Nine rly stations to be closed after nine pm

The Southern Railway Administration has decided to close nine railway stations in Madurai division-- between Virudhunagar and Shencottah-- after nine pm to "save on electricity", and prevent the station premises from becoming the den of anti-social elements, official sources said today.
The sources said they had asked the stations to be shut as no trains were being operated after the Pothigai Express.
The ticket counter and station Master's room would also be closed. The station would be reopened at 05:30am, when the Pothigai express would come in the return direction from Chennai.
Currently, eight trains were being operated from Virudhunagar to Shencottah via Tirutangal, Sivakasi, Srivilliputhur, Rajapalayam, Sankarankovil, Pambusanthai, Kadayanallur, Tenkasi and Shencottah.