Restore concession
Citing COVID -19 pandemic, the railways withdrew many concession in March 2020. Though it is restoringsome of those concessions, it has not restored the one meant for senior citizens. The travel concession was introduced in 1999 and it was a great relief for elderly people to travel for medical treatment and pilgrimage. Many old people live only with their meagre pension and low interest rates on bank / post office deposits with no other extra income. Since rail fare is low when compared to the bus fare and also because of the convenience, the senior citizens always prefer trains over buses. Therefore, I request the railways to restore the travel concession soon.
S. Nallasivan,
Tirunelveli
Bus stoppage
I used to travel from Samathanapuram corner in Palayamkottai to High Ground. Oftentimes the city buses do not stop in front of the new bus shelters at Samathanapuram Corner, District Police Office, Christhu Raja School entrance, Anna Nagar and Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital entrance. They stop only at the old places. At times the traffic police monitor and ensure the stopping of the buses at the right place at Samathanapuram Corner and in the rest of the stops it is left to the whims and fancies of the drivers. Transport authorities must issue strict orders to the bus crew to stop at the allotted place.
Rajakumar Arulanandham,
Palayamkottai
Bus roof leaking
The TNSTC town bus shuttling between Valliyoor and Sirumalanchi is in a bad condition. Last week I travelled in this bus.It was heavily raining and the whole roof was leaking.The windows could not be closed properly due to poor maintenance.While one was fortunate to get a seat in the fully crowded bus, the rainwater was dripping on my head reminding of the ‘Chinese water torture.’ In an interview with The Hindu, the Transport Minister said old buses would be replaced with new ones. The public wish that it is done soon.
V. Ganesan,
Tirunelveli.
Private town buses
I am a frequent user of private town buses plying between Vannarpet and High ground. These buses halt at Vannarpet for a long time till they get fully packed with passengers. Such buses also play film songs at a deafening volume. I request the traffic policeman posted at Vannarpet to monitor the private town buses so that they do not halt at Vannarpet for long.
S. Rajkumar Immanuel,
Palayamkottai.
Continue protocol
Tamil Nadu government has lifted almost all the restrictions laid to prevent Coronavirus infection. Even wearing of masks in public places is not compulsory now. But World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned of a new sub-variant XE, stating that it is more transmissible than any strain of COVID-19. In Tirunelveli a very few still wear masks ignoring the government notification. University and government examinations are approaching. So I request the district administration and the concerned heads of institutions to advise their students to continue follow the COVID protocol.
P. Victor Selvaraj,
Palayamkottai
