board. This decision inconvenienced a thousand passengers, forcing them to climb escalators and staircases.

The MP highlighted the irony of the situation, where a special train for the mentioned officer was scheduled to depart one hour after the Pandyan Express. Venkatesan condemned the colonial-era practice of inconveniencing thousands for the sake of one officer, stating that such actions are unacceptable and undermine the democratic principles of the nation.

Despite advancements and experiences from the British era, the railway industry still grapples with significant inefficiencies. Venkatesan emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in the railway administration, urging a revamp of current practices to better serve the public’s interests. The incident has reignited discussions on the democratic principles governing railway operations and the rights of commuters, with Madurai MP Su. Venkatesan calling for a thorough investigation to address the grievances of thousands inconvenienced by such delays.