Rail Passengers in Kerala and Tamil Nadu Demand Restoration of Kollam-Erode Express Service
Rail passengers and advocacy groups in Kerala and Tamil Nadu are making a fervent appeal to the Indian Railways to resume the long-discontinued Kollam-Coimbatore/Erode train service via Punalur. This crucial rail link was halted twelve years ago to facilitate gauge conversion work on the Kollam-Sengottai route, and its absence has created significant hardships for commuters and communities across the region.
Joint Meeting Highlights Public Inconvenience and Medical Access Issues
A recent joint meeting of the Kollam-Sengottai Railway Passenger Association and the Sengottai Rail Passenger Association formally urged railway authorities to restart the Kollam-Erode Express. This train traditionally traveled via Sengottai, Madurai, and Palani, providing a vital connection between Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
The associations emphasized that the proposed plan to introduce an Ernakulam-Velankanni train via Punalur would be a positive step. This new service would not only add a much-needed morning train on the route but also offer passengers an easy and convenient connection to important destinations like Thanjavur and Kumbakonam.
M C Ajish, President of the Kollam-Sengottai Railway Passenger Association, highlighted the core issue: "The lack of passenger services on the Punalur-Sengottai section is causing huge inconvenience to the public." This sentiment was echoed by other members who detailed the daily struggles faced by residents.
Additional Demands for Improved Local Connectivity
Beyond the restoration of the inter-state express, the meeting also put forward demands for enhanced local services. The associations called for the commencement of Kollam-Tirunelveli passenger services in both the morning and evening slots. These services are deemed essential to cater to the daily commuting needs of the local population.
K H Krishnan, Secretary of the Sengottai Railway Passengers Association, explained the economic importance of such connectivity: "This train is a cost-effective option for people from Tenkasi to reach Thiruvananthapuram." The absence of affordable and direct rail options forces many to rely on more expensive or less convenient modes of transport.
Critical Healthcare Access Compromised
A particularly pressing concern raised by the Sengottai association involves healthcare access. They noted that residents from southern Tamil Nadu face significant and often insurmountable challenges in reaching premier medical facilities in Thiruvananthapuram, such as the Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) and Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology.
The discontinuation of the Erode train has severed a direct and affordable link to these lifesaving institutions, exacerbating the difficulties for patients and their families during medical emergencies.
Political Intervention Sought to Resolve the Issue
Despite repeated appeals and demands over the years, the restoration of the Kollam-Erode Express service has yet to materialize. In a bid to break the deadlock, the passenger associations have now appealed to Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the BJP state president, to intervene.
They are urging him to use his influence to facilitate dialogue with railway officials and expedite the process of restarting this essential train service. The communities remain hopeful that political attention will translate into tangible action, ending a twelve-year wait for restored connectivity and improved quality of life for thousands of rail passengers in the region.
