Thu Jul 03 12:38:50 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text:

**Puducherry Minister Seeks Nighttime Freight Trains to Ease Karaikal Traffic Woes**

**Karaikal, Puducherry – July 3, 2025** – Puducherry’s Minister for Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, P.R.N. Thirumurugan, has formally requested that the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of Tiruchi Division reschedule freight train operations on the newly operational Karaikal-Peralam broadgauge line to nighttime hours. The request aims to alleviate significant traffic congestion and inconvenience experienced by Karaikal residents due to frequent daytime closures of level crossings.

In a letter to DRM M.S. Anbalagan, Minister Thirumurugan proposed that goods trains transporting coal on the line operate exclusively between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. He highlighted the Karaikal-Peralam line’s passage through the densely populated Karaikal town, crossing key thoroughfares like Karukkalacherry Road, Thomas Arul Street, Kamarajar Salai, and Bharathiar Road. The Minister emphasized that the prolonged closure of railway gates, lasting approximately 20 minutes per train, during peak hours significantly disrupts the daily commute for students, office workers, and the general public.

“The operation of goods trains during the day is causing considerable hardship,” stated Minister Thirumurugan, who personally inspected the level crossings with DRM Anbalagan on Thursday.

In addition to the schedule change, Minister Thirumurugan also submitted a memorandum to the DRM requesting the construction of crucial infrastructure improvements. The proposals include a limited-use subway at Bharathiar Road and overbridges at Kamarajar Salai, Karukkalacherry Road, and Thomas Arul Street. These projects are intended to offer long-term solutions for reducing traffic bottlenecks and ensuring safer crossings for pedestrians and vehicles. Passenger train services are yet to commence on the Karaikal-Peralam line.

Read More