**Summary:**
Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2818, addressed to the Minister of Railways on August 6, 2025, inquired about the inconsistency in stoppages at Pudukottai railway station for Train Nos. 22536 (Banaras-Rameswaram Express) and 22535 (Rameswaram-Banaras Express). Specifically, the question highlighted that Train No. 22536 had a scheduled stoppage at Pudukottai, while the return service, Train No. 22535, did not, despite public demand and significant passenger flow.
The Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, responded that a stoppage for Train No. 22535 at Pudukottai has been provided. The response also noted that Indian Railways has undertaken a rationalization of the timetable, including stoppages, with assistance from IIT-Bombay, to improve passenger safety through maintenance corridor blocks and to expedite train services. The rationalized timetable is currently in effect. Pudukkottai station is presently served by 20 Mail/Express and 6 Passenger train services. The provision of train stoppages is an ongoing process subject to traffic justification and operational feasibility.
Key Entities Referenced
Pudukkottai: A railway station in Tamil Nadu, India; a location of interest in the context of train stoppages.
SHRI DURAI VAIKO: Member of Parliament who raised the question regarding train stoppages at Pudukkottai.
RAILWAYS: The ministry responsible for railway operations in India.
Train No. 22536 Banaras Rameswaram Express: A train service that has a scheduled stoppage at Pudukkottai railway station.
Train No. 22535 RameswaramBanaras Express: A train service that initially did not have a stoppage at Pudukkottai railway station, which was the subject of the question.
SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW: Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology who provided the answer to the question.
Indian Railways: The railway network in India, responsible for train operations and infrastructure.
IITBombay: Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, which assisted in the rationalisation of time table for Indian Railways.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2818
TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2025
INCONSISTENCY IN STOPPAGES AT PUDUKOTTAI
2818. SHRI DURAI VAIKO:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that Train No. 22536 Banaras–
Rameswaram Express has a scheduled stoppage at Pudukottai railway
station but its return service, Train No. 22535 Rameswaram–Banaras
Express does not stop at the same station;
(b) if so, the reasons for the inconsistency in stoppages in both directions on
the same route despite public demand and significant passenger flow from
Pudukottai; and
(c) whether the Government proposes to provide a stoppage for Train No.
22535 at Pudukottai station to ensure equitable access for passengers in
both directions and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (c) Stoppage of 22535 Rameswaram-Banaras Express has been
provided at Pudukottai.
Further, Indian Railways have undertaken rationalisation of time table,
including rationalisation of stoppages, in a scientific manner with the
assistance of IIT-Bombay. The exercise has been undertaken inter-alia to
provide for better passenger safety by creating maintenance corridor blocks,
to speed up train services etc. Presently, the train services are being
operated as per the rationalised time table.
Accordingly, Pudukkottai station is presently being served by 20
Mail/Express and 6 Passenger train services.
Besides, provision of stoppage of train services is an on-going process on
Indian Railways subject to traffic justification, operational feasibility, etc.
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