The MP cited Podanur Junction as serving the Southern part of Coimbatore, and Kinathukadavu which is a suburb of Coimbatore, lying almost equidistant from both Coimbatore and Pollachi, catering to a large population who are unable to effectively use trains for their travels since there is no stoppage of trains at both railway stations.
Coimbatore: While thanking the Southern Railways for restoring 16721/16722 Coimbatore - Madurai Express services which he deemed was a huge benefit for the people of Pollachi constituency, Pollachi MP Shanmuga Sundaram requested the Railways to look into the demands of his constituents for stoppage of trains at Podanur and Kinathukadavu railway stations.
Pollachi MP Shanmuga Sundaram stated, "It has been a longstanding demand of my constituents for stoppage of trains at Podanur and Kinathukadavu railway stations. Podanur Junction, the first railway station for Coimbatore district which opened in 1862 and the third oldest railway station in South India, after Royapuram and Tiruchirappalli railway stations, stands neglected today by the Railways.
Podanur Junction serves as the railway station for the Southern part of Coimbatore, and Kinathukadavu which is a suburb of Coimbatore, lying almost equidistant from both Coimbatore and Pollachi, caters to a large population who are unable to effectively use trains for their travels.
Kinathukadavu Railway Station does not even have a foot overbridge yet, despite the FOB being sanctioned on 22/11/2019 at a cost of Rs.1.38 crores. The work which was supposed to have been completed on 31/12/2021 has not even begun yet. This is the step-motherly treatment meted out by the Palakkad Railway Division. Infrastructure projects and bare essentials such as Foot Overbridges are still pending, stoppages are not granted and railway stations are in a state of neglect.
At this juncture, I request you for the following:
1. Stoppage of 22609/22610 Mangalore - Coimbatore - Mangalore intércity SF Express at Podanur Junction.
2. Stoppage of 06029/06030 Mettupalayam - Tirunelveli - Mettupalayam Special Express at Kinathukadavu and regularisation of the train.
3. Diversion. of 16343/16344 Amrita Express. The train presently travels from TVC - MDU via PGT, POL, UDT, DG. This should be diverted from PGT to CBE and then to POY, so as to benefit rail users. Amrita Express presently has around 50 percent occupancy and rerouting the train via PGT - CBE - POY will increase the patronage. This will also complement the newly restored 16721/16722 between CBE - MDU and will provide a faster connection between CBE and TVC.
4. New Passenger Train from DG to CBE via PLNI, UDT, POY, CNV. This train was operated during the Metre Gauge Era and must be restored as an early morning train for the benefit of students, workers and office goers. This will enable the speeding up of 16721/16722 as Intercity or Jan Shatabdi Express.
5. Extension of MTP - CBE MEMU nos 6009, 6813, 6815, 6817, 6823 to PTJ (Podanur Junction) which will immensely benefit the surrounding populace. As PTJ is only 5 KMs away from CBE Jn, this is feasible and will serve the suburban areas of Coimbatore.
6. Restoration of the historic express from Rameswaram to Coimbatore via MDU and POY as an overnight train should be carried out at the earliest.
7. Weekly Special between POY and TBM via DG, TPJ, VM should be introduced for easy commuting between Pollachi and the State Capital.
8. Weekly Special between POY and SBC via PLNI, DG, KRR, SA should be introduced to cater to the large crowds of IT employees commuting to Bangalore.
9. The to-be-introduced MAJN - RMM Weekly Express should be routed via UDT, POY.
10. Coimbatore Junction has attained saturation in terms of both traffic, lines and maintenance facilities. To combat this, Podanur Junction should be developed as a Satellite station which is also easily accessible to the public.
11. New Vande Bharat Express from MAS - PTJ via CBE must be introduced.
12. Pollachi station should be augmented with Maintenance and Pit lines to ease the pressure on Coimbatore Junction and all trains to and from Pollachi must immediately be restored to pre-gauge conversion levels.
I request you to look into these issues with utmost priority and take necessary steps so as to rectify the issues faced by the people of Pollachi constituency," urged Pollachi MP Shanmuga Sundaram.