Better Utilization of the train services from Coimbatore will benefit the common man and generate more revenue

At first, the train used to run between Thiruvananthapuram Central to Palakkad, then extended up to Pollachi later extended to Madurai Junction.


Coimbatore: People of Coimbatore require good daily rail connectivity to Madurai and Trivandrum.

Amritha Express was introduced in January 2001 by the then Railway Minister O. Rajagopal, the first BJP Central Minister from Kerala. This train is named after Mata Amritanandamayi, a well known spiritual leader.

At first, the train used to run between Thiruvananthapuram Central to Palakkad, then extended up to Pollachi later extended to Madurai Junction. Now, by rerouting this train to Coimbatore in both the directions, about 1500 people in addition to the existing passengers will travel safely in this train. It would just travel about 40 kms additionally in a trip and take a little more time in the current schedule.

Speaking about this, Podanur Train Users Association has said, "We request the authorities in Southern Railways to reroute Amrita express from Palakkad to Coimbatore which will benefit the passengers traveling from Trivandrum and south Kerala to reach Coimbatore in an overnight journey. Also the passengers from Coimbatore via Palani will reach Madurai in this daily Intercity Express train service."

The train service in the existing route has about 50% occupancy and by rerouting this train the load factor will improve considerably along with a good additional revenue of a minimum of Rs.90 lakhs a month only due to the passengers in Coimbatore. Moreover when this train passes through Ettimadai, the knowledge hub of Amritanandamayi the true purpose will be achieved.

These are the list of trains diverted/extended from Coimbatore in the past to Kerala.

1. Chennai Egmore - Erode/Coimbatore daily express extended to Mangaluru.

2. Tiruchirapalli - Coimbatore fast passenger (Now express) extended to Palakkad town.

3. Bengaluru - Coimbatore Intercity (RSA with Kovai exp) extended to Ernakulam. (Due to this, Kovai Exp reaches Chennai only at 23.00 hrs) alternatively Amrita Exp extension was agreed to Coimbatore, but it didn't happen.

4. Mettupalayam - Cochin Harbor terminus (Which is overnight connectivity to Ernakulam for Coimbatore people) extended to Karaikal (for Coimbatore passengers its at odd hours)

They said that, "We are confident that the demand to extend Amrita express to Coimbatore will be considered immediately and the needful will be done at the earliest which will benefit one and all."

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