An overnight express train to Bengaluru and completion of broad gauge conversion between Coimbatore to Pollachi topped the list of demands made by the Kovai District Railway Struggles Committee on Monday evening. The list of demands is likely to be submitted to the railway ministry by the committee leaders during this week, in the hope that they will be met in the upcoming 2016 Railway Budget.
The committee, which consists of different stakeholders like employees of the railway trade unions, passengers' welfare associations and residents' welfare associations among others, said an overnight train to Bengaluru and back was the need of the hour. "Every day almost 60 omnibuses go to Bengaluru from Coimbatore and there have been many cases of bus operators fleecing passengers by charging exorbitant bus fares, like Rs1,500 to Rs 2,000 for a trip," said former MLA and CPM state committee member, P R Natarajan. "Hence, a train to Bengaluru and back will help many working professionals," he said.
Completion of road-over-bridges (ROB) over Peelamedu, Thaneerpandhal, Avarampalayam and Rasipuram, which is critical for decongestion of traffic, was also a demand.
"The centre should release funds for the project at the earliest and the state government should also do their bit fast," said Natarajan. "The platforms of the Singanallur, Peelamedu and Irugur stations should also be extended to accommodate 24 coaches so that even an express train can make a stop and these stations can be developed as full-fledged stops," said convenor of the Kovai District Railway Struggles Committee, G K Nagarajan.
They also demanded the Coimbatore-Mettupalayam electric train's frequency should be increased. Keeping an eye on the rapid growth of Chettipalayam's population, the station's renovation has also been demanded.
Natarajan said that many projects are long pending and provision of basic passenger amenities at the Coimbatore Railway Junction is the need of the hour.
"There are escalators but no lifts. Escalators to platform 1, 2, 5 and 6 are not working half the time due to the lack of an operator. Coimbatore is the second biggest city in the state, and such basic amenities need to be taken care of," said Natarajan. "Elevators need to be built at each platform, as many disabled people cannot use escalators," he said.
The committee, which consists of different stakeholders like employees of the railway trade unions, passengers' welfare associations and residents' welfare associations among others, said an overnight train to Bengaluru and back was the need of the hour. "Every day almost 60 omnibuses go to Bengaluru from Coimbatore and there have been many cases of bus operators fleecing passengers by charging exorbitant bus fares, like Rs1,500 to Rs 2,000 for a trip," said former MLA and CPM state committee member, P R Natarajan. "Hence, a train to Bengaluru and back will help many working professionals," he said.
Completion of road-over-bridges (ROB) over Peelamedu, Thaneerpandhal, Avarampalayam and Rasipuram, which is critical for decongestion of traffic, was also a demand.
"The centre should release funds for the project at the earliest and the state government should also do their bit fast," said Natarajan. "The platforms of the Singanallur, Peelamedu and Irugur stations should also be extended to accommodate 24 coaches so that even an express train can make a stop and these stations can be developed as full-fledged stops," said convenor of the Kovai District Railway Struggles Committee, G K Nagarajan.
They also demanded the Coimbatore-Mettupalayam electric train's frequency should be increased. Keeping an eye on the rapid growth of Chettipalayam's population, the station's renovation has also been demanded.
Natarajan said that many projects are long pending and provision of basic passenger amenities at the Coimbatore Railway Junction is the need of the hour.
"There are escalators but no lifts. Escalators to platform 1, 2, 5 and 6 are not working half the time due to the lack of an operator. Coimbatore is the second biggest city in the state, and such basic amenities need to be taken care of," said Natarajan. "Elevators need to be built at each platform, as many disabled people cannot use escalators," he said.