Tamil Nadu - Coimbatore   

Train passengers demand more facilities

Coimbatore: Despite being the largest revenue spinner in the Southern Railway after to Chennai, Coimbatore continues to to be neglected in respect of infrastructure, said Railway Passengers Association, Coimbatore. It blamed the politicians and MPs from Tamil Nadu for not improving the train services in the sector.

S. Vaidyanathakrishnan, secretary of the association said that the State Government was not cooperating with the railways in making available the required land to construct buildings for the Salem Divisional Office and staff quarters.

It has affected the development works. Line doubling between Coimbatore Junction and Irugur that started in 2002 is yet to be completed, work on the Karur – Salem line, the Coimbatore – Pollachi – Udumalpet - Palani – Dindigul gauge conversion are proceeding at a snail’s pace.

A highly industrial belt known for garment, textile, engineering units besides hospitals and educational institutions require better rail network for accelerating the growth of this region.

The representatives of the people from Kerala have ensured a march over other States by actively participating in the Parliamentary debates. Kerala managed to get the Bangalore – Coimbatore Intercity Express extended up to Ernakulam, the Chennai Egmore – Coimbatore Express up to Mangalore, Tiruchirapalli – Coimbatore Fast Passenger up to Palakkad.

Unfortunately, the long pending demand of Western Tamil Nadu for a night express train continues to be neglected. Railway officials are refusing to extend the Thiruvananthapuram – Palakkad Express up to Coimbatore. Coimbatore is yet to get night trains to Thiruvananthapuram, Bangalore, Rameshwaram and an additional train to Chennai.

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