Coimbatore rail connectivity could improve across Tamil Nadu if Southern Railway accepts proposals to extend two train services to Chidambaram and Bodinayakanur, according to a letter from Pollachi MP K Eswarasamy. The requests are aimed at addressing long-standing passenger demands from Coimbatore, Pollachi and other towns in western Tamil Nadu.
Eswarasamy has sought the extension of Train Nos. 12083/12084 Coimbatore–Mayiladuthurai–Coimbatore Jan Shatabdi Express to Chidambaram. He said the service would help passengers travelling between Coimbatore and Chidambaram for education, medical treatment, business, pilgrimage and tourism.
Chidambaram is home to Annamalai University and the historic Nataraja Temple. The nearby Pichavaram area is also a major tourism destination. The proposed extension would link Coimbatore more directly with these locations and towns in the Cauvery delta and southern parts of Tamil Nadu.
The MP has suggested an alternative arrangement if operational constraints prevent the train from being extended from Coimbatore Junction. He proposed that the Jan Shatabdi could originate from Podanur Junction at 6am instead. The letter does not indicate that Southern Railway has accepted either proposal or announced a timetable change.
Eswarasamy has also requested the extension of Train Nos. 16721/16722 Madurai–Coimbatore–Madurai Intercity Express to Bodinayakanur. He cited the absence of direct rail connectivity between Coimbatore and the Theni region as a reason for the demand.
The proposed extension is intended to benefit passengers from Coimbatore, Pollachi, Kinathukadavu, Udumalpet and Palani, as well as travellers from Theni, Andipatti and Usilampatti. Eswarasamy said a direct train between Coimbatore and Bodinayakanur had operated during the metre-gauge era but had not been restored after the railway network was converted.
The demands have been raised alongside separate requests concerning services at Podanur Junction. The Tamil Nadu Rail Users Federation said it was supporting demands from the Podanur Train Users Association for additional stoppages for three express services: the Mangaluru–Coimbatore–Mangaluru Intercity Express, the Ernakulam–Bengaluru–Ernakulam Intercity Express and the Ernakulam–Karaikal Express.
The association has sought the stoppages after they were discontinued following the Covid-19 pandemic. TRUF president N Subramanian also sought the restoration of the Podanur–Tambaram Express via Pollachi, Palani, Dindigul, Trichy, Kumbakonam and Chidambaram, along with the revival of train services that operated from Coimbatore during the metre-gauge era.
The next step rests with Southern Railway, which would need to examine operational feasibility, route capacity, scheduling and service requirements before taking a decision on the proposed extensions or additional stoppages.
