Date:19/07/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/07/19/stories/2007071955730600.htm

Tamil Nadu

BG work leaves many in lurch

S. Vijay Kumar

MG conversion project cuts off link between two big cities

There is only one direct train to Coimbatore
Urgent need to operate at least two express trains

MADURAI: Closure of the Madurai-Dindigul metre gauge section for gauge conversion has left passengers in the southern districts with just one direct train to Coimbatore.

The Southern Railway is now operating a few trains between Dindigul and Podanur / Palghat on the MG section with little connectivity for passengers from the south to these trains.

While there is a persistent demand from passengers, particularly traders, to operate a couple of express trains between Madurai and Coimbatore on the broad gauge via Karur, Erode and Tiruppur, railway officials point to congestion in the Madurai-Dindigul single BG line and also give no hope as to when the Nagercoil-Coimbatore Express, which was already announced, would commence services.

“BG conversion of the Dindigul-Coimbatore section (via Palani and Pollachi) would take not less than five years and it is imperative to introduce trains to Coimbatore from the southern districts on the existing BG route. How can there be no direct train link between two major cities in a State that are commercially vibrant,” asks S. Rethinalvelu, president, Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

According to Mr. Rethinavelu, Coimbatore is a fast growing industrial centre which also has places of tourist attraction such as Udhagamandalam nearby.

“There is an urgent need to operate at least two express trains between Madurai and Coimbatore,” Mr. Rethinavelu said.

The Madurai MP, P. Mohan, said that he would raise the issue with the Minister of Railways, Lalu Prasad. “We can operate an express train to Coimbatore from Madurai immediately after the departure of the Madurai-Chennai Vaigai Express.

Similarly, a night train can also be operated around 10 p.m. so as to reach Coimbatore early the next day,” Mr. Mohan said.

Admitting that a majority of passengers had migrated from rail to road transport in view of the inconvenience caused by closure of the Madurai-Dindigul section, a senior railway official said that the demand to operate express trains on BG to Coimbatore would be taken up with the Railway Board.

Over-utilised

“Considering the patronage to the Nagercoil-Madurai-Coimbatore passenger train, we are aware that there is a demand for more trains. The Madurai-Dindigul section is over-utilised making it difficult to introduce new trains till the completion of the BG doubling project,” the official added.