Pollachi MP seeks restoration of trains to southern districts

Coimbatore: Pollachi MP K Shamugasundaram, in a letter to railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, has sought restoration of train services from Coimbatore to southern districts.
There is good demand and revenue potential in the Coimbatore - Dindigul section via Podanur – Pollachi, especially after gauge conversion, the MP said. “As lockdown norms are relaxed, train services in this section will connect tourist destinations in Mettupalayam, Coimbatore, Pollachi, Palani, Dindigul, Madurai, Tuticorin, Tirunelveli and Rameswaram.Podanur – Pollachi – Dindigul section was converted to broad gauge at a cost of Rs 900 crore a few years ago. However, four trains operated on the route were never restored after the conversion,” he said.
Conversion in Podanur – Pollachi section from metre gauge was completed in 2017. But regular express trains are not operated in the section. “Coimbatore – Podanur – Pollachi – Palani – Dindigul railway section connects Coimbatore and Madurai in the shortest route. It has significant passenger and parcel revenue potential, which is grossly underutilised with utilization rate of less than 40%,” said B Mohan Raj, secretary of Pollachi Train Passengers Welfare Association.
“Movement of textile and other products from Coimbatore, tea and vegetables from Nilgiris, agriculture produce and coir products from Pollachi and Udumalai can reach southern districts through this route. Vegetables and fruits from and to the famous Oddanchatram market, seafood from Rameswaram and Kanniyakumari can reach western districts. Coordinated efforts among railway divisions will definitely increase the parcel revenue in addition to the revenue from the regular goods trains,” Mohan said.