Ooty Mountain rail issue: SDPI members arrested for staging rail roko
The Nilgiris: SDPI members who protested by sitting on railway tracks in Ooty, on Saturday were arrested. The protesters staged the agitation against the recent issue of Nilgiris Mountain Rail rented to a private company.
Protests sparked after the historic Nilgiris Mountain Rail (NMR) operating between Mettupalayam -Connoor-Ooty was rented to a private company named TN43 who have been operating the train with their banner, tariff and staff.
The move by Southern railways has come a huge disappointment for the locals, tourists and the political parties who have condemned the act as a step towards 'privatisation' of NMR.
Condemning the contract to the private company for operating NMR, the SDPI party along with public tried to stop the train by protesting on the tracks. All the prootesters were courted arrest. They demanded cancellation of the private company contract and the railway administration to run the NMR, as before.
Meanwhile, Viduthalai Siruthaigal Katchi has announced to engage in a blockade protest of the mountain train tomorrow.
Recently, members of Thanthai Periyar Dravida Kazhagam condemned the move and demanded to cancel the contract with the private company who have packaged the tariff to suit the travel needs of rich people and not the common man.
Allegations are rife that the private company has hiked the charges from Rs 100 to Rs 500 as fare to Ooty by Southern railways to Rs. 3000 and also allegedly plans to increase the fare upto Rs.10,000, in future.
Protesting parties allege that the duringthe first operation of NMR by the private company,the historic logo of NMR was concealed with their details of the private company who have fixed exorbitant tariffs.
Protests sparked after the historic Nilgiris Mountain Rail (NMR) operating between Mettupalayam -Connoor-Ooty was rented to a private company named TN43 who have been operating the train with their banner, tariff and staff.
The move by Southern railways has come a huge disappointment for the locals, tourists and the political parties who have condemned the act as a step towards 'privatisation' of NMR.
Condemning the contract to the private company for operating NMR, the SDPI party along with public tried to stop the train by protesting on the tracks. All the prootesters were courted arrest. They demanded cancellation of the private company contract and the railway administration to run the NMR, as before.
Meanwhile, Viduthalai Siruthaigal Katchi has announced to engage in a blockade protest of the mountain train tomorrow.
Recently, members of Thanthai Periyar Dravida Kazhagam condemned the move and demanded to cancel the contract with the private company who have packaged the tariff to suit the travel needs of rich people and not the common man.
Allegations are rife that the private company has hiked the charges from Rs 100 to Rs 500 as fare to Ooty by Southern railways to Rs. 3000 and also allegedly plans to increase the fare upto Rs.10,000, in future.
Protesting parties allege that the duringthe first operation of NMR by the private company,the historic logo of NMR was concealed with their details of the private company who have fixed exorbitant tariffs.