coimbatore Its general manager BG Mallya said that with the increasing demand for train services to and from Coimbatore, Southern Railway is looking at expansion of railway stations here.
They told Hindu For this an official survey is likely to be planned at the divisional level.
Sources in Salem division said as land-locked around Coimbatore junction poses hurdles in laying additional lines, extension of services of some trains may be considered.
Meanwhile, Coimbatore MP PR Natarajan said he spoke to railway officials on Tuesday about using the existing tracks at Coimbatore North and Podanur for extension of services to Coimbatore in case there are bottlenecks at Coimbatore Junction.
‘Trains stood for more than 10 hours’
In response to an RTI filed by KS Ramakrishnan, Director, Kongu Railway Development Council, the Salem Railway Division stated that 34 trains originate from Coimbatore Junction and eight trains originate from Mettupalayam.
Ramakrishnan said that four of the six platforms at the junction are used to park trains for several hours – some with stops for more than 17 hours – and only platforms I and II are continuously operational. These trains can be extended to Pollachi, Podanur and even other districts of the southern region.
For instance, the Chemmozhi Express (16615) arrives at Coimbatore Junction at 4.45 am, stands for 17.5 hours and leaves for Mannargudi at 12.45 the next day, he said. Passengers may benefit if it can be extended up to Rameswaram by 3 pm and return to Coimbatore at 9.30 pm on the basis of rake-sharing arrangement, he suggested.
Divisional Rail Users Advisory Committee (DRUCC) member J Satheesh said he expects new train services by February 2023, when Coimbatore Junction will celebrate 150 years. He said that eight more platforms may be added to the existing platforms at Podanur, Coimbatore Junction and Coimbatore North.
An official of the Salem division said that most of the trains parked for 10 hours have maintenance work done at the coach depot here and the locomotive shed in Erode. Also, if trains are extended to other districts, there may be delay in returning and hence to avoid such difficulties, services are not extended at present, the official said.
to oppose
Mr Natarajan said he also urged the officials to connect Pollachi and Kinathukadavu stations which come under Palakkad Division under Salem Division and increase the frequency of services from Coimbatore to southern districts and Mettupalayam station.
He said public meetings would be held in Pollachi, Coimbatore and Mettupalayam on September 28, 29 and 30 and protests would be held at three stations on October 3 if the demands were not met.