By The Hindu Bureau
The Podanur Train Users’ Association has urged the Southern Railway to revive Podanur/Tambaram/Podanur Express (No. 06185/ 06186) special service and to operate it on a daily basis.
In a representation to the Divisional Railway Manager, Salem Railway Division, N. Subramanian, General Secretary of the association, said the special train operated as a weekly service was most comfortable for passengers bound for Chennai as well as pilgrim centres including Kumbakonam, Mayiladuthurai and Chidambaram, in particular, for senior citizens since they could travel in night hours in sleeper class.
The same demand was highlighted in a separate representation by K. Eswarasamy, Member of Parliament, Pollachi Constituency. Stoppage of the service was regrettable, since it had high level of occupancy all along the intermediate stations. The services may be restored with bi-weekly operation in the interests of travelling public, the MP emphasised. The association also demanded the extension of Janshatabdi Express (12083/ 12084) till Chidambaram.
The association has been highlighting this demand for long and the Southern Railway has been citing non-availability of platform for not being able to start the journey at earlier timings to make this happen.
The association suggests that the train can, instead, start from Podanur Junction, which has five platforms that are not fully utilised.
Like several other train rakes stabling at Podanur Junction during the night hours, the Jan Shatabdi express rakes were also stabling at Podanur Junction on most days. The Salem Railway Division could as well plan the start of the train from Podanur Junction, which will also serve the purpose of decongesting Coimbatore Junction, Mr. Subramanian said.
The train could start from the Podanur Junction at 6 a.m., depart from Coimbatore Junction after a 20-minute stoppage, and reach Mayiladuthurai and Chidambaram at 1.05 p.m. and 1.35 p.m. respectively. In the return direction, the train could depart at 2.30 p.m., Mr. Subramanian said.