Madurai’s railway division, a Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) train provided timely relief for nearly 1,000 travellers returning to Chennai after Diwali. The MEMU service was introduced as a special superfast train from Tambaram to Madurai, marking the first time Madurai has hosted a MEMU train, despite being the only division in Southern Railway without regular MEMU services.
Amid a surge in bus fares on Sunday, the last day of Diwali break, this MEMU service was welcomed by commuters. Traveller who typically travels by bus, was pleased to cancel his Rs 2,000 ticket and instead boarded the MEMU for just Rs 170. “It was a huge relief. Without this train, the return journey would have been a nightmare,” he remarked at Madurai Junction. Madurai Junction was bustling with activity throughout the day as travellers crowded the station. The Railway Protection Force, alongside the Government Railway Police, coordinated the flow of passengers. Their call for a MEMU train this year helped them manage the substantial Diwali crowd more effectively, according to senior divisional operations manager, who noted that the 12-rake MEMU had been dispatched from Avadi due to available stock. In anticipation of the holiday rush, Madurai division set up a war room at its headquarters, dispatching 13 additional special trains to Chennai. Divisional Railway Manager Sharad Srivastava confirmed that the MEMU helped alleviate the situation. Many rail users, like, hope that such services will become permanent, seeing the MEMU as a crucial addition to Madurai’s transport infrastructure.
