Rail Users Renew Push for Coimbatore-Bengaluru Uday Express Extension to Pollachi
Railway users in Coimbatore district have strongly renewed their demand for the extension of the Coimbatore–Bengaluru Uday Double Decker Express train to Pollachi. This call is driven by concerns over underutilized rail infrastructure and a significant surge in travel demand from the region, highlighting a critical gap in connectivity.
Underutilized Infrastructure and Growing Travel Needs
Pollachi Junction railway station, located in Coimbatore district, serves residents from four key taluks: Pollachi, Kinathukadavu, Anaimalai, and Valparai. Despite the completion of the Palakkad–Dindigul broad-gauge line in 2015 and the Pollachi–Podanur section in 2017, only a limited number of trains currently operate on these routes. This underutilization persists even as there is immense potential for travel related to spirituality, tourism, and trade in the area.
Thousands of people from Pollachi and its surrounding regions are employed in IT and other sectors in Bengaluru. Additionally, many residents travel to Bengaluru for medical treatments, and a substantial number of students pursue higher education there. Currently, there is no direct train connectivity between Pollachi and Bengaluru, forcing commuters to rely on indirect or less convenient options.
Benefits of Extending the Uday Express
T Krishna Balaji, secretary of the Pollachi Train Passengers Welfare Association, emphasized that extending the Coimbatore–Bengaluru Uday Express to Pollachi would provide significant benefits. "This extension would aid thousands of people from our region who work in Bengaluru, as well as support traders and students," he stated. He further noted that the train currently runs at full capacity only on weekends and Mondays, with occupancy dropping to around 50% on other weekdays. "By routing the train via Pollachi, it is likely to achieve full capacity daily, optimizing rail resources," Balaji added.
Formal Demand and Official Response
The demand for this extension was formally raised by Divisional Railway Users Consultative Committee member M K G Anandakumar during a consultative meeting held at the Palakkad divisional railway manager’s office on February 4. According to Balaji, railway officials have promised to consider the proposal, offering a glimmer of hope for improved connectivity. This move aligns with broader efforts to enhance rail services in South India, addressing both infrastructural inefficiencies and passenger convenience.
