Shops remain shut as trade body condemns neglect of Nagapattinam over inadequate train services

Shops in Nagapattinam close in protest against inadequate train services, as traders demand improved railway connectivity and support.

Several shops and business establishments in Nagapattinam town remained closed on Tuesday as traders responded positively to a call given by Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nagapattinam to condemn the “neglect” of Nagapattinam by Southern Railway and the Tiruchi Railway Division in not introducing adequate train services. 

Representatives of different rail users associations of Nagapattinam, Velankanni, Thirunallar, Karaikal and Mayiladuthurai, along with members of different political parties, staged a demonstration that was organised by Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in front of the Nagapattinam railway junction in support of their demands.

Police sources said over 1,000 shops and business establishments remained shut for the day with some traders also taking part in the demonstration. The chamber had called for the demonstration and closure of shops following a recent meeting at Nagapattinam in which members of some rail users association also participated.

The demonstrators demanded that regular train services be operated on Karaikal - Peralam via Thirunallar BG line and the Karaikal - Mumbai and Karaikal -Bengaluru express trains be operated via Nagapattinam and Thirunallar.

They demanded that the Tiruchi - Tiruvarur trains be extended up to Thirunallar via Nagapattinam besides seeking the introduction of a daytime intercity express train from Velankanni to Tambaram via Nagapattinam and Thirunallar. 

The demonstrators wanted the railway administration to include Nagapattinam, Nagore and Velankanni stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme in order to revamp them.