The Coimbatore Corporation has sanctioned Rs. 35 lakh each to the defunct Urumandampalayam and Thudialur railway stations on the Coimbatore – Mettupalayam section for renovation under the Shramdhan scheme.
With this, the rail infrastructure on the section is all set for improvement. Already tenders have been floated for electrifying the section.
At present, trains on the section are stopping only at Coimbatore North, Periyanaickenpalayam and Karamadai stations. Regular passengers on this section have been demanding that the defunct Urumandampalayam, Thudialur, Pudupalayam and Veerapandi stations be renovated and reopened.
The Coimbatore Railway Struggle Committee said that rail services always had immense patronage potential because of the mushrooming residential colonies, industrial units and institutions on either side of the Coimbatore – Mettupalayam section. Following persistent demands, railways said that the stations could be revived under public – private partnership (Shramdhan scheme of the railways).
Pursuant to the same, the Coimbatore Corporation sanctioned the fund for the two stations. Railways had already prepared estimates for construction of a room for issuing tickets, waiting hall and toilets at both these stations.
The proposal for revival of the stations has been sent to General Manager – Southern Railway. After getting the nod, the work will begin. .
Representations have also been sent for the renovation of Pudupalayam and Veerapandi stations under the Shramdhan scheme to the local bodies and philanthropists. R. Raveendran of the struggle committee expressed the hope that these stations would also be revived at the earliest.
