The Tiruchi Railway Division has drawn up a comprehensive action plan to facilitate smooth travel of candidates appearing for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET -UG) on Sunday.

The action plan comprises passenger facilitation measures, train service augmentation, operational monitoring and crowd management arrangements. 

The NEET centres falling under the Tiruchi Division are located at Ariyalur, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Tiruvannamalai, Villupuram, Cuddalore Port, Thanjavur, Tiruchi, Vellore, Karaikal, and Puducherry.  To provide guidance and assistance to candidates and those accompanying them, dedicated NEET Help Desks and helpline booths at platform 1 will be established at Ariyalur, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Tiruvannamalai, Villupuram, Karaikal, Puducherry, Thanjavur, Tiruchi, and Vellore Cantonment stations.

The help desks will provide information on train connectivity, local transportation facilities, examination centre access, and other passenger-related assistance. Adequate public announcement arrangements have been ensured at stations to facilitate hassle-free travel.

Special train operations have been planned to cater to the anticipated surge in passenger traffic. Augmentation of coaches has been proposed in Thanjavur-Chennai Uzhavan Express, Karaikal-Chennai Egmore Express. Additional accommodation would be provided in Tiruchi-Thanjavur Passenger (56824), Villupuram-Mayiladuthurai Passenger (56813) and Villupuram-Tirupati Express (16854) to facilitate travel of candidates and accompanying passengers.

As part of the action plan, cancellation of trains on account of block operations in Tiruchi Division has been avoided to ensure uninterrupted connectivity for NEET candidates.  Passenger and MEMU train services connected to examination centres will be closely monitored and efforts will be made to ensure punctual train operations on the examination day. Round-the-clock monitoring will be undertaken by the Divisional Control Office to promptly address any unusual detention, overcrowding or operational issues. 

Traffic movements at important level-crossing gates would be regulated and monitored in coordination with civil authorities wherever necessary to ensure smooth access and timely movement of the candidates to the examination centres.

Commercial, Operating, Railway Protection Force and Engineering departments have been instructed to work in close coordination for crowd management and passenger assistance at important stations. Additional staff will be deployed wherever required to ensure efficient passenger handling. 

The Tiruchi Division has appealed to NEET candidates, their parents, and passengers to take note of these arrangements and plan their journeys accordingly, a press release from the Division said.