Southern Railway GM Announces North Coimbatore Platform Completion by March
Southern Railway General Manager R N Singh has confirmed that the construction of an additional platform at North Coimbatore Railway Station is progressing steadily and is scheduled for completion by March this year. This development is part of the ongoing infrastructure enhancements under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS), aimed at improving passenger facilities and operational efficiency across the railway network.
New Platform to Alleviate Congestion at Coimbatore Junction
During an inspection and discussion with officials, Singh elaborated on the strategic importance of the new platform. The additional platform will be specifically dedicated to MEMU trains and other short-distance services. This allocation is designed to decongest the busy Coimbatore Junction railway station by allowing long-distance trains to utilize the existing platforms more effectively.
"The construction of an additional platform is in progress with provisions for direct entry from the main arch," Singh stated. "This platform will be dedicated to MEMU trains and other short-distance trains. So, long-distance trains can be provided stoppage at the existing platforms to decongest the Coimbatore Junction railway station."
The new platform is being constructed to accommodate approximately 12-coach trains, enhancing capacity and service reliability for commuters in the region.
Inspection of ABSS Work and Infrastructure Review
General Manager Singh conducted a comprehensive inspection of ABSS work at multiple railway stations, including Coimbatore North, Podanur, Mettupalayam in Coimbatore district, and Shoranur in Kerala. He directed officials to expedite the ongoing projects to ensure timely completion.
Additionally, Singh carried out a detailed sectional inspection from Podanur Junction to Shoranur Junction. This review encompassed:
- Railway track conditions
- Rail overbridges and foot overbridges
- Signalling systems
- Passenger amenities along the route
At Walayar railway station, he specifically reviewed the progress of installing an elephant intrusion detection system and inspected proposed locations for elephant underpasses, highlighting the railway's commitment to safety and environmental considerations.
Redevelopment Plans for Coimbatore Junction
When questioned about the redevelopment work at Coimbatore Junction, Singh revealed a potential shift in project execution strategy. "Earlier, work was planned on the public-private partnership (PPP) mode. But now we have considered executing the project on the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) mode," he explained.
He emphasized that the EPC mode is more cost-efficient and allows for a greater focus on passenger-centric development, compared to the PPP mode, which often prioritizes commercialization. These recommendations are currently under consideration by the railway board for a final decision.
Demands from Industrial Bodies and Local Communities
Various industrial organizations, including the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Codissia, SIEMA, and the Kongu Global Forum, presented their demands to General Manager Singh. Their requests focus on enhancing rail connectivity to support the region's economic and social needs.
Key demands include:
- Increasing the frequency of existing weekly and biweekly services from Coimbatore to Rameswaram, Tuticorin, and New Delhi.
- Extending services such as Ernakulam-Palakkad MEMU, Tuticorin-Palakkad Jn Palaruvi Express, and Trichy-Erode passenger trains to Coimbatore.
- Restoring services like Dindigul–Coimbatore–Dindigul via Palani, Coimbatore–Sengottai–Coimbatore Superfast Express via Palani, and Coimbatore–Salem–Coimbatore Express via Erode.
J Sathish, former member of the Divisional Railway Users Consultative Committee (DRUCC), underscored the importance of these services. "These services are vital to the Western Tamil Nadu region, which serves a population of approximately 1.8 crore people and is a major hub for industry, education, healthcare, and tourism," he said. "Strengthening rail connectivity will significantly benefit passengers while contributing to increased patronage and revenue for Indian Railways."
In a separate petition, residents of Mettupalayam requested an increase in the frequency of MEMU passenger train services between Mettupalayam and Coimbatore from five to eight trips in both directions, reflecting local commuter needs.
The initiatives and inspections led by General Manager Singh highlight Southern Railway's ongoing efforts to modernize infrastructure, improve passenger experience, and address regional connectivity demands in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
