It is the Cheapest Here - 826

       IT IS BY FAR THE CHEAPEST HERE 

AS ALL YOU FRIENDS MAY BE AWARE , BY A GOOD FORTUNE OF THE GRACE OF THE  GOOD LORD ABOVE  , I HAVE TRAVELLED FAR AND WIDE ACROSS THE GLOBE AND HAVE ALSO HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRAVEL BY TRAIN IN MANY OF THESE COUNTRIES .

SITTING HERE IN CANADA I CAME ACROSS A BOARD WHICH WAS POSTED IN ANOTHER GROUP WHICH SHOWED THE PASSENGER TRAIN FARE DETAILS EX AMBAS TO VARIOUS PLACES .

WE , WHICH INCLUDES ME , YOURS TRULY FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON LIKE TO CRITICIZE THE SERVICE PROVIDERS BE IT FROM THE STATE OR CENTRAL AUSPICES FOR NO LOGICAL REASON AND DO A GREAT DISSERVICE TO OUR NATION BY PAINTING IT IN ALL THE WRONG COLOURS.

TAKE FOR EXAMPLE THE PASSENGER TRAIN FARE FROM AMBASAMUDRAM TO KOVILPATTY . FOR THE 100 KM DISTANCE THE FARE ON THE INDIAN RAILWAYS IT  IS  Rs 25 OR 40 PAISE PER KILOMETER .

             FORTY PAISE PER KILOMETER 

WHEN YOU COMPARE THE SAME WITH THE TRAIN FARE IN THE US UK OR CANADA , ONE WILL GET STARTLING FIGURES .

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA : - 

THE DISTANCE FROM HAMILTON IN NEW JERSEY TO NEW YORK PENN STATION IS 60 MILES ( THE AMERICANS FOR SOME REASON LOATH THE METRIC SYSTEM ) OR ABOUT 100 KMS . THE AVERAGE TRAIN FARE DEPENDING ON THE TIME OF TRAVEL IS 20 $ US AND THIS WORKS OUT TO Rs1820 /- OR Rs 18 PER KM IN INDIA 

        EIGHTEEN RUPEES PER KILOMETER 

ENGLAND OR UNITED KINGDOM :-

THE DISTANCE FROM LEEDS TO ILKLEY WITH A DISTANCE OF 25 KMS COSTS 2.5 POUNDS OR 310 INDIAN RUPEES , WHICH WORKS OUT TO Rs 12.40 PER KM IN INDIA .

  TWELVE RUPEES FORTY PAISE PER KM

CANADA : - 

THE DISTANCE FROM AJAX WHERE WE STAY AND DOWNTOWN TORONTO  UNION RAIL STATION IS 50 KILOMETERS AND COSTS 15 $ CAD ON AN AVERAGE DEPENDING ON THE TIME OF TRAVEL WHICH IS Rs 1000 IN INDIA AND WORKS OUT TO Rs 20 PER KILOMETER.

          TWENTY RUPEES PER KILOMETER 

INDIA : 40 PAISE PER KM

USA : 18 Rs PER KM

UK : 12 Rs and 40 PAISE PER KILOMETER 

CANADA : 20 Rs PER KILOMETER 

Apart from this , the Rail Stations are also being given a new look with good infrastructure all around and the Trains themselves come with additional Safety Features with Passenger Comfort in mind .

     WELL DONE INDIAN RAILWAYS . 

   NEW LOOK AMBAI RAILWAY STATION 

Right from my childhood days , the annual trip down South to RAVANASAMUDRAM,  my Native Village  from the then CALCUTTA or KHARAGPUR during the Summer Vacation has always been an amazing experience .

This was more so for the Meter Gauge journey from Chennai Egmore to Tirunelveli First and then to RAVANASAMUDRAM by the Shencottah Passenger . The change over from the Electric to Steam Locomotive at Villupuram Junction Station was a much looked forward to event . 

AMBASAMUDRAM Railway Station was a much awaited location as the Steam Locomotive billowing smoke with  the rumbling Sound of the Train as it crossed  the Tambarabarani River Bridge with the huge Iron Girders  was an unforgettable experience . The ARISI MURRUKKU was a much awaited treat at this station .

The 130 Year old  Quaint Station  still retained some of its old ENGLISH traits . Being the Days of the Steam Locomotive , the large Water Tank and the  Coal Storage Area is still fresh in my mind as is  the Track to the Siding for the MADURA COATS GODOWN which in later years went on to house the EOU and Omega Zips and Threads .

Being employed at Madura Coats and staying in the Mill Colony First and after retirement settling at Agasthiarpatty meant that Ambasamudram Railway Station was the place where all my journeys ,  both Domestic and International Commenced .

Meter Gauge made way for the Broad Gauge , Steam Locomotive Made  way for the Diesel Locomotives First and then the Electric Ones, Single Low level Platforms where climbing on to the coaches itself was a daunting task has now  made way for Three Well Laid Platforms with a bridge for access to other  Platforms .

Where there were only two pairs of Passenger Trains each way we now have an ever increasing number of Passenger and  Express Trains operating here . Computerized Reservations for journeys to any part of the COUNTRY are an extra feature now .

The station has seen an ever increasing Footfall to the place because of its Picturesque Locale with the PAPANASAM AND AGASTHIAR AS WELL MANIMUTHAR FALLS . Various Religious places of worship in and around this place attract a lot of visitors  here  .  The place also makes its presence as the chosen place where many Films are shot because of its greenery and the all around scenic attractions .

 INDIAN RAILWAYS has been quick enough to see this Potential . It is one amongst the 10 Railway Station in Southern Railway Stations which has been given a total change over . It now boasts of a  Beautifully Laid out Station with all modern amenities. Elevator and Escalators are also on the cards .

This British Era Rail Station has gone over a Complete Change of look .