Poor train connectivity hits pilgrims hard

Tirupati: A pilgrim, who wish to go to Renigunta at a distance of 10 km from Tirupati to catch Egmore–Kacheguda train at 8 pm, has to pay Rs 45 for a general ticket in any superfast train as there were no passenger trains available at that time.

Several pilgrims were facing similar problems with poor connectivity of trains between Renigunta and Tirupati. Many express and superfast trains pass through Renigunta Junction without touching Tirupati.

Pilgrims coming from across the country normally book tickets according to their convenience and availability to alight or board the respective trains at Renigunta. Many passengers find it easier to travel by train itself to Renigunta as they find it much comfortable than going to bus station and take a bus or taking an auto by paying a hefty amount.

Naturally, they look for a passenger train to go at a minimum price of Rs 10. Unfortunately, the railway authorities had never thought of connectivity between the two important stations.

Significantly, in the other direction, the superfast train fare to Chittoor from Tirupati which is at 72 km away is Rs 60 as the fares have been fixed by the railway authorities on a telescopic fare system in which one pay less as they travel more.

Accordingly, while the fare for Renigunta is Rs 10 it is double the amount for Chittoor, which is away at a distance of seven times more than that of Renigunta. Passengers feel that the change over from one train to another at Renigunta would be easier than taking another mode of travel like bus, auto or cab if it is economical too.

In the absence of passenger trains which are very limited in number they had to take bus which charges Rs 8 only or superfast train by preparing to pay Rs 45. Auto rickshawalas charge more than Rs 150.

The timings of the existing passenger trains are not convenient for pilgrims to catch connecting trains. For instance, while the last passenger train towards Renigunta leaves Tirupati at 4.10 pm, the Egmore-Kacheguda express arrives there at 8 pm which force the passengers to wait for four hours.

Except that passenger, there is no other passenger train connecting the two stations whereas at least three superfast trains like Venkatadri, Padmavathi and Narayanadri leave Tirupati towards Renigunta within a span of one-and-a-half hours.

Several trains in Chennai-Mumbai route also do not touch Tirupati and pass through Renigunta only. Pilgrims coming in these trains are also facing severe hardship to come to Tirupati with their luggage. They were demanding more passenger trains between the two stations or at least a DEMU between Renigunta-Chandragiri via Tirupati would be a better alternative in regular intervals.

The Federation of Farmers Association state president Mangati Gopal Reddy opined that the Railway authorities have to take a decision to charge a minimum fare between Tirupati and Renigunta without going by their fare policy for the benefit of pilgrims. Reacting on the problem, Zonal Railway Users Consultative Committee (ZRUCC) member Singamsetti Subbaramiah has said that a DEMU train up to Gudur with more frequency will be the only solution.

“We will take up this issue with the higher authorities in the next meeting. Also, we request them to consider Tirupati and Renigunta as a special case and fix minimum fare even in superfast trains between the two stations,” he assured.

By V Pradeep Kumar