SpiceJet Airways in Madurai and other Tier-2 and Tier-3

Private air-carrier SpiceJet will begin regional operations from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities like Vijayawada, Tirupati, Mysore, Mangalore, Madurai, Nagpur and Indore from mid-July using the Bombardier Q400 Next Gen turboprop aircraft.

These cities has high potential right from today and this is a good time to start your investments or business including the cities like Madurai, Trichy, Mysore, Vijayawada etc.,

KPN bus transportation accident learnings Coimbatore Vellore Trichy Chennai

Recently we all heard the horror incident of KPN bus accident from Chennai to Coimbatore.

As a frequent bus traveler in Tamil Nadu, I kind of guess and realize few things which can be improved and thought through. Please consider, whoever is responsible or whoever can make some changes to the system -

1) Preferably, the passengers has to choose Train, instead of bus. Bus/Road transportation is more riskier than rail transportation. That does not mean train transportation does not have risks. Well, in these days, there is no availability in trains and whenever we book for it, it is in waiting list.

2) The drive locks up from his cabin and nobody can get out without his consent or without him opening the door from his side. Why should we be locked up as passengers? Passengers should have ability to get out or contact the driver's cabin easily.

3) Emergency exit awareness is not provided to the passengers. Like flight travel, there has to be awareness to be provided by the hosts to the passengers. People do not even know how to get out. What is the procedure to get out.

4) Moreoever, more emergency exits are needed. One in the back, one in the left side and one in the right side. There is a high possibility that people could have escaped if more emergency exits were there.

5) Another last thing is - SPEED. Control the speed with some kind of devices. What are the highway patrols doing, when somebody is speeding. I have never known in Tamil Nadu that somebody was stopped for speeding in highways. In foreign countries I have seen. It is high time we should have some kind of facility for controlling the speed like foreign countries - laser gun for seeing the speed to be used by police OR machines in the bus for controlling the speed.

Here are things I could think of to avoid these kind of accidents.

Omni Bus Operators hike the bus fare - Madurai to Chennai

From Madurai to Chennai, the fare for a non-air conditioned bus was Rs 800-900 and for a seat in an air-conditioned bus, the fare was Rs 1,300 and even more, many passengers at Maatuthavani integrated bus stand and at Periyar bus stand said here on Sunday night.

Office-bearers of trade unions attached to the Corporations said that like in Kerala, the Tamil Nadu government should fix the fare for omnibus operators. Similarly, enforcement on the part of Transport Department should be conducted in a stringent manner as many buses operated without even the contract carriage permit.

When the State run SETC buses charged Rs 240 per ticket (ultra deluxe) and Rs 385 for air-conditioned bus, the government should think on similar rates for omnibus as well, they added.

This always happens in festival seasons, vacation seasons, muhoortha days etc., This is a great trouble for all the passengers.

Please do the needful for controlling the fare by private bus operators and help the passengers who cannot afford to give unbelievable fares.

This article is sent to Madurai Collector, Commissioner and officials.

TNSTC and SETC buses needs repair and motels looting passengers

TNSTC and SETC buses are run by the government bodies for passengers going in and around Madurai to Chennai and vice versa and many other bus routes. Let us just talk about the buses shunting between Madurai and Chennai.

I have used TNSTC buses for quite sometime and have gone back and forth quite frequently. TNSTC buses stop in specific spots for eating in between the travel. Near Thuvarankuruchi is one of the places and another one near Villupuram.

The way the shop keepers treat the passengers is totally un-customer friendly. The quality of food is totally poor and the price is very high for that food they provide. The restaurant owners consider that these passengers do not have any other go for to eat in these places. Some the urinals charge Rs.3 and also the restrooms are pretty nasty. These motel owners have tie up with the TNSTC heads or some other bodies similar to that and have the buses keep coming to these motels all the time. Will there be better places created or will government regulate on the quality and price control of these motel items. The prices are almost 50% hiked. A snack item worth Rs.12 costs Rs.25. Dosa item worth Rs.20 costs Rs.40 or Rs.50 for the poor quality.

Any way, if appropriate government official take action against it will help.

In addition to this, TNSTC buses are in poor condition. It is been three times I was changed to a different bus or dropped at Perungulathur itself instead of Koyambedu due to BUS BREAK DOWN. Last week I came by "Thenpaandi saaral", which comes from Chennai to Sivakasi and while I get down in Madurai. A/C was completely not working and the driver's do not know what to do. At least I was asking for opening the door, but driver was not accepting that. Rs.385 for an A/C bus which does not have the A/C working. I could have gone in a non-ac bus cheaper. There is no real customer service among staff. The staff is always frustrated and they don't help very well. The staff do not provide bedsheets if it is very cold. Even if they provide the bedsheets are dirty and smelling. Please see the other government buses like Andhra or Karnataka. They even give water bottles and take good care for the passengers etc.,

It is atleast expected that these buses are in good condition at least.

If government looks into these issues and takes care of appropriate action it will be helpful.

This article is submitted to Collector and Commissioner of Madurai.

Traders welcome Madurai road improvement plan

The Tamil Nadu Foodgrains Merchants Association (TFMA) has welcomed the announcement of the comprehensive road improvement plan by the Madurai Corporation. On December 31, the Mayor of Madurai Corporation, Ms Thenmozhi Gopinathan, and the Commissioner of Madurai Corporation, Mr S. Sebastian, announced in a press meet that a comprehensive mobility plan at a cost of Rs 1,640 crore to improve the road facility with two stretches of elevated corridor and five new bridges on congested junctions has been proposed. Mr S.V.S.S. Velshankar, Secretary, TFMA, in a release, while welcoming the announcement, urged that the facilities should be completed at the earliest opportunity.

Madhucon Projects bags project from NHAI for Trichy- Thanjavur Expressways and Madurai- Tuticorin Expressways

Madhucon Projects has received a letter of award from National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) worth Rs. 73.98 crore for 4-laning of Barsasat- Krishnagar section of NH 34 from Km 31 to Km 115 in the State of West Bengal under National Highway development programme (NHDP-III) on design, build, finance, operate and transfer basis (DBFOT) on annuity basis. The concession period is 17 years including construction period of 910 days.

The company is having 6 BOT toll and annuity projects under its BOT portfolio. The two toll road projects namely Madhucon Agra- Jaipur Expressways and TN (DK) Expressways are operational and two BOT toll road projects namely Trichy- Thanjavur Expressways and Madurai- Tuticorin Expressways are expected to commence toll before the end of February 2011.

The company made this announcement during the trading hours today, 23 February 2011.