R.Rajaselvan, S/O.A.Rajendran v. The General Manager
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 30.01.2024
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE D.KRISHNAKUMAR AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE R.VIJAYAKUMAR W.P.(MD)No.19695 of 2016 R.Rajaselvan ... Petitioner -Vs1.The General Manager of Southern Railway, First Floor, NGO Main Building, Southern Railway, Park Town, Chennai-600 003.
2.Senior Railway Divisional Manager, Divisional Office, Southern Railways, Mapalayam, Madurai-625 016.
3.The Divisional Commercial Manager, Divisional Office, Commercial Branch, Southern Railway, Madurai.
... Respondents PRAYER: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to annex additional unreserved general coaches, general unreserved coaches for women and differently abled
person in Pandian Super Fast Express Train within the time stipulated by this Court.
For Petitioner : Mr.R.Alagumani For Respondents : Mr.K.R.Laxman Standing counsel
ORDER
[Order of the Court was made by D.KRISHNAKUMAR, J.] This writ petition was filed to direct the respondents to annex additional unreserved general coaches, general unreserved coaches for women and differently abled persons in Pandian Super Fast Express Train within the time stipulated by this Court.
2.The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that there is no specific compartment for woman and physically challenged passengers in the new Pandian Superfast Express Train. Wheras in the old train there were 24 compartments with three unreserved and one general unreserved for women. However, the new train has only 22 compartments.
3.The learned counsel for the respondents filed counter affidavit stating that the LHB coach/ new train is 24 meters, which is 1.7 meters than the conventional ICF coach/old train. Therefore, in a rake, only 22 coaches can be accommodated. The existing station platform length will not accommodate more than 22 LHB coaches. Hence, the number of coachers were reduced from 24 to 22. If two more coaches are attached, it will be stopped out of platform, which may cause inconvenience to the passengers and it is a safety hazard. 4.An additional counter affidavit was also filed mentioning the details of the coaches, capacity of passengers and list of trains via Madurai. It was also stated in the counter that due to limitation of not being able to increase the length of the train beyond 22 bogies, it will not be possible to provide additional coaches in this train. However, it has been decided to augment the unreserved capacity of Train No.12694/12693, Pearl City Express with one additional unreserved general second class coach. This proposal has the approval of GM/Southern Railway/MAS.
5.Considering the aforesaid submission, we are not inclined to accept the contentions raised by the petitioner. Accordingly, this writ petition stands dismissed. We make it clear that this order will not stand in the way of the respondent to consider the request of including an additional coach in the Pandian Express Train. No costs.
[D.K.K., J.] & [R.V., J.] 30.01.2024 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No ta To 1.The General Manager of Southern Railway, First Floor, NGO Main Building, Southern Railway, Park Town, Chennai-600 003.
2.Senior Railway Divisional Manager, Divisional Office, Southern Railways, Mapalayam, Madurai-625 016.
3.The Divisional Commercial Manager, Divisional Office, Commercial Branch, Southern Railway, Madurai.
D.KRISHNAKUMAR, J.
AND R.VIJAYAKUMAR , J.
ta W.P.(MD)No.19695 of 2016 30.01.2024