COIMBATORE: Suburban train travel in the district is likely to get a boost with the railways deciding to create stations and stoppages at Veerapandi and Pudupalayam. This is expected to increase the patronage of the Coimbatore-Mettupalayam passenger train as more people living along the stretch would have an easy access to the train and station.
Speaking at the Coimbatore Junction on Friday, Union minister of state for railways Rajen Gohain said the railways would develop the Coimbatore North railway station and carry out platform extension work at Pudupalayam and Veerapandi.
“According to the requests of local MPs and people of Coimbatore, these works would be taken up,” he said.
The railways had come up with an estimate of Rs 20 lakh each to develop the Veerapandi and Pudupalayam stations. “The MPs have assured funds under the MPLAD scheme,” said Gohain. “If they contribute Rs 15 lakh for each station, the railways would be able to allot Rs 5 lakh for each station,” said a railways official.
“It would be a small station, like the one in Thudiyalur. It would have a long platform on both sides for passengers to get on and off the train. It will also have a small room for issuing tickets, seating provisions and bathrooms,” he added.
The Coimbatore-Mettupalayam passenger train, which starts at the Coimbatore Junction, stops at Coimbatore North, Thudiyalur, Periyanaickenpalayam and Karamadai before finally reaching Mettupalayam. This new announcement will add two more stoppages between Thudiyalur and Periyanaickenpalayam, making the train accessible to residents of places like Narasimanaickenpalayam and Vadamadurai, among others.
The Coimbatore North station would also be improved, said the minister. “Introduction of Mettupalayam–Madurai train service will be considered positively,” he said. “We also promise that all trains in the Salem division would be fitted with biotoilets by 2018-end,” he added.
Source : TOI