Coimbatore NXT pitches for major railway infrastructure push in its meeting with Southern Railway GM

A delegation of Coimbatore NXT, Railway Task Force, at its high-level meeting here with the General Manager of Southern Railway U. Subba Rao and the Divisional Railway Manager, Salem Division, Panna Lal, on Friday, sought urgent improvements in railway infrastructure, additional train services, enhanced passenger amenities and better suburban connectivity across Coimbatore.

Led by Vanitha Mohan, vice-chairman, Kongu Global Forum, the delegates, including Dorairaj, president, Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Naushad, chairman, CII, Coimbatore Zone; Balasubramanian, president, Residents’ Awareness Association of Coimbatore (RAAC); and Dileep who represented the Customs Brokers and Shipping Agents Association, strongly emphasised that the development of Coimbatore Junction, a major revenue-generating railway station in Southern Railway, has been long overdue and must receive immediate attention.

The major demands constituted operating Coimbatore–Chennai Vande Bharat Express with more coaches to meet growing passenger demand; introduction of Coimbatore–Tiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat Express; restoration of direct train connectivity to the southern districts of Tamil Nadu that were in place during the metre-gauge era; and rerouting of trains currently bypassing Coimbatore Junction.

The delegates also called for upgrade of Coimbatore Junction with additional infrastructure, improved passenger amenities and facilities for simultaneous train operations; expediting the development of Coimbatore South - Podanur Junction; establishing additional island platforms at Coimbatore North Junction and according it a status of terminus; and improvements to platforms and passenger amenities at Irugur, Singanallur, Kinathukadavu, Peelamedu and other suburban stations.

They mooted strengthening of circular suburban railway connectivity from Coimbatore to Tiruppur , Pollachi and Palakkad to serve Coimbatore’s growing metropolitan population and increasing green cover across railway lands and stations through large-scale native tree plantation in partnership with Siruthuli.

The senior officials responded positively to the demands.

J. Sathish, trustee, Siruthuli, said the delegation reiterated that modern railway infrastructure was not merely a transport requirement, but an essential investment in Coimbatore’s economic growth, passenger convenience and sustainable urban development.