CITU-affiliated workers’ association seeks additional passenger train services between Mettupalayam and Coimbatore

Citing the excessive crowding caused by overwhelming patronage of travelling public, the Mettupalayam Talukka Pothu Thozhilalar Sangam, a workers’ association affiliated to CITU (Centre of Indian Trade Unions) has urged the Southern Railway to operate additional passenger train services between Mettupalayam and Coimbatore.

Without space even to stand, students, patients, professionals and others, nevertheless, travel despite the discomfort in the MEMU passenger train that starts at 8.20 from Mettupalayam, because of the reduced travel duration when compared to road journey, S. Basha, General Secretary, Mettupalayam Talukka Pothu Thozhilalar Sangam, said in a representation to the Divisional Railway Manager of Salem Railway Division.

There was scope for increasing to-and-fro daily train services between Coimbatore and Mettupalayam from five to seven, Mr. Basha said, highlighting the dangers faced by the passengers travelling on footboard of the trains with only eight compartments.

The passenger service operated between Pollachi to Coimbatore at 7.40 a.m. could be extended to Mettupalayam.

Construction of an additional platform at Mettupalayam Railway Station must be prioritised such that the trains halting for the night at Coimbatore Junction could be operated as a service to Mettupalayam.

The same train could be operated as a morning service to Coimbatore from Mettupalayam, he said, pointing out that revenue could be generated in both directions.

Likewise, the rakes of the Semmozhi Express that are stationed at the Coimbatore Junction from 8.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. could be utilised for a morning service from Coimbatore to Mettupalayam such that it could depart from there in the return direction at 9.30 a.m., Mr. Basha said.